Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 01-13-2023

We are going to get a couple of days break in between storms. At the upper elevations roads and towns are digging themselves out of the snow. These areas got lots of snow. At lower elevations, Owens Valley, we got mostly rain with a light dusting of snow that quickly melted. Dirt roads are wet, have puddles and erosion in them. Vehicle access is closed to Bishop Creek Canal. Owens River Road will be plowed when they can get to it. Access to the upper Owens River at Benton Crossing will have limited if any parking. The next series of storms will start on Saturday 01-14-2023 and is expected to last at least through Friday. I would stay out of the Eastern Sierra unless you absolutely have to be up here.

Before traveling to the Eastern Sierra be sure to check with Cal Trans for road closures as lots of roads have been closed due to rain, snow, and erosion.

Lower Owens River:

Wild Trout Section:

Chalk Bluff Road is accessible with lots of mud puddles on the dirt road. There are several area that have erosion on the road or the road has eroded. The river is up and way off color. It will take two to four days of nice weather for the river to clear up. Before the storm nymphing was really good with olive quilldigons, and Hot Spot Pheasant Tail nymphs. I would not fish the river until it has stabilized and cleared up. For daily updates on the rivers conditions follow my Facebook or Instagram page at Sierra Bright Dot. If you’re going to attempt to fly fish this section dress appropriately.

Flows out of Pleasant Valley Reservoir have increased and the river is muddy.

Hot Creek:

Interpretive Site:

With all the new snow this area is getting, access into the interpretive site will be on foot or with snowshoes. Few if any anglers are fly fishing the creek in these snow storms. When the sun comes out and your willing to put in some extra effort the trout will be willing to play. Nymphing with midges is best in this section right now.

The latest storms have filled in the tracks with two to four feet of snow and fly fishers will have to walk in from Hot Creek Hatchery Road.

Hot Creek:

Canyon Section:

This area is tough to access due to the large amounts of snow the storms have left. I would wait a week after the last storm to let the snow stabilize before trying to access the Hot Creek Canyon.

Fly fishers will no longer be able to park upstream of Benton Crossing Bridge as there is too much snow on the road for access.

Upper Owens River:

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

This area is inaccessible due to the large amounts of snow the storms have left. When this area becomes accessible it will require a snowmobile or snowshoes to access the river. My guess is that the storms will activate the trout and the river will have good concentrations of trophy trout. I will be checking out this area about a week after the last storm.

Max Kim from Orange County braved the cold and high muddy water on the canal to spend some time fishing.

Bishop Creek Canal:

Behind the Ford Dealer:

The good news is that flows in the canal are up. The bad news is that the dirt roads accessing Bishop Creek Canal have been closed by DWP. The other bad news is that the canal water is dirty brown. It will take two to four days for the water to clear after the last day of stormy weather. I’m guessing, but I expect the canal to be in prime fly fishing shape when these winter storms have moved through the Owens Valley.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 01-06-2023

Storms are moving through the Eastern Sierra and leaving snow at upper elevations and rain in the Owens Valley. Several atmospheric rivers are delivering water to the Eastern Sierra and we will know how much when they move east. It’s a new year and time to buy a new fishing license. This year your license is good for 365 days from the date of purchase. It’s cold out there and the fish are not moving much for food. Nymphing is the most productive method and fly fishers will need to put the fly on the trout’s nose. Best fishing will be middle of the day about 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. Midges are the primary winter trout food. We have good populations of blue wing olive mayflies that make them an important winter food source.

It’s a new year and your fishing license is now good for 365 days from the date of purchase.

Lower Owens River:

Wild Trout Section:

Rain and cold weather has slowed down the dry fly activity to almost nil. Nymphing is the way to fish on the lower Owens River right now. I’m using a three fly Euro Nymph rig with good success. The key is to get into the river and wade sections that other anglers pass up. Lots of drifts and working the flies on the bottom, having the right amount of weight in your flies or on your line, is key to getting the trout to feed on your nymphs. Weather will be a factor when fly fishing on the lower Owens River. Be prepared to fish in the cold, rain, and the wind.

The storms are raging in the mountains and fly fishers fishing the lower Owens River are finding it cold and windy.

Hot Creek:

Interpretive Site:

With all the new snow this area is getting, access into the interpretive site will be on foot or with snowshoes. Few if any anglers are fly fishing the creek in these snow storms. When the sun comes out and your willing to put in some extra effort the trout will be willing to play. Nymphing with midges is your best in this section right now.

With new snow on the ground and more coming fly fishers will have to park at the end of Hot Creek Hatchery Road which is as far as the road is plowed.

Hot Creek:

Canyon Section:

Fly fishers will be accessing the canyon from the end of the plowed Hot Creek Hatchery Road which is the entrance to Hot Creek Ranch. There is lots of soft snow to contend with for fly fishers willing to cross country ski, snow shoe, or snowmobile in. Getting in and out of the canyon will be tricky. I would give it five to seven days after the storms to allow others to build a packed down path into the canyon area. Nymphing will be good with midge patterns and blue wing olive mayfly nymph patterns.

Lots of snow on the ground from the last set of storms and new snow on the way will make access to the upper Owens River tough.

Upper Owens River:

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

Trophy trout are starting to show up in the river. The problem is dealing with all the new snow on the ground. Snowmobiles or snowshoes are offering the easiest access into the river. The fish in this section are here to spawn. They represent the future of the wild trout population in the river. I choose to leave actively spawning trout on redds alone. I concentrate my effort on resting and feeding trophy trout that are found in the deep holes, runs, and cutbanks. I prefer offering these fish a big calorie offering by using size 12 stoner nymphs and size 12 two tone green/gold Prince nymphs. Fish these flies down deep on the bottom of the substrate.

With the atmospheric rivers hitting the Eastern Sierra I hope the canal water levels come up enough to allow an approach to the trout without spooking them.

Bishop Creek Canal:

Behind the Ford Dealer:

I’m hoping with all this moisture we are getting in the Eastern Sierra that we will see the level of Bishop Creek Canal come up in the next week or two. For now the fishing continues to be slow as the low water levels have the trout extra spooky. It’s tough to get a drift or cast without spooking the trout.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 12-30-2022

Happy New Years. As we move into a new year, I’m looking back at a great year for Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Guide Service. Had the busiest year in the 40 years I’ve been guiding. I did a lot of guide trips, Euro Nymphing seminars, and introduction to fly fishing. I’m looking forward to expanding the guide service in 2023 by bringing on a guide or two. I will be announcing dates for fly fishing classes, hosted trips, and seminars in January.

Even though were are in the coldest part of the year there are waters that are consistently producing trout middle of the day. Midges and mayflies are the abundant insects keeping the fish actively feeding. While I’m seeing some rising trout that fly fishers can throw dry flies at, it’s definitely a nymphing game right now. Winter storms have been moving through the Eastern Sierra leaving snow at the upper elevations. This accumulation of snow will be next year’s water in streams and lakes. We are not out of the drought situation yet, but it’s shaping up to be a good winter if we can keep the storm doors open and put snow on the ground at upper elevations.

Emmy Kidd of Bishop is my last casting lesson of the 2022 fly fishing season.

Lower Owens River:

Wild Trout Section:

While the dry fly activity is spotty  at best, midges and mayflies have the trout feeding on nymphs. I’m fishing with my Euro rig and having 10 to 20 fish days on wild brown trout and the occasional rainbow trout. I’m using olive quilldigons, stoner nymphs, and hot spot pheasant tail nymphs in my three fly Euro rig. Under the indicator I’m using bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, and midge patterns. For midges I’m tying up and using midge nymphs and midge pupae patterns in tiger midge, zebra midge, and olive colorations.

Rainbow trout only make up 20 percent of the trout population, but represent the biggest trout caught in the lower Owens River.

Hot Creek:

Interpretive Site:

Access to the interpretive site before this weekend’s storms was questionable to drive in. If you have a high clearance four wheel drive vehicle you can probably drive in and out. If not, I would park on the side of the road and walk in. There are few fly fishers working this area. If there is a hatch I would throw dry flies, but nymphing is your best bet in this area. I’m primarily using midge nymph and midge pupae patterns in sizes 20 and 22 in tiger midge or zebra midge coloration. This is definitely a mid-morning 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. fishery.

The road in to Hot Creek interpretive site is full of snow and I would recommend walking in rather than driving your vehicle in.

Hot Creek:

Canyon Section:

There are vehicle tracks into the canyon area prior to this weekends storms. I would only drive in if you are comfortable in driving off road snow conditions. Walking in from Hot Creek Ranch, end of the plowed road, is a little more than a mile to the geological site. Most fly fishers avoid this area in the winter as they are not willing to put in the effort required to get to the creek. This decrease in fly fishing pressure makes for better fly fishing for the few anglers willing to put in the effort to fish the creek in the winter time. With the weed beds being at their lowest point of growth fly fishers can nymph fish the open water areas. Nymphing with midges and mayfly nymphs is producing fish.

The first few hundred yards of the upper Owens River above Benton Crossing Bridge gets lots of fishing pressure as fly fishers are not willing to walk an hour upstream to the better trophy trout spots.

Upper Owens River:

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

While fly fishers are waiting for the big run of winter trophy rainbows that should show up in January there just are not many fish in the river system right now. The snow prior to this weekend’s storms is packed down allowing fly fishers to walk in. Fishing is tough and fly fishers need to cover a lot of water for one or two fish. I’m fishing the Euro rod with stoner nymphs and two tone green/gold wire Prince nymphs. I’m fishing these flies right on the bottom in the deep holes, runs, and cutbanks where the trophy trout are resting and feeding. These spawning fish are the future of wild trout in the Owens. I chose not to fly fish to actively spawning trout.

Spooky trout in low water conditions in making fly fishing on Bishop Creek Canal tough.

Bishop Creek Canal:

Behind the Ford Dealer:

Low water levels is making the fly fishing tough on the canal. I’ve tried Euro nymphing and just can’t get a cast to the fish with out spooking them. I’m waiting for the water levels to come up some. The best way to fish the canal right now is to fish a bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph or midge pattern under a dry fly. I’m casting this rig 40 to 50 feet in front of me and it’s still spooking fish.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 12-22-2022

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone. This is a time to reflect on my relationships, new and old. I’ve had a great year fly fishing and have enjoyed the time I’ve spent on the water with everyone. I am looking forward to developing new relationships and rekindling old relationships as we move into the new year.

Winter solstice is now behind us. I’m tempted to say that the days are going to get longer, but I know that a day is 24 hours. It is the amount of sunlight we get each day that is now increasing. I find that it takes mid to late January for the fly fishing to pick up again. With the day light at its least the insects are not very active and neither are the trout. While there will be some surface activity, nymphing will be the most productive method of fly fishing for the next four to six weeks. I find Euro nymphing techniques to be the most productive nymphing method on Eastern Sierra moving waters in the winter time. Snow will be the limiting factors for fly fishers plying waters at elevations above 6,500 feet.

The best part of a snow storm is when the sun comes out and the snow is on the peaks of the Eastern Sierra and the lower Owens River is fishing good middle of the day.

Lower Owens River:

Wild Trout Section:

Mornings and late afternoon fly fishing is cold and the trout are not very active. Mid-day from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. offers good fly fishing with nymphs and the occasional opportunity to fish dry flies. I spend most of winter time Euro nymphing the lower Owens River with size 18 olive quildigons, size 12 stoner nymphs, and size 16 hot spot pheasant tail nymphs. Trout are starting to feed on midges as they are an active aquatic insect that is hatching right now. The trout are taking midge nymphs and midge pupae patterns. I’m midging with zebra midges, tiger midges, Manhattan midges, and blood midges in sizes 22 and 24. There is still a blue wing olive mayfly hatch middle of the day.

Wild brown trout are the dominate species in the lower Owens River.

Hot Creek:

Interpretive Site:

The interpretive site is easier to access than the canyon section. This area is getting more fly fishing pressure than the canyon, but fly fishing pressure is lite. Middle of the day, 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. is the best time to be on the water. Nymphing with midges and blue wing olive nymphs is producing the best right now as there is little insect hatching activity.

There are days in the winter will you can be the only fly fisher on the water like Rod Humphrey.

Hot Creek:

Canyon Section:

Accessing the canyon requires fly fishers to walk in from Hot Creek Ranch on the road, snowmobile, or cross country ski in. Hiking in and out of the canyon is tricky with all this snow on the ground. This extra effort keeps most fly fishers off the creek. With the decrease in fly fishing pressure anglers that are fly fishing in the canyon are catching fish with an opportunity to catch a trophy trout. Nymphing is the primary method of fly fishing in the canyon in the winter time. I’m fishing with midge nymphs and blue wing olive nymph patterns.

Are we going to have to wait tell march to see trophy trout in the upper Owens River like this rainbow displayed by Napa fly fisher Alex Cukui from March of 2021.

Upper Owens River:

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

Most fly fishers are going with guides that have snowmobiles if they don’t have their own snowmobiles. From Benton Crossing Bridge it takes about an hour to walk into the areas that offer the best fly fishing. The trophy trout have not showed up into the upper Owens River in big concentrations yet. I’m covering lots of water looking for the few trophy trout that are in the river and not spawning. I’m fishing with jigged stoner nymphs and green/gold Prince nymphs in size 12.

Overcast days are usually good for blue wing olive hatches, but with the low flows the canal is fishing tough right now.

Bishop Creek Canal:

Behind the Ford Dealer:

Water levels are at their lowest and the fly fishing is tough as it is hard to approach the trout without spooking them. I’m nymphing with zebra midges, tiger midges, blood midges, bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, and olive quilldigons. I’m fishing with my Euro rod and I’m spooking trout. I’m fishing with a dry and dropper rig and casting 40 to 50 feet in front of me. Even at these distances I’m still spooking trout.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 12-16-2022

Fly fishers are aware of the dog days of summer when the temperatures in the stream rise to the point that the trout become lethargic. The same phenomenon happens in winter when the water gets so cold that the trout’s diet is nonexistent. From the middle of December through mid to late January the trout’s nutritional requirements are at their lowest. During these times you need to put your fly pattern right in front of the trout. If I take four to six casts to cover a spot in the summer time, I’m taking 18 to 24 casts in the winter time to cover the same water. Midges and blue wing olive mayflies are the predominate winter insects in Eastern Sierra moving waters. I also through some big morsels, stone fly nymphs, to entice the bigger trout to feed on as easy meal. The latest storms left up to three feet of snow at the upper elevation peaks in the Eastern Sierra.

Sierra Bright Dot owner Fred Rowe taking advantage of an overcast day on the lower Owens River while the storm leaves snow on the upper elevation peaks.

Lower Owens River:

Wild Trout Section:

Blue wing olive hatches in the middle of the day, 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M., have the trout actively feeding. It’s a short window of opportunity to catch trout this time of the year. There are midge pupae, midge nymphs, and mayfly nymphs the trout are feeding on. Tiger and zebra midge pupae and midge nymphs and blue wing olive nymphs are the flies I’m throwing for the trout. I’m dressing warm, thermals and jacket, to stay in the water fishing for as long as I want. Nymphing with the Euro rod continues to be my productive method of fly fishing the lower Owens River.

Wading upstream where you cannot fish from the bank opens up all kinds of fly fishing spots to explore.

Hot Creek:

Interpretive Site:

This area got up to 18 inches of new snow. Time will tell if enough vehicles will access the road to make the road drivable. Hot Creek is in winter mode with the fish feeding middle of the day if there are midges or blue wing olive mayflies hatching. This is a tough area to nymph fish, but it will be the most productive method for the next month or two.

With the new snow on the ground it will take a few days for anglers to build trails in the snow making access easier like it was before the latest storms.

Hot Creek:

Canyon Section:

Accessing the canyon section with all this new snow is the hurdle of fly fishing in the canyon. Snow shoes or cross country skis will make access easier. There is enough open water sections for fly fishers to be able to nymph. I’m fishing with midge nymphs, pupae, and mayfly nymphs. I’m fishing my nymphs under a size 16 Adams parachute. My tippet under the dry fly is 18 to 24 inches of 5X or 6X fluorocarbon tippet. Success here requires lots of casts to drift the fly right in front of a trout that wants to feed. Effort equals more trout to the hand. Cover the water thoroughly.

Parking is limited on the upper Owens River to parking in and around Benton Crossing Bridge.

Upper Owens River:

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

Fishing here is still tough as not a lot of trophy trout are in the river. Successful fly fishers are covering lots of water looking for the few trophy trout that are feeding and resting in the deep holes, runs, and cutbanks. Access is by foot, snowshoes, cross country skiing, or snowmobiles. The better runs and holes are about an hour’s walk up upstream of Benton Crossing Bridge. I’m fishing with larger nymph imitations on my Euro rig. I like fishing with a stoner nymph and a green/gold Prince nymph for the trophy trout.

Bishop Creek Canal is at its lowest levels of winter and fly fishing is tough right now.

Bishop Creek Canal:

Behind the Ford Dealer:

Fishing here is tough as water levels are at their lowest levels. There are a few trout here and there, but they are very spooky. Middle of the day is the best time to be on the water. Nymphing with the Euro rod, under an indicator, or under a dry fly will produce a few trout. Most indicators are spooking the trout. Yarn indicators or a dry fly will spook less trout. I’m nymphing with zebra midges, tiger midges, blood midges, bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, and olive quilldigons.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 12-09-2022

We are expecting winter storms this weekend that could bring as much as 24 inches of fresh snow on the peaks in the Eastern Sierra. The Owens Valley is expected to get rain from these storms. We are heading in to the winter doldrums. For me the middle of December to middle of January is the toughest fly fishing of the year in the Eastern Sierra. This time frame corresponds with the least amount of sunlight per day as we approach winter Solstice and head into winter. I find that there is little insect activity and fly fishers will do best fishing nymphs. In the winter time I make three to four times more casts to cover the water then I do in the summer months. This time of the year you need to put the fly in the trout’s mouth or they will not take your nymphs.

Bishop Creek in the Owens Valley is a great place to fish when winter storms are brewing in the upper elevations.

Lower Owens River:

Wild Trout Section:

Midges and blue wing olive mayflies are providing the action that have the wild trout feeding. Midges are on the water earlier and later in the day. The blue wing olive hatch happens mid-day. While I’m seeing times where the trout are selectively feeding on adult blue wing olive mayflies on the surface, I continue to nymph fish with my euro rig. For the adult patterns I’m fishing with size 18 or 20 blue wing olive parachutes and with size 20 Griffiths gnats. On the Euro rig I’m fishing with a size 18 olive quildigon, size 12 stoner nymph, and a size 16 hot spot pheasant tail nymph. Under the indicator fish with a size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph or a size 20 tiger midge, zebra midge or Manhattan midge.

Zach Zira from Mission Viejo is enjoying the mid-day fly fishing action that the blue wing olive mayflies provide on the lower Owens River wild trout section.

Hot Creek:

Interpretive Site:

The past storms only left a little bit of snow on the ground and the road is accessible with four wheel drive vehicles. Fishing is good mid-day with blue wing olive parachutes. Try fishing midge adult patterns before or after the blue wing olive hatch. This area is expected to get up to a foot of snow this weekend.

Fly fishing Hot Creek by yourself is one of the perks of winter fly fishing on the creek.

Hot Creek:

Canyon Section:

Four wheel drive vehicles can still access the parking areas for the canyon. The trail in and out of the canyon has icy sections and fly fishers need to be careful in this section. The canyon is a good spot to fish with nymphs in the areas that offer open water now that the weed beds are receding. I’m fishing with bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs and zebra midges, tiger midges, and secret midges. I’m fishing the nymphs under a size 16 Adams parachute. I will switch to dries if the trout are selectively feeding on the adult mayflies and midges at the peak of the hatch.

The upper Owens River dirt roads are still accessible with four wheel drive vehicles, but may not be after this weekend’s snow storms.

Upper Owens River:

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

This area is still accessible by four wheel drives. The rainbow trout from Crowley Lake have not come into the river in any concentration. There are a few trophy trout in the river taking nymphs and streamers. Successful fly fishers are covering lots of river in search of that one or two trophy trout that will take their fly offerings.

Mid-day on Bishop Creek Canal and no one is fly fishing it.

Bishop Creek Canal:

Behind the Ford Dealer:

Water levels are way down and the trout are extremely spooky. It’s hard to approach the trout without spooking them. I’m fishing a nymph under a dry and making 40 to 50 foot casts. Even with the long casts most of the trout I can see are getting spooked by my casts. The creek flows need to increase to offer better fly fishing.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 12-02-2022

Our warm mid-day weather is about to turn into much needed winter weather as the Eastern Sierra are expecting storms over the weekend. There will be new snow at upper elevations and hopefully a little rain in the Owens Valley. The trout’s winter feeding hours will be from 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M to coincide with winter insect activity. Fish can be caught before and after these hours, but prime trout fishing will be in the middle of the day. Midges and mayflies will be providing the bulk of the insect activity until we get to February when stoneflies and caddis will be hatching.

The Home Street Middle School fly fishing club enjoyed a late afternoon session of nymphing on Bishop Creek Canal.

Lower Owens River:

Wild Trout Section:

I’m getting out to the wild trout section by 11:00 A.M. just in time to catch the blue wing olive hatch that starts mid-day. While some sections have enough trout rising to the surface for dry fly action, I prefer to fish nymphs on my Euro rig. Size 18 blue wing olive patterns like blue wing olive parachutes and olive sparkle duns are fooling the surface feeding wild trout. On the Euro rig I’m fishing with an olive quilldigon, stoner nymph, and hot spot pheasant tail nymph. I’ve been catching fish on all three flies. I’m wading into sections that are heavily lined with willows and tulles. These are spots that a lot of fly fishers don’t fish.

Andrew Castillo from San Diego learned how to Euro nymph honing his skill while catching little brown trout.

Hot Creek:

Interpretive Site:

Access before the storms was easy as multiple vehicles had packed down the snow on the road to the Interpretive site and in the parking area. Access after the storms will depend on the accumulated snow fall. Fishing mid-day has been good with midges and blue wing olives. I’m using size 20 blue wing olive parachutes, size 20 sparkle duns, and size 22 midge emergers.

Hot Creek Canyon is tricky to access when it has snow, but is worth the effort when the wild browns are taking nymphs and dries.

 Hot Creek:

Canyon Section:

If there is enough accumulated snow from this series of storms it’s highly probable that the road will not be accessible by vehicles. Nymphing with mayfly nymphs and midge nymphs has been the most productive method of fly fishing the canyon prior to the storms. Dry fly activity, if it happens, will be middle of the day. The primary winter hatch will be midges with the occasional blue wing olive hatch.

Fly fishers covering lots of river looking for trophy trout that are feeding and resting in the deep holes, runs and cutbanks are finding a few trout willing to take stoner nymphs and green/gold Prince nymphs.

Upper Owens River:

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

Access to the upper Owens River will be tough right after the storms. It will take a few days for the snowmobiles and walking in fly fishers to pack down the trail. Fishing on the upper Owens has been tough as there are few trophy trout in the system. Successful fly fishers are covering lots of water looking for the few trophy trout that are resting and feeding in the deep holes, runs and cutbanks. I like fishing with larger nymphs dredged on the bottom of the deep water sections. I’m Euro nymphing with size 12 stoner nymphs, and size 12 green/gold Prince nymphs.

John Mcquade from San Diego is nymphing over a pod of stocker rainbows that were taking his nymph fished under an indicator.

Bishop Creek Canal:

Behind the Ford Dealer:

Few fly fishers are taking advantage of the canal being open to catch and release barbless lures and flies for the winter season. The trout are feeding on nymphs and I’m fishing under an indicator or with the Euro rig. I’m fishing with bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, hot spot pheasant tail nymphs, stoner nymphs, and olive quilldigons. There are a few pods of stocked trout roaming around in the canal offering fly fishers a chance to catch a few rainbows.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 11-25-2022

Warm days and mid-day hatches are offering fly fishers good fishing on a number of Eastern Sierra Fly Fishing waters. With cold mornings, hatches are starting late morning or early afternoon. Upper elevation waters have 12 to 24 inches of snow. Some spots are drivable. Others spots I park and walk in. I prefer not to get my truck stuck in the snow. Caddis and blue wing olive mayflies are providing the food for the trout

City of Los Angeles Department of water and power is doing scheduled maintenance on Pleasant Valley Dam power station and are rerouting the lower Owens River below the maintenance road.

Lower Owens River:

Wild Trout Section:

As of November 16th the wild trout section of the lower Owens River is now catch and release with barbless lures and flies. I’m starting to see brown trout redds in the riffles throughout the wild trout section. This is the future population of trout and these redds should be avoided by wading fly fishers.  The lower Owens River is offering quantity fly fishing with dry flies and nymphs for wild brown trout and rainbow trout to 12 inches. The best fishing, during the hatch, has been from 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. Dry fly enthusiasts are finding pods of selectively feeding trout that are taking size 20 blue wing olive parachutes, and olive sparkle duns. Nymphing under an indicator or on a Euro rig has been the most productive method of fly fishing the lower Owens River in the wild trout section. I’ve been catching trout up till dark.

Kelly Wagner from San Luis Obispo landing a wild brown trout on the lower Owens River even though the bottom section of his rod fell off .

Hot Creek:

Interpretive Site:

Four wheel vehicles can access the interpretive site parking area. Snow has been trampled down by fly fishers increasing access along the creek. A blue wing olive hatch from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. have the wild brown trout feeding on the surface. I’m using size 20 blue wing olive parachutes, and olive sparkle duns. There are a few trophy trout coming to the surface to feed on the hatching blue wing olive mayflies.

Rod Humphrey fishing the interpretive site all by himself on a cold day during the blue wing olive hatch.

Hot Creek:

Canyon Section:

Access into the canyon is slippery going up and down the hill and fly fishers need to be cautious. There are open water spots that fly fishers can drift nymphs through. Euro nymphing, Tenkara nymphing, and dry and a dropper nymphing techniques are producing wild brown trout and rainbow trout to 14 inches. I’m fishing with size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, and olive quilldiqgons. During the hatch I’m fishing the surface with size 20 blue wing olive parachutes or olive sparkle duns.

Fly fishers can try fly fishing in the area upstream of Benton Bridge, but the best fishing is a 45 minute to hour walk up steam.

Upper Owens River:

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

Fishing for trophy trout is tough right now. There are not a lot of trophy trout in the river. Covering lots of water fishing with stoner nymphs and green/gold Prince nymphs in the deep holes, runs, and cutbanks is the way to find a trophy trout or two. I’m fishing 45 minutes to an hour walk upstream from Benton Crossing Bridge. It’s a lot of effort for few trophy trout.

Below Benton Crossing Bridge:

This section is closed to fishing as of Wednesday November 16, 2022.

This is the time of year to fly fish the canal with no fly fishing pressure.

Bishop Creek Canal:

Behind the Ford Dealer:

If you’re looking for a spot to fly fish all by yourself the canal is that spot. I’m nymphing with bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, and olive quilldigons. The best fishing is from 11:00 to 1:00 P.M. The hatch has been sporadic, but if you see a lot of trout feeding on the surface, I would try a size 20 blue wing olive parachute.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 11-18-2022

As of Wednesday November 16, 2022 Eastern Sierra waters are under winter regulations. Non resort lakes like Intake Two, North Lake, and backcountry lakes are open to year round fishing with no gear restrictions. Resort lakes like Crowley Lake, South Lake, and Sabrina are closed to fishing for the winter. Most moving waters, rivers, streams and canals are under catch and release regulations with barbless lures or flies through the Friday preceding the last Saturday in April. Be sure to check the California Department of Fish and Wildlife fishing regulations PDF section 7.50 for specific water closures.

Twelve to 24 inches of snow can be found at upper elevation waters. The snow is soft and it’s tough waking through it with just boots or waders. Snow shoes, cross country skis, or snowmobiles are the easier way to get around. Cold windy days are for staying home tying flies and getting caught up on paper work. Warm windless days are for being out on the waters of the Eastern Sierra fly fishing. Hatches of mayflies and caddis are keeping the trout actively feeding. It’s cold out there and fly fishers should be adequately dressed for winter conditions.

With snow on the ground at upper elevations fly fishers need to be careful where they drive and park their vehicles.

 Lower Owens River:

Wild Trout Section:

There is a good mid-day blue wing olive hatch that is keeping the trout actively feeding on dries and nymphs. The closer you are to Five Bridges Road you will find trout actively feeding on the freshly hatching blue wing olive mayflies. The key to fishing dry flies is to find pods of surface selectively feeding trout and presenting your dry fly with a drag free drift. I’m consistently doing well with blue wing olive nymph patterns under an indicator or on the Euro nymph rig. On the surface I’m using size 20 olive sparkle duns and size 20 blue wing olive parachutes. On the Euro rig I’m using olive quilldigons, stoner nymphs, and hot spot pheasant tail nymphs. Under the indicator I’m using size 18 olive quilldigons and size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs.

Elise Minichiello from Ventura with a wild brown trout from the catch and release section of the lower Owens River that took a size 18 olive quilldigon.

Hot Creek:

Interpretive Site:

The interpretive site is covered in a blanket of snow from 12 to 24 inches deep. Fly fishers are making tracks in the snow which is making getting around in the snow easier. Vehicles can be driven up to the Kiosk. A late morning very early afternoon blue wing olive hatch has the trout actively fishing on the surface. Size 20 blue wing olive parachutes trailed three feet behind a size 16 Adams parachute is the rig that is producing trout for me and my clients. The fishing shuts down by 1:00 P.M.

Hot Creek Canyon has just enough snow to make the trek in and out of the canyon an adventure.

Hot Creek:

Canyon Section:

This area is harder to access. You will need a four wheel drive with clearance to get through the snow on the road which will not be plowed. The parking lots are tricky to park in as few vehicles have driven into them packing the snow down. Access up and down the trials into the canyon is tough with wind drifts up to two feet deep. Going down is easier then coming out. Coming out is much slippery then going down. Nymphing and dry flies are producing wild trout in this section. Nymphing with an Adams dry fly 18 to 24 inches above a size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph or size 18 olive quilldigon is producing fish most of the day. During the hatch I’ve been throwing size 20 blue wing olive parachutes at the rising trout. This is an area for very fit fly fishers to be fishing.

The upper Owens River has a blanket of snow that fly fishers need to negotiate to reach the trout’s spawning grounds upstream of Benton Crossing Bridge.

Upper Owens River:

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

There is lots of snow on the ground here. I would only drive out the roads above Benton Crossing Bridge if there are lots of tire tracks. It’s pretty easy to get your vehicle stuck on the snow covered dirt roads. Fly fishers parking at Benton Crossing Bridge and walking upstream are finding trophy trout willing to take nymphs and steamers. I’ve been fishing with size 12 stoner nymphs and size 12 green/gold Prince nymphs on the Euro rig. Best fishing has been 30 minutes to an hours walk above the bridge. I’m working the nymphs in the deep holes, runs, and cutbanks that the trophy trout are resting and feeding in. I avoid actively spawning fish on redds. These reproducing trout are the future of our wild trout population in the upper Owens River.

 Below Benton Crossing Bridge:

This section is closed to fishing as of Wednesday November 16, 2022.

With winter regulations in effect few fly fishers fish Bishop Creek Canal in the winter time.

Bishop Creek Canal:

Behind the Ford Dealer:

Bishop Creek Canal is now under winter fishing regulations which is catch and release barbless flies or lures only. I’m Euro nymphing with olive quilldigons, stoner nymphs, and hot spot pheasant tail nymphs. Under an indicator I’m using bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs and olive quilldigons. There are a few stocker rainbows left in this area. Wild brown trout will be the most commonly caught trout during the winter months in the canal.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 11-11-2022

The mountains are full of snow as the last storm left 12 to 24 inches of snow at the upper elevations. This is a great start to a winter snow pack. Waters above 7,000 feet are full of snow and fly fishers should use caution driving in these areas especially on the dirt roads. For those that get stuck in the snow try contacting Frosty 4 Wheeler off-road towing to get you out at 760 625-4537. It always seems like we go from warm weather to cold weather over night. I’m now fishing in my down jacket where two weeks ago I gave up my shorts and flip flops. It’s definitely cold out there on the rivers. Be sure to check the California Department of Fish and Wildlife fishing regulations to know the opened and closed waters starting on November 16, 2022.

The mountains have their winter blanket of snow which makes a great back drop when fishing the waters of the Owens Valley.

Lower Owens River:

Wild Trout Section:

Water levels are down to rock bottom at 80 CFS. This allows fly fishers to go almost everywhere in the stream bed. The only places I can’t go are the holes that are deeper than I am tall. Nymphing is producing the bulk of the fish for me at this time. I’m Euro nymphing with olive quilldigons, stoner nymphs, and hot spot pheasant tail nymphs. If you’re in the right place at the right time of day when the blue wing olive hatch is coming off you can switch to dry flies. A size 20 blue wing olive parachute or a size 20 pheasant tail emerger will fool the surface feeding trout.

A rainbow trout that took a size 18 olive quilldigon fished on the Tenkara rod deep in a pool in the lower Owens River.

Hot Creek:

Interpretive Site:

This area is now under 12 inches to 18 inches of fresh snow from this latest storm. Access is dependent on the road to the ranch being plowed. Blue wing olive adults and gray caddis are hatching and bringing the trout to the surface. I’m using size 20, blue wing olive parachutes, olive sparkle duns, gray partridge spent caddis, gray X-caddis, and gray elk hair caddis. Look for pools with selectively feeding trout. Trout feeding on mayflies will leave rings on the surface of the creek. Trout feeding on caddis will be breaking the waters surface. You will see parts of the trout coming through the creeks surface.

 Hot Creek Canyon no longer looks like this since it is covered in a blanket of 12 to 18 inches of snow.

Hot Creek:

Canyon Section:

With the fresh snow, access to this area is going to be on foot from Hot Creek Ranch for at least a few days or possible until the snow melts in spring. Time will tell on access to the canyon. Fishing in here will be tough, but for fly fishers willing to do battle with the weeds the trout will take dries and nymphs. I’ve been nymphing with size 18 olive quilldigons and size 20 gray La Fontaine caddis emergers. On the surface I’m using size 20 blue wing olives and size 20 gray X-caddis.

A week ago the mountain tops were dusted with snow and now there is over a foot of snow on the ground on the upper Owens River.

Upper Owens River:

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

Access will be determined by the amount of snow on the road. If you drive in from Benton Crossing, I would suggest extreme caution as getting stuck is a real reality. There was a fresh run of trophy trout in the river before the storm came in. I expect to see more fish move in with the change in weather. The cold weather should be the catalyst to get the spawning run started. I will be walking into this section from Benton Crossing Bridge using my Euro nymphing rod with size 12 stoner nymphs, and size 12 green/gold Prince nymphs. I like working the deep holes, runs and cutbanks where the migrating trout like to rest and feed on their journey upstream.

With new snow on the ground it is going to be difficult to get a final fly fishing trip into the Monument area of the upper Owens River which closes on Tuesday November 15, 2022.

Below Benton Crossing Bridge:

The last day to fish this section is Tuesday November 15, 2022. This section is probably done for the year. I would not make first tracks in the snow here. I will drive in if it looks like there has been multiple vehicles accessing this area. I’m fishing my Euro rod with size 12 green/gold Prince nymphs, and size 12 stoner nymphs. The deep holes is where I’m concentrating my effort. There are a few spawners moving through this area.

August Chamberlain throwing a Panther Martin in the canal before it goes to catch and release fishing for the winter.

Bishop Creek Canal:

Behind the Ford Dealer:

Tuesday November 15, 2022 is the last day to keep trout in the canal. On Wednesday November 16, 2022 Bishop Creek Canal goes to catch and release lures and flies. I’ve been successfully fishing size 18 olive quilldigons and size 12 3.00 mm stoner nymphs. I’ve been catching stocker rainbows and wild brown trout.