Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 02-10-2023

Another snow storm blew through the Eastern Sierra leaving up to 24 inches of new snow at the highest elevations. This big snow pack means we will have full lakes and streams will be running strong through the summer and into the fall. Runoff will take place in June and July, depending on spring temperatures. Plan your Eastern Sierra fly fishing trips with this in mind. Los Angeles Department of Water and Power is starting to make room for the spring runoff by lowering Crowley Lake. This means the lower Owens River flows are going up and when flows exceed 300 CFS, fly fishers will not be able to wade.

Every Tuesday from 9-11 a.m. join me for Tuesday Talks at Mahogany Smoked Meats.

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

Flows in the lower Owens River are at 200 CFS and expected to go up in the next week or two to 300 CFS. At these flows I will not guide wading clients in the river. We will be limited to fly fishing from the banks in a few spots. The most successful way to fish the river at these flows is with nymphs. The key to successful nymph fishing will be getting your flies on the substrate by having enough split shots, more specifically several BB shots, on the leader or using heavily weighted Euro nymph patterns. Dry fly fishing will be limited to a select number of holes where anglers have access and the trout will be rising.

With flows on the lower Owens going up, it will not be long before fly fishers will be fly fishing from the banks because the flows will be unsafe to wade .

Hot Creek:

Interpretive Site:

Adventurous fly fishers are snowshoeing into Hot Creek. The interpretive site is the easiest spot to access the creek. With little fly fishing pressure the few anglers fishing on Hot Creek are doing well with nymphs. I like to fish my nymphs under a size 16 Adams parachute as my indicator. Eighteen to 24 inches below the Adams I’m running either a midge pattern or a blue wing olive mayfly nymph pattern.

Access to Hot Creek Canyon is parking at the end of the plowed Hot Creek Hatcher Road and snowshoeing into the canyon section.

Hot Creek:

Canyon Section:

The canyon requires a lot more effort to get to. Snowshoes are pretty much a must. Ice is making the trail in and out of the canyon tougher to access. I find nymphing easier in the canyon. I’m fishing tiger midges and zebra midges under an Adams Parachute. I also run a size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph. These flies have been fooling the wary trout that call the canyon of Hot Creek home. Flows are low and the open holes in and around the weed beds are the best place to work your nymphs.

Fly fishers are developing trails from Benton Crossing Bridge up stream to the confluence of Hot Creek.

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

The trails into the upper Owens River from Benton Crossing Bridge are well established now. Fly fishers are going in on snowmobiles or hiking in with snowshoes. The best sections of the river to fish are about an hour’s hike up from the bridge. It has been cold and fly fishers should be dressed accordingly. It requires planning and lots of effort to access the upper Owens River in the winter time. Trophy trout are in the river and feeding. Fly fishers are landing one to three trophy trout per rod working their flies in the deep holes, runs and cut banks. I like to give the trout a big meal by fishing with size 12 stoner nymphs and size 12 two-tone Prince nymphs in green and gold.

Bishop Creek Canal water flows are increasing as the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power begins to make room in Crowley Lake, shipping water south through the canals.

Bishop Creek Canal:

Behind the Ford Dealer:

As flows in the lower Owens River increase, so will the flows in Bishop Creek Canal. I will be fishing in the canal a lot when the flows in the lower Owens River exceed 300 CFS. I prefer to Euro nymph in the canal. I like to fish with olive quilldigons, stoner nymphs and hot spot pheasant tail nymphs. I find these flies to be my most successful patterns and I tend to fish them all winter long. Fly fishing with midges and bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs under an indicator is another great method of fly fishing the canal.

Hiking in and out of the gorge looks daunting, but it’s a doable hike.

Owens River Gorge

Upper and Middle Gorge:

As the flows in the lower Owens River increase to the point it is no longer fun or feasible to fly fish, I turn to the gorge as an alternative spot to fly fish. This is a tail water fishery that fishes like an opportunistic freestone creek. I like to fish a dry and dropper in here. My favorite combination is to fish with an Adams parachute or a blue wing olive parachute on top. For the nymphs I like to fish with bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs or bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ears.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 02-03-2023

The weather has stabilized for now and the snow pack has settled in. The snow is still soft and fluffy, requiring fly fishers to snowshoe or snowmobile into upper elevation waters. We’ve turned the corner on winter and the day light hours are getting longer. The aquatic insects are slowly starting to get more active. Midges and blue wing olives are the most active in Eastern Sierra waters right now.

International Federation of Fly Fishers South West Council is holding their second annual fishing tournament, the Trout Rodeo, this Saturday, Feb. 4. This is a catch and release tournament on open waters in the Eastern Sierra. For more information go to http://www.swcffi.org/trout-rodeo.

Tom Paulson winner of last year’s Trout Rodeo helps the Home Street Middle School Fly Fishing Club learn to fly fish on Bishop Creek Canal.

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

The river continues to offer the best fly fishing conditions in the Eastern Sierra for eight-to-12-inch wild rainbow and brown trout. There is not enough insects, mayflies or midges, hatching to offer consistent dry fly action. Nymphing continues to be the most productive method of fly fishing the river. I’m using my new Cortland 10.5 three weight with my new Waterworks – Lamson Remix -5+ reel to Euro nymph. I’m fishing with a size 18 olive quilldigon, size 12 stoner and a size 16 hot spot pheasant tail nymph. With the winter conditions I’m covering lots of water with my casts. I know trout are cold blooded and if I’m off by an inch the trout will not move to take my nymphs.

My new Euro rig, the Cortland 10.5 foot three weight with a Lamson Remix loaded with an Airflow European nymph line, is a great Euro outfit for the lower Owens River.

Hot Creek:

Interpretive Site:

Fly fishers have established a trail into the interpretive site from Hot Creek Hatchery Road. The snow is still soft and snowshoes make it a lot easier to access the creek. Access is tough and it’s keeping the fly fishing pressure way down. There is not much in the way of hatches right now. Fly fishers will do best fishing with nymphs. I’m using midge nymphs and midge pupae in tiger midge or zebra midge colors.

Accessing Hot Creek Canyon is tough even with snow shoes.

Hot Creek:

Canyon Section:

Lots of soft fluffy snow makes it tough to access Hot Creek Canyon. For the ambitious fly fisher willing to hike into the canyon the wild brown trout and rainbows are feeding on nymph patterns. I’m fishing size 20 to 22 tiger midges and zebra midges in nymph and pupae stages, and size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs. I’m fishing my nymphs 18 to 24 inches under a size 16 Adams Parachute.

With all the new snow on the ground, fly fishers have to access the upper Owens River from Benton Crossing Bridge.

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

Getting to the areas with trophy trout requires a snowmobile or snowshoes. Snow shoeing into the deep holes, runs and cutbanks where the trophy trout are resting and feeding takes an hour. I like to fish bigger sized nymphs for these trophy trout. I use size 12 stoner nymphs and two-tone green and gold Prince nymphs. Fly fishers are getting one or two fish per rod right now in this section.

Bishop Creek Canal water levels have dropped, making fly fishing tough again.

Bishop Creek Canal:

Behind the Ford Dealer:

As the water clears and the flows drop, the trout have gone back to being spooky. It’s hard to approach the trout holding waters without spooking the trout. I’m Euro nymphing this section and finding I’m spooking more trout than I’m catching. I’m using an olive quilldigon, stoner nymph and a hot spot pheasant tail nymph.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 01-27-2023

Wind has given way to warm days in the Owens Valley. Upper elevation waters are full of snow and fly fishers are snowmobiling, skiing, or snowshoeing to access the waters. Only the most diehard fly fishers are putting in the effort to fish upper elevation waters. Day light is getting longer by a little bit each day. Water temps are in the mid 40’s and the trout are not feeding aggressively. Working nymphs and thoroughly covering trout holding water is the most productive way of fly fishing right now.

Snow in the mountains and the sun warming up the Owens Valley makes for a perfect day on the lower Owens River.

Lower Owens River:

Wild Trout Section:

The last couple of days have been nice to be out on the water. Mid 50’s air temps and no winds have made it enjoyable to be on the river. Fly fishing has been tough as there is very little to no insect activity to get the trout feeding. I’ve seen a few mayflies hatching and lots of midges in the air in the afternoon. Fly fishing has been tough with nymphs. I’m thoroughly covering all of the section of river I’m Euro nymphing. I know if the flies are off by a couple of inches the trout will not move to take my nymphs. The river is up to 140 cfs and I’m finding the trout have moved up into the flats. I’m fishing with olive quilldigons, stoner nymphs, hot spot pheasant tail nymphs on the Euro rig. Under an indicator I’m fishing with tiger midges, zebra midges, and bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph.

Afternoon session for first time fly fisher Jason Watson from Laguna Beach dead drifting a nymph under an indicator.

Hot Creek:

Interpretive Site:

For the hardy fly fisher willing to snowshoe in there are wild brown trout and rainbows willing to take midge and mayfly nymph patterns. The snow is deep and fluffy keeping most fly fishers off the water.

The only way to access the canyon section of Hot Creek is to snowmobile or snowshoe in from the parking area at the end of Hot Creek Hatchery Road.

Hot Creek:

Canyon Section:

There is little to no fly fishing pressure in the canyon as few fly fishers are willing to put the effort in to get down to the creek. For those few fly fishers willing to put in the effort the trout are feeding on midges and mayfly nymphs. With the decrease in fly fishing pressure this is a good time to throw streamers looking for a trophy trout from Hot Creek.

It is tough to access the upper Owens River right now without snowshoes or a snowmobile.

Upper Owens River:

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

Lots of snow and little parking off of Benton Crossing Road is limiting access to the river. It’s tough to walk in right now. Snowmobiles, or snowshoes is the only way to access the river. The river suffered from anchor ice during the cold spell end of last weekend into the beginning of this week. The anchor ice forms ice dams that when they break loose scouring the bottom. This action caused lots of ice to come through the river and turn the river muddy. The trophy trout are just starting to show up in the river.

Water levels are dropping and the water is clearing up which has led to good nymphing in the canal.

Bishop Creek Canal:

Behind the Ford Dealer:

The river is clearing up and the level is dropping. I’ve been Euro nymphing in here with the olive quilldigon, stoner nymphs and hot spot pheasant tail nymph. The trout are taking all three fish. When the flows get back to a low level fly fishing well be tough here again as the trout become spooky again.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 01-19-2023

The storms have moved through and it’s time to clean up after the rain and snow. At upper elevations the snow equipment is slowly cleaning up all the snow from roads, walk ways, roofs, and parking lots. I will be waiting a few more days for others to develop trails through the snow to try snow shoeing or walking into the upper Owens River and or Hot Creek. There is mud, rocks, and debris on the roads to the lower Owens River and Bishop Creek Canal. The waters in the Owens Valley are slowly clearing and should be fishable by the weekend.

This mini boulder is now parked on Chalk Bluff Road.

Lower Owens River:

Wild Trout Section:

Low clearance vehicles will have problems accessing the lower Owens River on Chalk Bluff Road. Today there was a small boulder – big rock in the road. It was not there two days before. It was big enough to do major damage to a vehicle. The river is a brown color and nymphing is tough. The only hatch I’m seeing is a sporadic midge hatch. I’m fishing with olive quillldigons, hot spot pheasant tail nymphs, stoner nymphs, two tone green/gold Prince nymphs, tiger midges, and zebra midges. I’m not seeing any rising trout.

Don and Tom Boyer from San Diego Euro nymph the lower Owens River as the winter storm moved out of the Eastern Sierra.

Hot Creek:

Interpretive Site:

This area got pounded by the snow. It will be a few days until I check out the interpretive site for fly fishing. You’re going to have to walk in from Hot Creek Hatchery Road. I’m going to be fishing with midge patterns and maybe a pheasant tail nymph.

It’s time to get out and fly fish in the Eastern Sierra now that winter storms have moved out.

Hot Creek:

Canyon Section:

This section is now inaccessible by vehicles. Fly fishers are going to have to park at the end of the plowed Hot Creek Hatchery Road which is at the entrance to Hot Creek Ranch. Fly fishers are going to need to snow shoe and cross country ski in to access the canyon. In and out of the canyon is going to require care with all the snow. It will be sometime next week before I get up to attempt to fly fish in the canyon. I will be nymphing with midge and mayfly patterns.

Roads in the Eastern Sierra are just starting to clear up from snow and rain from the latest storms.

Upper Owens River:

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

Benton Crossing Landfill closed as of January 1, 2023. This means that Benton Crossing Road past the animal control shelter is a low priority for plowing during big storms. At the time of this report the road was still not completely plowed out to Benton Crossing Bridge. There was some trophy trout moving into the upper Owens River between the storms. I’m waiting for the snow to settle and good snow trails to be established before I venture out to the river. I like fishing with big nymphs for the trophy trout. I fish with size 12 stoner nymphs and green/gold Prince nymphs. These patterns work for me any time that there are trophy trout in the river.

This holdover stocker rainbow took a green/gold Prince nymph drifted on the Euro nymph rod in Bishop Creek Canal.

Bishop Creek Canal:

Behind the Ford Dealer:

The water is up and clearing. This allows me to get close enough to the fish without spooking them. I’m nymphing with the Euro rod and under an indicator with stoner nymphs, green/gold Prince nymphs, olive quilldigons, hot spot pheasant tail nymphs, zebra midges, and tiger midges. Stocker rainbows and wild brown trout are feeding in the deeper holes and faster water sections.

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.