Storms are moving through the Eastern Sierra and leaving snow at upper elevations and rain in the Owens Valley. Several atmospheric rivers are delivering water to the Eastern Sierra and we will know how much when they move east. It’s a new year and time to buy a new fishing license. This year your license is good for 365 days from the date of purchase. It’s cold out there and the fish are not moving much for food. Nymphing is the most productive method and fly fishers will need to put the fly on the trout’s nose. Best fishing will be middle of the day about 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. Midges are the primary winter trout food. We have good populations of blue wing olive mayflies that make them an important winter food source.
It’s a new year and your fishing license is now good for 365 days from the date of purchase.
Lower Owens River:
Wild Trout Section:
Rain and cold weather has slowed down the dry fly activity to almost nil. Nymphing is the way to fish on the lower Owens River right now. I’m using a three fly Euro Nymph rig with good success. The key is to get into the river and wade sections that other anglers pass up. Lots of drifts and working the flies on the bottom, having the right amount of weight in your flies or on your line, is key to getting the trout to feed on your nymphs. Weather will be a factor when fly fishing on the lower Owens River. Be prepared to fish in the cold, rain, and the wind.
The storms are raging in the mountains and fly fishers fishing the lower Owens River are finding it cold and windy.
Hot Creek:
Interpretive Site:
With all the new snow this area is getting, access into the interpretive site will be on foot or with snowshoes. Few if any anglers are fly fishing the creek in these snow storms. When the sun comes out and your willing to put in some extra effort the trout will be willing to play. Nymphing with midges is your best in this section right now.
With new snow on the ground and more coming fly fishers will have to park at the end of Hot Creek Hatchery Road which is as far as the road is plowed.
Hot Creek:
Canyon Section:
Fly fishers will be accessing the canyon from the end of the plowed Hot Creek Hatchery Road which is the entrance to Hot Creek Ranch. There is lots of soft snow to contend with for fly fishers willing to cross country ski, snow shoe, or snowmobile in. Getting in and out of the canyon will be tricky. I would give it five to seven days after the storms to allow others to build a packed down path into the canyon area. Nymphing will be good with midge patterns and blue wing olive mayfly nymph patterns.
Lots of snow on the ground from the last set of storms and new snow on the way will make access to the upper Owens River tough.
Upper Owens River:
Above Benton Crossing Bridge:
Trophy trout are starting to show up in the river. The problem is dealing with all the new snow on the ground. Snowmobiles or snowshoes are offering the easiest access into the river. The fish in this section are here to spawn. They represent the future of the wild trout population in the river. I choose to leave actively spawning trout on redds alone. I concentrate my effort on resting and feeding trophy trout that are found in the deep holes, runs, and cutbanks. I prefer offering these fish a big calorie offering by using size 12 stoner nymphs and size 12 two tone green/gold Prince nymphs. Fish these flies down deep on the bottom of the substrate.
With the atmospheric rivers hitting the Eastern Sierra I hope the canal water levels come up enough to allow an approach to the trout without spooking them.
Bishop Creek Canal:
Behind the Ford Dealer:
I’m hoping with all this moisture we are getting in the Eastern Sierra that we will see the level of Bishop Creek Canal come up in the next week or two. For now the fishing continues to be slow as the low water levels have the trout extra spooky. It’s tough to get a drift or cast without spooking the trout.