Walker River - West

About Walker River - West

The West Walker River runs along Highway 395 from just south of Lake Topaz through the flat pasture land of the Antelope Valley. It is a slow-flowing, low-gradient river characterized by deep bends and heavy private land ownership along both banks. Slinkard Creek is a key tributary to this system, draining through Slinkard Valley into a network of irrigation ditches within the Antelope Valley. To reach the creek, take Highway 89 from the junction of Highway 395 for 3.3 miles to Boarshead Road, then follow Slinkard Valley Road for 5.5 miles to the creek crossing. The physical layout of these waters requires careful route planning, as public access on the main river is limited and highly localized. Wading the West Walker River through the valley requires strict attention to land boundaries, as you must remain below the high-water mark to avoid trespassing on private ranches. Public access is available at the Wildlands Conservancy Reserve on Larson Lane, which provides one mile of river access from the eastern shore. Additional access points include the KOA Campground at Coleville/Walker, which offers river access on its 39-acre property, and the public bridges crossing the river at Cunningham Lane and Topaz Lane. On Slinkard Creek, a physical rock gabion barrier sits about three-quarters of a mile downstream of the road crossing. This barrier divides the creek into two distinct zones: a lower section mixed with various species and an upper one-mile headwater section flowing up to an irrigation impoundment structure. The species you target depend entirely on which section of water you choose to fish. The West Walker River throughout the Antelope Valley holds large, selective brown trout that use the slow-moving current and undercut clay banks for cover. Slinkard Creek is a historic Lahontan cutthroat trout restoration water. Above the rock gabion barrier, brook trout and brown trout have been removed, leaving a self-sustaining population of pure Lahontan cutthroats. Below the rock barrier down to the valley irrigation ditches, the creek contains a mix of both wild brook trout and Lahontan cutthroats. When fishing the small water of Slinkard Creek, drift high-floating drys like a yellow Elk Hair Caddis in sizes 12 to 16, a Royal Wulff, or a size 18 Griffith's Gnat through the pocket water. Subsurface, dead-drift a black A.P. Nymph or a Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear through the deeper slots. On the main stem of the West Walker, focus on drifting weighted nymphs like a Beadhead Flashback Pheasant Tail or a Deep Sparkle Pupa through the slow runs and deep pools. Be aware of the differing regulations: Slinkard Creek above the rock barrier is open all year for catch-and-release only, restricted to artificial flies with barbless hooks. Below the barrier and on the West Walker River, the standard season runs from the last Saturday in April through November 15 with a five-fish limit, switching to catch-and-release with barbless artificial lures only for the winter months. Keep your feet wet and stay within the high-water mark when navigating the river bends through the private valley ranches.