Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. This fishing season has just flown by. Just a reminder that resort lakes and a few moving waters like the East Walker River, part of the upper Owens River and part of Rush Creek are closed to fishing. Otherwise there are lots of winter fly fishing catch and release options available. With daylight getting shorter and daytime temperatures in the 70’s there are few insects hatching. There are a few mayflies and midges hatching.
November is Thanksgiving, fall fly fishing and cleaning up fallen leaves around the house.
Lower Owens River
Wild Trout Section:
For now with flows just under 600 CFS the lower Owens River is unfishable with the fly rod.
At 575 CFS the lower Owens River is offering little to no fly fishing opportunities.
Hot Creek
Interpretive Site:
Nymphing with midges and mayflies is the most productive method of fly fishing the creek. There are a few fish working on the surface, but they’re not taking dries with any consistency. I would throw a size 20 blue wing olive parachute if you find a hole with consistently rising trout. Size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 tiger midges or zebra midges are producing wild brown and rainbow trout. There is little to no fly fishing pressure on the creek right now.
No fishing pressure in Hot Creek Canyon makes it easier for a wild trout to take your nymph fished under an indicator or with a Euro rig.
Hot Creek
Canyon Section:
There is little fishing pressure in the canyon as most anglers are not putting in the effort to walk in and out of the canyon. Nymphing with a Euro rig or under an indicator with olive quilldigons, Frenchie’s, hot spot pheasant tail nymphs, bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, tiger midges and zebra midges are fooling the wild trout. Key to success is working the riffles and holes with multiple casts as the fish will not move very far for your flies.
Working nymphs in the deep pools, deep holes and cut banks is producing trophy trout for fly fishers.
Upper Owens River
Above Benton Crossing Bridge:
Fall fly fishers are looking for trophy rainbows and brown trout in the upper Owens River. Stoner nymphs, green/gold Prince nymphs, gold ribbed hare’s ears, red San Juan worms and copper John’s in copper, red or green/gold worked on the substrate where the trout are feeding is how to be successful. Covering lots of water looking for deep holes, deep runs and cut banks where there are concentrations of trophy trout.
This wild brown trout clobbered a size 14 black mini leech in Bishop Creek Canal.
Bishop Creek Canal:
Behind the Old Ford Dealer:
With winter regulations in effect there is little fly fishing pressure on Bishop Creek Canal. The trout are feeding on mayfly nymphs. Use a size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph, tiger midge or zebra midge. Middle of the day, 10:00 A.M to 2:00 P.M, is the perfect time to be fly fishing on the canal.