Looks like we are in for some good weather for most of the upcoming week. But it is the Eastern Sierra where they say if you don’t like the weather come back in an hour. Upper elevation waters are getting enough fly fishing pressure to develop trails that are navigable. Los Angeles Department of Water and Power is reporting record breaking snow fall so far for this snow season. Be prepared for increased water flows as the snow starts to melt. Spring runoff this year is going to be huge. Might want to plan a trip or two before runoff starts in June.
Nice weather and flow at 200 CFS makes it time for a trip to the lower Owens River.
Lower Owens River
Wild Trout Section:
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power are doing repair work on Pleasant Valley Reservoir. Once this is completed flows in the lower Owens will increase from the 200 CFS to at least 300 CFS. Fishing has been sporadic as water clarity related to the dam work has been an issue some days. Some days are clear water and some days are dirty water. Nymphing has been the way to fish the river. I like Euro nymphing as the method to get my nymphs down on the substrate where the trout are feeding. This is requiring an increase in the bead size on my flies. I’m still fishing my winter trio of an olive quilldigon, stoner nymph and a hot spot pheasant tail nymph.
Working the riffle as it enters a hole on the lower Owens River with nymphs produces wild trout .
Hot Creek:
Interpretive Site:
The trail from Hot Creek Hatchery Road to the creek is well established. Snowshoes are highly recommended for access. This is the easiest place to access Hot Creek. There is not much in the way of hatches right now. I still carry dry flies with me just in case a midge or blue wing olive hatch brings the trout to the surface. Nymphing is the game and I’m using tiger midges, zebra midges, olive quilldigons, and bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs.
Fly fishers have developed trails from the kiosk to Hot Creek Ranch allowing easier access with your snow shoes.
Hot Creek:
Canyon Section:
Accessing the canyon section of Hot Creek is for the adventurous fly fisher. You have to snowshoe in from the end of Hot Creek Hatchery Road where they stop plowing the road which is at Hot Creek Ranch. No parking in front of the ranch. Getting in and out of the canyon is tough due to icy conditions. For the fly fisher that makes it into the canyon fishing with nymphs is producing trout. These fish are feeding on scuds, midges, and blue wing olive nymphs. I like fishing in the open water in between the weed beds.
Snow shoes are required for fly fishers accessing the upper Owens River from Benton Crossing Bridge..
Upper Owens River
Above Benton Crossing Bridge:
Snowmobiles from Benton Crossing Bridge have established packed down snow trails that fly fishers with snowshoes can use to access the river. Most fly fishers are fishing with their snowshoes on. Including wading with them. For those that do not own snowshoes they can be rented from Eastside Sports in Bishop. There are enough trophy trout in the river to warrant the effort to access the better fishing areas an hours walk up stream of Benton Crossing Bridge. The trophy trout are in the river to spawn. I do not fish over actively spawning trout as they represent the future trout population of the river. I Euro nymph in the deep holes, runs and cutbanks with stoner nymphs and two tone Prince nymphs in green/gold.
Bishop Creek Canal is getting very little fly fishing pressure as low water levels make it hard not to spook trout..
Bishop Creek Canal:
Behind the Ford Dealer:
Flows continue to be low making fly fishing tough in the canal. When the lower Owens River goes up to 300 CFS the canal will go up and fishing will improve. Working the canal with the indicator, dry and dropper or Euro nymphing is producing a few fish if you can get a cast without spooking the trout. I’m using tiger midge, zebra midges, gold ribbed hares ear’s and pheasant tail nymphs.
Wild brown trout are the dominate trout species in the gorge and feed opportunistically.
Owens River Gorge
Upper and Middle Gorge:
Nymphing under a dry fly is producing wild brown trout on tiger midges, zebra midges, gold ribbed hare’s ears, and pheasant tail nymphs. I access the gorge through the two power plant roads. I walk to the bottom and fish my way upstream until I’m done. Then I hike out. I also take some of the climber trails down into the gorge. Anywhere you fish is going to produce trout as there is very little fishing pressure in the gorge.