Getting There

This particular stretch of the Tuolumne River can be reached at Tuolumne Meadows in the northeast of Yosemite. Make sure to get your wilderness permit! We parked along the road near the stables. The Ranger will tell you where to park if you are hiking into Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp like we did.

The Hike

It is a moderate hike to Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp on the Tuolumne River. We traveled about 5.2 miles and it was relatively easy. The trail takes you downhill for most of the way as it follows the Tuolumne River northward. From the trailhead at Tuolumne Meadows, you will follow the road until the trail heads into the woods. There is a sign junction here. Be prepared for magnificent views as you climb your way down the valley and across the Tuolumne River two more times. The hike to Glen Aulin on the Tuolumne River makes for an excellent day hike, so expect to see many visitors coming and going.

The Fishing

The fish are biting in The Tuolumne River. They are small and really beautiful. I landed a 10" Brown, some Brook Trout, and some Rainbows. I didn't have much luck with wet flies like hares ears or pheasant tails. I did have luck using small grasshoppers, black ants with red indicator, and elk hair caddis. I spent a lot of time on the rocks below the falls at Glen Aulin. I had luck casting from both sides of the waterfall.

When evening came over the Tuolumne River, I hiked down the trail northward and down to the next waterfall. Here, standing on the smooth river rock, I casted as close as I could to the falls and let my fly drift down. I couldn't raise any hits on Elk Hair so I switched over to a mosquito pattern I that I tied. I had a lot of luck catching Brookies in the 6-8 inch range after that. I released all fish at Tuolumne River.