MFA2: French Meadows Reservoir - Oxbow Reservoir

These roughly 20-miles of Middle Fork of Middle River are hemmed in by a reservoir at each end and again in the middle of the segment. Still, the canyon is rough, and the river contains a great ratio of rapids and holes. Fishing access within the rugged segment allows somewhat available approaches to maybe a mile of river—either immediately above or below each of the three dams. And that’s by road or maintained trail.

...hemmed in by a reservoir at each end and again in the middle of the segment.

 

...Oxbow Reservoir provides great access to not only whitewater enthusiasts below the dam, but accesses a small 5- table picnic area and fishing locations.

 

DESCRIPTION:

In fact, the promontory “End of the World” lies only about half-way down this stretch. I’m not sure what lies beyond, but is pretty inaccessible. And pretty. Except a large portion of the flow is taken out of the channel by the Forebay Dam.

Both Rainbows and Brown Trout are moderately sized at 10-14 inches. Some 19 inchers have been caught. But are plentiful and seldom fished.. For a good reason.

Optional access points:

The drop from the dam at French Meadows Reservoir is 200-300 feet, but a couple of steep access roads suitable for walking do dive down from the road on the south side of the river shortly past the dam. Below the dam, for roughly the next four miles near the French House site, in 2001 the Star Fire heavily burned much of this segment of the canyon. Unless logged on private industry lands, snags are everywhere. Not a safe place to be until the majority finally topple. Years. Most likely that’ll clog much of the channel with woody debris..

Downriver the water agency road #9617 drops to the small dam and powerhouse Interbay. The road is not recommended for recreation use and is narrow with steep drop offs. The drop down the bank to the river is overly steep and the reduced flow below the dam is not very encouraging. Some nice trout have been taken out of the pool behind the dam. The road intersection is signed at the intersection with Mosquito Ridge Road #96.

The paved road that drops to Oxbow Reservoir provides great access to not only whitewater enthusiasts below the dam, but accesses a small 5-table picnic area and fishing locations. Road # 14N25 crosses the bottom of the reservoir and climbs up Ralston Ridge. The intersection is well signed at the road drops rapidly after Mosquito Ridge Road #96 has climbed steadily out of the canyon of the North Fork of the Middle Fork River.

Anglers can scramble upriver for a ways above the tiny reservoir but much of the flow has been removed from the Forebay well upriver. Plan on wading or rock scrambling in low water. But the small lake offers year-round fishing for Rainbows and up to 5-pound Browns. More common are closer to the 14 inch range. California Fish and Game has stopped stocking the reservoir because there was too small return. Probably from the lack of anglers?

DIRECTIONS:

To MFA2: French Meadows Reservoir - Oxbow Reservoir

Directions: See access directions to either French Meadows Reservoir or Oxbow Reservoir.

ACTIVITIES:

Fishing (Rating: Good)

Lots of fish, but few reasonable fishing access points.

NEARBY LOCATIONS:

Campgrounds

Communities

Reservoirs

River-Stream Access