South Fork Tule River

Generated artwork: BlueStreamFly · Regional illustration; not the exact location.

Should I go fishing?

Go with caution.

Flow is high for this time of year.

Best option: Floating. A float can fit better than wading only if launches, shuttle, boat skill, wind, and local rules all check out.

Rating updatedRiver local time: Sep 11, 2026, 10:24 PM PDT

Why this recommendation?

USGS shows 6 cfs. The flow has been stable over about 6 hours. USGS marks this reading provisional and may revise it. USGS records for this date (2000-2025, 26 readings) show a median near 3 cfs and the upper quartile near 5 cfs; today's flow is high for the date. Fishable water may exist, but do not rate it highly without a safe access, clarity, and wading or boat plan.

Available live dataHighHow much of the live flow, weather, and alert data came back.

Confidence in this recommendationHighCurrent flow, weather, alerts, and trip-critical signals support this decision.

Usually checks again about every 45 minutes

If you go

Check first: Use RiverReports for a quick chart and USGS 11203580 for official flow context.
Try: Start with a dry-dropper in broken water before adding weight.
Leave when: Skip during sharp rises, hot low water, unsafe crossings, or road and trail uncertainty.

Flow and weather

Showing server-checked river conditions while current readings refresh.

Flow: 5.57 cfs; From the latest stored river check. Open the official source for the newest reading.Water 65.5°F · 24h high 66.9°F · USGS provisional
Air forecast: 68°F
Next 24h high: 80.0°F
NWS air forecast near Sep 12, 2026, 12:00 PM PDT
Rain chance: 0%

RiverReports preview · current series loading

Recent flow

RiverReports gauge

South Fork Tule River flow chart from RiverReports

Showing the available RiverReports chart while the current structured flow series loads. Check the chart on RiverReports Opens in a new tab.

Latest stored weather check

Mostly Clear

Wind: 5 mph
Weather checked: Sep 11, 2026, 10:00 PM PDT

More forecast and source details

Mostly Clear

National Weather Service

South Fork Tule River forecast point

The National Weather Service forecast is temporarily unavailable.

Live data

Where these readings come from

RiverReports gauge: South Fork Tule River near Cholollo Campground

Water 65.5°F · provisional · 24h high 66.9°F provisionalWater observed Sep 11, 2026, 7:30 PM PDT · high observed Sep 11, 2026, 3:15 PM PDT

Official USGS station Opens in a new tab.RiverReports gauge Opens in a new tab.Official NWS forecast Opens in a new tab.

These values are from the latest server-checked river data. JavaScript can refresh them with newer readings. Use the official links below for the newest readings before you fish.

Flies for this time of year

Seasonal starting points, not a live hatch report. Match what you see on the water.

See flies for every season

SeasonWhat to look forFlies to try

Spring

What to look forLittle stones, BWOs, caddis, and runoff-edge nymph movement

Flies to try

Stonefly nymphStonefly Nymph Patterns BWO emergerBlue-Winged Olive Patterns hare's earGold-Ribbed Hare's Ear Nymph caddis pupaCaddis Pupa Patterns

Early summer

What to look forCaddis, PMDs, yellow sallies, and attractor dry-fly windows

Flies to try

Elk Hair CaddisPMD emergerPale Morning Dun Patterns yellow stimulatorStimulator perdigonPerdigon Nymph

Late summerThis season

What to look forTerrestrials, ants, beetles, hoppers, and evening caddis

Flies to try

Foam antAnt Patterns beetleBeetle Patterns hopperGrasshopper Patterns X-CaddisParachute Adams

FallThis season

What to look forBWOs, midges, October caddis, and small streamer windows

Flies to try

BWO emergerBlue-Winged Olive Patterns Zebra MidgeOctober caddis pupaCaddis Pupa Patterns olive buggerWoolly Bugger

Each fly name opens its matching Fly Box guide.

More fishing tips

Methods, fish species and trip notes

How to fish South Fork Tule River today.

Best windows come with stable flow, cool water, and access that does not require unsafe crossings. Skip the trip when the gauge rises fast, roads are uncertain, or water is too warm.

Post-runoff stable flow

Best for dry-dropper and short-line nymphing.

High snowmelt

Unsafe for wading and often too fast for effective fly fishing.

Hot low water

Fish early or skip trout if temperatures rise.

Clear pocket water

Use stealth, smaller flies, and short casts.

Wading, bank fishing or floating?

Best access methodFloating

These scores compare the risks of wading, bank fishing, and floating.

Wading44/100

Wading is the most sensitive plan today. Use protected edges only, avoid crossings, and downgrade quickly if clarity or current feels wrong.

Bank fishingNot recommended

This report does not recommend bank fishing on this reach.

Floating · Best fit68/100

A float can fit better than wading only if launches, shuttle, boat skill, wind, and local rules all check out.

Full river report

Is South Fork Tule River worth the trip today? Check flow, weather, hatches, access, and rules for California before you go.

South Fork Tule River should be planned around flow, legal access, and the specific reach you intend to fish. The best plan is built around safe flow, legal access, water temperature, and short realistic reaches instead of trying to cover the whole drainage.

Fishing words used on this page

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) gauge: A USGS gauge is an official river station that measures flow or water height.
Cubic feet per second (cfs): Cubic feet per second, or cfs, shows how much water passes the gauge each second.
Nymph: A nymph is a young water insect. Anglers also use the word for a fly that copies it.
Attractor fly: An attractor fly is bright or bold. It draws a strike without copying one exact insect.
Blue-winged olive (BWO): Blue-winged olives, or BWOs, are small mayflies that often hatch in cool or cloudy weather.
Caddis: Caddis are small water insects. The adults look a little like tiny moths.
Dry-dropper: A dry-dropper rig has a floating fly with an underwater fly tied below it.
Emerger: An emerger copies an insect as it rises from below the water toward the surface.
Midge: Midges are tiny flies and a common trout food, especially in cold water.
Pale morning dun (PMD): Pale morning duns, or PMDs, are light-colored mayflies that often hatch in warmer months.

Why this call

Why this score

FlowUse caution

Best mode nowUse caution

Float: A float can fit better than wading only if launches, shuttle, boat skill, wind, and local rules all check out.

SeasonHelps

Fall: Cooler nights, lower pressure, and stable water can create the cleanest trout fishing.

Water temperatureHelps

USGS water temperature is about 65.5F, and the rolling 24-hour high did not trigger a heat caution. USGS marks the temperature data provisional and may revise it.

Public alertsHelps

No active NWS alert was returned for this forecast point.

Trip notes

Check these before you choose a reach.

Best flows

Stable, clear, cool water with safe crossings and enough depth to hold trout in pockets.

When to leave

Skip during sharp rises, hot low water, unsafe crossings, or road and trail uncertainty.

Local plan

Porterville, Springville, or Ponderosa is the practical base. Check cdfw trout rules, sequoia nf notices, usgs flow, road status, and water temperature, then pick a short legal access plan instead of trying to cover the whole river.

Backup water

Check nearby BlueStreamFly reports if the gauge, rules, or weather do not fit the plan.

South Fork Tule River access and rules.

Use these places as starting points. Open the access link below and check posted signs before you park or enter.

Before you go

Check current CDFW inland trout rules plus park, forest, or BLM notices before fishing. Rules can vary by reach and season.

Where to access the river

Cholollo Campground orbit

Use forest notices and legal parking. Conditions can change after storms.

Upper forest-road reaches

Check road status before committing.

Lower Tule backup

Warmer lower water may need a different species plan.

Sequoia National Forest fishing information and recreation notices should be checked before relying on campground or forest-road access.
Confirm parking, land ownership, launch status, and current agency notices before relying on any access point.
Steep roads, runoff, slick granite, hot afternoons, and remote exits

If this water does not fit the day, check another report before you start the drive.

CaliforniaNorth Fork Stanislaus River near Avery fishing reportAnother Sierra canyon trout plan.

CaliforniaStanislaus River fishing reportA lower-valley river plan with different species and access.

CaliforniaTuolumne River fishing reportHigh Sierra and canyon Tuolumne planning.

See all California fly fishing reports

Sources and report details

Official agencies and primary river operators come first. Secondary tools are labeled so you know what carries the most weight.

Rules and closures

Check what is allowed, where the rule applies, and whether the river is open.

Fishing rulesOfficial agencyCDFW high mountain lakes and streamswildlife.ca.gov (opens in a new tab)

Flow and weather

Check the latest river reading and forecast before you leave.

SafetyOfficial agencyNWS forecast point near South Fork Tule Riverforecast.weather.gov (opens in a new tab)

Access and land

Check public entry points, land rules, and seasonal access changes.

Public accessOfficial agencySequoia National Forest recreation opportunitiesfs.usda.gov (opens in a new tab)

Rules and closures

Check what is allowed, where the rule applies, and whether the river is open.

Fishing rulesOfficial agencyCDFW high mountain lakes and streamswildlife.ca.gov (opens in a new tab)

What this source covers

Open the current rules and check the river section, season, and special limits.

Fishing rulesOfficial agencyCDFW inland fishing informationwildlife.ca.gov (opens in a new tab)

What this source covers

Open the current rules and check the river section, season, and special limits.

Flow and weather

Check the latest river reading and forecast before you leave.

SafetyOfficial agencyNWS forecast point near South Fork Tule Riverforecast.weather.gov (opens in a new tab)

What this source covers

Open this page and check the latest safety advice before your trip.

River readingOfficial agencyUSGS monitoring location: South Fork Tule River near Cholollo Campgroundwaterdata.usgs.gov (opens in a new tab)

What this source covers

Open this river reading to check the latest level, flow, and update time.

River readingSecondary river toolRiverReports: South Fork Tule River near Cholollo Campgroundriverreports.com (opens in a new tab)

What this source covers

Open this river reading to check the latest level, flow, and update time.

Access and land

Check public entry points, land rules, and seasonal access changes.

Public accessOfficial agencySequoia National Forest recreation opportunitiesfs.usda.gov (opens in a new tab)

What this source covers

Open the land or access page, then check signs before you park or enter.

Quick questions

Is South Fork Tule River usually open for fly fishing?

Check current CDFW rules and land-management notices first. This page gives planning context, but legal status comes from current rules.

Should I wade or float?

Wade-and-move is the baseline. Float only where you have whitewater skill, legal access, and a safe takeout.

Which flow source should I use?

Use the RiverReports chart for a fast read and USGS 11203580 as the official flow source or context source.

South Fork Tule River

Go with caution.

If you go