Cool weather and thunder storms has slowed down the snow melt at elevations above 9,000 feet. This is good as several waters in the Eastern Sierra have stabilized and are offering fly fishing opportunities. Waters are still high and cold and anglers should approach streams with care as it only takes one slip to be in the cold high water. Nymphing and streamers are the most productive method for moving waters right now. Still waters offer an alternative to the blown out streams. Midging and pulling streamers are working in a number of still waters. Warm water fish, bass, bluegill and carp, are offering fly fishers some good opportunities as they are spawning in the shallows of several Owens Valley ponds.
Owens Valley ponds like Saunders Pond offers fly fisher warm water opportunities for bass, bluegill and carp.
Lower Owens River
Wild Trout Section:
This section of the river is closed to vehicle access and is unsafe to fly fish. I will be fishing here this fall, probably October, when the flows slow down to 300 CFS or less.
Due to high flows and flooding Pleasant Valley Campground area is closed to access.
Hot Creek:
Interpretive Site:
Water flows have stabilized and fly fishers fishing with nymphs and streamers are producing wild trout. With the high flows fly fishers need to be increasing the amount of weight they are using in their nymph rigs. Best flies have been bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, hot spot pheasant tail nymphs, bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ears and olive wooly buggers.
Hot Creek offers fly fishers good nymphing and streamer fishing during spring runoff.
Hot Creek
Canyon Section:
Access into the canyon is wide open as all three parking areas are accessible. Pulling streamers is something only a handful of fly fishers do in Hot Creek. This is a very productive method for fly fishers fishing the canyon section during runoff. My favorite streamer continues to be the olive wooly bugger in size 6. Nymphing is very productive in the canyon with bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, hot spot pheasant tail nymphs, bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ears, olive quilldigons and stoner nymphs.
Fly fishers need to be careful where they are driving on the dirt roads leading to the upper Owens River or they will be spending the afternoon digging out their car. .
Upper Owens River
Above Benton Crossing Bridge:
Lots of water, particularly on the dirt roads off the main dirt road, is making driving up to your favorite fly fishing spot impossible in some locations. Be sure where you’re driving can support your vehicle or you will find yourself stuck in the mud. Fishing is starting to pick up as flows have stabilized. A few cutthroats in the river are offering trophy trout opportunities to fly fishers covering lots of water to find the trophy trout. I like fishing size 12 Euro jig style stoner nymphs and green/gold Prince nymphs in the deep holes, runs and cutbanks for the resting and feeding trout.
Finding secluded areas on Crowley Lake to midge fish by yourself can lead to a great day of pressure less fly fishing.
Crowley Lake:
This is a good alternative fly fishing spot during runoff. Fly fishers are constantly moving location in search of the trout. Sandy Point to Layton Springs offers spots for fly fishers to find the ever moving schools of trout. Sacramento Perch have moved into the five to 15 foot level to spawn. The perch have been taking a number of fly patterns including balanced perch, black and blue balanced leeches, and silver wooly buggers. These are a fun fish on the fly rod and make great ceviche or fish tacos.
Bishop Creek Canal continues to produce trout for fly fishers nymphing under an indicator or with a Euro rig.
Bishop Creek Canal:
Behind the Old Ford Dealer:
Nymphing flies on the substrate continues to produce wild browns and the occasional stocked rainbow trout. I’m running an indicator six feet above my bottom fly. I’m using a two fly rig of bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph and a stoner nymph. I’m using a BB split shot to keep the flies down on the substrate where the trout are feeding. The Euro rod is my preferred method of fly fishing the canal. Green/gold Prince nymphs, stoner nymphs and hot spot pheasant tail nymphs are the three flies producing for me.