Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 02-23-2024

Warm days are in the future for Eastern Sierra fly fishers as storms have moved out of the Eastern Sierra. If you are looking to fly fish the waters of the Eastern Sierra now is the time. The snow starts at the top of Sherwin Grade. Dirt roads are accessible with four wheel drives and high clearance vehicles. There is four to 12 inches of snow on the roads out to upper elevation waters. Hatches of midges, mayflies and caddis flies are keeping the trout active. As the hatches intensifies the surface feeding trout will increase. Nymphing with an indicator or with a Euro rig is still the most consistent way to catch trout.

Crowley Lake has not frozen over this year and the snow around the lake will not last long.

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

Midges, mayflies and caddis flies have the trout feeding on nymphs and coming to surface to feed on the hatching insects. Mid-day mayfly hatches are keeping the trout active as they feed on the nymphs and the hatching adults. On the surface fish with blue wing olive parachutes, Adams parachutes and olive sparkle duns in size 16 and 18. Under the surface fish with bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs in size 18, hot spot pheasant tail nymphs in size 16 and olive quilldigons in size 16 or 18. Midge have been sporadic on the water and the trout have not keyed in on them yet. I carry size 18 and 20 Griffith’s gnats for when the trout key in on the ovipositing midges. Caddis are just starting to hatch. Carry size 18 or 20 elk air caddis, spent partridge caddis and X-caddis for when the trout key into the hatching caddis.

Fresh snow on the Sierra, warm days, low flows and blue wing olive mayfly hatches makes the lower Owens River the best fly fishing spot this week.

Hot Creek

Interpretive Site:

There is enough snow on the road into the Interpretive Site that no one has laid first tracks on the road into the interpretive site. Fly fishers are parking on Hot Creek Hatchery Road and walking into the creek. Mayflies, caddis pupae and midges are the insects that the Hot Creek trout are feeding on. There are a few trout rising, but the bulk of the trout are feeding on nymphs. Size 16 and 18 olive quilldigons, size 16 hot spot pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs and size 16 or 18 Frenchie’s are the fly patterns that are fooling the mayfly nymph feeding trout.

Fly fishers need to be careful walking around Hot Creek in the canyon as there is mud, snow and ice making it slippery.

Hot Creek

Canyon Section:

Fly fishers are driving into Hot Creek canyon parking areas with four wheel drive high clearance vehicles. There is four inches to a foot of snow on the ground in Hot Creek Canyon. There is lots of slippery mud right next to the creek that felt soled wading boots love to slip on. The trout are feeding on caddis, mayflies and midges. Nymphing with an indicator, fishing with a dry and dropper or a Euro rig to present the nymphs to the trout is the way to successfully fly fish Hot Creek Canyon. Work the flies in the deeper holes or runs between the weed beds. The best fly patterns are burlap caddis in size 14, olive quilldigons in sizes 16 and 18. Frenchie’s in size 16 and 18, hot spot pheasant tail nymphs in size 16, bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs in size 18 and cream caddis in size 18.

The upper Owens River is flowing high at 90 CFS and is off color from the melting snow.

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

The main dirt road into the upper Owens River above Benton Crossing Bridge is muddy, has lots of puddles, but is drivable. Once you get onto the spur roads out to the river you will encounter snow and will need a four wheel drive vehicle with clearance. The river is flowing at 90 CFS and is off color from the melting snow that is running off the meadow into the river. The trout are in the river, but require lots of effort to catch them. Working the water thoroughly with lots of casts and enough weight to get the flies to bounce of the bottom is what is going to get the fly fisher that once in a life time trophy trout. Bigger flies or bright colored flies is doing the trick right now. Fish with size 12 stoner nymphs, size 12 green/gold Prince nymphs, size 12 Richard’s hare’s ear variant, size 12 rainbow warrior, size 12 squirmy wormies, size 12 red San Juan worms and size 12 egg patterns.

Low water and spooky trout is making fly fishing in Bishop Creek Canal tough.

Bishop Creek Canal

Behind the Old Ford Dealer:

The storms that hit the Eastern Sierra have left mud puddles on the dirt road that parallels the canal. There are trout in Bishop Creek canal which you can see spook as you walk along the edge of the canal. Low clear water is making casting to the trout almost impossible. Until the water flows increase fly fishing in the canal will be tough.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 02-16-2024

Winter storms and windy days continue to hamper fly fishers on the waters in the Eastern Sierra. If you pick the right day the wind will not blow and the sun will come out and warm the fly fisher. Dry fly fishing is starting to pick up as midges and mayflies are hatching and the trout are coming to the surface to feed. Nymphing continues to be the most productive method of catching trophy trout and resident trout. Best fly fishing has been middle of the day from 11:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.

Snow up in the mountains and fishable water in the Owens Valley is drawing fly fishers to the Eastern Sierra to pursue trout.

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

The lower Owens River is offering the best fly fishing in the Eastern Sierra for eight to 14 inch wild brown trout and rainbow trout. Blue wing olive mayflies are the catalyst that have the trout feeding on nymphs and dry flies. The action is starting around noon and lasting tell 3:00 P.M. Before the hatch nymphing with a Euro rig or under an indicator with bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, hot spot pheasant tail nymphs, olive quilldigons and olive WD40’s is fooling the nymphing trout. Once the hatch is in full swing fishing with Adams parachutes, blue wing olive parachutes, olive sparkle duns and olive comparaduns is producing the surface feeding trout.

Euro nymphing the lower Owens River with hot spot pheasant tail nymphs, stoner nymphs and olive quilldigons is producing wild trout.

Hot Creek

Interpretive Site:

Access is back to driving right up to the parking lot and walking right out to the creek. Nymphing continues to be the most productive method to fly fish the creek. Fishing with olive quilldigons, hot spot pheasant tail nymphs, Frenchie’s, olive WD40’s, bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, tiger midges, zebra midges, blood midges, brassies and soft hackle brassies.

Size 16 and 18 Frenchie’s is a Euro nymph pattern that works well in Hot Creek to imitate the mayflies that are present in the creek. Photo by Chris Cargo..

Hot Creek

Canyon Section:

Fly fishers are driving right up to the three parking lots that give access to the upper, middle and lower canyon sections. Nymphing is the most productive method of fishing in the canyon. . Bead head flash back pheasant tails, olive WD40’s, olive quilldigons and hot spot pheasant tail nymphs, tiger midges, zebra midges, blood midges, brassies and soft hackle brassies are the patterns that imitate the midge and mayfly species in Hot Creek. Thoroughly covering the water is the key to success.

Euro nymphing in the deep holes of the upper Owens River is where you will find trophy rainbow trout.

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

The snow has melted and fly fishers are driving right up to the gates and walking out to the river to fly fish. With the easy vehicle access the Upper Owens River is getting lots of fly fishing pressure. Key to success is covering lots of deep pools, deep runs and cut banks looking for a few trophy rainbow trout. Offering the trout larger flies like size 12 stoner nymphs, green/gold Prince nymphs and Richards gold ribbed hare’s ears variation is the key to fooling the upper Owens River trophy rainbow trout. Persistence is necessary to properly cover the water with lots of casts before moving on to the next piece of water.

Low water and spooky trout is making fly fishing in Bishop Creek Canal tough.

Bishop Creek Canal

Behind the Old Ford Dealer:

Unfortunately low water and spooky trout is making fly fishing the canal tough right now. Fishing nymphs is producing a trout or two at the most. Indicator nymphing is spooking the fish. Dry and a dropper or Euro nymphing is less disturbing than the indicator. Trying to catch fish right now is just flat out tough!

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 02-09-2024

High elevations got snow and the Owens Valley got rain. This is a good start to a winter snow pack that will get us enough water to get through next summer. We are heading into a warming dry period. Nymphing is the best method for catching trout in the Eastern Sierra right now. Dry fly activities are just starting up as midges and mayflies are beginning to hatch.

The best part of a storm is when the sun comes out and the mountains have a new blanket of snow.

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

The river is safe to wade giving fly fishers access to areas unavailable at high flows. Nymphing under an indicator or with a Euro rod is producing fish with tiger midges, zebra midges, bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, olive quilldigons, hot spot pheasant tail nymphs and stoner nymphs. Trout are starting to feed on hatching blue wing olive mayflies. The hatches have been sporadic, but will grow in intensity as winter progresses. Adams parachutes, blue wing olive parachutes, olive sparkle duns and olive comparaduns are fooling the few rising trout. The hatch has been later in the day taking place from noon tell three in the afternoon.

Cloudy days can be great days to fly fish dries when the blue wing olive mayflies are hatching..

Hot Creek

Interpretive Site:

Snow on the ground is not keeping anglers from driving up to the interpretive site to fly fish. Nymphs continue to be the most productive method of fly fishing the creek. Midges is the number one food source for trout in the winter months. Fishing with tiger midges, zebra midges, brassies and soft hackle brassies are all good imitations of midges to fish with in Hot Creek. There is a good population of blue wing olive nymphs in the creek and fly fishers will have good luck fishing with bead head flash back pheasant tails, olive WD40’s, olive quilldigons and hot spot pheasant tail nymphs.

A size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph is a perfect imitation of the blue wing olive nymphs that are abundant in Hot Creek. Photo by Chris Cargo..

Hot Creek

Canyon Section:

Fly fishers walking into the canyon need to watch out for ice on the trail. It’s easy to find you self-sliding down the trail on the ice that forms from the snow after the storms. Don’t expect the snow to last very long in the canyon. Fly fishing with nymphs continues to be the most productive method of fly fishing in the canyon section. Midge and mayfly nymphs are the insects the trout are feeding on in the winter time. Key to success is putting lots of casts into the water making sure your fly ends up bouncing on the substrate right in front of the trout’s nose. Bead head flash back pheasant tails, olive WD40’s, olive quilldigons and hot spot pheasant tail nymphs are the patterns that imitate the blue wing olive nymphs. Tiger midges, zebra midges, brassies and soft hackle brassies are the patterns that imitate the midge nymphs and midge pupae.

Trophy rainbow trout are spread out on the upper Owens River from Benton Crossing Bridge to Longyears..

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

The snow accumulation in Long Valley is minimal with vehicles still able to access the roads going into the upper Owens River. Drive with caution as getting stuck on the dirt roads accessing the upper Owens River is no fun. I think by next week all the snow will be gone and it will be back to driving right in on the dirt roads with no snow worries. Trophy rainbow trout are in the system from Benton Crossing Bridge to Longyears. The trout are in the deep holes, deep runs and cutbanks resting and feeding on their upstream migration. To find the trout fly fishers need to cover lots of water. When fly fishing the waters occupied by the trophy rainbow trout fly fishers need to thoroughly cover the water with 50 to 100 casts. Fishing flies that the angler has confidence in will produce more trout. The fly patterns that have been working on the upper Owens River are stoner nymphs, green/gold wire Prince nymphs, Richard’s gold ribbed hare’s ear variation, tungsten eggs, squirmy wormies and San Juan worms.

Taught Katie Mayo how to fly fish today on Bishop Creek Canal even though the water is clear and extremely low .

Bishop Creek Canal

Behind the Old Ford Dealer:

Low water and spooky trout make fly fishing the canal tough right now. If you can find spots with a concentration of trout and make an approach without spooking the fish you will catch fish. Nymphing with stoner nymphs, olive quilldigons, hot spot pheasant tail nymphs, bead head flashback pheasant tail nymphs, tiger midges and zebra midges are the fly patterns that are producing trout.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 02-02-2024

The first big winter series of storms is moving through the Eastern Sierra this week and into next week. After the storm we will know how much snow is on the ground and if upper elevation waters will be accessible by vehicle. It might be time to dust of the snow mobiles, snow shoes and cross country skis. Fishing before the storm was more like a pleasant warm fall day than a mid-winter day. Nymphing continues to be the most productive method of fishing Eastern Sierra waters right now. Looking ahead mid-February through March should offer good mid-day dry fly fishing. Blue wing olive mayflies, black fly larvae, midges and winter skwala stoneflies are the insects that fly fishers are imitating.

While winter storms are brewing at upper elevations in the Sierra mountains the Owens Valley offers an opportunity to get out of the storms.

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

Flows are holding at 150 CFS and fly fishers can safely wade and access most of the river. Stomach samples from lower Owens River brown trout reveal that the trout are feeding on black fly larvae, mayfly nymphs and skwala stonefly nymphs. Dry fly activity has been minimal at best. If you’re on the right spot at the right time you will see trout feeding on the surface. Early in the morning fish midge imitations like size 18 or 20 Griffiths gnats. Middle of the day is when the mayflies are hatching and size 18 blue wing olive parachutes, olive sparkle duns and blue wing olive last chance cripples. Nymphing is consistent all day with a Euro rig or with an indicator rig. Key to success is getting the flies to bounce along the substrate. Fish with about 9 mm of tungsten beads or a size 1 split shot. While an exact imitation of a black fly larvae is not needed, fish with tiger midges, zebra midges and cream midges to imitate the black fly larvae. To imitate the mayfly nymphs use olive quilldigons, Frenchie’s, hot spot pheasant tail nymphs, bead head flash back nymphs, olive quill nymphs and olive perdigons. For the skwala stone fly nymphs fish with a size 12 or 14 stoner nymph and copper John.

Nymphing in the wild trout section of the lower Owens River is producing wild brown trout to 12 inches on stoner nymphs and olive quilldigons.

Hot Creek

Interpretive Site:

Time will tell if this area continues to be vehicle accessible or if this series of winter storms will drop enough snow to make it impossible to drive out to Hot Creek. Nymphing with tiger midges, zebra midges, brassies, bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, Frenchie’s, olive quilldigons and hot spot pheasant tail nymphs is producing wild brown and rainbow trout. Dry fly activity has been sporadic. A key to success here is to carry a dry fly rod rigged up with a blue wing olive parachute, olive sparkle dun or Griffiths gnat. The hatch period has been short and fly fishers don’t have enough time to rerig before the surface activity is over.

Zebra midges in size 18 to 22 are producing wild rainbow and brown trout in Hot Creek fished under an indicator or on a Euro rod. Photo by Chris Cargo.

Hot Creek

Canyon Section:

This section will be harder to access if we get the anticipated snow fall out of this series of snow storms. If the road gets closed be sure to park out of the way of the Hot Creek Ranch driveway. Nymphing in the canyon before the storm was fun with nymphs on the Euro rod. Olive quilldigons, stoner nymphs, hot spot pheasant tail nymphs, scuds and olive burlap caddis flies are working on the Euro rod. Under an indicator use bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, olive WD40’s, tiger midges, zebra midges, brassies and blood midges.

Don Collier from Hermosa Beach caught this trophy rainbow trout while being guided by Richard Lancaster on the upper Owens River.

 Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

Vehicle access was right up to the entry gates in the barbed wire from Benton Crossing Bridge to Longyears before the storms. The amount of snow left by this series of snow storms will determine if this area continues to be vehicle accessible or if fly fishers will need to snow shoe, cross country ski or snowmobile in. Trophy trout continue to offer fly fishers the opportunity to catch a personal best trout on the fly. The trophy trout are spaced out in deep holes, deep runs and cutbanks from Benton Crossing Bridge to Longyears. The trout are resting and feeding looking for a big bite of calories. Offering these trophy trout a size 12 stoner nymph, green/gold wire Prince nymph and gold ribbed hare’s ear variation is offering them that big calorie meal. Egg patterns like the tungsten taco, red San Juan worms and squirmy wormies are producing trophy trout for fly fishers. There are a number of resident juvenile trout to 10 inches willing to take a small nymph or dry fly. Olive quilldigons, bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, olive quilldigons, Adams parachutes and blue wing olive parachutes are patterns that will produce these smaller trout.

Bishop Creek Canal is flowing clear and is as low as I’ve seen the canal.

Bishop Creek Canal

Behind the Old Ford Dealer:

Low water continues to make fly fishing on Bishop Creek Canal tough. With the low water levels the trout are supper spooky. Fly fishers need to find faster riffle sections or deep holes where the fish are not spooked easily. Tiger midges, zebra midges, blood midges, bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs and olive quilldigons are the fly patterns that are fooling the wild trout.

Trout Rodeo

Open Waters of the Eastern Sierra:

The third annual trout rodeo will be on Saturday February 10th, 2024. Contact Sierra Bright Dot if you want to know about winning strategies.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 01-26-2024

Storms are moving through the Eastern Sierra, but just are not leaving enough moisture. Fly fishers are not going to find snow until they get to the 8,000 foot levels. Fly fishing in the Eastern Sierra right now is about as good as it gets for winter fly fishing. Nymphing is the prime method of fly fishing right now. Dry fly fishing is not consistent right now, but on the right day dry flies are producing. Mayflies, stoneflies, midges and black fly larvae are what the trout are feeding on.

Storms are rolling through the Eastern Sierra without leaving much in the way of precipitation.

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

December and January are the two slowest months of the year as the water is cold and insects are not very active. February and March is peak winter time fly fishing on the lower Owens River. Trout are feeding on caddis nymphs, stone fly nymphs and mayfly nymphs. Nymphing under an indicator or with a Euro rig is producing wild rainbow trout and brown trout. Olive quilldigons, Frenchie’s, hot spot pheasant tail nymphs, bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs cream caddis nymphs, olive burlap caddis, stoner nymphs, tiger midges and zebra midges are fooling the trout when bounced on the substrate where the trout are feeding. Blue wing olive parachutes and Griffith’s gnats are the dry flies the trout are coming to the surface to take if they come to the surface.

Wild brown trout are taking nymphs fished on a Euro rig or under an indicator in the wild trout section of the lower Owens River.

Hot Creek

Interpretive Site:

Hard to believe it’s the end of January and fly fishers are still driving right up to the Kiosk and walking down to the creek. While there are some trout rising to the surface to take dry flies, nymphing is the consistent producer right now. For dry flies use size 20 blue wing olive parachutes, olive compara duns and Griffiths gnats. Nymphing with size 18 to 22 tiger midges, zebra midges, brassies, bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, Frenchie’s, olive quilldigons and hot spot pheasant tail nymphs are fooling wild brown trout and rainbow trout to 14 inches.

It's surprising it is the end of January and there is no snow on the ground hampering access to the creek..

Hot Creek

Canyon Section:

Fly fishers are driving right up to the parking lots and walking down into the canyon. Be careful  of ice on the trail as snow from these latest storms is turning into ice in the shadows on the trail. Fishing in the flats and deep pools with lots of casts is what is producing trout. Tiger midges, blood midges, zebra midges, brassies, soft hackle brassies, bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, olive quilldigons, olive WD40’s, Frenchie’s and hot spot pheasant tail nymphs are fooling the wary brown and rainbow trout in the canyon.

Zach William from Glendale finally caught a trophy rainbow trout from the upper Owens River while fishing with Sierra Bright Dot.

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

Vehicles are accessing all of the entry points from Benton Crossing Bridge to Howard Arcularius property. Trophy trout are in the river and offering excellent fly fishing for trophy rainbow trout from 18 to 22 inches. The trophy trout are in the deep holes, deep runs and cutbanks. Casting big nymphs like size 12 stoner nymphs, green/gold wire Prince nymphs and gold ribbed hare’s ear variations to the riffles directly above the deep pools and runs and letting the flies tumble into the deep pools bouncing along the substrate is how you get hooked up. Fly fishers working each hole thoroughly before moving on to the next hole or run is how to be a successfully trophy trout fly fisher on theupper Owens River. This winter there has been a number of juvenile trout feeding on mayflies and midges. Adams parachutes, Blue wing olive parachutes, olive quilldigons, bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs and olive quilldigons are fooling these juvenile trout.  

Flows in Bishop Creek Canal are at their winter low levels which is a huge contrast to last summer’s high flows.

Bishop Creek Canal

Behind the Old Ford Dealer:

Mid-winter doldrums are effecting fly fishing on Bishop Creek Canal. Low cold water has slowed down the bite on the canal. It’s hard to get a drift without spooking the trout right now. If you find the right fast water section you can catch trout using tiger midges, zebra midges, blood midges, bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs and olive quilldigons.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 01-19-2024

When I was a surfer and there was a big swell hitting the coast every surfer came out of the wood work to enjoy the swell. Will it seems the fly fishers are coming out of the wood work to enjoy the fly fishing opportunities that are available right now in the Eastern Sierra. Nymphing with mayfly nymphs, stonefly nymphs, black fly larvae and midges is producing trophy trout and wild trout as small as four inches. While there are not a lot of trout feeding on the surface there is some dry fly activity to be found on Eastern Sierra waters. I will be at the Bart Hall Show in Long Beach from Thursday January 25th through Sunday January 29, 2024. I will have a limited number of flies for sale. I will be presenting Bishop: The Southern Gate Way to Eastern Sierra Fly Fishing, Nymphing: The art of Fishing Flies on the Substrate and Tuesday Talks With Fred a panel discussion with Richard Lancaster, Tom Paulson and Fred Rowe.

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

Fly fishers are aware that the flows are down to 150 CFS and the trout are feeding on nymphs. Fly fishing pressure is gaining momentum. Every day I’m on the water I’m patterning where I’m catching trout and what fly patterns are producing. I’m working the riffles with little to no results. Pools and runs are what are producing. Stomach pump samples show that the trout are feeding on stone fly nymphs, hydropsyche caddis, stick caddis, mayfly nymphs and black fly larvae. Stoner nymphs, olive burlap caddis, bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, peeking caddis, olive WD40’s, Frenchie’s, olive quilldigons, Duracell nymphs, tiger midges, cream midges and zebra midges are imitating the insects that the trout are feeding on.

Accessing the hard to reach spots that are inundated with tulles and willows is easier when the flows are at 150 CFS and fly fishers can safely wade the river.

Hot Creek

Interpretive Site:

Fly fishers are driving right up to the Kiosk and walking out to the creek to fly fish. If your there on the right day you will be able to throw dry flies for surface feeding trout. Most days nymphs are doing the job of producing the trout. Olive scuds, bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, olive quilldigons, brown or olive WD40’s, Frenchie’s, tiger midges, zebra midges, blood midges, soft hackle brassies and two tone brassies are fooling the trout feeding on nymphs. Blue wing olive parachutes and Griffith’s gnats are the flies I keep in my fly box for when the trout come to the surface to feed.

Euro nymphing is a very successful method of nymphing Hot Creek Canyon.

Hot Creek

Canyon Section:

Fly fishers are having no problems with snow or ice as the warm weather this week made quick work of the little snow that was on the ground. I like fly fishing in the canyon. It’s were I honed my fly fishing skills for selectively feeding trout. By early afternoon the canyon is engulfed in shadows and is too cold to be fly fishing in the winter time. I like to thoroughly cover the water and then move about ten feet upstream and repeat the process. Winter feeding trout will not move very far for the nymph pattern so be sure to put the fly right on the trout’s nose. Choose size 18 to 22 tiger midges, blood midges, zebra midges, brassies, soft hackle brassies, bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, olive quilldigons, Frenchie’s and hot spot pheasant tail nymphs to fool the wary wild trout of Hot Creek.

Anatoliy Antonov from San Francisco with a trophy rainbow trout that he caught while nymphing one of the deep holes on the upper Owens River.

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

At this time last year fly fishers were snowmobiling, cross country skiing or walking into the upper Owens River to pursue the trophy rainbow trout that migrate up out of Crowley Lake to spawn in the gravel beds. This year fly fishers are driving right up to the river to fly fish just like they do in the summer time. The trophy trout fly fishing is peaking and fly fishers diligently working size 12 stoner nymphs, green/gold Prince nymphs and gold ribbed hare’s ears in deep holes, deep runs and cutbanks on the substrate are catching the trophy trout. A lot of fly fishers are catching the trophy trout with bright red, pink or orange egg patterns, San Juan worms and squirmy wormies. There has been consistent action from juvenile trout from 6 to 10 inches feeding on midges and mayflies. A size 16 or 18 Adams parachute with a size 16 gold ribbed hare’s ear or size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph dropped three feet below the dry fly is fooling these juvenile trout.

Bishop Creek Canal flows are at their lowest levels and it’s hard to cast to the fish without spooking them.

Bishop Creek Canal

Behind the Old Ford Dealer:

Water levels are at their lowest and making a cast without spooking trout is becoming near impossible. For anglers that can sneak up on the trout use bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, olive quilldigons, tiger midges and zebra midges. Your shadow on the water will spook the trout. Fish in the morning on the west side of the canal. In the afternoon go over to the east bank to keep from spooking trout with your shadow.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 01-12-2024

The storm door is open, but the snow storms are leaving inches of snow not feet of snow. Access is by vehicle to most high altitude Eastern Sierra waters. Storms are bringing in cold temperatures and lots of wind. Fly fishers can always find a place in the Eastern Sierra where the trout are feeding. Mayflies, black flies, stone flies and midges are the insects that are active and the trout are feeding on. I’m looking forward to seeing clients, social media followers, friends and fishing anglers at the Bart Hall Show in Long Beach January 25th through January 29, 2024. I will have a both, doing fly fishing presentations, Tuesday Talks With Fred panel discussion and I will have flies for sale.

Richard Lancaster hooked up on the lower Owens River while drifting in his Stealth Craft boat.

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

By Monday January 15th the lower Owens River Flows will be down to 150 CFS. This will be perfect flows for fly fishers to access the hard to reach spots that can only be accessed by wading the river. Cold water reduces the trout’s need to feed making it important that fly fishers cover the water thoroughly. Fly fishing in cold water requires anglers to make three to four times the number of cast you would make in the summer time. Size 18 to 20 tiger midges, zebra midges, olive or cream black fly larvae, stoner nymphs, olive WD40 nymphs, bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, olive quilldigons and Frenchie’s are the flies that the wild trout are taking.

At 225 CFS the river was wadeable, but at 150 CFS the whole river opens up to safe wading .

Hot Creek

Interpretive Site:

Fly fishers are still driving their vehicles into the Interpretive site. Nymphing is the most productive method of fly fishing the creek right now. Size 18 to 22 soft hackle brassies, tiger midges, zebra midges, blood midges and size 16 to 20 olive quilldigons, hot spot pheasant tail nymphs Frenchie’s, and bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs are fooling the wild trout.

Hot Creek has snow and is accessible in the canyon, but fly fishers should be aware of ice on the trials as the snow melts and refreezes.

Hot Creek

Canyon Section:

The snow storms moving through the Eastern Sierra have not left enough snow to keep anglers off the creek. Nymphing is what’s producing trout in the canyon. Working the flies through the slower pools is what’s producing the trout. Use midge nymph and midge pupae nymph patterns like size 18 to 22 tiger midges, zebra midges and blood midges. For blue wing olive nymph imitations use size 18 to 20 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph, olive quilldigons and Frenchie’s.

Making sure Rusty Giamdomenico from Covina is getting a drag free drift in a deep hole that holds trophy trout. Photo by Lucas D’eramo.

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

While there are small amounts of snow on the ground fly fishers can still drive up to the parking areas on the upper Owens River. Trophy rainbow trout numbers will continue to increase as we move through the month of January. These big rainbows can be found resting and feeding in deep pools, deep runs and cut banks. Thoroughly covering lots of water is what’s going to produce trophy trout of a lifetime for fly fishers. When hooked up to a trophy trout remember to let them run if they want to, but put the pressure on the trout to wear it out so you can land it. Size 12 gold ribbed hare’s ears, stoner nymph and green/gold Prince nymphs are flies that offer the trout a big meal. Red San Juan worms, squirmy wormies and egg patterns in red or orange produce a lot of trophy trout on the upper Owens River.

Wild brown trout are feeding on size 16 olive quilldigons in Bishop Creek Canal.

Bishop Creek Canal

Behind the Old Ford Dealer:

Low water levels have not slowed down the fly fishing in the canal. Fishing is not easy, but persistence is producing trout. Bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, olive quill nymphs, olive quilldigons, Frenchie’s, tiger midges, zebra midges, olive midges and cream midges in size 20 to 24 will imitate the midges and black fly larvae that the trout are feeding on. Hydropsyche caddis nymphs and skwala stoneflies are present in the canal and the trout are taking size 12 olive burlap caddis and stoner nymphs. Best fishing has been middle of the day.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 01-05-2024

Storms are leaving snow in the Eastern Sierra high country this week. We are in need of a lot more snow to keep the streams and lakes full during the summer season. The snow level is down to about the 7,000 foot level. Eastern Sierra streams and creeks are at low fishable levels compared to last summer flows. Midges, mayflies, black flies and stone flies are the insects trout are feeding on. Dry fly activity is pretty much nonexistent right now.

Photographic prove that Fred Rowe gets out and gets hooked up on the lower Owens River.

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

The river is wadable at 225 CFS. Not all sections of the river are wadable at 225 CFS. Fly fishers need to wade with caution. The river should be at or below 200 CFS by the end of the month if the Eastern Sierra stays dry. Every time the river drops there is an overabundance of hydropsyche caddis nymphs in the river and the trout take advantage of this by feeding on these caddis. Winter skwala stoneflies hatch in late February or early March. These stoneflies are actively moving around the rocks in the riffle sections of the river and getting dislodge making them a target for feeding wild trout. The stoner nymph I developed is to imitate the winter skwala stonefly nymphs. Use bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, tiger midges, zebra midges, olive WD40 nymphs, tan burlap caddis, stoner nymphs, hot spot pheasant tail nymphs, Frenchie’s, olive quilldigons, and Barr’s emerger. Check out the stomach pump report on my webpage to see what wild trout in the lower Owens River are feeding on.

Stoner nymphs imitate the winter skwala stones which the lower Owens River wild brown trout are feeding on.

Hot Creek

Interpretive Site:

Hot Creek got snow this week, but access is not limited. Fish are still feeding on mayflies and midges. Nymphing continues to be the most productive method of fly fishing the creek. Fly fishing with size 18 to 22 soft hackle brassies tiger midges, zebra midges, blood midges and size 16 to 20 olive quilldigons, hot spot pheasant tail nymphs Frenchie’s, and bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs are the flies that are imitating the insects the trout are feeding on.

Last week the canyon section of Hot Creek had no snow and if the next storm is small it will look like this again very soon.

Hot Creek

Canyon Section:

The snow on the ground is not going to inhibit access to the canyon. There is little to no fly fishing pressure in the canyon. Euro nymphing or indicator nymphing will be the best method of fly fishing in the canyon. Midge and mayfly nymph patterns are the flies that are producing wild trout in the canyon. I like simple midge nymph and midge pupae nymph patterns like size 18 to 22 tiger midges, zebra midges and blood midges. Size 12 to 14 olive scuds always produce trout in Hot Creek particularly in the canyon. Olive quilldigons and bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs in sizes 18 or 20 are my two primary blue wing olive mayfly nymph patterns.

Trophy trout numbers are increasing in the upper Owens River and the snow is not inhibiting access.

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

Trophy trout numbers are increasing in the upper Owens River above Benton Crossing Bridge. The biggest concentrations of trophy trout are in the pools, runs and cutbanks. Snow is not creating any access problems. Wind and air temperatures in the 30’s and 40’s make for cold days on the water. Offering the trophy trout a big morsel by using a size 12 gold ribbed hare’s ears, stoner nymph and green/gold Prince nymph is how you get these trout to take your fly. Big size 4 or 6 black streamers like wooly buggers and marabou muddlers will also offer the trout a big meal and fool the trophy trout. Best way to present the flies is to get them to bounce on the bottom of the river in the deep holes, deep runs and cut banks.

Water levels in Bishop Creek Canal are at winter levels and the trout are still feeding.

Bishop Creek Canal

Behind the Old Ford Dealer:

Water levels have finally recede to winter levels. The trout are feeding on mayfly nymphs, midge nymphs, black fly larvae and hydropsyche caddis nymphs. The nymphs are tiny and fly fishers should use size 20 to 24 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, olive quill nymphs, olive quilldigons, Frenchie’s, tiger midges, zebra midges, olive midges and cream midges. Use size 12 stoner nymphs and burlap caddis to imitate the skwala stonefly nymphs and hydropsyche caddis nymphs.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 12-29-2023

It’s the end of a very different fly fishing year in the Eastern Sierra. We saw record snowfall that became a record runoff. Fly fishing was tough until fall. Snow this year is slow in coming to the Eastern Sierra which means we may living off of last year’s snow melt. Not sure what to expect for next summer’s fly fishing at this point of time. For now midges and mayflies are providing the bulk of the insects the trout are feeding on. Dry fly activity is rare in December and January, but there are some days where you can catch trout on dry flies.

With storms in the mountains of the Eastern Sierra and flows of the lower Owens down to wadable levels it’s time to fly fish the lower Owens River .

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

Flows are dropping and expected to be at 250 CFS by the weekend. This is what we’ve been anticipating since fall. Fly fisher’s wading need to be careful in the water as it’s easy to lose your footing and find yourself unexpectedly in the water. Nymphing will be the most productive method of fly fishing the river. Trout will be feeding on mayfly nymphs, caddis nymphs, midge nymphs and midge pupae. Use tiger midges, zebra midges, olive burlap caddis, bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, Frenchie’s, olive quilldigons and hot spot pheasant tail nymphs.

Not all fly fishers find wading at 250 CFS easy and some find comfort and necessity in a wading staff.

Hot Creek

Interpretive Site:

Access to Hot Creek is wide open as the snow has not affected access yet. Not like last year’s snow. Nymphing continues to produces wild brown trout and rainbow trout to 14 inches. Bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, Frenchie’s, hot spot pheasant tail nymphs and olive quilldigons in sizes18 and 20 are fooling the trout feeding on mayfly nymphs. For midge feeding trout use size 18 to 22 soft hackle brassies, tiger midges, zebra midges and blood midges.

Nymphing in the riffles of Hot Creek Canyon is where you will find the trout feeding on midges and mayfly nymphs.Hot Creek

Hot Creek

Canyon Section:

The Canyon section has the least pressure and with its steep gradient offers slightly easier fly fishing. The trout have to react quickly as the fly goes by them. Working the flats and riffle sections is where fly fishers will want to present their flies. Euro nymphing and indicator nymphing are the most productive methods right now. Use size 18 to 22 tiger midges, zebra midges, blood midges, brassies, bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph, hot spot pheasant tail nymphs, olive quilldigons, Frenchie’s and olive quill nymphs.

Scott King of Malibu learning to Euro nymph the upper Owens River in a deep pool where he hooked up to a trophy trout.

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

Finding trophy trout requires fly fishers to cover lots of water looking for pods of migrating trout that are resting and feeding in deep pools, deep runs and cutbanks. Persistence with your casts in these waters is what will produce trophy trout. Fifty to seventy five cast is not over doing it. Once you have thoroughly covered one spot move on to the next. Using enough weight to bounce you flies on the substrate is key to success. Throwing big flies which offers the trout a big meal is another key to success. Throw size 12 gold ribbed hare’s ears, stoner nymphs and green/gold Prince nymphs to fool a trophy trout. Mid-day sporadic hatches have a few resident trout coming to the surface to feed on elk hair caddis, Adams parachutes and blue wing olive parachutes. Nymphing with bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, olive quilldigons and hot spot pheasant tail nymphs are consistently fooling these trout.

A hold over rainbow trout that took an olive quilldigon fished in the bottom or point position of a three fly Euro rig in Bishop Creek Canal.

Bishop Creek Canal

Behind the Old Ford Dealer:

Fly fishers are taking advantage of this winter fishery since the Owens flows have been too high to fish. With Owens flows once again fishable the canal will have little to no fly fishing pressure. Midges, black fly larvae and mayfly nymphs are what the wild brown trout and hold over rainbow trout are feeding on. Fish size 20 to 24 tiger midges, zebra midges, olive midges, bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, olive quilldigons and Frenchie’s.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 12-22-2023

Finally getting some weather in the Eastern Sierra. Its snowed at upper elevations and rained in the Owens Valley. Waters in the Long Valley area are still accessible by vehicle. Four wheel drive vehicles is recommended. Fly fishers are finding spawning fish in the Owens Valley and Long Valley waters. Mayflies and midges are the insects the trout are feeding on. Nymphing is the most productive method of fly fishing Eastern Sierra waters right now. Key to success is three to four times the cast you would use in summer time to cover the same waters in winter time. Fly fishers need to put the nymphs right on the trout’s nose to get them to feed in winters cold waters.

Merry Christmas to all my friends, clients, and followers. May Santa Claus leave the fly fishing present under your tree you are hoping for. It might even be a gift certificate for a guide trip with Sierra Bright Dot.

 Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

Flows are dropping and looks like they will be at or below 300 CFS by the weekend. Fly fishers need to be careful when wading at these flows. The river is best at 200 CFS. Nymphing with an indicator or a Euro rod is the most productive method of fishing the river right now. Use size 18 to 22 tiger midges, zebra midges, blood midges and brassies to imitate the black fly larvae and the midges. Use size 16 or 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph, hot spot pheasant tail nymphs, olive quilldigons, Frenchie’s and olive quill nymphs to imitate the blue wing olive nymphs. It will take a lot of weight to keep the nymphs bouncing on the substrate where the trout will be feeding.

Flows are receding and fly fishers should keep an eye on the flows as they will be under 300 CFS soon.

Hot Creek

Interpretive Site:

There are a few fly fishers taking advantage of fly fishing Hot Creek with no crowds. Fishing with midges and mayfly nymphs is what is producing the most fish right now. If you’re on the water when a hatch brings the trout to the surface to feed definitely switch to a dry fly and enjoy some December dry fly fishing. A rarity in the Eastern Sierra. Use size 20 to 22 tiger midges, zebra midges, blood midges, brassies, soft hackle brassies, bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs and olive quilldigons.

Hot Creek Canyon has little to no fly fishing pressure this time of year.

 Hot Creek

Canyon Section:

A few fly fishers are putting in the effort to walk in and out of the canyon to fly fish. This is a nymphing situation in the canyon. Middle of the day is the best time to be on the water as this is when the trout are most active. Euro nymphing, indicator nymphing and dry and dropper are all nymphing techniques that work in Hot Creek Canyon. For midge imitations use size 18 to 22 tiger midges, zebra midges, blood midges and brassies. For blue wing olive nymph imitations use size 16 or 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph, hot spot pheasant tail nymphs, olive quilldigons, Frenchie’s and olive quill nymphs to imitate the blue wing olive nymphs.

The upper Owens River is offering fly fishers a chance at trophy trout and solitary fly fishing opportunities.

 Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

Trophy trout are in the river and can be found in the deep pools, deep runs and cut banks. The trophy trout are not concentrated in the river right now, but there are enough trophy trout in the river that fly fishers will be able to hook up with these fish. Fly fishers will need to work their flies in the spots where the trophy trout like to rest and feed. Moving from spot to spot after thoroughly covering each spot is how to be successful on the river right now. Larger nymphs and bright red flies like gold ribbed hare’s ears, stoner nymphs, green/gold Prince nymphs, egg patterns and squirmy wormies is what is fooling the trophy trout. There is a mid-day mayfly hatch that has the trout feeding on nymphs and dries. Bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, olive quilldigons and hot spot pheasant tail nymphs are fooling these resident trout.

Low flows and no fly fishing pressure makes Bishop Creek Canal a great mid-day fly fishing spot in the Owens Valley.

Bishop Creek Canal

Behind the Old Ford Dealer:

Few anglers are taking advantage of Bishop Creek Canal being open to fishing in the winter time. Fly fishers will find middle of the day to be quit pleasant on the canal. There are mayfly and midges hatching. Few trout are coming to the surface to feed which makes nymphing the best method on the canal right now. Nymphing with midge, black fly larvae and mayfly patterns is producing wild brown trout. Use size 20 and 24 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, olive quilldigons, hot spot pheasant tail nymphs, Frenchie’s, tiger midges and zebra midges.