Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 02-20-2025

Last week’s storm left up to six feet of snow on the peaks of mountains at upper elevations in the Sierra and White Mountains. Easy vehicle access to Long Valley fly fishing waters is over until the snow melts. The Sierra is going to be in a warming trend next week. Owens Valley dirt roads are full of mud puddles. Caddis, midges, mayflies and winter skwala stoneflies are the insects that are feeding the trout. As daylight lengthens fly fishers will find more trout coming to the surface to feed on the hatching insects. Sierra Bright Dot guides are available to teach fly fishers the techniques that produce trout in Eastern Sierra waters.

The White Mountains are tipped with snow while fly fishers ply the waters of the lower Owens River.

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

Flows have dropped to 100 CFS. At these flows the lower Owens River is very wadable. Mid-day hatches of blue wing olive mayflies have the trout actively feeding on the nymphs and the hatching mayfly duns. If you’re on the right hole during the hatch you will be able to fish with size 18 blue wing olive parachutes, Adams parachutes and olive sparkle duns on the surface. Nymphing continues to be the most productive method of catching wild trout in the lower Owens River. Concentrate your effort on where the riffles dump into the holes. Fish with size 18 olive quilldigons, bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 16 SOS nymphs in black and brown, and size 16 hot spot pheasant tail nymphs. Winter skwala stone flies are still active in the river and fishing with size 14 copper John’s, size 12 stoner nymphs and size 14 golden/brown Pat’s rubber legs are fooling the wild rainbows and browns.

Fishing with dry flies like a blue wing olive parachute is producing trout for fly fishers who fish the right holes during the mid-day mayfly hatch.

Hot Creek

Interpretive Site:

With two feet of snow on the ground it’s tough walking in on the spur road to the Interpretive Site from Hot Creek Hatchery Road. It will take several fly fishers accessing the road on foot to pack down the snow forming an easy access to the Interpretive Site. For those willing to battle the snow the trout are still feeding on midges and the occasional hatching blue wing olive. Dry fly fishing is tough, but fishing with a size 20 blue wing olive parachute, Adams parachute and olive sparkle dun will produce a few surface feeding trout. Use size 22 or 24 Griffiths gnats, olive midge adults and gray midge adults. Nymphing with size 20 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 22 blood, tiger and zebra midge nymphs or pupae are fooling the wild trout.

Accessing Hot Creek Interpretive Site is easier than accessing the canyon section of Hot Creek.

Hot Creek

Canyon Section:

Accessing the canyon section of Hot Creek is by foot from Hot Creek Hatchery Road where winter plowing stops. Be sure not to park in front of the Hot Creek Ranch driveway. It’s a long hike through the snow to the three entry points into Hot Creek Canyon. For those fly fishers willing to make the hike through the snow they will find wild browns and rainbows willing to take nymphs. This is prime water to be Euro nymphing or tight line nymphing. Success here is thoroughly covering the water with your nymphs. Cover the shallows, the pockets below boulders and deep holes. It does not take a lot of weight to get the flies bouncing off the substrate. Fish with size 18 olive quilldigons, size 20 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph, size 18 brown SOS nymph, size 20 Jedi master Baetis, size 20 soft hackle brassie, size 22 tiger midge, size 22 zebra midge and size 22 blood midge.

The winter storm left enough snow to keep vehicles from accessing the river beyond the entry way into the upper Owens River above Benton Crossing Bridge.

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

Parking at Benton Crossing Bridge is limited to a few vehicles at the throat of the dirt road leading up river. Access is by snowmobile, cross country skis, snow shoes or hike in by foot. With limited access to the river fly fishing pressure is minimal and fishing for trophy trout is picking up particularly for those angler fly fishing far up river from Benton Crossing Bridge. Walking an hour upstream from Benton Crossing Bridge will get you into good fly fishing for trophy rainbow trout. Working the deep holes, deep runs and cut banks with size 12 stoner nymphs, size 14 copper John’s, size 14 golden/brown Pat’s rubber legs, size 12 green/gold wire Prince nymphs and size 12 gold ribbed hare’s ears variations are producing trophy rainbow trout. A mid-day blue wing olive hatch has the resident trout feeding on size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 16 hot spot pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 blue wing olive parachutes and size 18 Adams parachutes.

Surface runoff from the snow and rain storm last week have turned the waters of Bishop Creek Canal muddy, but the fish are still taking a well fished nymph pattern.

Bishop Creek Canal

Behind Bishop Veterinary Hospital:

Directly after the storm the waters of Bishop Creek Canal were extremely off color. This allowed fly fishers to fish the waters without spooking trout. Fishing with dark colored nymphs is fooling the wild rainbows and browns in the deep holes of the canal. Nymph under an indicator, tight line or with a Euro rig with size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 12 stoner nymph, size 16 SOS nymph in black, size 18 tiger midges and size 18 zebra midge to fool the trout.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 02-13-2024

It’s tough to predict what storms will actually leave on the ground after they move through the Eastern Sierra. It looks like this next storm could leave substantial amounts of snow at upper elevations. If this happens it could be the end of easy vehicle access to the waters of Long Valley. We will only know after the storm moves through the area. The mountains are in desperate need of a good snow pack to keep the streams flowing next summer. It’s mid-winter and hatches of mayflies, midges and winter skwala stoneflies are feeding wild trout and hold over stocked trout. Dry fly activity is just starting in Eastern Sierra waters. Update it’s snowing and raining in Bishop as off Thursday February 12, 2025.

While winter takes place in upper elevation waters, the lower Owens River offers mild weather fly fishing days.

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

Due to increased water levels of Crowley Lake and Pleasant Valley Reservoir, the lower Owens River flows have increased to 200 CFS. The flows are expected to return to flows of 125 to 75 CFS in the next couple of weeks. This week’s storms could effect when the flows will come down. Trout are feeding on blue wing olive hatches, winter skywalk and midges.. With the increased flows, look for the trout to be in the slower shallow sections. Size 12 stoner nymphs and size 14 copper Johns are good imitations of the winter skwala nymphs. Size 20 to 24 midge and pupae patterns in cream, zebra, tiger and blood colors imitates the Owens River midges. Size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs and size 18 Jedi master bateis nymphs are good nymph imitations of the blue wing olive mayfly nymphs.

Flows of 200 CFS limits wading access on the lower Owens River.

Hot Creek

Interpretive Site:

Fishing has been good as the last storm did not keep fly fishers from accessing the Interpretive Site. Midges continue to be the main hatch feeding the trout. There is lots of surface feeding trout on the size 30 or smaller midges. Fly fishers do not have hooks small enough to imitate these midges. Griffiths gnats represent midge clusters on the surface of the creek. Fishing with size 20 Griffith’s gnats, olive or gray midge adult patterns are fooling a few wild trout on the surface of Hot Creek. Nymphing with size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 20 black SOS nymphs and midge nymph or pupae patterns in size 20 to 24 in tiger, zebra or blood coloration. Once the storm leaves the area we will know if we will have continued vehicle access to the Interpretive Site.

Hooked up in Hot Creek Canyon while fly fishing with a dry and dropper in one of the deeper holes.

Hot Creek

Canyon Section:

Nymphing with midge patterns and blue wing olive mayfly patterns is producing wild rainbows and browns. Tight line nymphing and dry and a dropper are both successful methods of presenting the nymphs to the trout. There are fish all through the creek. I cover all the water and in particular work the pockets above and below obstructions where trout are holding. Blood midges in size 20, tiger midges in size 20 and zebra midges in size 20, bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs in size 18, olive quilldigons in size 18, olive SOS nymphs in size 20  and jedi master bateis nymphs in size 18 are fooling the wild trout.

It’s been a winter of driving right up to the river with little to know snow on the ground on the roads leading to the upper Owens River.

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

Access has been good all winter, but that could change after the incoming storm leaves the Eastern Sierra. Because of the easy vehicle access this winter, fly fishing pressure has made the trophy rainbow trout easily spooked. The key to success is working deep holes, deep runs and cutbanks where the trout are feeding and resting. Thoroughly cover each spot before moving on to fish another spot. Sometimes it takes up to 100 casts before moving on. While a lot of anglers like to fish with worms, eggs and mop flies using larger nymph patterns produce a lot of trophy trout in the upper Owens River. Use size 14 golden/brown Pat’s rubber legs, size 12 variations of a gold ribbed hare’s ear, size 12 stoner nymphs, size 14 copper Johns and size 12 green/gold wire Prince nymphs. Resident trout are feeding on nymphs and dries of mayflies, caddisflies and midges. Use size 20 midge pupae or midge nymph patterns in blood, zebra or tiger coloration, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs and size 18 olive quilldigons.

In the afternoon, fish on the east bank of Bishop Creek Canal to keep your shadow off the water.

Bishop Creek Canal

Behind Bishop Veterinary Hospital:

Low, clear and slow moving water is making it hard to present a fly to the trout without spooking them. Key to fly fishing the canal is to fish deep holes or fast riffles. Your shadow can definitely spook trout. Place yourself on the right side of the canal so your shadow is cast on the land behind you and not on the water. The wild brown trout and holdover rainbows are taking size 20 blood midges, zebra midge and tiger midges, size 18 olive quilldigons and size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 02-06-2025

A couple of storms are due through the Eastern Sierra this week and could leave some substantial snow at higher elevations. Like all storms we will not know how powerful they are until they leave the area. So until they come and go we will not know the outcome of snow on the ground and access to fly fishing waters in the Long Valley area. The Owens Valley is expected to get rain. The rain should not have a big effect on waters in the Owens Valley. Hatches of midges, mayflies, stoneflies and caddisflies are the insects that the trout are feeding on in waters of the Eastern Sierra. For those looking for dry fly activity it's sporadic at best this time of year.

Warm  sunny days are being replaced by rain and snow showers in the Eastern Sierra as a series of storms moves through the area.

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

Mid-day hatches of blue wing olive mayflies have the trout feeding on the nymphs. If you are on the right spot on the right day you can use dry flies on the surface if the trout are feeding on the hatching mayflies. For the dries use size 18 blue wing olive parachutes, size 18 Adams parachutes and size 18 sparkle duns. For the nymphs use size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 olive quilldigons and size 18 Jedi master bateis nymphs. Skwala stoneflies are hatching and the trout are feeding on the nymphs. Use size 12 stoner nymphs on competition jig hooks, size 14 copper John’s and size 14 golden/brown Pat’s rubber legs to fool the wild rainbows and browns.

Jack Yarger from Beverly Hills landed this wild brown trout from the catch and release section of the lower Owens River that took a stoner nymphs fished on a tight line rig.

Hot Creek

Interpretive Site:

Storm predictions are not always accurate. When the storms clear the Eastern Sierra we will know if the Interpretive Site of Hot Creek is still accessible by vehicle. Prior to the storms fly fishing was good with both dries and nymphs. Mid-day midge hatches and the occasional blue wing olive mayfly had the trout feeding on the surface. For the dries fish size 20 blue wing olive parachutes, size 20 Adams parachutes, size 20 olive sparkle duns, size 20 Griffith’s gnats and size 20 olive midge dry flies. For the nymphs fish with size 20 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 olive quilldigons and size 20 black SOS nymphs.

Time will tell if Hot Creek Interpretive Site will be covered with a new layer of snow as a series of storms moves through the area.

Hot Creek

Canyon Section:

This is a fun section of Hot Creek to fish when there is snow on the ground. It can be a very quiet spot except for the slurping of rising trout. Nymphing has been the best method of fly fishing the canyon section. Tight line nymphing with a standard nine foot five weight rod is a very effective method of nymphing in the canyon. Euro nymphing is also very effective in the canyon section. Use size 20 blood, tiger or zebra colored midges in larvae or pupae patterns, size 20 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 20 olive SOS nymphs and size 18 jedi master bateis nymphs.

Before the snow storms fly fishers could drive out anywhere they wanted on the upper Owens River above Benton Crossing Bridge.

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

Easy vehicle access maybe over after this series of winter snow storms moves through the Eastern Sierra. There are trophy rainbow trout in the river willing to take nymphs. The key is to find the trophy trout. The upper Owens has seen lots of fly fishing pressure which has slowed down the fly fishing opportunities for the trophy rainbows. Key to success is to thoroughly cover lots of deep holes, deep runs and cutbanks where the trout are resting and feeding. Fish with size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 olive quilldigons and size 20 midge pupae or midge nymph patterns in blood, zebra or tiger coloration for the resident rainbows and browns. For the trophy rainbow trout use size 12 stoner nymphs, size 14 copper John’s size 12 green/gold wire Prince nymphs, size 14 golden/brown Pat’s rubber legs and size 12 variations of a gold ribbed hare’s ear.

Fast sections of the canal like this riffle are place fly fishers are least likely to spook the wild trout.

Bishop Creek Canal

Behind Bishop Veterinary Hospital:

Surface runoff from this week’s rain storms may increase the flows to improve the fly fishing in Bishop Creek Canal. With the low water the wild trout are very spooky and very hard to sneak up on and get a cast to. On sunny afternoons casting your shadow on the water is definitely spooking trout. Size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs and size 20 blood midges, zebra midge and tiger midges are fooling the wild trout if you can make a drift without spooking the trout.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 01-30-2025

If you are looking for tips on fly fishing techniques on Eastern Sierra waters, upcoming events and where the best Eastern Sierra weekend fly fishing spot is, sign up for the email on the webpage at https://www.sierrabrightdot.com

We are in a maybe get some snow in the upper elevations weather pattern. Look for the possibility of snow over the weekend. Owens Valley got an inch or two of snow last weekend, but once the sun comes out the snow is gone. As we leave January and head into February I expect the fishing to pick up. As daylight increase so will the hatches.  As the hatches intensify it will bring consistently rising trout to the surface. Mayflies, stoneflies, caddisflies and midges are the insects feeding the trout. If you are on the right water at the right time you will see sporadic surface feeding trout.

The only snow left in the Owens Valley is protected in the shadows of north facing willows and tulles on the lower Owens River.

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

There are fish to be caught, but fly fishers nymphing are working really hard for a few trout. With the cold water the trout are not aggressively taking the nymphs. The slightest movement in the indicator and the fly fisher needs to setting the hook. It’s better to over set than not set. As the saying goes sets are free. Midges, stoneflies and mayflies are the insects the trout are feeding on. Use size 12 stoner nymphs or size 14 copper John’s to imitate the winter Skwala stoneflies. Use size 18 or 20 midge pupae and midge nymph patterns in tiger, zebra or blood coloration. For the blue wing olive mayfly nymphs nymph with size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 16 hot spot pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 brown or olive SOS nymphs and size 18 jedi master bateis nymphs. Carry a few size 18 blue wing olive parachutes, size 18 Adams parachutes and size 18 olive sparkle duns to imitate the hatching blue wing olive duns when the trout are sipping flies off the rivers surface.

Tim Louis from Redwood City with a wild rainbow trout from the wild trout section of the lower Owens River.

Hot Creek

Interpretive Site:

The recent snow storm did not leave enough snow on the ground to inhibit vehicle access to the Hot Creek Interpretive Site. This area fly fishes best when there are hatches going on. Middle of the day is seeing trout feeding on tiny midges. Nymphing under an indicator, under a dry fly or with a Euro rig is producing trout during the midge hatch. Fish with size 20 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 olive quildigons, size 20 black or olive SOS nymphs, size 20 or 22 midge pupae or midge nymph patterns in blood, zebra or tiger coloration. There have been a few blue wing olive mayflies hatching so have a few blue wing olive parachutes in size 20 if you want to try fly fishing with a dry fly.

A few hardy fly fishers are taking advantage of the mild weather and fly fishing Hot Creek Canyon tell dark.

Hot Creek

Canyon Section:

With the weed beds at there lowest growth it is easier to nymph fish in the canyon section of Hot Creek. With little fly fishing pressure it’s easy to slowly and thoroughly work your way upstream making sure you are covering all the water with your nymphs. Don’t forget to work your nymphs along the near bank. There are lots of trout holding and feeding right next to the bank you are standing on. To imitate the midge nymphs use midge pupae or midge nymph patterns in blood, zebra or tiger coloration in sizes 20 or 22. To imitate the blue wing olive nymphs use size 20 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 olive quildigons, size 20 black or olive SOS nymphs and size 18 jedi master bateis nymphs.

With easy vehicle access to the upper Owens River there has been lots of fly fishing pressure on the trophy trout.

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

This year’s lack of snow has made it easy for vehicles carrying fly fishers to access the upper Owens River from  Benton Crossing to the Longyears area. The trophy rainbow trout are feeling the pressures of all the fly fishers on the river. To catch a trophy trout fly fishers need to cover lots of water looking to sight fish to a trophy trout or just covering the water that the trophy trout are inhabiting on their migration upstream. Fish the deep runs, deep pools and cutbanks where the trophy trout are resting and feeding. Actively spawning fish represent future trout populations and should not be fished to. Allow them to successfully reproduce so we have a future trout population of wild rainbow trout in the upper Owen River. Use size 12 stoner nymphs, size 14 copper John’s, size 12 green/gold wire Prince nymphs and variations of a gold ribbed hare’s ear to fool the trophy rainbow trout. For the resident rainbows and browns fish with size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 olive quilldigons and size 20 midge pupae or midge nymph patterns in blood, zebra or tiger coloration.

Low clear water in Bishop Creek Canal means fly fishers have to sneak up on the trout to keep from spooking them.

Bishop Creek Canal

Behind Bishop Veterinary Hospital:

Winter fly fishing on the canal is in low clear water for spooky trout. It’s tough to cast to the trout without spooking them. Be aware of your shadow as it will definitely spook trout. To fool the trout nymph with size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs and size 20 blood midges, zebra midge and tiger midges. Fly fishing on the canal picks up in March with the increase of flows in Bishop Creek Canal.g

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 01-23-2025

If you are looking for tips on fly fishing techniques on Eastern Sierra waters, upcoming events and where the best Eastern Sierra weekend fly fishing spot is, sign up for the email on the webpage at https://www.sierrabrightdot.com

Weather is fickle in the Eastern Sierra. There have been cold days and unseasonable warm days. We are in desperate need of a winter snow pack to provide water for next year’s stream flows and to keep the lakes full. This weekend might see a little bit of much needed precipitation. Midges, mayflies, caddisflies and stoneflies are hatching and providing the food source the trout are feeding on. Nymphing is the most productive method of catching trout right now in the Eastern Sierra. There are a few opportunities for catching trout on dry flies on the surface of the creeks and streams.

Snow in the Eastern Sierra right now is not enough to provide water for the streams and lakes this summer.

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

Cold water is making the fly fishing tough. The trout are feeding on stick caddis, winter Skwala stoneflies, midges and mayfly nymphs. Water flows have been in the low 70 CFS which allows fly fishers to wade anywhere they want in the river bed except for the holes which are deeper than the fly fisher is tall. Size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs imitate the stick caddis and the blue wing olive mayfly nymphs. Size 20 tiger, zebra and blood midges imitate the black fly larvae and midges. Size 12 stoner nymphs imitate the winter skwala nymphs. Key to success is to have the right weight on the tippet or in the flies. Saw my first blue wing olive hatch this week with trout consistently feeding on the surface on the hatching blue wing olive duns.

At 70 CFS it’s easy to access the areas that are inaccessible from shore due to the thick riparian vegetation of tulles and willows.

Hot Creek

Interpretive Site:

Mid-day hatches of midges have the wild trout in the Interpretive Site of Hot Creek feeding on midge nymphs. There are a few blue wing olive mayflies hatching in the middle of the midge hatch. Nymphing with size 22 tiger, zebra and blood midge imitations, size 18 olive quilldigons and size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs are fooling the wild brown and rainbow trout. Using dry flies for the indicator reduces the opportunity for spooking trout. For the dry fly in a dry and dropper rig on Hot Creek use a mini Chernobyl ant, size 14 stimulator or size 16 Adams Parachute.

An evening session in Hot Creek Canyon with Dan Barelmann from Encinitas with a rainbow trout that took a mini Chernobyl ant of the surface.

Hot Creek

Canyon Section:

Middle of the day the canyon section of Hot Creek has been devoid of winter fly fishers. Once the sun goes behind the canyon walls fly fishers need to be bundled up to stay warm. Wind is adding to the chill felt by anglers. The flats in the canyon section are tough to fish, but are holding trout. The deeper holes are a great place to nymph with a Euro rig or a dry and dropper rig. The mid-day midge hatch has the trout actively feeding. For the nymphs use midge pupae and midge nymph patterns in blood, zebra or tiger colorations in size 20 or 22. Stoner nymphs is size 12, bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs in size 18, olive quilldigons in size 18 and olive SOS nymphs in size 20 are fooling the wild trout.

It's late January and the upper Owens River looks like fall because it’s missing its blanket of snow.

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

Water is high and slightly off color. Access on the dirt roads out to the upper Owens River is just like in the summer time. There might be a tad more water on the roads in summer after a summer rain shower. With the easy access to the upper Owens River the trophy trout are seeing lots of fly fishing pressure. The trophy rainbow trout are there, they just need some extra effort to find them and to get them to take your flies. Since most fly fishers are nymphing try throwing a streamer at them. Offering them something different might get them to bite. I’m sticking to my Euro outfit and throwing size 12 stoner nymphs, size 14 copper John’s, size 12 green/gold wire Prince nymphs and variations of a gold ribbed hare’s ear. Work the deep holes, deep runs and cutbanks with your nymphs. Don’t be afraid to put a 100 drifts in a hole. The key is for your fly and the trout to be in the same place at the same time.

Fast water sections and deep holes are areas you can fly fish without spooking trout..

Bishop Creek Canal

Behind Bishop Veterinary Hospital:

Fly fishing in the afternoons have been tough as the angle of the sun makes it hard to keep your shadow off the water. The trout are vary spooky in the low clear water and are hard to approach. Fish the deeper holes and faster riffle sections where the fish are not as spooky as in the slow, low and clear water sections. Nymphing with size 20 blood midges, zebra midge and tiger midges, size 18 olive quilldigons and size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs is producing a few trout if you’re in an area where you’re not spooking trout.

Sierra Bright dot Fly Fishing Report 01-16-2024

If you are looking for tips on fly fishing techniques on Eastern Sierra waters, upcoming events and where the best Eastern Sierra weekend fly fishing spot is, sign up for the email on the webpage at https://www.sierrabrightdot.com

Storms moved out and left the Eastern Sierra with cold and wind. It’s time to break out the heavy duty long under wear or wading pants to wear under the waders if you want to stay warm. Having gloves with you will warm up frozen fingers after releasing trout and getting your hands wet. We are still in that slow period where the water temperatures are low enough that the trout just do not need to feed ravenously like they do in the summer time when trout waters are that optimum. Midges, caddis and mayfly nymphs are what the trout are feeding on. Right now nymphing is the game as there is little to no dry fly activity to bring the trout to the surface.

Hooked up in the winter time is the big benefit of year round fly fishing opportunities in Eastern Sierra waters.

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

Water temperatures in the low 40’s and air temperatures only a few degrees warmer have made it cold to be fly fishing on the lower Owens River. Flows in the river are in the low 60’s as DWP has on going repair work at Pleasant Valley Reservoir. As the water temperatures lower the trout’s need for calories decrease exponentially. What this means for fly fishers is the trout have lock jaw. They are not moving to feed. Even If you put the fly right on the trout’s nose it is not a guarantee they will take your nymph pattern. Fortunately there are trout that are feeding and fly fishers are catching trout on caddis, midges and mayfly nymphs. Size 18 or 20 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 20 or 22 tiger, zebra or olive midges in nymph or pupae imitations and size 12 stoner nymphs are the flies producing the wild rainbow and brown trout in the wild trout section of the lower Owens River.

Nymphing in the lower Owens River is the most productive method of fly fishing right now with cold water temperatures and lock jawed trout.

Hot Creek

Interpretive Site:

Its been cold on the creek and fly fishers need to dress warm. On the right days fly fishers can catch trout on the surface with mayfly and midge adult patterns. Use a size 20 blue wing olive parachute, size 20 blue wing olive sparkle dun, size 20 Griffith’s gnat and a size 24 gray midge adult when the trout are feeding on the surface. Nymphing continues to be the most productive method of fly fishing the Interpretive Site. Size 20 midge and pupae nymphs in blood, zebra and tiger coloration, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 12 olive scuds and size12 olive burlap caddis are the nymphs fooling the wild trout.

It's the middle of January and Hot Creek Canyon looks like fall not winter time..

Hot Creek

Canyon Section:

Now is a fun time of the year to be nymphing in the Canyon Section of Hot Creek. Mornings are pretty devoid of fly fishers as most people in the Eastern Sierra right now are on Mammoth Mountain skiing. With low water and spooky trout I use a Euro rig or a dry and dropper rig when nymphing Hot Creek Canyon in the winter time. Use size 14 olive stimulators, size 12 Chernobyl ants and size 16 Adams Parachutes for the dry fly in the dry and dropper rig. For nymphs fish with size 12 olive scuds, size 12 olive burlap caddis, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 slim shady, size 18 Jedi Master baetis and size 20 blood, zebra and tiger coloration midge patterns.

Hard to believe it’s middle of winter on the upper Owens River with easy vehicle access and no snow in site.

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

Most of the snow is gone and the roads are drivable with very little muddy places to worry about. There are wild rainbow trout in the river that have migrated up from Crowley Lake. These trophy trout are resting and feeding in the deep holes, deep runs and under the cutbanks. With the increased fishing pressure from the easy vehicle access to the upper Owens River this winter the trout have been pressured. Thoroughly cover the water and look for those deep pockets and hidden pools that most fly fishers are passing by. Success is a couple of trophy trout per angler per outing and comes from covering lots of water and using lots of casts to make sure your flies and the trout are in the same spot at the same time. While a lot of fly fishers like worms, egg patterns and mop flies I like nymphs. Use size 12 stoner nymphs, size 12 green/gold wire Prince nymphs, size 12 gold ribbed hare’s ears variations, size 14 copper John’s and size 12 rainbow warriors (rainbow trout like brightly colored flies) to fool the trophy rainbow trout. I fish a three fly rig and use an olive quilldigon in size 18, bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph in size 18, tiger midge in size 20 and zebra midge in size 20 to fool the resident, eight to 12 inch browns and rainbows.

The flat channel areas of Bishop Creek Canal are tough to present a fly to the trout without spooking them in the low clear water.

Bishop Creek Canal

Behind Bishop Veterinary Hospital:

Low, clear and cold water is making it hard to fool the wild brown trout and the hold over rainbows. It’s hard to sneak up on the trout in the low water channels. It’s easier to cast to the trout without spooking them in the deeper holes and faster riffle sections. Indicators and shadows are spooking a lot of trout. I use a size 14 stimulator and a size 16 Adams parachute for the dry fly in a dry and dropper rig. For nymphs use size 20 tiger, zebra and blood midge, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 olive quilldigons and size 12 stoner nymphs.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 01-09-2025

If you are looking for tips on fly fishing techniques on Eastern Sierra waters, upcoming events and where the best Eastern Sierra weekend fly fishing spot is, sign up for the email on the webpage at https://www.sierrabrightdot.com

Winter storms move through the Eastern Sierra. After the storms comes periods of sunshine and warming days. Its predicted that the Eastern Sierra will have a week to 10 days of sunshine and warm days. Right now we are in what I call the winter doldrums, December 15, through mid to late January. The shortest sunshine day has come and gone. As daylight increase so will the insect activity. For now midge and mayfly nymphs are what the trout are feeding on. With the cold water temperatures the trout’s need for calories is at its lowest. Nymphing is the most successful method of fly fishing. Proper weight is what is needed along with multiple drifts through the area that the fly fisher thinks the trout are holding to catch the trout.

Sometimes you run into unexpected wildlife as you wander the Eastern Sierra fly fishing.

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

There are rainbows and browns to be caught in the lower Owens River on nymphs. Present your nymphs with an indicator rig or a Euro nymph rig. Key to success is to thoroughly cover the water with lots of casts. The trout will not move to take your nymphs. You need to put the nymphs right in front of the trout’s nose. This is not a guarantee the trout will take your nymph pattern. Be sure you have the proper weight on your tippet or in your flies to allow the nymphs to slowly bounce over the substate. Midges are the trout’s main diet this time of the year. Use size 20 midge nymph and midge pupae in blood, zebra and tiger coloration. Trout are taking blue wing olive nymph patterns like bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs in size 18, olive quilldigons in size 18, hot spot pheasant tail nymphs in size 16 and Jedi Master baetis in size 18.

Ryan Haggerty from Woodbridge learned how to Euro nymph and managed to land a pretty rainbow before the day was over.

Hot Creek

Interpretive Site:

As the weather warms up it will be easier to access the Interpretive Site. On the right days there will be trout feeding on the surface mostly on midges. There will be the occasional blue wing olive mayfly hatching. Fish with size 20 Griffith gnats, size 20 mosquitoes and gray midges on the surface during the hatch. Nymphing with midge nymphs, midge pupae and blue wing olive nymphs is the most productive way of fishing the creek. Use size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 20 midge and pupae nymphs in zebra, tiger and blood coloration.

The most recent storm left a little bit of snow on the banks of Hot Creek at the Interpretive Site.

Hot Creek

Canyon Section:

It requires a little more effort to get into the Canyon Section of Hot Creek. It’s a great area to be nymphing in the winter time. Use a dry and dropper rig to present the nymph to the trout without spooking them in the low clear water. For the dry fly use a size 16 Adams parachute, a size 12 mini Chernobyl Ant and a size 14 stimulator. For the nymphs use size 20 blood, zebra and tiger coloration midge patterns, size 18 slim shady, size 18 Jedi Master baetis, size 12 olive scuds, size 12 olive burlap caddis, size 18 olive quilldigons and size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs

Trophy rainbow trout are what fly fishers are looking to catch on nymphs in the upper Owens River.

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

The roads are muddy, full of snow and have frozen mud puddles requiring fly fishers wanting to access the river above Benton Crossing Bridge to use four wheel drive vehicles if you want to drive beyond the parking area at the old bridge abutments. There are trophy rainbow trout in the river. The key is covering lots of water to find them. Successful fly fishers are making 40 to 80 casts into deep runs, deep pools and alongside cutbanks. Size 12 stoner nymphs, size 12 green/gold wire Prince nymphs, size 12 gold ribbed hare’s ears variations, size 14 copper John’s and size 12 rainbow warriors are the flies fooling the trophy rainbow trout when fished on a Euro nymphing rig or indicator rig.

Low clear water in Bishop Creek Canal means fly fisher need to find deeper holes and riffle sections where they will not spook trout.

Bishop Creek Canal

Behind Bishop Veterinary Hospital:

Approaching the trout in the canal is tough as the water is low and clear. Try fishing the deeper holes and faster riffle sections. Fly fishers are less likely to spook fish in these spots. Success here is nymphing with size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 20 midges in blood, zebra and tiger coloration, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 12 stoner nymphs and size 16 SOS nymphs. Wild browns and holdover rainbow trout are taking a properly fished nymph pattern.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 12-26-2024

If you are looking for tips on fly fishing techniques on Eastern Sierra waters, upcoming events and where the best Eastern Sierra weekend fly fishing spot is, sign up for the email on the webpage at https://www.sierrabrightdot.com

It’s that time of the year when quick moving storms are coming through the Eastern Sierra and laying a few inches to a foot of snow. Roads in the Long Valley area are muddy, snowy and have icy mud puddles. I would use high clearance vehicles with four wheel drive on these  roads. In between storms the weather has been nice by winter standards. Mayflies, midges and caddis are providing the food for the winter feeding trout. There is limited dry fly opportunities for the die hard dry fly angler.

Winter storms are moving through the Sierra leaving snow at upper elevations.

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

Middle of the day is providing good nymph fishing opportunities with an indicator rig or a Euro nymph rig. Key to success is getting the nymphs to bounce on the substrate like the naturals do. Accomplish this with using the right combination of flies and split shot to allow your flies to bounce along the substrate just like the naturals do. Nymphing  with size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 slim shadies, size 18 Jedi Master baetis, size 12 stoner nymphs, size 14 copper John’s, and size 20 midges in tiger, zebra and blood colorations are producing the wild trout of the lower Owens River. There has been limited dry fly action with size 20 blue wing olive parachutes. If you are in the right hole when the hatch takes place and the trout are feeding on the surface emerger mayflies then switch to a dry fly and enjoy some late season dry fly action.

Rainbow trout have been making up 30 to 50 % of the catch in the lower Owens River on nymphs like this size 12 stoner nymph that fooled this chunky rainbow..

Hot Creek

Interpretive Site:

Snow and ice are on the dirt road leading into the interpretive site. For fly fishers looking for some dry fly action this section of the creek is providing top water action with mayfly and midge hatches. Size 20 blue wing olive parachutes, size 20 olive sparkle duns and size 20 Griffith’s gnats are fooling the surface feeding trout. The action has been during the middle of the day from 10:00 to 2:00. A drag free drift, the right dry fly pattern and lots of hatching insects is what is going to produce a great dry fly day on the creek in winter time.

Warm days after the snow storms is melting the snow on the south side of Hot Creek in the canyon section which is a great place to fish with a dry and dropper rig..

Hot Creek

Canyon Section:

Snow and mud puddles are the obstacles fly fishers will encounter on the dirt road leading into the Canyon Section of Hot Creek. This is a great time to be nymph fishing with a dry and dropper rig or a Euro nymph rig. Size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 slim shady, size 18 Jedi Master baetis, size 12 olive scuds, size 12 olive burlap caddis and size 20 blood, zebra and tiger coloration midge patterns are producing wild brown and rainbow trout in the canyon section of Hot Creek.

A size 12 stoner nymph is my number one producing trophy trout pattern in the upper Owens River.

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

The dirt roads accessing the upper Owens River above Benton Crossing Bridge are full of snow, frozen mud puddles and lots of squishy mud. Four wheel drive high clearance vehicles are what is needed to access the sections of the upper Owens River holding trophy rainbow trout. Two to four trophy rainbow trout per fly fisher per session is what the river is producing for fly fishers. Euro nymphing or indicator nymphing with size 12 stoner nymphs, size 12 green/gold wire Prince nymphs, size 12 gold ribbed hare’s ears variations, size 14 copper John’s and size 12 rainbow warriors are the flies fooling the trophy rainbow trout. Key to success is getting the flies on the substrate in the deep holes, deep runs and cut banks where the rainbows are resting and feeding. When using an indicator be sure the indicator is six feet above the bottom fly. Using the right combination of weight and flies is what is needed to allow the flies to bounce along the substrate where the trout are feeding. Size 16 hot spot pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 16 SOS nymphs, and size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs are fooling the resident browns and rainbows.

Suckers are not every ones preferred species to catch on the fly, but suckers put up the best fights of fish I catch in Bishop Creek Canal.

Bishop Creek Canal

Behind Bishop Veterinary Hospital:

Nymphing in deep holes and riffles is producing suckers, rainbows and brown trout. Dry and dropper, Euro nymphing and indicator nymphing are the methods to get your nymphs down on the substrate where the fish are feeding. Size 18 olive quilldigons, size 12 stoner nymphs, size 16 SOS nymphs, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs and size 20 midges in blood, zebra and tiger coloration are producing wild rainbows, browns and suckers. The fish are supper spooky and fly fishers need to present their flies in a manner that they’re not spooking the fish.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 12-19-2024

Another small storm blew through the Eastern Sierra last week. It left two to four inches of snow around the 6,000 foot elevation. The tops of the mountains got up to a foot of fresh snow. This will be next seasons snow runoff to fill the streams and lakes in the Eastern Sierra. Upper elevation are cold and fly fishers should dress accordingly. Mayflies and midges are providing the food source for the trout. Dry fly activity is limited to a few rising trout in the middle of the day. If you can make the time to get up to the Sierra to fly fish in between the storms the fly fishing is worth it.

Winter time is the perfect time to drift boat the lower Owens River using nymphs, dries and pulling streamers.

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

Nymphing during the middle of the day is the most productive method of fly fishing on the lower Owens River right now. Euro nymphing and indicator nymphing are great techniques to get your nymphs on the substrate where the trout are feeding. Wading sections of the river not accessible from the banks is where you want to be nymphing. Get in the river and wade upstream using a water load cast to present your nymphs to the pockets and runs that are producing the trout. Use size 20 midges in blood, zebra and tiger coloration, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 20 olive quilldigons, size 16 hot spot pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 slim shady and size 18 Jedi Master baetis.

Evenings on the lower Owens can be a special time of the day to be fly fishing.

Hot Creek

Interpretive Site:

Fresh snow on the ground is not enough to keep fly fishers from driving out to the creek. There is limited dry fly activity middle of the day. Nymphing with size 12 olive burlap caddis, size 12 olive scuds, size 20 midges in tiger, zebra and blood coloration, size 18 hot spot pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 olive quilldigons and size 16 hot spot pheasant tail nymphs is fooling the wild trout of the interpretive Site. Work these under an indicator in the deep holes and under a dry fly in shallows.

As the sun comes out this week it will not be long before the snow on the Interpretive Site begins to melt giving fly fishers easier access to the creek.

Hot Creek

Canyon Section:

The road into the canyon has snow and frozen water puddles, but is accessible with high clearance vehicles. Weed beds have shrunk to their winter size making lots of the creek available to nymph fish. Work you nymphs in the holes and runs that are now exposed from the summer weed growth. A dry and dropper or Euro rig is a great way to nymph the creek. Be sure you have the right amount of weight and your dry fly or indicator is two to three feet above the bottom fly. Midges and mayflies are the primary insects the trout are feeding on right now. There are good population of hydropsyche caddis and scuds in the creek. Nymphing with Jedi Master baetis size 18, slim shady in size 18, SOS nymph is size 18, olive quilldigons in size 18, midges in blood, zebra and tiger coloration in size 20, olive scuds in size 12 and olive burlap caddis in size 12 will produce the selectively feeding trout of Hot Creek Canyon.

Deep holes is where the trophy rainbow trout are feeding and resting and willing to take a well-placed nymph.

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

The new snow from the weekend storm only left a few inches of new snow on the ground. With the sun out do not expect the snow to last to long. Driving the roads is good, but be cautious as the snow melts and the dirt roads get muddy. There are good numbers of trophy rainbow trout in the river right now. The most consistent area for the trophy trout has been in the area of the confluence of the three forks of Hot Creek and the Owens River. Egg patterns, worm patterns and mop flies are producing fish. Fishing with nymphs in the deep holes, deep runs  and cut banks where the trout are feeding and resting is a very productive method of fly fishing the river for trophy trout. Use size 12 stoner nymphs, size 12 green/gold Prince nymphs, size 12 gold ribbed hare’s ears variations on Euro nymph hooks. On standard nymph hooks try nymphing with size 14 stoner nymphs, size 14 copper John’s and size14 gold ribbed hare’s ears.

With low and clear water in Bishop Creek Canal fishing the deep holes and riffle sections are where fly fishers are less likely to spook trout.

Bishop Creek Canal

Behind Bishop Veterinary Hospital:

Low and clear water have the trout being vary cautious. The trout spook easily if you are too close to the trout when you cast or you are splatting the water with an indicator. Use a Euro rig or a dry and dropper rig to present the nymphs to the trout without spooking them. Nymphing with SOS nymphs in size 16, bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs in size 18, olive quilldigons in size 18 and midges in tiger or zebra coloration in size 20 are fooling wild brown trout and hold over rainbow trout. Deep holes and riffles are spots to fish nymphs without spooking the trout.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 12-06-2024

This last set of storms left snow in the mountains and rain in the Owens Valley. Now we have warm days with cold nights and cold mornings. Fly fishing waters in the Long Valley area are accessible, but there is snow to contend with. I recommend four wheel drive vehicles with clearance. Hatches of midges, mayflies and caddis are what the trout are feeding on. Nymphing is the most productive method of fly fishing in the winter months. There are those days when the trout come to the surface to feed on the hatching insects. Pulling streamers will produce the occasional trophy trout looking for a big meal.

Sunny days, wild trout and dry fly fishing makes fly fishing the Owens Valley waters in winter a treat for fly fishers.

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

Low flows, warm days, in the low 70’s, and lots of eight to 12 inch wild rainbow and brown trout makes the lower Owens River the place to be fly fishing. A mid-day mayfly hatch has the trout coming to the surface to feed on the mayfly duns. If you’re looking to fly fish with dries you will need to find the section of the river where lots of trout are feeding on the hatching duns. Blue wing olive parachutes in size 20, Adams parachutes in size 20, olive sparkle duns in size 20 and light Cahills in size 20 are fooling the surface eating trout. Nymphing continues to be the most productive method of fly fishing on the lower Owens River in the wild trout section. Euro nymphing and indicator nymphing with size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 16 SOS nymphs, size 16 hot spot pheasant tail nymphs, size 12 stoner nymphs size 12 olive burlap caddis and size 20 zebra or tiger midges is producing the wild trout. Wading into areas inaccessible from the banks is the most productive way of finding the wild trout in the wild trout section.

The last of fall colors, rising trout and T-shirt weather makes fly fishing the lower Owens River the best opportunity in the Eastern Sierra right now.

Hot Creek

Interpretive Site:

Access to Hot Creek is on snow covered roads and fly fishers should have four wheel drive vehicles with high clearance. Most of the action right now on the creek is with nymphs. Fishing with a dry and dropper rig will keep from spooking wary trout. On the surface fish with a size 16 Adams parachute, size 14 stimulator or a size 10 Chernobyl ant. For nymphs fish with size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 16 hot spot pheasant tail nymphs, size 14 olive scuds and size 12 olive burlap caddis.

It takes effort to get into Hot Creek Canyon in the winter time, but the fly fishing is worth the effort.

Hot Creek

Canyon Section:

Fly fishing in Hot Creek Canyon takes some extra effort, but is worth the solitude and the nymphing opportunities. Less weeds means it’s easier to drift nymphs to the trout that are always looking for food. Euro nymphing, dry and dropper and indicator nymphing will produce the wild rainbows and browns on the creek. Size 20 zebra or tiger midge, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph, size 18 SOS nymph and a size 18 olive quilldigon will fool the larvae feeding trout. Key to success is covering lots of water with your nymphs and having the right amount of weight in the flies or on your tippet to bounce the flies along the substrate.

Trophy rainbow trout are the fish fly fishers are targeting in the upper Owens River in winter time.

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

There is snow on the ground and the temperatures are cold. Trophy rainbow trout are the target species this time of year. Fly fishing with egg patterns, worm patterns, mop flies and streamers will produce some trophy trout. Nymphing the deep holes, deep runs and cut banks where the trophy trout are resting and feeding is the most productive method to catch the trophy trout. Nymphing under an indicator or with a Euro rig with size 12 gold ribbed hare’s ears variations, size 14 copper John’s, size 12 stoner nymphs and size 12 green/gold Prince nymphs are the flies that produce the trophy trout. For the resident rainbows and browns fish with a size 18 olive quilldigon, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph size and size 16 hot spot pheasant tail nymph.

Wild brown trout are taking well place nymphs fished on the substrate in deep holes and riffles.

Bishop Creek Canal

Behind Bishop Veterinary Hospital:

There are wild brown trout and stocked rainbow trout willing to take nymphs as long as you do not spook the trout. Riffles and deep holes are spots fly fishers can fish without spooking the trout. Euro nymphing or dry and a dropper nymphing with SOS nymphs in size 16, bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs in size 18, olive quilldigons in size 18 and tiger or zebra midges in size 20 is producing the trout. Middle of the day is the perfect time to be on the water working nymphs.