Spring is here. Doesn’t look like it. Snowed in Bishop this week, but did not stick. As the weather warms up the snow will melt and we will be dealing with record snow runoff. State, County and City road crews are trying to stay up with the snow and deal with all the erosion damage. The freestone creeks have cleared up and are offering some fly fishing opportunities. Closed roads and high muddy water are effecting a lot of the Eastern Sierra Waters.
I will be at the Fly Fishing Bart Hall Show Friday March 31 and Saturday and Sunday April 1 and 2 at the Long Beach Convention Center. I will have flies tied by me including Sierra bright dots and stoner nymphs for sale for those that have been asking for flies from me. I will be doing two presentations, Bishop: The Southern Gateway to Eastern Sierra Fly Fishing, Friday at 6:30, Saturday at 3:30 and Nymphing; Fishing Flies on the Substrate Friday at 3:30, Saturday at 11:30 and Sunday at 10:30. Tuesday Talks with Fred will be presented on Saturday at 5:30 and Sunday at 1:30.
Lower Owens River
Wild Trout Section:
Chalk Bluff Road and Pleasant Valley Dam Road are still closed. The lower end of the wild trout section is accessible at Five Bridges. City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power needs to make room for all the water that is now locked up in the snow at upper elevations. They will be starting to lower Crowley Lake to make room for the spring runoff. The lower Owens River outflow at Pleasant Valley Dam will be increasing to at least 500 CFS. There may be a day or two where the river clears enough before flows increase for fly fishers to try nymphing or throwing a black wooly bugger.
The lower Owens River is up and expected to rise to 500 to 600 CFS.
Hot Creek:
Interpretive Site:
Hot Creek Hatchery Road is still closed at School Road. Fly fishers will have to snow shoe or walk in. This walk in is doable for most fly fishers. Midges and blue wing olive nymphs are flies to be fishing. Fishing pressure is way down right now if you’re willing to hike in.
Hot Creek Hatchery Road at School Road continues to be closed to vehicle access.
Hot Creek:
Canyon Section:
Fly fishers wanting to access the canyon section have a long snowshoe in from School Road on Hot Creek Hatchery Road. I’m not sure it’s worth the effort.
Benton Crossing Road continues to be closed as the snow has not been removed and there are three stranded vehicles that need to be removed.
Upper Owens River
Above Benton Crossing Bridge:
No fishing on the upper Owens River as Benton Crossing Road continues to be closed at the Green Church. Road crews have not been able to complete the snow removal and there are three vehicles still stranded on the road. The winter-spring run of rainbows should be just about over for the year.
Flows in Bishop Creek Canal are perfect, but the water will fish better once it clears up a little bit more.
Bishop Creek Canal:
Behind the Ford Dealer:
Increased water flows are helping the canal, but the dirty water is not helping the canal. The canal needs to clear up just a bit to make the fly fishing good. Working nymphs on the substrate in the riffle hole transition will produce a fish or two for the fly fisher that diligently covers the water. I’m fishing with the Euro rig with olive quilldigons, stoner nymphs and hot spot pheasant tail nymphs. This set of flies works for me on the canal all winter long.
Once Gorge Road opens up fly fishers will be able to catch lots of these guy on dries and nymphs..
Owens River Gorge
Upper and Middle Gorge:
The road to the gorge is closed and there is no access for fly fishers at this time.