This weekend were supposed to get the first hint of winter with snow expected at the upper elevations. Mountain tops are expecting a couple of inches of snow. We are in the midst of one of the nicest Falls I can remember. Fishing for spawning brook trout and browns is peaking in the high country. Mayflies, caddis, and midges are providing lots of opportunities for fly fishers to fish with nymphs and dry flies. This is prime time to be throwing meat streamer patterns in those waters that have trophy trout.
Enjoy the Fall colors in Bishop Canyon and taking advantage of the fall fishing on the forks of Bishop Creek.
Freestone Streams:
Rock Creek:
Fishing here has gotten tough. The trout are there, they are just hard to sneak up on and present a fly to. For anglers wanting to fish these waters I would throw dry flies. Use your favorite dry fly as you will fish it with more confidence. I’m using Adams parachutes, elk hair caddis, and Royal Wulff’s in sizes 14 and 16.
Alonso Parker-Martin from San Francisco is exploring Rock Creek in the fall when the trees are changing color after a morning of Tenkara fishing.
Bishop Creek
South Fork Bishop Creek at Weir Pond:
This is a favorite spot of fly fishers in Bishop Creek Canyon. Brook trout and brown trout are feeding on dry flies. When the sun goes behind the mountains the midges are hatching. Using a Griffiths gnat or a midge adult is taking trout of the surface. I’m fishing Adams parachutes and elk hair caddis. There are hatches of mayflies and caddis coming of starting around noon. The fall colors in this area are wanning. If the storm has lots of wind it will be the end of fall colors up high in the area of South Lake.
In the Fall I’m targeting spawning brook trout on south Fork Bishop Creek and Weir Pond.
Lower Owens River:
Wild Trout Section:
Best fly fishing spot in the Eastern Sierra right now. Mayfly and caddis hatches are keeping the trout active. I’m Euro nymphing the river with olive quilldigons, hot spot pheasant tail nymphs, Frenchie’s, pheasant tail nymphs, and stoner nymphs. For those that don’t Euro nymph, fishing these flies under an indicator is fooling lots of wild brown trout to 12 inches. Catching lots of juvenile brown trout. This should equate to a strong year class of trout. I expect next season to offer lots of 12 to 16 inch brown trout.
Jae Lee from Camarillo caught this rainbow while nymphing under an indicator with a size 18 olive quilldigon on the lower Owens River.
Hot Creek:
Interpretive Site:
Tough fly fishing, but if you’re going to fly fish Hot Creek this is your best opportunity. Most of the action has been in the morning with gray caddis. I’m using partridge spent caddis, elk hair caddis, and X-caddis in a size 20. There are a few trico mayflies and blue wing olive mayflies around, but the trout are not keying in on them. I’m hoping this change in weather might improve the hatches on Hot Creek.
With low water and weed beds at full maturity Hot Creek Canyon is one of the hardest to fish spots in the Eastern Sierra right now.
Hot Creek:
Canyon Section:
I’m hoping that the cooler weather will start the decline of the weed beds in Hot Creek Canyon. For those willing to tough out fly fishing around the weeds, there are trout to be caught. Dry flies are easier to float in and around the weed beds. Nymphing is producing more trout and lots of weeds. Nymphing is tough, but for those willing to work nymphs you will catch trout.
Emmet Broughton of Corona plying the waters of the upper Owens River in the Monument area looking for trophy trout.
Upper Owens River:
Above Benton Crossing Bridge:
We need an influx of new trophy trout into the upper Owens River. I’m hoping this change in weather might bring in some new trout. Euro nymphing or indicator nymphing is producing rainbows and browns to 14 inches. These trout are taking bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, olive quilldigons, Frenchie’s, hot spot pheasant tail nymphs, stoner nymphs, and green/gold wire Prince nymphs.
Below Benton Crossing Bridge:
With this section being opened through November 15th I’m searching this section from time to time for trophy trout. The trout migrating up the river have to pass through this section. Good place to work nymphs and streamers is in the deep pools that the trout are using as resting places on their journey upstream to their spawning grounds. Best way to fly fish this section is to make a few cast to the pools you think might hold trout. If you don’t get a grab in three to five casts move on to the next spot. The trout are migrating through this section and fly fishers just have to find a pod of trout to be successful.
First time fly fisher Connie Snyder from Bishop hooked up to a rainbow trout on Bishop Creek Canal.
Bishop Creek Canal:
Behind the Ford Dealer:
Weekends have been packed with anglers fishing the canal. Mid-week crowds are a lot less dense. Fishing nymphs on the Euro rod or under an indicator is working for wild brown trout and stocked rainbow trout. I’m fly fishing with green/gold Prince nymphs, stoner nymphs, olive quilldigons, and bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs.