Summer Fishing in Yosemite Gold Country

So I just got word our lottery # was pulled for Camp Mather so I'm taking the GF and kids up for a week in July.
http://sfrecpark.org/CampMather.aspx

Camp Mather is near the Hetch Hetchy reservoir, so it's looks to be about an hour and a half east of Don Pedro.


Wondering if anyone has any suggestions for fishing opportunities closer to camp.  Looks like Cherry Lake and Lake Eleanor are nearby which I know nothing about yet, but I'm also interested in exploring non-yak outings on the Tuolumne or anything else nearby.

Love some suggestions.

Thanks.
A

While on evergreen rd, before you get to the lodge, you will cross a wooden single vehicle bridge. 
Doesnt really matter if you go upstream or down, we have had success both directions on that stream.
Panther Martins were the weapons of choice.
I would not advise bringing youngsters unless they are skilled rock hoppers and creekers.
Birch Lake has some kind of bait fish in it, a few big Koi that you will find cruising the reed line on the side of the lake opposite the lifeguard stand, and a large population of frogs, turtles, and racers. There are a frightening number of mutated frogs there with 5 and sometimes 6 legs.
We have also had some success at hetch hetchy res.
I spent 18 years as the LG on birch lake for the strawberry music festivals until I retired a few years back. wow,  memories and then some.
good luck and enjoy mather and birch lake.

When in July will you be there?  My wife's family always does SJ Family Camp which isn't too far down the road.  While I won't be able to take the yaks, I will have some time to get away and fish some running water.  We'll be up there 7/14 - 7/18.

Thanks for the info Terry.  I LOVE rock hopping!

Thanks for the info Hydro - that is exactly what I was hoping for!

When in July will you be there?

Damn - we're there the 23rd -30th - the 17th - 23rd was our fallback, but we got our first choice.

Damn - we're there the 23rd -30th - the 17th - 23rd was our fallback, but we got our first choice.

Congrats on your first choice, bummer we won't meet up.  So is this Mather Family Camp?

I'll give you a report after I get back! 

Yes, it's Mather Family Camp.  We have some friends who have been going for years and they love it.  It'll be our first time.

Any pre-scouting info will be greatly appreciated.

Are you hitting the Berryessa Slam next weekend?

Are you hitting the Berryessa Slam next weekend?

That's the plan, although with a family, things change.

Carlon Falls is also somewhat near there.  From the Evergreen Road, you park your car and hike up towards the falls.  It takes about 1 to 1 1/2 hour, but you can swim in the pool in front of the water fall.

It's a strenuous hike up hill.  There are some boulders to climb up.  We brought our lunch and had a picnic there.

Along the way, and at the waterfall, are places to fish.  We brought our fishing poles and at the the waterfall caught some really small trouts which we threw back in.  The kids thought it was great.  It was some of the kids first time catching a fish.

Also along Evergreen Road, a few minutes down from Camp Mather, you can park alongside of the river.  It was wide enough and there were some deeper pools in areas where we could swim. 

When we went, the flow of the river was slow.  I would make sure that the river is safe before going in.

Yeah, I've heard of Carlon Falls and the in-laws have hiked to it but I've never been.  Might have to add that to my list of potential destinations, thanks!