Tips for fly fishing the JMT?

Next month I'm doing a section of the John Muir Trail, sans kayak  , from Tuolumne to Devils Postpile. It's been awhile since I've flogged the water with my fly pole, but I'm confident I can hook into something if I keep my wits about me.

Does anyone have any advice? I'll be using a 4/5 rod with 4 line, and the smallest tippet I can find. I'm not familiar with what flies I'll need, so advice on that front is much appreciated.

Thank you!

parachute adams in sizes 16-22, elk hair caddis in sizes 14-18, throw in a few midges in 18-22 and some small hoppers should do you for dries. for wets i would pack a few buggers and a few prince nymphs in 16-20 and a few copper johns in the same size, have a great hike, i have through hiked the jmt a few times, great hike, and did the section you are doing on skis in 89, cameron

i also would add some mosquitos, royal coachman, and Lake Mary Special....I find in the lakes flies with a bit of red work better.

Never leave home without  few PTs.

Go to flies have always been Yellow Humpy, Stimulator and a brown Wooly Worm; all from size 10-16 except add an 8 for the Stimulator too.
Of course you can carry all kinds of files to match the hatch, but I have found these three to cover most situations.
I would almost recommend an elk hair caddis as a go to also, but they easily take a beating and it doesn't take them very long to no longer work as a dry fly.

Thanks for the tips! I took my fly rod to Lake Merced yesterday on my way to Java Beach with my boy, just to get some practice in because it's been something like 11 years. Thankfully, I didn't catch myself or my three-year old. And of course, no fish.

Looking forward to hitting the trails!

Thanks again,
Darren

I'm heading to the area in just a few more days.  I've been fly fishing the south fork of the San Joaquin as well as many smaller feeder streams in the area for 15 years now.  While matching the hatch is good, and evening fishing with humpys, adams, etc can be really good, I've narrowed my fly selection.  For the past two years up there I threw nothing but yellow or orange stimulators.  Prior to that I also used hoppers and still bring those.  It's hard to argue with success and when I'm catching fish I don't change flies.  The San Joaquin will produce the biggest browns, most worth talking about are in the 10"-12" range but every so often I'll pull in a 14" with the biggest I've ever had up there being an 18".   If you want some real beauty fish the creek coming out of salley keys near Seldon Pass.  It winds through a meadow and is teeming with golden trout.  Last year I lost count after catching 20, including the one pictured below, all on stimulators.   I'll be able to give you a good report when I return about 10 days from now, so don't hesitate to PM me for the details!

i also would add some mosquitos, royal coachman, and Lake Mary Special....I find in the lakes flies with a bit of red work better.

That's what I used to use a million years ago. Never took a flyrod. Used a small spinning rod/reel and just bow and arrowed the flys out in the streams. Worked fine. Used clear bubbles in lakes dragging flies. Also salmon eggs work real good.

 Jackie and I are doing the same trail,starting the 23rd and going to Reds meadow then down to fish creek and Iva bell hot springs,hope to see ya with a tight line and a full stringer! Be back in 2 weeks or so.Brian

I was just hiking up in the June lake area, the winds pick up around 11 and blkow till whenever.  Tons of small lakes.