Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 04-22-2022

Opening day for the Eastern Sierra is Saturday April 30, 2022. While the majority of Eastern Sierra waters have been open to catch and release fishing or catch and keep there are a few prime fly fishing waters that will be opening on April 30. Crowley Lake and the East Walker are two major fly fishing waters that will be opening up to fishing. With the opening of all waters this will take the pressure of some of the waters that fly fishers have been fishing this winter like the lower and upper Owens River. Lakes up to 7,500 feet are iced out. Lakes in 8,000 to 9,000 foot range are just starting to ice out. Ice out is a great time to fly fish these lakes. Be prepared for spring storms as they are always possible even in low snow years like this year. 

One way to get out of the wind is to fish in the river bed and allow the tulles and willows to block the wind.

Lower Owens River:

Wild Trout Section:

Flows have stabilized around 150 CFS. This is a great flow to fish in the wild trout section. This increase in flows provides more habitat for the fish to live in. It allows the fish to live in deeper holes and runs which provides safety from predators like osprey. The blue wing olive hatch has slowed down and the insects hatching are a size 20. The trout are still actively feeding on the nymphs. There are pale morning duns hatching and the trout are feeding on the nymphs. I like to use a size 16 gold ribbed hare’s ear to imitate the pale morning dun nymphs. I like to use a size 16 split wing pale morning dun or a brown quilldigon to imitate the emerging pale morning duns. Spring time in the Eastern Sierra seems to be filled with wind. Fishing in the river bed allows fly fishers to get out of the wind.

Owen Farkas from Thousand Oaks with his first trout on the fly rod landed in the catch and release section of the lower Owens River.

 Hot Creek:

Interpretive Site:

Spring winds are playing havoc with fly fishers trying to fish Hot Creek. I fish with the idea of manana. If the winds blowing, I stay home and do paper work or tie flies and go fly fishing on non-windy days. When the wind lays down there is good dry fly action for fly fishers. Blue wing olives are offering most of the action even though there are midges around. I like to fish size 20 blue wing olive parachutes or size 20 olive sparkle duns. The surface activity is over by 2:00 P.M.

Hot Creek:

Canyon Section:

With the steeper gradient in the canyon section it lends its self to nymph fishing. I like to fish with a dry and dropper set up. The reduced flows allow the dry fly to not spook trout like an indicator well. I fish with size 16 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, tiger midges, zebra midges and soft hackle brassies. The water in the canyon is shallow and I’m fishing the nymphs on a two to three foot tippet of 5X fluorocarbon. Sometimes I’m as short as 18 inches between the dry fly and the dropper. Work the nymphs around the structure, weed beds and rocks, being ready to set the hook at the slightest movement in the dry fly.

It will be at least a couple of weeks before the cutthroats show up in the upper Owens River.

Upper Owens River:

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

Spring storms are affecting fly fisher looking for trophy trout on the upper Owens River. When it’s not snowing and blowing working nymphs in the deep holes, runs and cutbanks are producing a few trophy trout. The cutthroats are not in the river yet. It will be two to three weeks before these fish show up. Remember that the Owens River is the only tributary to Crowley Lake that is open to fishing. The other tributaries will open up on the Saturday before Memorial Day.

Fishing the pool below a riffle is producing lots of wild brown trout for fly fishers fishing an indicator nymph rig.

Bishop Creek Canal:

Behind the Ford Dealer:

Flows are increasing in Bishop Creek canal and the wild brown trout are feeding on nymphs. I’m fishing clients under an indicator with a gold ribbed hare’s ear or bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph. Fishing the faster sections of the canal, water below a weir or culvert has been the most productive spots to be fly fishing. I’m using my standard nymph set up of the nymph on the bottom with a weight 12 to 18 inches above the fly and the indicator 1.5 to 2 times the average depth of water above the bottom fly. For the canal I’m using a size 1 weight and the indicator five to six feet above the fly.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 04-15-2022

Winter is begrudgingly hanging on with a few winter storms. It warms up nicely and then we get freezing weather. Then it’s back to warm weather with lots of wind thrown in. So far, a typical spring in the Eastern Sierra. There is not a lot of snow left in the mountains for a spring runoff. Irrigation is starting and Los Angeles Department of Water and Power are starting to increase water flows in the Owens River and canals throughout the Owens Valley. We are in between hatches and spawning trout. Some areas are fishing good while others are slowing down. Welcome to spring in the Eastern Sierra. Fly fishers are starting to target the warm water species in the Owens Valley.

Julie Faber from Bishop is on the lower Owens River with not much snow left on the Eastern Sierra mountains this early in spring.

Lower Owens River:

Wild Trout Section:

Flows have increased and the river is still very wade able flows. There is an increased sediment load being carried by the river that has the river off color. The fish are still feeding, but there is a decrease in insect activity. Midges and mayflies are what the trout are feeding on. Size 18 to 20 midge nymphs and midge pupae patterns in tiger midge and zebra midge configuration is producing trout in the morning. There are blue wing olive mayflies hatching, but there is not enough of them hatching to provide good dry fly fishing. I’ve been concentrating my fly fishing on nymphing with bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs in size 18 and olive quilldigons in size 16. With the increased flows fly fishers need to increase the amount of weight they are using on their nymph rigs. This is a good time to fish with black streamers like wooly buggers, marabou muddlers, and slumpbusters in sizes 6 an 10.

Marsh Faber from Bend, Oregon water loading a cast with an indicator rig so he can cast upstream without getting hung up in the stream side vegetation.

Hot Creek:

Interpretive Site:

When the winds not blowing the fishing has been good with midges and blue wing olive mayflies. I start the morning off with a size 20 or 22 tiger midge or zebra midge in midge or pupae configuration. An hour or so before the blue wing olive hatch I switch over to a size 18 bead head pheasant tail nymph. Once the hatch is in full swing and the trout are selectively feeding on the hatching mayflies, I switch to a size 18 blue wing olive parachute. The hatch is usually over by 2:00 P.M. and I either head over to the upper Owens to continue fly fishing or go look for lunch somewhere in Mammoth or Crowley Lake.

Hot Creek:

Canyon Section:

I like to fish a dry and dropper rig in the canyon. I fish with a size 16 Adams Parachute on top. First thing in the morning I like to use a midge nymph or midge pupae pattern in tiger or zebra coloration in size 20 or 22. Late morning I take off the midge and put on either a size 16 olive quilldigon or a size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph. I keep my nymphs on a short two to three foot tippet of 5x fluorocarbon. If the trout start to feed selectively on the hatching mayflies I put on a dry fly and fish on the surface. I like fishing dries, but the nymphs are more productive.

It will be three weeks or so before the cutthroat trout enter the upper Owens River to spawn.

 Upper Owens River:

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

Wind and snow have made it unpleasant to fish on the upper Owens River as spring time storms have been rolling through the Eastern Sierra. You just have to pick the right days to fish the river. Flows in the river are dropping and the fish are just not concentrated in the river right now. The winter rainbow run is just about over and the spring cutthroat run is still a few weeks away from starting. I start looking for the cutthroat run around Cinco de Mayo. Enjoy an evening of tacos and margaritas and head out to the upper Owens River looking for the beginning of the cutthroat run the next day. For fly fishers putting in lots of effort there are a few trophy rainbows that are taking jigged stoner nymphs, green/gold wire Prince nymphs and gold ribbed hare’s ears. Cover lots of water to find the few trophy trout that are in the deeper pools, runs and under the cutbanks. 

A pretty wild brown trout from Bishop Creek Canal that took a size 16 olive quilldigon fished on a Euro rig with a three fly setup.

 Bishop Creek Canal:

Behind the Ford Dealer:

Increased flows have spurred the trout in the canal to be on the feed again, or is that we can now approach the trout in the creek without spooking them. The water is up and off color. I’m fishing my Euro rig in the canal. I had my first triple hook up of the year. Unfortunately two of the trout came off and I only landed one pretty brown. I’ve not yet been able to land a triple on the Euro rod. When the wind is not blowing nymphing mid-day has been good with olive quilldigons and bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs. There has not been much surface activity so I have not been throwing dry flies.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 04-08-2022

Spring is here. Temperatures are in the high 70’s to low 80’s. I’ve had the air conditioning on in the truck as I drive to and from my fly fishing spots. Bass, carp, and bluegill are getting active in the Owens Valley. It’s time to start working the ponds, canals and Owens River for these fish. Mid-day continues to be when the insects are most active and the trout are responding by feeding on the nymphs and emerging mayflies, caddis flies, and midges. With most moving waters open to catch and release fishing with barbless flies and lures it time to start exploring some of the higher elevation creeks. This is an underutilized fly fishing opportunity in the Eastern Sierra in spring.

I know it’s spring when the dandelions take over my back yard and the insects and birds utilize them.

 Lower Owens River:

Wild Trout Section:

Water is off color, but the trout are still feeding. Midge nymphs or pupae in zebra or tiger configuration, bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, olive quilldigons, and caddis emerger patterns are fooling the trout from morning to early evening. I’ve been fishing with a Euro rig pre blue wing olive hatch. The olive quilldigon has been responsible for most of my trout. The mid-day hatch of blue wing olives has been good enough to get my dry rod out of the case and bring it on the river with me. When the hatch starts, I go looking for a spot where all the trout are selectively feeding on the emerging blue wing olives. I’m fishing with a size 18 blue wing olive parachute or an olive sparkle dun. Caddis activity late in the day is worth throwing some elk hair caddis on the water.

Nate Ostrander from Bishop Euro nymphing a section of the lower Owens River that is only accessible by wading.

Hot Creek:

Interpretive Site:

With vehicle access to the creek fly fishing pressure has increased. Sometimes you need to get out before the hatches just to secure a spot on the creek. Mornings have seen good midge activity with the trout taking midge nymphs, pupae, and adults. For the nymphs and pupae I’m using size 18 to 22 tiger and zebra configurations. For the adults I’m using Griffiths gnats and biot midge emergers. An hour or two before the blue wing olive hatch I’m using a bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph. When the trout turn their attention to the hatching blue wing olives I switch to a dry fly and start using a blue wing olive parachute or an olive sparkle dun. I’m usually done with Hot Creek by 2:00 P.M. Then it’s time to go find lunch.

Hot Creek:

Canyon Section:

The canyon section offers better nymphing opportunities for fly fishers. I like to fish my flies under a fly and not an indicator. With the lower flows in the creek the commercial indicators spook to many trout. I’m using a size 16 Adams parachute with a midge nymph or pupae in tiger or zebra configuration. Mid-day before the blue wing olive hatch I put on a bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph in size 18. If the trout are feeding selectively on the newly hatching blue wing olive mayflies, I switch to a size 18 or 20 blue wing olive parachute. I fish with a dry and dry so that I can find my small dry fly on the water. I use the 16 Adams parachute for the dry in the dry and dry setup. 

The winter run of rainbows from Crowley Lake are just about done for the year.

Upper Owens River:

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

Fly fishers have complete access to the river on both sides with their vehicles. This has increased the fly fishing pressure in this area. The winter run of rainbows is slowly coming to an end. For the fly fisher willing to put in the effort of covering lots of water looking for the few pods of trophy trout that are in the system right now you will find a few trophy trout willing to take your fly. I’m still fishing with size 12 jigged stoner nymphs, green/gold Prince nymphs, and gold ribbed hare’s ears in the deeper pools, runs, and cutbanks.

Bob Creed from Riverside was able to catch several wild brown trout after rigging up an indicator nymph rig.

Bishop Creek Canal:

Behind the Ford Dealer:

Flows have increased in the canal and it’s easier to approach the trout. I’m fishing with a dry and dropper rig or under and indicator. I like to fish a bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph about 20 inches below the midge. I put a size one split shot between the two flies and the indicator 1.5 to 2 times the average depth of water above the bottom fly. I used this setup with Bob Creed from Riverside on Monday and he landed several wild brown trout. The canal will get better as water flows are increased.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 04-01-2022

Spring storms come and go quickly. Snow in the morning at upper elevations is gone by early afternoon. This week there has been a couple of spring storms moving through the area. After the storms it will warm up again and the insects will be hatching and the trout will be feeding on them. There are good hatches of midges, mayflies, and caddis flies. Most moving waters are now open to catch and release fishing year round with flies and lures. Streams up to 7,500 feet are opening up to fly fishers as winters snow recedes with springs warm days.

Spring storms are short lived and good fly fishing returns as the storms move out of the Eastern Sierra.

 Lower Owens River:

Wild Trout Section:

Stormy spring days are days to be on the water as the blue wing olive hatch is intensified in these conditions. The mid-day blue wing olive hatch continues to offer great fly fishing with nymphs previous to the hatch and dries on the surface during the hatch. Not all water is created equal when it comes to the blue wing olive hatch. If the spot you’re fishing only has a few trout rising move around until you find that hole with lots of trout selectively feeding on the freshly hatching blue wing olive mayflies. First thing in the morning I’m fishing with midge nymphs and midge pupae patterns in tiger and zebra configurations. When using an indicator using two flies pays off. I like to fish a bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph about 20 inches below the midge. I put a size one split shot between the two flies and the indicator 1.5 to 2 times the average depth of water above the bottom fly.

Stormy days are a great time to get on the water as it intensifies the blue wing olive hatch.

Hot Creek:

Interpretive Site:

Mid-morning is midge time. Nymphs, pupae, and adults are being feed on by the trout. I start fishing with midge nymphs and midge pupae patterns in zebra and tiger configurations. I fish a black biot midge emerger or Griffiths gnat on the surface. Around noon is time for the blue wing olive hatch. I start fishing with bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs and olive quilldigons an hour or two before the hatch. When the trout key in on the hatching mayflies I switch to a blue wing olive parachute or an olive sparkle dun.

Hot Creek:

Canyon Section:

With the canyon section being accessible by vehicle it is getting more fly fishing pressure. I like fishing with nymphs under a dry fly in this section. The trout are feeding on midge nymphs and pupae, and blue wing olive nymphs. I like to fish a size 16 Adams parachute with a midge or mayfly nymph two to three feet under my dry fly on 5X fluorocarbon tippet. When the trout start selectively feeding on the hatching blue wing olive mayflies I switch to a dry and dry rig. I leave the Adams parachute on and tie on a size 18 or 20 blue wing olive or olive sparkle dun on three feet of 5X or 6X monofilament tippet.

Brown trout and cutthroat trout are starting to show up in the upper Owens River.

Upper Owens River:

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

There are still a few wet spots that fly fishers want to avoid when driving into the upper Owens River. The entire river is now accessible to fly fishers driving in. The trophy trout are starting to dissipate as the spawning season for the rainbows is coming to an end. A few cutthroats have been caught by fly fishers, but I don’t expect this run to be in the river until early May. There are a few resident brown trout being caught. Look for the trophy trout in the deep holes, runs, and cut banks where they are resting and feeding on their migration in and out of the river. Jigged stoners, green/gold Prince nymphs, and gold ribbed hare’s ears are producing the bulk of the fish. Successful fly fishers are covering lots of water to find the few pods of feeding trophy trout that are in the Owens River system.

Fly fishing on the canal has gotten tough as I can see every trout in the water and they can see me.

Bishop Creek Canal:

Behind the Ford Dealer:

This has become a tough spot to fish with the low clear water. The trout are supper spooky and require fly fishers to approach with stealth. I’m fishing with a dry and dropper and making 30 to 40 foot casts to keep from spooking the trout. I’m fishing with a size 16 Adams parachute with a midge pattern or blue wing olive nymph on three feet of 5X fluorocarbon tippet. Best fishing has been middle of the day when the blue wing olive hatch is in full swing.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 03-25-2022

Spring has sprung as a few days of 80 degree weather hits the Owens Valley. This warm weather is melting snow quick in a number of areas. Upper elevations to the 7,000 foot range are pretty much snow free with vehicle access in most spots. There are still some snow drifts and wet muddy roads to avoid. Drive with caution in wet and snowy areas. This warm weather has the mayflies, midges, and caddis hatching. Looks like we have a third year of below normal water for the Eastern Sierra. Plan your trips accordingly. August through October is now fire season and fly fishers should be prepared for smoky days in this time frame. Streams will be at their lowest levels in the fall. Plan your Eastern Sierra fly fishing trips accordingly.

Julia Swanson from CDFW explaining the different fins of a trout to Bishop Elementary first grade kids during the trout in the class room release at Bishop Creek. Another year comes to an end for trout in the class room.

 Lower Owens River:

Wild Trout Section:

Water flows are at 85 CFS which allows wading fly fishers access to the entire river. Midges, mayflies and caddis are hatching during the day. I start the day off with midge nymphs and or midge pupae patterns. An hour or two before the blue wing olive may fly hatch the trout start keying in on the blue wing olive nymphs. After the blue wing olive may fly hatch the caddis hatch in the lower third of the wild trout section, from gate 13 to Five Bridges. I’m fishing size 20 and 22 tiger and zebra midges in nymphs and pupae patterns. For the blue wing olive nymph I’m fishing with a size 16 olive quilldigon and a size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph. When the hatch is in full swing I switch to a size 18 blue wing olive parachute or size 18 olive sparkle dun. For the caddis I’m fishing with a size 18 gray elk hair caddis or gray X-caddis.

Brown trout are the dominate trout species in the lower Owens River wild trout section.

 Hot Creek:

Interpretive Site:

Angles can access the creek with their vehicles. The warm weather has the blue wing olive may flies hatching. The trout are keying in on the hatching adults. A size 20 blue wing olive parachute or a size 20 olive sparkle dun is producing trout on the surface for dry fly fishers. There are still a lot of midges around and they are worth fishing as nymphs and adults. A size 20 to 22 tiger midge or zebra midge in nymph or pupae style is producing. For the midge adult I fish size 20 Griffiths gnat or a biot midge emerger.

Hot Creek:

Canyon Section:

The snow has melted allowing fly fishers to access the canyon section with their vehicles. The stepper gradient in the canyon section lends its self to nymphing. Nymphing under a dry fly like a size 16 Adams Parachute with a midge or blue wing olive nymph is producing wild trout. For the nymphs I’m using size 20 to 22 tiger midge or zebra midge in nymph or pupae style. To imitate the blue wing olive nymphs I’m fishing with size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs or size 16 olive quilldigons. In the right spots of the canyon the hatch comes off with enough intensity to get the trout feeding on the surface. I’m using blue wing olive parachutes and olive sparkle duns in size 20.

Alex Ceja from Napa, CA landing a trophy rainbow trout from the upper Owens River while Euro nymphing.

 Upper Owens River:

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

Fly fishers are driving in on the main road to the upper Owens River. I would drive with caution on the spur roads out to the river. Some of these roads are still sloppy and getting stuck is a real possibility. There are still decent numbers of trophy trout in the system. These fish are resting and feeding in the deeper channels, holes and cutbanks. Successful fly fishers are covering lots of ground to find the spots that are holding trout. I’m Euro nymphing these spots with size 12 stoner nymphs and size 12 green/gold Prince nymphs on competition jig hooks. The key to success is having the right beads on the flies to get the patterns working down deep on the substrate where the trout are feeding.

Low clear water on Bishop Creek makes it really hard to present a fly to wild brown trout without spooking them.

Bishop Creek Canal:

Behind the Ford Dealer:

Low clear water and spooky trout continues to haunt fly fishers working Bishop Creek Canal. I’m having success working the areas where the water is flowing quickly into deeper holes. With the trout being so spooky I’m primarily fishing with dry flies or a dry and dropper rig that I can cast 30 to 50 feet above me to keep from spooking trout. Size 18 blue wing olive parachutes and size 18 olive sparkle duns are fooling the surface feeding wild brown trout. When I’m nymphing I’m using a size 16 Adams parachute for the dry and size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymp. Best fishing has been in the early afternoons when the wind is not gusting at 40 mph.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 03-18-2022

It’s the middle of March and it looks like we are not getting a miracle March to boost the Eastern Sierra snowpack. Storms are moving through, but unfortunately we are getting 10 feet of wind not ten feet of snow. The mountains are getting snow measured in inches not in feet. Spring is coming and in between storms the days are warmer and the amount of daylight is increasing every day. With daylight savings in effect the hatches are coming of early afternoon not mid-day. Blue wing olive mayflies, midges, and caddis are hatching and the trout are feeding on them. Some of the newly opened winter fishing waters are becoming fishable as snow and ice are receding allowing fly fishers to explore new areas as spring approaches.

The Eastern Sierra Range is showing very little snow on top of the mountains behind Bishop Creek which is open to catch and release fishing with flies and lures during the winter season.

 Lower Owens River:

Wild Trout Section:

Early morning is the time to nymph fish with midges. I’m using midge patterns and pupae patterns in tiger, and zebra colors. These flies work great tell late morning or noon when the trout start feeding on the blue wing olive nymphs that are becoming active prior to the early afternoon emergence. I’m fishing with olive quilldigons and bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs. Early afternoon is when the blue wing olive hatch begins and I’m fishing with dries in the pools and runs that have lots of trout feeding on the surface. I’m using a size 18 blue wing olive parachute, olive sparkle dun or olive compara dun. As the blue wing olive hatch dissipates there is a gray caddis hatch coming off on the lower section gate 13 to Five Bridges Road, of the wild trout section. I’m fishing with a size 18 gray elk hair caddis, gray X-caddis, and a gray partridge spent caddis.

Stephen Cramer from George Town, South Carolina is hooked up with a wild brown trout while nymphing under an indicator with a size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph.

Hot Creek:

Interpretive Site:

Spring is trying to come to the upper altitudes and Hot Creek is slowly edging towards being snow free. Midges are active in the mornings. Mid-day the blue wing olives are active and the trout are rising to them when the winds are not blowing. I’m fishing with midge nymphs and midge pupae patterns in size 20 to 22 in zebra and tiger colors. I’m nymphing with blue wing olive nymphs like the bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph and olive quilldigon. When the hatch is in full swing I’m switching to a blue wing olive parachute, olive sparkle dun or olive compara dun. The water is clear and the trout are skittish.

 Hot Creek:

Canyon Section:

The road to the canyon section parking lots is still full of snow and not vehicle accessible. It takes a little more effort to get into the canyon section, but there is less fly fishing pressure. The canyon has more riffle water which lends its self to better nymph fishing opportunities. I’m fishing with midge nymphs, midge pupae, and blue wing olive nymphs. With the low flows of winter I find commercial nymph indicators to spook the wary trout. I like to fish a dry and dropper rig. I’m using a size 16 Adams parachute with a size 20 to 22 midge nymph or pupae in the mornings. Late morning I switch to a blue wing olive nymph pattern like a size 16 olive quilldigon or size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph. Once the hatch is in full swing and the trout are selectively feeding on the surface I switch to a size 18 or 20 blue wing olive parachute, olive sparkle dun, or olive compara dun. I carry a few gray size 20 caddis patterns with me for those days when the caddis are hatching.

Sarah Scrivano from Napa, CA casting her Euro nymphs against the far bank where the migrating trophy trout like to rest and feed under the bank.

Upper Owens River:

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

The snow is melting but the dirt road paralleling the river is still not drivable past the first couple of turnouts. It’s a 30 to 50 minute walk into the best fly fishing spots. Trophy trout are still in the system taking nymphs and streamers. Most anglers are finding success with San Juan worms and egg patterns. I’m using green/gold Prince nymphs, stoner nymphs, and gold ribbed hare’s ears tied on size 12 Euro competition jig hooks. Standard streamers like Hornbergs, wooly buggers, and muddlers in sizes 6 and 10 are producing fish for fly fishers covering lots of water. I’m fishing these flies in the area of the Hot Creek forks in the deep holes, pools, and undercut banks. These trophy trout are taking flies as they rest and feed on their migration in and out of the upper Owens River from Crowley Lake.

The flows out of Bishop Creek into Bishop Creek Canal are at their lowest of the season making it difficult to approach the trout.

 Bishop Creek Canal:

Behind the Ford Dealer:

The flows coming out of Bishop Creek are at their lowest of the season. The trout are extremely spooky and require longer casts, light tippets, and a stealthy approach. I find indicators and Euro  nymphing to be spooking to many trout. I’m fishing a dry and dropper rig for nymphing and fishing with dry flies during the hatch. The trout are taking midge nymphs, midge pupae, and blue wing olive nymphs in the mornings. Mid-day to early afternoon the trout are feeding on the surface to the hatching blue wing olive mayflies. I’m using size 18 zebra, and tiger midges followed by size 16 olive quilldigons and size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs. During the hatch I’m fishing with a size 18 blue wing olive parachute or olive sparkle dun. Windy days is making it impossible to fly fish Bishop Creek Canal.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 03-11-2022

Wind is the bane of fly fishers and road bike riders of which I enjoy both. Cooler temperatures and wind has made it unpleasant to be out on the water fly fishing in the Eastern Sierra. When the wind lies down hatches of caddis, mayflies, and midges have the trout feeding under and on top of the surface. Nymphing in the morning and fishing dries mid-day when the hatches are strong enough to bring the trout to the surface has been the daily grind on the Eastern Sierra streams. Day light savings goes into effect this weekend and will give fly fishers more light to fish longer in the evening.

Sierra Bright Dot Instagram 2,000 Followers Give Away grand prize winner Nick Zambetti from Los Angeles with a brown trout that took a size 18 blue wind olive parachute during the hatch on the wild trout section of the lower Owens River.

Lower Owens River:

Wild Trout Section:

The caddis hatch has showed up in big numbers in the early afternoon bringing lots of trout to the surface. Midges in the morning, blue wing olive mayflies mid-day and then caddis are offering fly fishers a diversity of fly patterns they can offer the trout. I start of nymphing with midge nymphs, and midge pupae in the morning. Around 11:00 I switch to blue wing olive nymph patterns like bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, and olive quilldigons. Early afternoon is time for a gold ribbed hare’s ear pattern. During the hatch if the water I’m fishing has lots of surface feeding wild brown trout I will switch to a dry fly. I’m fishing Griffith’s gnats to imitate the midge clusters. I’m fishing blue wing olive parachutes, olive sparkle duns, and olive comparaduns to imitate the blue wing olive mayflies. When the trout start taking the caddis off the surface I use elk hair caddis or X-caddis.

Larry Sears from Bainbridge, WA working the far bank of the lower Owens River with a nymph after the blue wing olive hatch.

Hot Creek:

Interpretive Site:

The snow is slowly retreating and the ground is starting to show up. Fly fishers still have to access the interpretive site by walking in from Hot Creek Hatchery Road. The snow is packed and is an easy five to 10 minute walk down the road to the creek. Midges and blue wing olive mayflies are hatching and the trout are coming to the surface to feed on these hatching insects. Wind is blowing the freshly hatched insects off the water before the trout can feed on them, forcing fly fishers to fish nymphs on those blustery windy days.

Hot Creek:

Canyon Section:

Fly fishers are parking at the end of Hot Creek Hatchery Road where the county has ended their plowing of the road. It’s an easy walk into the parking lots that access the Canyon of Hot Creek. The walk into the canyon can be tricky when the steep sections into the canyon are icy. Coming out in the afternoon when the snow has softened up is easier. The trout are concentrating on nymphs on the windy days. I like to throw tiger midges, zebra midges, pupae midge patterns in these colors, bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, and olive quilldigons. On the days the wind lies down and the trout are feeding on the surface I’m throwing blue wing olive parachutes and midge emerger patterns. 

Alex Ceja from Napa, CA with a trophy rainbow trout that took one of his hand tied Euro nymphs.

 Upper Owens River:

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

Access by vehicle is still hampered by the blanket of snow left by December’s storms. Fly fishers willing to put in the extra effort and walk up river past the corrals towards Longyears are being rewarded by trophy trout that have not been pressured by fly fishers. I prefer to fish the deep runs, pools, and cutbanks that the trout use to rest and feed as they migrate through the Owens River system above Crowley Lake. I’m throwing stoner nymphs, green/gold Prince nymphs, and bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ears on size 12 jig hooks. When the winds not blowing the trophy trout have been feeding on the hatching blue wing olive adults and nymphs.

Casting a dry and dropper rig 30 to 40 feet upstream of the angler is needed to keep from spoking the wary trout of Bishop Creek Canal.

Bishop Creek Canal:

Behind the Ford Dealer:

When the wind is not blowing the blue wing olive mayflies off the surface, the trout are feeding on the surface middle of the day. I’m fishing with a size 18 blue wing olive parachute, Adams parachute, olive sparkle dun, and olive comparadun. The fish are supper skittish and require long casts of 30 to 50 feet to not spook them. Nymphing under an indicator is spooking to many trout so I’m fishing with a dry and dropper rig. I’m using a size 16 Adams parachute and size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph. Prior to the blue wing olive hatch I’m throwing tiger midges and zebra midges in size 18 to 22.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 03-04-2021

Late winter in the Eastern Sierra is warm to hot days sprinkled with the occasional winter storm. This has been a warm week with a storm due to hit the Eastern Sierra as the weekend begins. The increase in daylight with the higher day time temperatures is increasing the insect activity in the streams. Midges, blue wing olive mayflies, and caddis are hatching and the trout are feeding on them. Congratulations to Tom Paulson the winner of the first Trout Rodeo held last weekend on the waters in and around Bishop.

Snow is starting to recede on the road into the Owens River above Benton Crossing Road and it will be another two to four weeks before vehicles can access the dirt roads to the Owens River.

 Lower Owens River:

Wild Trout Section:

Blue wing olive may flies have been hatching middle of the day and the trout are feeding on the nymphs and the emergers. Before the hatch size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs and size 16 olive quilldigons have been fooling the wild brown trout. First thing in the morning the midges have been swarming on the surface and the trout have been feeding on them sporadically. Fishing midge nymphs like tiger midges and zebra midges and using midge pupae patterns in size 18 to 22 is producing trout. The approaching storm will slow the insect activity down for a day or two.

Working nymphs under the overhanging willows is how you catch the cautious brown trout in the lower Owens River.

Hot Creek:

Interpretive Site:

The ground is starting to show through the bed of snow that has covered the banks of Hot Creek at the interpretive site since late December. The warmer weather has blue wing olive mayflies and midges hatching. Midges have been the predominant insect that the trout are feeding on. Biot midge emergers and parachute midges are fooling the surface feeding trout. On the right days the blue wing olive hatch is strong enough to fish blue wing olive parachutes to the surface feeding trout. 

Hot Creek:

Canyon Section:

The snow has not melted enough to allow vehicle access to the parking lots that access the canyon of Hot Creek. The canyon has the least fly fishing pressure and nymphing is producing the bulk of the trout. Nymphing with bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, olive quilldigons, tiger midges, zebra midges, Manhattan midges, and secret midges in the runs and pools are fooling the wild rainbow trout and brown trout.

Trophy trout love to run up under the banks to avoid the danger they perceive from being hooked.

Upper Owens River:

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

The snow is receding and anglers can walk in with their waders and boots to access the upper Owens River above Benton Crossing Bridge. It’s a 30 to 50 minute walk in to the inlets of the Hot Creek forks. In the morning the snow is frozen and easy to walk on. Walking out in the late afternoon is tough as the snow is soft and you are no longer walking on top of the snow. The trophy trout are in the river and feeding on stoner nymphs, green/gold wire Prince nymphs, hot spot pheasant tail nymphs, Frenchie’s, and egg patterns. The trophy trout are concentrated in the deep holes, deep runs, and under the cutbanks.

Bishop Creek Canal is at its lowest level and is very clear making it hard to sneak up on the trout.

Bishop Creek Canal:

Behind the Ford Dealer:

Low clear water is making the trout of Bishop Creek Canal skittish. Casting 30 to 50 feet upstream of the angler allows the flies to drift without spooking the trout. Size 18 blue wing olive parachutes, size 18 olive sparkle duns, and size 20 Griffiths gnats have been fooling the surface feeding wild brown trout. I’ve been fishing these dries three feet behind a size 16 Adams parachute which I’m using as an indicator to identify where my small fly is on the water. Nymphing with zebra midges, tiger midges, olive quilldigons, and bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs is producing trout before and after the hatch.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 02-25-2022

Winter came back during this week leaving up to a foot of new snow in the higher elevations. Cold weather and wind kept most fly fishers off the water mid-week. We need the moisture, but the warm days and blue wing olive hatches had me on the water nymphing and dry fly fishing prior to the storm. Midges and mayflies continue to be the insects that have the trout feeding in the middle of winter. Saturday February 26, 2022 is the inaugural fly fishing tournament the Trout Rodeo being held in the Eastern Sierra.

Richard Standridge from Big Pine learning how to control the fly line while drifting a size 18 blue wing olive parachute that the wild brown trout were chomping on.

Lower Owens River:

Wild Trout Section:

Storms during the week have slowed down the fly fishing in the catch and release section of the lower Owens River. For the few brave fly fishers that battled the constant winds nymphing produced wild trout. Looking forward to the weather next week as we are expected to warm back up. Fly fishing should return to the good nymphing with midges and blue wing olive nymphs and the blue wing olive hatch will just get stronger as we head towards spring.

Robert Canter from Athens, Ohio with the rare lower Owens River rainbow trout that took a well drifted midge nymph.

 Hot Creek:

Interpretive Site:

Winter has returned with snow and temperatures in the negatives. I’ll wait for the next weeks weather to warm up before getting back out to Hot Creek. Before the storm rolled in, the blue wing olive hatch had the fish coming to the surface for size 18 olive sparkle duns, olive compara duns, and blue wing olive parachutes. Nymphing with size 16 olive perdigons and size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, tiger midges, zebra midges, Manhattan midges, and secret midges were fooling the wild rainbows and browns.

 Hot Creek:

Canyon Section:

It’s too cold, windy and snowy for the hike into the canyon except for the most hardy of fly fishers. Prior to the storm fly fishing in the canyon was good with little fly fishing pressure. Both nymphs and dries were producing trout. Blue wing olive mayflies and midges were providing all of the action. Once the storms pass it will be time to head back into the gorge for some great nymphing and dry fly action.

Upper Owens River:

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

Snow pack was melting and brown grass and dirt was starting to show through. Now the upper Owens River has a new short blanket of snow on the banks. Fly fishing for trophy trout continues to be good. For the few brave souls willing to fish through the storms there are trophy trout to be caught. These fish can be caught in the deeper holes, runs, and cutbanks for fly fishers willing to walk thirty minutes up the snowed over dirt road from Benton Crossing Road. Size 12 jigged patterns like the stoner, green/gold wire prince nymph, and the bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ear nymph are proven patterns on the upper Owens River trophy trout.

Cold weather and wind blew in for the week and fly fishers stayed away from Bishop Creek Canal.

Bishop Creek Canal:

Behind the Ford Dealer:

Wind and cold weather kept most fly fishers off the water middle of the week as the storms rolled through the Eastern Sierra. Prior to the storm the warm weather was kicking the blue wing olives into a hatch that had the trout coming to the surface. For dry flies I’m using size 18 olive sparkle duns, olive compara duns, and blue wing olive parachutes. For the dry fly in the dry and dropper I’m using a size 16 Adams parachute. The trout are taking midge nymphs like the zebra and tiger, the olive quilldigon, and the bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph. Trout in the canal are still spooky and require a stealthy approach.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 02-18-2022

We got a little bit of precipitation at the higher elevations. Nowhere near enough to help out the snow pack. Starting to look like year two of a drought. By the weekend we will be back to warm days here in the Owens Valley and nice days at upper elevation waters. Blue wing olive mayflies and midges are providing the food that is making the trout actively feeding. I’ve seen my first adult skwala of the winter season. I find that the nymph produces a lot more takes for me than fishing an adult pattern.

Parachute Adams, blue wing olive parachute, and X-caddis are productive flies throughout the Eastern Sierra in the winter time.

Lower Owens River:

Wild Trout Section:

Fishing pressure from weekend fly fishers and fly club outings has effected fly fishers fishing with nymphs and dries. Nymphing has been the most consistent producer with mayfly nymphs, midge nymphs, and midge pupae. I’ve been using a size 16 olive quilldigon, a size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph, and size 20 tiger midges or zebra midges. I’ve been experimenting with a few midge pupae patterns with fair results. The trout are starting to come to the surface for the hatching blue wing olive mayflies. Not all spots on the lower Owens River are equal during the hatch. Fly fishers need to move around to find areas with a concentration of rising trout. Even in areas without consistent risers I’ve been fooling trout with an Adams parachutes in sizes 16 and 18 as well as size 18 blue wing olive parachutes. Skwala stoneflies have started to hatch and should be around for a few weeks. 

Mark Rafeh of Simi Valley Euro nymphing a late afternoon session on the lower Owens River wild trout section.

Hot Creek:

Interpretive Site:

Access is still over the snow down to the interpretive site from Hot Creek Hatchery Road. Middle of the day has been good with hatching blue wing olive mayflies and midges. Size 20 blue wing olive parachutes and size 20 to 24 biot midge emergers have been fooling the wild trout of Hot Creek. Fly fishers need to watch their approach as these fish are supper spooky. Size 6X tippet, drag free drifts, and accurate casts are required to fool these wary wild trout.

 Hot Creek:

Canyon Section:

It is about a mile walk over hard pack snow into the parking lots to access the canyon section of Hot Creek from where the road is no longer plowed. Going in and out of the canyon on the trail can be tricky in spots that have ice on them. Fly fishing pressure is low as few fly fishers are willing to make the effort to hike into the canyon. For fly fishers fishing the canyon nymphing under a dry fly with midge and mayfly nymphs is producing trout. Size 16 olive perdigons, and size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs along with size 20 to 24 tiger and zebra midges are good imitations of the mayfly nymphs and midge nymphs. For the dry fly I’m using a size 16 Adams parachute. Carry mayfly parachutes for those days when the trout are actively feeding on the hatching blue wing olive mayflies.

 Upper Owens River:

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

The upper Owens River continues to produce trophy trout up to 24 inches. Access to this area is over the snow with cross country skis, waking, snowshoes, or snowmobiling. The trout have been congregating in the deep holes, runs and under the cutbanks resting and feeding on their migration up river to spawn. I try to avoid fly fishing for actively spawning trout and concentrate my effort on resting and feeding trophy trout. These trophy trout are looking for a mouth full of calories and I’m offering them size 12 stoner nymph, green/gold Prince nymph, and gold ribbed hare’s ear. These flies in jigged versions fished on a Euro rig are my go to big fish producers.

Low clear water in Bishop Creek Canal is making the trout particularly spooky right now.

Bishop Creek Canal:

Behind the Ford Dealer:

The water level in the canal is at its lowest and the water is very clear. This is making the trout extremely spooky. I’m fishing a dry and dropper and casting 30 to 50 feet upstream to keep me far enough away from the trout not to spook them. The blue wing olive hatch has been extremely sporadic and the fish have not started to feed on them with any consistency. I’m doing best with a size 16 Adams parachute and a size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph three feet under the dry on 5X tippet.