Fred Rowe

March 23, 2023

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 03-24-2023

Fred Rowe

March 23, 2023

Spring is here. Doesn’t look like it. Snowed in Bishop this week, but did not stick. As the weather warms up the snow will melt and we will be dealing with record snow runoff. State, County and City road crews are trying to stay up with the snow and deal with all the erosion damage. The freestone creeks have cleared up and are offering some fly fishing opportunities. Closed roads and high muddy water are effecting a lot of the Eastern Sierra Waters.

I will be at the Fly Fishing Bart Hall Show Friday March 31 and Saturday and Sunday April 1 and 2 at the Long Beach Convention Center. I will have flies tied by me including Sierra bright dots and stoner nymphs for sale for those that have been asking for flies from me. I will be doing two presentations, Bishop: The Southern Gateway to Eastern Sierra Fly Fishing, Friday at 6:30, Saturday at 3:30 and Nymphing; Fishing Flies on the Substrate Friday at 3:30, Saturday at 11:30 and Sunday at 10:30. Tuesday Talks with Fred will be presented on Saturday at 5:30 and Sunday at 1:30.

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

Chalk Bluff Road and Pleasant Valley Dam Road are still closed. The lower end of the wild trout section is accessible at Five Bridges. City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power needs to make room for all the water that is now locked up in the snow at upper elevations. They will be starting to lower Crowley Lake to make room for the spring runoff. The lower Owens River outflow at Pleasant Valley Dam will be increasing to at least 500 CFS. There may be a day or two where the river clears enough before flows increase for fly fishers to try nymphing or throwing a black wooly bugger.

*The lower Owens River is up and expected to rise to 500 to 600 CFS.*

Hot Creek:

Interpretive Site:

Hot Creek Hatchery Road is still closed at School Road. Fly fishers will have to snow shoe or walk in. This walk in is doable for most fly fishers. Midges and blue wing olive nymphs are flies to be fishing. Fishing pressure is way down right now if you’re willing to hike in.

Hot Creek:

Canyon Section:

Fly fishers wanting to access the canyon section have a long snowshoe in from School Road on Hot Creek Hatchery Road. I’m not sure it’s worth the effort.

*Benton Crossing Road continues to be closed as the snow has not been removed and there are three stranded vehicles that need to be removed.*

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

No fishing on the upper Owens River as Benton Crossing Road continues to be closed at the Green Church. Road crews have not been able to complete the snow removal and there are three vehicles still stranded on the road. The winter-spring run of rainbows should be just about over for the year.

Bishop Creek Canal:

Behind the Ford Dealer:

Increased water flows are helping the canal, but the dirty water is not helping the canal. The canal needs to clear up just a bit to make the fly fishing good. Working nymphs on the substrate in the riffle hole transition will produce a fish or two for the fly fisher that diligently covers the water. I’m fishing with the Euro rig with olive quilldigons, stoner nymphs and hot spot pheasant tail nymphs. This set of flies works for me on the canal all winter long.

*Once Gorge Road opens up fly fishers will be able to catch lots of these guy on dries and nymphs..*

Owens River Gorge

Upper and Middle Gorge:

The road to the gorge is closed and there is no access for fly fishers at this time.

Fred Rowe

March 16, 2023

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 03-17-2023

Fred Rowe

March 16, 2023

Last weekend’s rain storms on top of the snow pack at lower elevations played havoc with roads, infrastructure and waterways. Snow at upper elevations added to an already to big snow pack particularly for towns like Mammoth and June Lakes. Department of Water and Power had to deal with an eroded section of the aqueduct south of Olancha. There are several roads closed due to snow pack or sections of dirt roads that eroded away. With all the snow and water runoff from the storms Eastern Sierra waters are slowly recovering from the deluge of last weekend’s Atmospheric River.

*The suns out and the mountains have enough snow to fill the lakes and keep the streams flowing all summer.*

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

Flows in the lower Owens River in the wild trout section over the weekend hit 1,000 CFS. Pleasant Valley Reservoir spilled over the dam contributing to the increased water flows in the river. Pleasant Valley Dam Road is closed at HYW 395, but is expected to open. Chalk Bluff Road is closed at both ends of the road due to a washed out sections of the road. No time frame for opening of the road. Fly Fishers wanting to fish the wild trout section will have to walk in. Flows for the weekend are expected to be in the 300 CFS range, but DWP is expecting to increase flows starting on Sunday. Fishing with nymphs in the Five Bridges area will probably produce a few fish for fly fishers working the river from the bank if the river clears by the weekend. Midges, blue wing olive nymphs and black streamers is what I’m planning on trying in the river.

*Chalk Bluff Road is closed on both ends due to a section of the road that washed out.*

Hot Creek:

Interpretive Site:

Access to Hot Creek is parking at the intersection of Hot Creek Hatchery Road and Airport Road and walking or snowshoeing in. There are lots of foot prints in the snow down Hot Creek Hatchery Road suggesting fly fishers are walking into the creek. The interpretive site is the easier spot to access and fly fish the creek. Nymphing is the most productive method of fly fishing Hot Creek. There are few if any hatches going on. But, I still carry midge and blue wing olive dry flies on the off chance I can fish dries to rising trout.

Hot Creek:

Canyon Section:

This section of the creek is going to require maximum effort from fly fishers wanting to fly fish in the canyon. Nymphing with midges, blue wing olive nymphs and throwing streamers will produce trout. With the trout seeing minimal fly fishing pressure this would be a great time to throw an articulated streamer like a gonga, game changers and dungeons for a trophy brown trout in the few deep holes.

*Mono County road crews are working on clearing up the roads including Benton Crossing Road.*

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

The Road is stilled closed at the Green Church, HWY 395 and Benton Crossing Road. Mono County road crews are doing their best to clean up the roads from the Atmospheric River that left snow in Mono County. For the time being no fishing on the upper Owens River. Probably a good thing for the spawning fish to get a break from all the fishing pressure.

Bishop Creek Canal:

Behind the Ford Dealer:

The Atmospheric River that deluged the Owens Valley swelled and turned the canal waters off color. I’m hoping that by the weekend the water will clear up giving fly fishers one water to fly fish this weekend with vehicle access. Midge nymphs, bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, and olive quilldigons should produce trout once the water begins to clear.

*Fly fishers wanting to fish the gorge need to wait until flows drop and access is safe.*

Owens River Gorge

Upper and Middle Gorge:

At this time the gorge is unsafe to fish due to access and high water flows.

Fred Rowe

March 9, 2023

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 03-10-2023

Fred Rowe

March 9, 2023

Winter storms continue to move through the Eastern Sierra. The Blake Jones fishing tournament at Pleasant Valley Reservoir this Saturday March 11th has been postponed tell May due to impending storms this weekend and increased water flows in the lower Owens River. Spring runoff is going to be massive this year and fly fishers coming to the Eastern Sierra need to know that snow runoff can take place from June to July depending on the temperatures in the upper elevations.

I have hired fly fishing guide Richard Lancaster to teach and guide fly fishers in the Eastern Sierra. Richard moved to the Eastern Sierra from the San Luis Obispo area in 2018 to work for Cal Fire and have time to explore the fly fishing in the Eastern Sierra. He loves to Euro nymph and likes to stalk carp in the Owens River and Tinemaha Reservoir.

*Richard Lancaster fly fishing guide for Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Guides.*

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

At flows of 330 CFS trout have been taking nymphs fished on the substrate in the slower waters on the edges and in the eddies. Los Angeles Department of Water and Power is expected to complete their repair work on Pleasanton Valley Reservoir Dam site by early next week. Upon completion of the repair work the river will be going up to 500 CFS or higher. At these flows fly fishers will have to fish from the banks. Spots with bank access are limited to a few areas in the wild trout section. At these flows I’m pretty much done with fishing the lower Owens River until summer hatches of caddis will bring trout to the surface.

*Newly hired Sierra Bright Dot Guide Richard Lancaster about to net a trout on the lower Owens River.*

Hot Creek:

Interpretive Site:

Fly fishers still have to walk in from Airport Drive. It’s a lot of effort to the creek. For those fly fishers willing to put in the effort to snowshoe into the Interpretive site the wild trout have been feeding on nymphs. I use midges and pheasant tail nymphs on the creek in winter time.

Hot Creek:

Canyon Section:

I’m going to say that this area is out for fly fishing for at least another week. It’s too long of a snowshoe hike in to the creek for the average fly fisher. For the energetic outdoors man willing to snowshoe into Hot Creek Canyon I would try fishing nymphs under a dry fly. I would fish with midges and blue wing olive nymphs like an olive quilldigon or pheasant tail nymph.

*Benton Crossing Road continues to be closed to vehicle traffic at the Green Church.*

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

With a pending storm and the road still closed from last week’s storms there is no access to the upper Owens River for fly fishers. The spawning trout definitely need a break from fly fishers during their spawning time.

*Last week’s snow will be replaced by this week’s rain storms on Bishop Cree Canal.*

Bishop Creek Canal:

Behind the Ford Dealer:

The canal has stabilized from the last storm, but is expected to get one to two inches from this next storm. The storms and snow melt seems to be making the canal rise and flow with dirty water. It’s taking several days for the canal water to stabilize after the storms. I’m Euro nymphing the canal with olive quilldigons, stoner nymphs and hot spot pheasant tail nymphs.

*No fly fishing in the gorge until this next storm passes through the Eastern Sierra.*

Owens River Gorge

Upper and Middle Gorge:

Access is limited to due to the amounts of snow in the gorge. With the next storm expected to hit the Eastern Sierra on Thursday night and last through Saturday I think it will be late next week at the earliest to explore fly fishing in the Owens River Gorge.

Fred Rowe

March 2, 2023

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 03-03-2023

Fred Rowe

March 2, 2023

Every once in a while even Bishop gets a good dump of snow. Once the sun comes out the snow will melt fast. Mono County got buried and there were a few avalanches across HWY 395. Give the town of Mammoth Lakes, Cal Trans and Mono County plow crews a chance to get the snow cleaned up off the roads. I would wait until early to middle of next week to check out upper elevation waters to fly fish.

*Bishop covered in a blanket of white from the latest storm..*

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

The river is up to 330 CFS and then will be down to 250 the weekend of March 11th for the Blake Jones Tournament. After the tournament expect to see the flows increase to 350 CFS. Fishing in the river is very limited right now and tough. Even getting nymphs down on the substrate is no guarantee of catching trout. Work your fly patterns in the seams and slower shallow sections. Now is a good time to throw black streamers like a wooly bugger.

*Lower Owens River at 300 CFS and with snow on the banks.*

Hot Creek:

Interpretive Site:

This area got hammered from the last series of storms. I would give Mono County plow drivers at least three or four days to clean up Hot Creek Hatchery road before driving out to fish the Interpretive site.

Hot Creek:

Canyon Section:

This area got hammered from the last series of storms that went through the Eastern Sierra. I would give Mono County plow drivers at least three or four days to clean up Hot Creek Hatchery Road before trying to park and access the canyon section of Hot Creek. Fly fishers will need snowshoes to access this area. Fishing with nymphs will produce fish for the few fly fishers willing to exert the effort.

*Benton Crossing Road is closed to vehicle traffic at the Green Church.*

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

This area got hammered from the last series of storms that went through the Eastern Sierra. I would give Mono County plow drivers at least three or four days to clean up. Don’t be the like the 17 people that got trapped in their cars during the storm on Saturday February 25, 2023. Trophy trout are in the river, but I would wait tell access to the river via vehicles is open. Nymphing with the Euro rig is my preferred method of fly fishing the river. At times streamers can be very effective.

Bishop Creek Canal:

Behind the Ford Dealer:

When the river flows increase over 300 CFS it’s time for me to fly fish the canal. From its start at gate 13, the Happy Boulders area, to Big Pine Canal offers good fly fishing with dries, nymphs and streamers. I like fishing my Euro rod or Tenkara rod with euro nymphs. I’ve been fishing the deep holes and the riffle water into the deeper holes with fair success. It’s going to take a few more days for the canal to stabilize. I’m fishing olive quilldigons, stoner nymphs and hot spot pheasant tail nymphs on the Euro rod.

Owens River Gorge

Upper and Middle Gorge:

Like the rest of the Eastern Sierra the Owens River Gorge got snow and it’s tough to access right now. It will be awhile before fly fishers can access this area through Gorge Road. For now I would take this off the list of accessible fly fishing spots until the snow melts in the next week or so.

Fred Rowe

February 23, 2023

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 02-24-2022

Fred Rowe

February 23, 2023

Winter weather always has an effect on Eastern Sierra fly fishing. A winter storm from Wednesday to Saturday is going to make fishing tough and cold with lots of snow in both the Owens Valley and upper elevation waters. Good time to stay away from the Eastern Sierra. The snow pack has dropped below the wettest year and I’m curious to see if this snow storm puts us back in the lead for the wettest year recorded in the Eastern Sierra. As we move forward with this massive snow pack fly fishers will need to seek out alternative fly fishing spots. Bishop Creek in Bishop and Owens River Gorge are worth checking out for winter fly fishing spots.

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

The water flows in the lower Owens River have been at 200 CFS and are expected to rise to at least 300 CFS by the end of the week. At these flows the river is pretty much unwadable. Fly fishers will be restricted to fishing the few spots in the wild trout section that have accessible banks or shore line. Trout can be caught at these flows. The key to success is fishing nymphs with lots of weight. Three to five AB or BB sized shot will be needed to get the flies down on the substrate where the trout are feeding. There is a lot of willow tree debris on the substrate from the beavers and you will be losing flies to the substrate. For the Euro nymphing rig I’m increasing the size of the tungsten beads on my flies. I’m using 3.0 to 4.0 beads to get the flies down. Tiger midges, zebra midges, olive quilldigons, hot spot pheasant tail nymphs and bead head flashback pheasant tail nymphs are producing trout. Fishing is slow and perseverance in the form of lots of casts is what’s producing a few trout.

*With the lower Owens River flows going up to 300 CFS there will be limited spots for fly fishers to wade .*

Hot Creek:

Interpretive Site:

New snow from this most recent storm (taking place as I write this) should not affect fly fishers accessing the creek, after the storm. Nymphing is still the best method to be fly fishing on the creek. Midge patterns and blue wing olive nymph patterns are what the trout are looking for. Don’t forget to use scuds in the creek as there is a healthy population of scuds that the trout feed on.

Hot Creek:

Canyon Section:

Fly fishers accessing the canyon section need to be using snowshoes. Nymphing in the canyon is producing wild brown and rainbow trout. With the decrease in fly fishing pressure fly fishers are finding bigger trout willing to take their nymphs. Olive scuds in size 12 or 14, tiger and zebra midges in sizes 18 or 20 and bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs in size 18 are the fly patterns producing in the canyon.

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

After the storm, fly fishers will be able to access the upper Owens River again from Benton Crossing Road. It’s about an hour’s hike in on snowshoes to the better fishing spots in the area of the confluence of Hot Creek’s three forks. The trophy trout are in the river in good numbers offering fly fishers an opportunity to catch one of these trophy trout. I like to fish the cutbanks, deep runs and holes that the trophy trout use to rest and feed on their migration through the river. I’m offering the trout a bigger bite of calories by using size 10 or 12 jigged flies like the stoner nymph and the two tone green/gold Prince nymph. Throwing a streamer that you can get under the cutbanks or down deep in the holes is producing trophy trout.

Bishop Creek Canal:

Behind the Ford Dealer:

With increased flows it’s easier to cast to the trout without spooking them. I like to use three different nymphing techniques to fool the canal trout. I use a dry and dropper with an Adams parachute on top and a midge or pheasant tail nymph as the dropper. I use indicators, Airlocks, placed 1.5 to 2 times the average water depth above the bottom fly. I use olive quilldigons, bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, tiger midges and zebra midges. Bishop Creek Canal is a great water to Euro nymph. I use the same fly set almost all winter. I use an olive quilldigon on the point, stoner nymph in the middle and hot spot pheasant tail on top.

Owens River Gorge

Upper and Middle Gorge:

The gorge is a tail water fishery that fishes like a freestone creek. The fish feed opportunistically on what is floating down the river. This is a great spot to fish your favorite dry fly as you will fish it with more confidence. For the dry fly I like an Adams parachute, elk hair caddis, Royal Wulff and blue wing olive parachute. For the nymphs I run bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ears, bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, tiger midges and zebra midges. Some fly fishers are daunted about the hike in and out of the gorge. Access into middle or upper gorge allows fly fishers to walk in on a paved road. Walking out of the gorge is like walking out of Hot Creek canyon twice. Pace yourself and it’s an easy hike out.

Fred Rowe

February 16, 2023

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 02-17-2022

Fred Rowe

February 16, 2023

Looks like we are in for some good weather for most of the upcoming week. But it is the Eastern Sierra where they say if you don’t like the weather come back in an hour. Upper elevation waters are getting enough fly fishing pressure to develop trails that are navigable. Los Angeles Department of Water and Power is reporting record breaking snow fall so far for this snow season. Be prepared for increased water flows as the snow starts to melt. Spring runoff this year is going to be huge. Might want to plan a trip or two before runoff starts in June.

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

Los Angeles Department of Water and Power are doing repair work on Pleasant Valley Reservoir. Once this is completed flows in the lower Owens will increase from the 200 CFS to at least 300 CFS. Fishing has been sporadic as water clarity related to the dam work has been an issue some days. Some days are clear water and some days are dirty water. Nymphing has been the way to fish the river. I like Euro nymphing as the method to get my nymphs down on the substrate where the trout are feeding. This is requiring an increase in the bead size on my flies. I’m still fishing my winter trio of an olive quilldigon, stoner nymph and a hot spot pheasant tail nymph.

*Working the riffle as it enters a hole on the lower Owens River with nymphs produces wild trout .*

Hot Creek:

Interpretive Site:

The trail from Hot Creek Hatchery Road to the creek is well established. Snowshoes are highly recommended for access. This is the easiest place to access Hot Creek. There is not much in the way of hatches right now. I still carry dry flies with me just in case a midge or blue wing olive hatch brings the trout to the surface. Nymphing is the game and I’m using tiger midges, zebra midges, olive quilldigons, and bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs.

Hot Creek:

Canyon Section:

Accessing the canyon section of Hot Creek is for the adventurous fly fisher. You have to snowshoe in from the end of Hot Creek Hatchery Road where they stop plowing the road which is at Hot Creek Ranch. No parking in front of the ranch. Getting in and out of the canyon is tough due to icy conditions. For the fly fisher that makes it into the canyon fishing with nymphs is producing trout. These fish are feeding on scuds, midges, and blue wing olive nymphs. I like fishing in the open water in between the weed beds.

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

Snowmobiles from Benton Crossing Bridge have established packed down snow trails that fly fishers with snowshoes can use to access the river. Most fly fishers are fishing with their snowshoes on. Including wading with them. For those that do not own snowshoes they can be rented from Eastside Sports in Bishop. There are enough trophy trout in the river to warrant the effort to access the better fishing areas an hours walk up stream of Benton Crossing Bridge. The trophy trout are in the river to spawn. I do not fish over actively spawning trout as they represent the future trout population of the river. I Euro nymph in the deep holes, runs and cutbanks with stoner nymphs and two tone Prince nymphs in green/gold.

Bishop Creek Canal:

Behind the Ford Dealer:

Flows continue to be low making fly fishing tough in the canal. When the lower Owens River goes up to 300 CFS the canal will go up and fishing will improve. Working the canal with the indicator, dry and dropper or Euro nymphing is producing a few fish if you can get a cast without spooking the trout. I’m using tiger midge, zebra midges, gold ribbed hares ear’s and pheasant tail nymphs.

*Wild brown trout are the dominate trout species in the gorge and feed opportunistically.*

Owens River Gorge

Upper and Middle Gorge:

Nymphing under a dry fly is producing wild brown trout on tiger midges, zebra midges, gold ribbed hare’s ears, and pheasant tail nymphs. I access the gorge through the two power plant roads. I walk to the bottom and fish my way upstream until I’m done. Then I hike out. I also take some of the climber trails down into the gorge. Anywhere you fish is going to produce trout as there is very little fishing pressure in the gorge.

Fred Rowe

February 9, 2023

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 02-10-2023

Fred Rowe

February 9, 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.

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:

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.

Fred Rowe

February 2, 2023

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 02-03-2023

Fred Rowe

February 2, 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.

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.

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:

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.

Fred Rowe

January 26, 2023

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 01-27-2023

Fred Rowe

January 26, 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.

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.

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.

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.

Fred Rowe

January 19, 2023

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 01-19-2023

Fred Rowe

January 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.

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.