The mountains are full of snow as the last storm left 12 to 24 inches of snow at the upper elevations. This is a great start to a winter snow pack. Waters above 7,000 feet are full of snow and fly fishers should use caution driving in these areas especially on the dirt roads. For those that get stuck in the snow try contacting Frosty 4 Wheeler off-road towing to get you out at 760 625-4537. It always seems like we go from warm weather to cold weather over night. I’m now fishing in my down jacket where two weeks ago I gave up my shorts and flip flops. It’s definitely cold out there on the rivers. Be sure to check the California Department of Fish and Wildlife fishing regulations to know the opened and closed waters starting on November 16, 2022.
The mountains have their winter blanket of snow which makes a great back drop when fishing the waters of the Owens Valley.
Lower Owens River:
Wild Trout Section:
Water levels are down to rock bottom at 80 CFS. This allows fly fishers to go almost everywhere in the stream bed. The only places I can’t go are the holes that are deeper than I am tall. Nymphing is producing the bulk of the fish for me at this time. I’m Euro nymphing with olive quilldigons, stoner nymphs, and hot spot pheasant tail nymphs. If you’re in the right place at the right time of day when the blue wing olive hatch is coming off you can switch to dry flies. A size 20 blue wing olive parachute or a size 20 pheasant tail emerger will fool the surface feeding trout.
A rainbow trout that took a size 18 olive quilldigon fished on the Tenkara rod deep in a pool in the lower Owens River.
Hot Creek:
Interpretive Site:
This area is now under 12 inches to 18 inches of fresh snow from this latest storm. Access is dependent on the road to the ranch being plowed. Blue wing olive adults and gray caddis are hatching and bringing the trout to the surface. I’m using size 20, blue wing olive parachutes, olive sparkle duns, gray partridge spent caddis, gray X-caddis, and gray elk hair caddis. Look for pools with selectively feeding trout. Trout feeding on mayflies will leave rings on the surface of the creek. Trout feeding on caddis will be breaking the waters surface. You will see parts of the trout coming through the creeks surface.
Hot Creek Canyon no longer looks like this since it is covered in a blanket of 12 to 18 inches of snow.
Hot Creek:
Canyon Section:
With the fresh snow, access to this area is going to be on foot from Hot Creek Ranch for at least a few days or possible until the snow melts in spring. Time will tell on access to the canyon. Fishing in here will be tough, but for fly fishers willing to do battle with the weeds the trout will take dries and nymphs. I’ve been nymphing with size 18 olive quilldigons and size 20 gray La Fontaine caddis emergers. On the surface I’m using size 20 blue wing olives and size 20 gray X-caddis.
A week ago the mountain tops were dusted with snow and now there is over a foot of snow on the ground on the upper Owens River.
Upper Owens River:
Above Benton Crossing Bridge:
Access will be determined by the amount of snow on the road. If you drive in from Benton Crossing, I would suggest extreme caution as getting stuck is a real reality. There was a fresh run of trophy trout in the river before the storm came in. I expect to see more fish move in with the change in weather. The cold weather should be the catalyst to get the spawning run started. I will be walking into this section from Benton Crossing Bridge using my Euro nymphing rod with size 12 stoner nymphs, and size 12 green/gold Prince nymphs. I like working the deep holes, runs and cutbanks where the migrating trout like to rest and feed on their journey upstream.
With new snow on the ground it is going to be difficult to get a final fly fishing trip into the Monument area of the upper Owens River which closes on Tuesday November 15, 2022.
Below Benton Crossing Bridge:
The last day to fish this section is Tuesday November 15, 2022. This section is probably done for the year. I would not make first tracks in the snow here. I will drive in if it looks like there has been multiple vehicles accessing this area. I’m fishing my Euro rod with size 12 green/gold Prince nymphs, and size 12 stoner nymphs. The deep holes is where I’m concentrating my effort. There are a few spawners moving through this area.
August Chamberlain throwing a Panther Martin in the canal before it goes to catch and release fishing for the winter.
Bishop Creek Canal:
Behind the Ford Dealer:
Tuesday November 15, 2022 is the last day to keep trout in the canal. On Wednesday November 16, 2022 Bishop Creek Canal goes to catch and release lures and flies. I’ve been successfully fishing size 18 olive quilldigons and size 12 3.00 mm stoner nymphs. I’ve been catching stocker rainbows and wild brown trout.