Sierra bright Dot Fly fishing Report 01-22-2026

Warm weather has made it nice to be on the water in the Eastern Sierra. Mornings and evenings are cool to cold, but middle of the day has been very pleasant. Insects have been most active middle of the day and trout have been feeding on mayflies, stoneflies and midges on the substrate and on the surface. Day time temperatures have not been warm enough for a significant snow melt at upper elevation waters. When visiting upper elevation waters be prepared with the right equipment to get you out of the snow if you get stuck and supplies to allow you to spend the night if you’re stuck.

Warm days and snow in the mountains makes the Eastern Sierra the perfect place for a winter fly fishing outing.

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

Active insects, middle of the day warmth and trout taking nymphs and dries make fly fishing the lower Owens River perfect right now. You have to be on the right hole middle of the day to find enough rising trout to the blue wing olive mayfly hatch to fish with dry flies. Rerigging from a nymph to a dry fly quite often takes up more time than the blue wing olive hatch is on the water. Carrying two rods is a problem, but makes it easy to switch from nymphs to dries and back to nymph fishing. Size 18 sparkle duns, size 18 blue wing olive parachutes and size 18 Adams parachutes are fooling the mid-day rises of rainbows and browns to the hatching blue wing olive mayflies. Nymph fishing has been the most productive way of fly fishing the river right now. Under an indicator use size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 16 Duracell’s, size 16 Frenchie’s, size 12 and 14 stoner nymphs, size 18 green/gold brassies, size 18 brassies and size 18 midges in olive, zebra and tiger colorations. With a Euro rig use a three fly rig of a size 18 olive quilldigon, size 12 stoner nymphs and a size 18 Frenchie.

Nymphing with a size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph six feet under an indicator produced several wild rainbow and brown trout for Dylan Simchowite of Laguna Beach for his first nymphing outing on the lower Owens River.

Hot Creek

Interpretive Site:

Snow is still limiting access to Hot Creek Interpretive site. Snow shoes will make the hike in over the snow easier. For those willing to put in the effort to access the Interpretive Site will be rewarded with hatches of blue wing olive mayflies and midges. Fishing mid-day will find the insects most active. Fish with size 20 sparkle duns, size 20 Adams parachutes, size 20 blue wing olive parachutes, size 20 CDC midges and size 20 Griffith’s gnats. A drag free drift and a good hook set is needed to hook the surface feeding wild trout of Hot Creek. Fishing a dry and dry rig makes it easier for most fly fisher to detect a hit from the trout taking size 20 and smaller dry flies. For the large fly in a dry and dry rig use a size 16 Adams parachute, size 14 stimulator and  size 12 Chernobyl ants

Walking in over the snow can be done, but using snow shoes will make it an easier hike in to access the Interpretive site of Hot Creek.

Hot Creek

Canyon Section:

It takes a lot of effort right not for fly fishers to access the Canyon Section of Hot Creek. To access the canyon park at the winter closure. Be sure not to park in front of Hot Creek Ranch. The trail into the canyon has 12 to 36 inches of snow. For the few fly fishers willing to walk into the canyon they will find few if any fly fishers fishing. The wild rainbows and browns are feeding and will take nymphs and dries. Fish the surface in the canyon if there are lots of trout rising otherwise nymphing is the most productive method. Fish in the open areas as much as you can which are the riffles and deep holes. The weed beds are at their smallest, but still make it hard to nymph in them. Use size 18 green/gold brassies, size 18 brassies, size 18 zebra midges, size 18 tiger midges, size 18 Croston’s bead head baetis, size 18 Frenchie’s, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs and size 18 olive quilldigons.

Early mornings and late afternoons are cold on the upper Owens River which is producing trophy rainbow trout for fly fishers fishing nymphs in the deep holes, deep runs and cutbanks. Photo by Kim Espinosa @visistmammoth

 Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

Caution is needed to drive the dirt roads accessing the upper Owens River above Benton Crossing Bridge. The roads are drivable, but it is easy to get stuck. There are trophy rainbow trout in the system in the deep holes, deep runs and cutbanks. Fish with size 12 stoner nymphs, size 12 green/gold Prince nymphs, size 12 Richard’s gold ribbed hare’s ear variation, size 18 olive quilldigons and size 16 hot spot pheasant tail nymphs. In order to land trophy trout the fly fisher needs to know how to fight trophy trout. On the initial hook up just keep the rod tip up and line taught. If the fish comes to you bring in line. If the fish swims away from you let fly line out through your fingers until the line is on reel. Try to keep the fish in front of you with no more than 20 feet of fly line, leader and tippet from the rod to the fish. When the fish moves up or down the stream follow it keeping tension in the line. Turn the rod sideway if you need to keep the fish from running under the bank. When the fish has tired slide it towards you to land it. Trophy trout take a lot of skill and luck to land.

Fishing with a Tenkara rod on Bishop Creek Canal require the fly fisher to sneak up on the spooky trout that are feeding on emerging mayflies and midges.

 Bishop Creek Canal

Behind Bishop Veterinary Hospital:

Mid-days have been warm on the canal. Trout have been coming to the surface to feed on emerging mayflies and midges. On the surface fish with size 20 Adams parachutes, size 20 blue wing olive parachutes, size 20 sparkle duns, size 20 Kling Hammers, size 20 foam midge emerger and size 20 CDC midges. Nymphing continues to produce wild rainbows and browns to 12 inches. Use size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 20 olive midge emergers, size 20 tiger midges and size 20 zebra midges. The trout are spooky and fly fishers need to use stealth when approach the trout of Bishop Creek Canal.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 01-15-2026

Warm weather is going to be here for a while. Middle of the day will offer good fly fishing opportunities in Eastern Sierra waters. Midges and mayflies are hatching and trout are feeding on them on the substrate and on the surface. There is still lots of snow to deal with in the Long Valley area. Layers are the norm for fly fishing the waters of the Eastern Sierra as one moment you need a jacket and an hour later you’re in a T-shirt.

High elevation waters are covered in snow with temperatures 10 to 30 degrees cooler than the waters of the Owens Valley. Photo by Kim Espinosa @visistmammoth

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

Roads are drying out. Insects are hatching. Weather is perfect with mid-day temperature 10 degrees above normal. If you are in the right hole mid-day there will be blue wing olive mayflies hatching and trout feeding on size 18 blue wing olive parachutes, size 18 Adams parachutes and size 18 olive sparkle duns. Nymphing is the most productive way of fly fishing the lower Owens River. Wading upstream casting with a Euro rig or under an indicator rig with size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head Flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 16 Duracell’s, size 16 Frenchie’s, size 12 stoner nymphs, size 18 green/gold brassies and size 18 midges in zebra and tiger colorations is producing wild rainbows and browns from six inches to 16 inches.

Switching to a dry fly middle of the day will produce trout on the surface if you’re in the right hole during the mid-day hatch of blue wing olive mayflies.

Hot Creek

Interpretive Site:

Twenty to 36 inches of snow on the road out to the Interpretive Site makes access tough without cross country skies or snow shoes. For fly fishers willing to put in the effort to access the Interpretive Site of Hot Creek they will find trout feeding on the surface when the blue wing olive mayflies and midges are hatching. Fish with size 20 Adams parachutes, size 20 blue wing olive parachutes, size 20 olive sparkle duns, size 20 CDC midges and size 20 Griffiths gnats. Nymphing the deeper holes with size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 20 green/gold brassies, size 20 tiger midges and size 20 zebra midges is producing wild trout.

While there are tire tracks on the road out to the geothermal site of Hot Creek walking out to the canyon with snow shoes is better than walking through the knee deep snow or getting your vehicle stuck.

Hot Creek

Canyon Section:

The snow is 18 to 36 inches deep on the road out to the geothermal site and not enough vehicles have driven out to pack down the snow. Cross country skis or snowshoes offer the best access to the canyon. The big advantage to winter fly fishing on Hot Creek is the solidarity that is offered to fly fishers willing to make the trek into the canyon. As the weed beds continue to break down fly fishers will find more water accessible to fly fish. Nymphing with size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 Frenchie’s, size 18 Croston’s bead baetis, size 18 green/gold brassies, size 18 soft hackle brassies, size 18 tiger midge and size 18 zebra midges is fooling trout feeding on the substrate. Nymphing is the most productive method, but when the fish feed on the surface be sure to have some size 20 blue wing olive parachutes and size 20 Adams parachutes to fool the surface feeding trout.

Cold temperatures on the upper Owens River requires fly fishers to bundle up when nymphing the deep holes, deep runs and cut banks for trophy trout. Photo by Kim Espinosa @visistmammoth

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

The dirt roads above Benton Crossing Bridge are accessible for four wheel drive vehicles that have lots of clearance. A lot of fly fishers are parking at the first parking lot above the bridge and walking up stream looking for the trophy rainbow trout that are in the river. Work nymphs in the deep holes, deep runs and cut banks with size 12 stoner nymphs, size 12 green/gold Prince nymphs, size 12 Richard’s variation of a gold ribbed hare’s ear, size 14 copper John’s, size 18 olive quilldigons and size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs will produce trophy rainbows and resident trout. Squirmy wormies in size 14, peach tungsten tacos in size 14 and size 10 mop flies are flies that produce trophy trout for a lot of fly fishers working the upper Owens River for trophy trout.

Euro nymphing, indicator nymphing and dry fly fishing is producing rainbow and browns to 12 inches on Bishop Creek Canal.

Bishop Creek Canal

Behind Bishop Veterinary Hospital:

Trout rising mid-day are feeding on hatching midges and mayflies. Fish with size 18 Adams parachutes, size 18 blue wing olive parachutes, size 20 Griffith’s gnats and size 20 CDC midges for the rising trout. Nymphing with size 12 stoner nymphs, size 16 Frenchie’s, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 20 tiger midge pupae and size 20 zebra midge pupae is fooling the substrate feeding trout. Shadows cast by fly fishers can spook the trout so watch where your shadow lands on the water.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 01-08-2026

The storms came through last weekend and left most of the snow in the mountain tops. Long Valley waters got some new snow, but not a lot of it. Eastern Sierra roads are anywhere from undrivable due to snow to drivable with mud and puddles. The suns out and the Sierra is expected to warm up to slightly above average temperatures. Do we have another heat wave coming? Time will tell. Still carry layers so you can handle cold to warm temperatures. Not expecting shorts weather yet, but you can carry them just in case. Mayflies and midges are feeding trout on the substrate and in a few spots on the surface.

Winter is a time to be warm in the Owens Valley and bundled up in higher elevations waters covered in snow.

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

Roads are drivable, but there are puddles and a few muddy spots to contend with. Nymphing continues to be the most productive method of fly fishing the lower Owens River. Fish with size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 16 Frenchie’s, size 16 Duracell’s, size 16 bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ears, size 12 stoner nymphs, size 18 green/gold brassies, size 18 tiger midges and size 18 zebra midges on the substrate with enough weight in the flies or with additional weight as split shot to bounce off the substrate. Mid-day in the right hole you may find a few consistent rising browns and rainbows willing to take a drag free drifted size 18 Adams Parachute, size 18 blue wing olive parachute and size 20 CDC midge.

Wading upstream casting your nymphs or dries up or up and across will produce five to 12 inch wild rainbows and brown trout.

Hot Creek

Interpretive Site:

There is still enough snow on the ground to keep vehicles from accessing the Interpretive site of Hot Creek. Fly fishers will have to park on Hot Creek Hatchery Road and walk in. A mid-morning midge hatch with a few blue wing olive mayflies hatching is bringing trout to the surface. Fish with a size 20 CDC midge, size 20 Griffiths gnat, size 20 blue wing olive parachute and a size 20 Adams parachute. Nymphing the deeper holes with size 20 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 20 olive quilldigons, size 18 Frenchie’s, size 18 green/gold brassies, size 18 brassies, size 18 tiger midges, and size 18 zebra midges will fool the fish feeding on the substrate.

Fly fishers wanting to access Hot Creek Interpretive Site will need to park on Hot Creek Hatchery Road and walk in over the snow covered road.

Hot Creek

Canyon Section:

There are tire tracks out to the geothermal area. I would drive out there with caution and only in a four wheel drive with good clearance. You can park at the winter closure area, but do not park in front of Hot Creek Ranch. For those willing to access the canyon will find solitude fly fishing as few fly fishers are willing to put in the effort to access the canyon sections of Hot Creek. For those willing to make it into the canyon fish with nymphs in the deeper holes and gravel sections without weeds. The trout are taking size 18 zebra midges, size 18 tiger midges, size 18 brassies, size 18 green/gold brassies, size 18 olive quilldigons and size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs. Carry a few size 20 Adams parachutes, size 20 blue wing olive parachutes, size 20 CDC midges and size 20 Griffiths gnats for that mid-day dry fly hatch if it materializes.

Fly fishers can drive out to the upper Owens River and the sun is expected to be out starting this weekend.

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

Enough vehicles have driven the dirt road above Benton Crossing Bridge to allow vehicle access. The farther up the main dirt road and on the spur roads there has not been as much vehicle traffic to pack down the snow. Four wheel drive with good clearance is needed to access the snow covered dirt roads. For those fly fishers walking in or driving in the trophy rainbows trout are taking nymphs and streamers in the deep holes, deep runs and cutbanks. For nymphs use size 12 stoner nymphs, size 12 green/gold Prince nymphs, size 12 Richards gold ribbed hare’s ear variation, size 14 copper John’s, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 16 hot spot pheasant tail nymphs and size 16 tiger midges. Some days throwing worms, eggs and mop flies is what’s need to entice a hit from a trophy trout. Use size 14 peach tungsten tacos, size 14 peach glow bugs, red San Jaun worms in size 12, size 12 squirmy wormies and size 10 mop flies. Nymphs need to be fished right on the substrate by using enough weight on the line as split shot or with the right size tungsten bead.

Nymphing mid-day to late afternoon under an indicator or with a Euro rod is producing wild rainbows and brown trout.

Bishop Creek Canal

Behind Bishop Veterinary Hospital:

With the low water the trout have moved into the deeper holes or faster sections of deeper riffles. Nymphing under an indicator or with a Euro rig with size 18 olive quilldigons, size 12 stoner nymphs, size 16 Frenchie’s, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 tiger midges, size 18 olive midges and size 18 zebra midges is producing wild rainbows and browns. Watch your shadow as it’s cast onto the water starting in early afternoon and will spook fish.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 01-01-2026

Winter roared in last week. Gave us a few sunny days to dry out and dig out. Round two is starting off the new year with a series of storms not expected to deliver a lot of snow or rain. Upper elevation waters will need to be reevaluated after the storms for accessibility. Owens Valley dirt roads have not thoroughly dried out and this rain will just add to the mud puddles. December’s heat wave is over and it’s acting like winter weather. Fly fishers will need to be wearing layers when on the waters in the Eastern Sierra. When the storms move out the fishing will return to normal fly fishing conditions. Hatches of midges and mayflies are feeding the trout on the substrate with a few fish feeding on the surface taking the hatching insects. Happy New Years from Sierra Bright Dot.

It's winter time in the Eastern Sierra with snow in the mountains and fly fishing opportunities throughout the Eastern Sierra.

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

A few trout are rising to hatching blue wing olives middle of the day. These trout will take a size 20 blue wing olive parachute, a size 20 Adams parachute and a size 20 Griffith’s Gnat. Most of the success is coming from nymphing on the substrate under an indicator or with a Euro nymphing rig. Fish with size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 Frenchie’s, size 16 bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ears, size 18 Duracell’s, size 12 stoner nymphs, size 18 green/gold brassies and size 18 thread tiger and zebra midges. River levels are perfect for wading up stream casting nymphs and dries to trout holding spots. Fly fishers wading upstream are only limited to pools that are deeper than the fly fisher is tall.

Snow on the Mountains, rainbow and brown trout willing to take nymphs and dries on the wild trout section of the lower Owens River makes it a great winter fishery.

Hot Creek

Interpretive Site:

Access to Hot Creek Interpretive site is limited to parking on Hot Creek Hatchery Road and walking in through the snow. Trout in the creek are feeding on nymphs and the occasional dry fly. Fish with size 20 blue wing olive parachutes, size 20 Adams parachutes, size 20 Griffith’s gnats and size 20 CDC midges. Nymph with size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 Frenchie’s and size 20 thread midges in zebra and tiger coloration. Access should be the same after this week’s storms as they are not expected to bring much in the way of snow accumulation in the Hot Creek area. Once one vehicle drives into the Hot Creek Interpretive parking area other vehicles will follow.

Time to park at the winter closure sign and walk into Hot Creek Canyon and remember not to park in front of Hot Creek Ranch.

Hot Creek

Canyon Section:

Fly fishers looking to access the canyon section of the creek will be  walking in over the snow starting at the winter closure sign. Be sure not to park in front of the Hot Creek Ranch drive way. You will be towed away if you park there. The cold weather is helping break up the weed beds in the canyon. Nymphing in the open water sections will produce eight to 14 inch wild rainbows and brown trout. Nymph with size 18 Frenchie’s, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 20 green/gold brassies and size 20 thread midges in tiger and zebra coloration on the substrate. Access should be the same after this week’s storms as they are not expected to bring much in the way of snow accumulation in the Hot Creek area.

The upper Owens River with its winter coat of snow is not keeping fly fishers off the water looking for trophy trout.

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

Snow on the dirt roads out to the upper Owens River is limiting access to four wheel drive vehicles with high clearance. The main dirt road is offering good access. The spur roads above the first gate have not been driven as much as the main road meaning there is more snow to drive through. Access to the upper Owens will need to be reevaluated after the next set of storms.  The trophy rainbows are in the system and feeding on nymphs, eggs, worms and mop flies. Use size 12 stoner nymphs, size 12 green/gold wire Prince nymphs, size 12 gold ribbed hare’s ears, size 16 hot spot pheasant tail nymphs, size 14 tungsten tacos, size 14 peach glow bugs and size 12 squirmy wormy in the deep holes, deep runs and cut banks under an indicator or with a Euro rig. Key to success is having the right amount of weight in the flies or on the line with additional weight in the form of split shot.

Bishop Creek Canal has cleared up and the trout are feeding on nymphs bounced of the substrate under an indicator or a Euro rig.

 Bishop Creek Canal

Behind Bishop Veterinary Hospital:

The water cleared up after the storms and nymphs are producing rainbows and browns. Euro nymphing is getting the nymphs down on the substrate where the trout are feeding on midges and mayfly nymphs. Fish with size 12 stoner nymphs, size 16 Frenchie’s, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs and size 18 thread midges in tiger and zebra coloration. It will take a day or two for the water to clear up after the next set of storms moves through the Owens Valley.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 12-25-2025

The warm fall has come to an end. Christmas in the Sierra this year is a white one. Getting snow and lots more on the way. Looks like it will be cross country skis, snowshoes and snowmobiles to access the waters of Long Valley. Owens Valley is getting lots of rain. Dirt roads in the Owens Valley will be muddy for a week or two until they dry out. Midges and mayflies are the insects the trout are feeding on particularly the larval form of these insects. For those wishing for a white Christmas your gift has been delivered. Merry Christmas from Sierra Bright Dot.

For those that wished for a white Christmas you got your wish. Merry Christmas and Happy New Years from Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Guide Service.

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

Trout continue to feed on mayfly, stonefly and midge nymphs. Working the tell end of the riffle as it dumps into the run is where you will find the trout feeding on nymph patterns. Fish with size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph, size 18 Frenchie’s, size 16 bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ears, size 16 Duracell’s, size 12 stoner nymphs, size 18 green/gold wire brassies and size 18 tiger and zebra midges. If you’re in the right spot middle of the day you will see trout rising. Switch to a size 18 blue wing olive parachute, size 18 Adams parachute, size 18 olive sparkle dun, size 20 Griffth’s gnats and size 20 CDC midges. Key to success is getting into the river and wading upstream working your nymphs and dries up and across and thoroughly covering the water before moving up stream about 10 feet to thoroughly cover the water as you fish upstream.

Wild brown trout to 14 inches is what fly fishers are catching in the lower Owens River in December when nymphing.

Hot Creek

Interpretive Site:

Snow in feet is filling the banks of Hot Creek. Come Saturday it will be time to count the total snow fall in feet from the Christmas storm. Access to Hot Creek will be limited to fly fishers willing to snow shoe or cross country ski into the Interpretive site from the paved Hot Creek Hatchery Road. For those willing to access the Interpretive Site nymphing and dry flies are producing wild rainbow and brown trout from six to 14 inches. For dry flies use size 20 Adams parachutes, size 20 blue wing olive parachutes, size 20 olive sparkle duns, size 20 CDC midges and size 20 Griffth’s gnats. For nymphs use size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 Frenchie’s, size 20 green/gold brassies and size 20 tiger and zebra thread midges

Before the Christmas storm Hot Creek Interpretive Site was accessible by vehicle and foot.

Hot Creek

Canyon Section:

The Canyon Section of Hot Creek will need some warmer weather to open up access to the creek. For those willing to make the trek to get into Hot Creek Canyon you will be rewarded with few to no fly fishers. The weeds are slowly dying off making it easier to fish nymphs in the canyon section. If you see consistent rising fish throw a size 20 blue wing olive parachute, size 20 Adams parachute, size 20 olive sparkle dun, size 20 CDC midge, size 20 Adams bastard midge and size 20 Griffiths gnat. For the nymphs use size 20 pheasant tail emerger,  size 18 olive quilldigon, size 20 green/gold brassies and size 20 thread midges in zebra and tiger coloration.

Its been a great fall on the upper Owens River, but now winter is here and the access is limited due to the accumulation of snow.

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

Right up to the day before the storm hit the Eastern Sierra trophy rainbow trout were taking flies presented on a Euro rig or under an indicator. The trout were taking size 12 stoner nymphs, size 12 green/gold Prince nymphs, size 12 gold ribbed hare’s ears and size 16 hot spot pheasant tail nymphs. Egg patterns, worms and mop flies have been the patterns the trophy trout have been keying in on. A peach size 14 tungsten taco was the egg pattern that was producing all of the trophy trout. With the amounts of snow left on the ground by the Christmas snow storm fly fishers will need cross country skis, snow shoes or snowmobiles to access the upper Owens River deep holes, deep runs and cut banks upstream of Benton Crossing Bridge.

Bishop Creek Canal will be off color for a few days due to the amount of rain runoff that is flowing through the canal.

 Bishop Creek Canal

Behind Bishop Veterinary Hospital:

Nymphing before the storm with size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 16 green/gold brassies, size 12 stoner nymphs and size 18 thread midges in zebra and tiger colorations. It will take a few days for the runoff from the storm to move through the canal. This run off has the canal slightly higher than its been and off color. Once the canal clears up the fishing will pick back up for fly fishers nymphing with a Euro rig or under an indicator.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 12-18-2025

Winter might show up in the Eastern Sierra just in time for Christmas. Maybe snow next week just before Christmas. For now the weather has been warm and the fish are rising and feeding on nymphs. It’s been T-shirt weather middle of the day on Owens Valley waters. Midges and mayflies are what the trout are feeding on, on the substrate and on the surface. Rain or snow might make access to Long Valley waters tough depending on how much snow or rain the area gets. Muddy or snow covered roads will inhibit access.

As we head into Christmas the warm weather fly fishing and trout feeding on the surface may be coming to an end.

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

T-shirt weather and trout feeding on midges and blue wing olive mayflies has made fly fishing the lower Owens River in December memorable. It’s rare to have such warm weather and hatches bringing the trout to the surface. Size 18 blue wing olive mayflies, size 18 Adams parachutes, size 18 olive sparkle duns, size 20 CDC midges and Griffiths gnats are fooling wild brown and rainbow trout on the surface. Nymphing has been very productive for trout from five inches to 16 inches. Size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 Frenchie’s, size 16 Duracell’s, size 16 gold ribbed hare’s ears, size 12 stoner nymphs, size 18 tiger and zebra midges are fooling the trout feeding on the substrate.

Kevin Botsford from Pasadena showing off a brown trout that took a size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph fished under an indicator.

Hot Creek

Interpretive Site:

Looks like the nice warm weather is about to come to an end. Next week could see some snow on Hot Creek. Too soon to say for sure what weather to expect. Mid-morning midge and mayfly hatches have the trout feeding on the surface. Fish with a size 20 CDC midge, size 20 Griffith’s gnats, size 20 Adams parachute and size 20 blue wing olive parachute to fool the surface feeding trout. Nymphing with size 12 stoner nymphs,  size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 Frenchie’s, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 20 tiger midges, size 20 zebra midges and size 18 green/gold brassies is fooling the wild rainbow trout, brown trout and Owens River suckers.

The first of a couple of storms expected to bring snow and rain to the Hot Creek area are blowing in to the Eastern Sierra.

Hot Creek

Canyon Section:

Hot Creek Canyon can be fished with nymphs, but the weed beds are still thick enough to make nymphing in and around the weed beds tough. For fly fishers willing to work their flies in and around the weed beds be ready for your flies to get stuck. There are good numbers of trout hanging out in and around the weed beds willing to take size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 pink Frenchie’s, size 12 stoner nymphs, size 18 brassies, size 18 green/gold brassies, size 18 tiger and zebra midges, size 16 olive quill RS2 and size 18 pheasant tail paranymphs. Dry flies are producing on the surface from 10:00 A.M. to noon daily. Fish with size 20 Adams parachutes, size 20 blue wing olive parachutes, size 20 sparkle duns, size 20 CDC midges and size 20 Griffiths gnats on the surface.

For now fly fishers can drive out to the upper Owens River, but the expected storms might make it impossible to continue driving out to the upper Owens River.

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

Time will tell if the upcoming storms will leave a blanket of snow on the upper Owens River making it impossible to drive out to the river. For now the roads out to the upper Owens River are drivable with just a few mud puddles to avoid. Trophy rainbow trout continue to take nymphs and streamers in deep holes, deep runs and cut banks where they are feeding and resting. Nymphing with a Euro rig or indicator rig and enough weight to get your flies on the substrate where the trout are feeding is what is needed to catch the trophy trout. For nymphs fish with size 14 copper John’s, size 12 Richard’s gold ribbed hare’s ear variation, size 12 green/gold wire Prince nymphs and size 12 stoner nymphs. For streamers use size 6 and 10 wooly buggers, slumpbusters, matuka’s and balanced leeches.

Nymphing middle of the day with stoner nymphs and olive quilldigons is producing wild brown trout and hold over hatchery rainbow trout.

Bishop Creek Canal

Behind Bishop Veterinary Hospital:

Thoroughly fishing the flats and riffles with nymphs is producing wild brown trout and hold over hatchery rainbow trout. Nymphing with size 12 stoner nymphs, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 brassies, size 18 green/gold brassies and size 18 tiger and zebra thread midges is fooling the trout feeding on the substrate. Best fishing has been middle of the day from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 12-11-2025

Unprecedented warm weather has descended on the Eastern Sierra in mid-December. Mid-day temperatures are perfect for insects to hatch. Hatches of mayflies and midges have the trout feeding on the surface and on the substrate. Dirt roads are drying out, but there are still a few mud puddles on the dirt roads that fly fishers should be avoiding. Dry fly fishing in December is a treat and is happening on Eastern Sierra waters middle of the day.

Fall like weather is making fly fishing in the Eastern Sierra fun with midges and mayflies fished on the surface and on the substrate.

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

Mid-day temperatures in the upper 60’s has fly fishers wearing T-shirts and sun shirts. Cold weather creeps back in as the sun goes down. Then it’s time to put the jacket back on. Mid-morning to mid-afternoon the trout are feeding on blue wing olive mayflies and midges. For nymphs fish with size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 Frenchies, size 18 midges in tiger, zebra and blood coloration and size 18 green/gold brassies. If you’re in the right spot when the mayfly hatch goes off and the trout are consistently feeding on the surface it’s time to fish with size 18 blue wing olive parachutes, size 18 Adam parachutes and size 18 olive sparkle duns. Dry flies are consistently producing five to eight inch wild browns and rainbows. Nymphs are producing five inch to 16 inch trout

Indicator nymphing with a size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph fooled a wild brown trout for Matt Roosen on the lower Owens River .

Hot Creek

Interpretive Site:

The mid-day warm weather is bringing trout to the surface for blue wing olive mayflies. Making an accurate cast and getting a drag free drift is how to fool the picky trout of Hot Creek. If the trout are refusing your dry fly try going down a size on your tippet. Start with 5X tippet and drop down to 6X tippet if the fish are not taking your flies. Fish with size 20 olive sparkle duns, size 20 Adams parachutes, size 20 blue wing olive parachutes, size 20 Griffith’s gnats, and size 20 CDC midges.

This Hot Creek rainbow took a size 16 pink Frenchie fished as part of a three fly Euro Rig fished at Hot Creek Interpretive site.

Hot Creek

Canyon Section:

Weed beds are still present in Hot Creek Canyon making it hard to drift flies to the trout. Dry flies are easier to cast into the narrow lanes between the weed beds. Nymphs are easier to fish in the riffles and pools devoid of weed beds. When nymphing use size 18 olive quilldigons, size 12 stoner nymphs, size 16 pink Frenchie’s, size 18 brassies, size 18 green/gold brassies, size 18 tiger and zebra midges, size 18 pheasant tail paranymphs and size 18 olive quill RS2’s. Fish with size 20 CDC midge, size 20 Adams midge, size 20 Griffiths gnats size 20 Adams parachutes, size 20 blue wing olive parachutes and size 20 olive sparkle duns on the surface.

The upper Owens River is missing its coat of snow and looks more like October than December.

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

With the warm weather the dirt roads accessing the upper Owens River above Benton Crossing Bridge are slowly drying out. Fly fishers still need to avoid the few remaining muddy patches on the spur roads leading out to the river. Trophy rainbows are resting and feeding in the deep holes, deep pools and cut banks. Success is covering the water with enough cast to get your flies and the trout in the same space in the water. The trophy trout move around in the holes so that your flies may not be drifting where the trout are. Hence lots of casts are required to get the flies where the trout are. Nymph under an indicator or with a Euro rig with size 12 green/gold prince nymphs, size 12 stoner nymphs, size 12 gold ribbed hare’s ears variations and size 14 copper John’s. There are resident six to 12 inch rainbows and browns that will take size 18 blue wing olive parachutes, size 18 Adams parachutes, size 18 olive quilldigons and size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs.

Nymphing Bishop Creek Canal with a size 18 olive quilldigon and size 12 stoner nymph is producing wild brown trout and hold over stocked rainbow trout.

Bishop Creek Canal

Behind Bishop Veterinary Hospital:

Bishop Creek Canal is easier to fish after DWP dredge the canal. The trout are feeding mid-day on mayflies and midges. Smaller fish are feeding on size 20 blue wing olive parachutes, size 20 Adams parachutes, size 18 Griffith’s gnats and size 20 CDC midges. Nymphing with size 12 stoner nymphs and size 18 olive quilldigons is fooling wild and hold over stocked trout fished in the slow flat sections of the canal.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 12-04-2025

Fall is quickly looking like winter. Amazing how the trees leaves turned bright yellows and reds and how quickly the leaves are gone. Time to pick up all the leaves around the yard. It’s quickly looking like winter in the Eastern Sierra. Best fly fishing is in the middle of the day when insects are most active and trout are feeding on mayflies and midges. Brown trout spawning is coming to an end. Rainbows and browns are feeding on nymphs and dries and providing action for those taking the time to fly fish in the Eastern Sierra in December.

The trees have lost their leaves, winter is knocking on the door and the trout continue to feed on midges and mayflies on the substrate and on the surface.

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

Suns out, but day time temperatures are not going much over 60 degrees. It’s time to wear a sweat shirt or jacket when fly fishing on the river. With the low flows fly fishers can access all the waters that are not fishable from the banks by getting in the river and wading upstream presenting dries and nymphs. Fishing nymphs with a Euro rig or under an indicator is producing five inch to 16 inch rainbows and browns with size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 Frenchies, size 18 green/gold brassies and zebra and tiger midges in size 18. If there are enough fish feeding on the surface switch to a size 18 blue wing olive parachute, size 18 Adams parachute and size 18 olive sparkle duns.

Middle of the day is the perfect time to nymph the lower Owens River with baetis nymph patterns.

Hot Creek

Interpretive Site:

Mid-day mayfly and midge hatches have the Interpretive Site trout feeding on the surface. A will placed dry fly that gets a drag free drift will fool the selectively feeding trout. Fish with size 20 Adams parachutes, size 20 blue wing olive parachutes, size 20 olive sparkle duns, size 20 Griffiths gnats, size 20 Adams midges and size 20 CDC midges. Nymphing with size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 Frenchie’s, size 18 green/gold brassies, size 18 brassies, size 18 tiger and zebra midges, size 18 pheasant tail paranymphs, size 18 olive quill RS2 and size 16 Duracell will produce trout feeding on the substrate on nymphs and in the water column for emergers.

The deep holes and riffles in the Interpretive site is where you will find the trout feeding on blue wing olive mayflies and midge mid-day.

Hot Creek

Canyon Section:

Weed beds and low water flows makes nymphing in the Canyon Section of Hot Creek tough. The trout are there if you can get your flies to the trout. Working the deeper holes and riffles are easier with nymphs than the weed beds. Fish with size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 Frenchies, size 18 green/gold brassies, size 18 brassies, size 18 tiger and zebra midges, size 18 pheasant tail paranymphs, size 18 olive quill RS2 and size 16 Duracell will fool the trout feeding on emergers and nymphs. Dry flies are easier to fish in and around the weed beds with minimal snagging of the weeds. Fish with size 20 Adams parachutes, size 20 blue wing olive parachutes, size 20 olive sparkle duns, size 20 Griffiths gnats, size 20 Adams midges and size 20 CDC midge.

The dirt roads to access the upper Owens River are drivable and the trophy trout are in the deep holes, deep runs and cut banks resting and feeding.

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

The main dirt road above Benton Crossing Bridge is in fine shape. The spur roads off the main road leading out to the river have lots of mud and the occasional pool of water. It’s slippery driving and if you’re not careful it’s easy to mess up and get stuck in the mud. Trophy rainbows and the occasional brown trout continue to be the trout sought after by fly fishers. Nymphing up stream of Benton Crossing Bridge is good particularly the farther upstream you go. Fish with size 12 stone nymphs, size 12 green/gold wire prince nymphs, size 12 gold ribbed hare’s ears variations and size 14 copper John’s for the trophy trout. Fishing with eggs, San Juan worms and mop flies are producing trophy trout for some anglers. Fishing for the resident trout use size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs and size 16 bead head flash  back gold ribbed hare’s ears. For anglers moving down stream fishing with streamers cover lots of water to offer your streamer to those trophy fish wanting a bigger meal. Fish with size 6 or 10 slumpbusters, wooly buggers, matukas and balanced leeches.

Bishop Creek Canal got dredged last week, but trout this week are taking nymphs like an olive quilldigon and stoner nymph.

Bishop Creek Canal

Behind Bishop Veterinary Hospital:

Bishop Creek Canal was dredged last week by the Department of Water and Power. This has opened up the canal making it easier to nymph now that the weeds and tulles have been removed. Nymphing on a Tenkara rod, Euro nymphing and indicator nymphing with size 12 stoner nymphs, size 16 Frenchie’s, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 16 Duracell nymphs, size 18 green/gold brassies and size 18 midges in zebra and tiger coloration are the nymphs that are producing trout. Best fishing has been mid-day from 10:00 to 2:00. Nymphing is producing wild and stocked brown and rainbow trout from seven to 12 inches.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 11-27-2025

Thanksgiving weekend will be a great time to be in the Eastern Sierra fly fishing. Thanksgiving day and Friday will be great fall weather. Look for slightly cooler days and maybe precipitation next week. Warm days and good fishing is in store for Thanksgiving fly fishers visiting the Eastern Sierra. Trophy trout, resident trout and juvenile trout are feeding on dry flies, nymphs and streamers. Mayflies and midges are the primary insects that are feeding the trout. Still seeing a few caddis on Eastern Sierra Waters.

Sunny days and fall weather, jackets in the morning and evening, two light layers during the day, and trout feeding on dries and nymphs makes this the perfect time to be fly fishing in the Eastern Sierra.

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

Mornings are cold enough to wear a sweat shirt. Mid-day is warm enough for a T-shirt and a wicking layer. A mid-day mayfly hatch has the trout feeding on the surface and on the substrate. On the surface fish with a size 18 Adams parachute, size 18 blue wing olive parachute and a size 18 olive sparkle dun. On the substrate fish with a size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph, size 18 olive quilldigon, size 18 Frenchies, size 16 Duracell, size 18 olive quill RS2 and size 12 stoner nymph. Rainbows and browns from 17 inches to four inches are the trout fly fishers are catching in the lower Owens River. Roads are drying out with one or two deep puddles to drive through on Chalk Bluff Road.

Trout from four to 17 inches have been feeding all day on mayfly nymphs and dries.

Hot Creek

Interpretive Site:

The warm weather has melted most of the snow at the Interpretive sight. Fishing with nymphs and dries is producing trout for the fly fisher fishing mid-morning. Nymphing with size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 Frenchies, size 18 brassies, size 18 green/gold brassies and midge nymphs in size 18 in zebra and tiger coloration is fooling wild brown and rainbow trout to 14 inches.

It does not take long for the warm weather to melt the snow on Hot Creek in the fall.

 Hot Creek

Canyon Section:

The weed beds are breaking up making it easier to nymph fish in the Canyon Section of Hot Creek. Look for the openings in the weed beds, the riffle sections and deeper pools to fish you nymphs in. Fish with size 18 midges in zebra and tiger colorations, size 18 brassies, size 18 green/gold brassies, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs and size 12 olive scuds. If there is enough trout feeding on the surface use size 20 blue wing olive parachutes, size 20 Adams parachutes and size 18 Griffiths gnats.

Sometimes it’s better to fish the inside bend instead of the outside bend of the river on the Upper Owens River.

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

Dirt roads above Benton Crossing Bridge are drying out from the melting snow. Watch out for the mud as its slippery and easy to get stuck in with your vehicle. Trophy rainbows continue to offer the best opportunity for catching trophy trout. There are a few trophy brown trout still in the system being caught. Fish with size 12 stoner nymphs, size 12 green/gold wire Prince nymphs, size 12 gold ribbed hare’s ear variations, size 14 copper John’s, size 12 Duracell’s and size 16 hot spot pheasant tail nymphs in the deep holes, deep runs and cut banks where the trophy trout are resting and feeding. Fishing with streamers is producing trophy trout for fly fishers fishing with size 6 and 10 wooly buggers, size 10 balanced leeches, size 6 and 10 olive slumpbusters and size 6 and 10 olive or yellow matukas. The Owens River below Benton Crossing Bridge is closed.

City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power has dredged the canal and has slowed down fly fishing.

Bishop Creek Canal

Behind Bishop Veterinary Hospital:

City of Los Angels Department of Water and Power has dredged Bishop Creek Canal. This has temporarily slowed down the fly fishing in the canal. The trout are still there, but with most of the weed beds gone the trout are wary as they have no ware to hide. Prior to the dredging the trout were feeding on small mayfly nymphs and dries. On the surface the trout were taking size 20 Adams parachutes, size 20 blue wing olive parachutes and size 20 olive sparkle duns. Under the surface a size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph, size 18 olive quilldigon, size 16 Duracell and size 16 Frenchie’s have been fooling the canal trout. Bishop Creek Canal is under winter regulations catch and release with barbless lures and flies through the Friday preceding the last Saturday in April.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 11-20-2025

Winter has come to the Eastern Sierra this week. Owens Valley got snow that did not last more than one morning. Upper elevations waters have snow on the ground and limited access. Backcountry waters are frozen up for the winter and will not thaw until late spring or early summer. Expect warming over the weekend. Rain and snow has kept most fly fishers off the water. For those fly fishers equipped to handle the weather are being rewarded with fish. This weekend should see the Eastern Sierra dry out and offer good fall days on the water. Eastern Sierra waters are now under winter regulations. Most moving waters are now catch and release barbless lures and flies. Resort lakes are closed tell April. All other lakes are open to year round fishing. Mayflies and midges are the insects trout will be feeding on all winter. Time to stock up on midge nymphs, blue wing olive dry flies and baetis nymphs.

The best part of a winter storm in the Eastern Sierra is when the sun comes out and the trout are feeding.

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

Rain and snow during the week has slowed down the fly fishers fishing on the wild trout section of the lower Owens River. Those dressed for the conditions are finding trout taking their nymphs. Weekend is supposed to dry out and fly fishing should be good with both nymphs and dries. Mid-day mayfly hatches have the trout feeding on the substrate and on the surface. For nymphs fish with size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 Frenchie’s and size 18 olive quill RS2. On the surface fish size 18 Adams parachutes, size 18 blue wing olive parachutes and size 18 olive sparkle duns. Fly fishers are landing four inch to 16 inch wild rainbows and browns.

An afternoon of fly fishing the lower Owens River as the storm brews up in the mountains..

Hot Creek

Interpretive Site:

We are heading into winter and midges and baetis mayflies will be the active insects the trout will be feeding on. The key to success as we head into winter will be placing the flies right in front of the trout. As the water temperatures drop the trout’s calorie intake decreases. Make lots of casts with your flies to areas you know are holding fish. Fish with size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 brassies, size 18 green/gold brassies, size 18 tiger midges, size 18 zebra midges and size 18 blood midges. Carry size 20 Adams parachutes, size 20 blue wing olive parachutes and size 20 Griffiths gnats for those times the trout are feeding on the surface.

Snow on the ground in Hot Creek Canyon has slowed access to the creek, but the trout continue to feed on nymphs and dries..

Hot Creek

Canyon Section:

The cold weather and lack of daylight is helping to break up the weed beds in the canyon section of Hot Creek. Nymphing with size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 Frenchie’s, size 18 green/gold brassies and size 20 midges in tiger and zebra coloration is producing eight to 10 inch wild rainbows and browns. On overcast days look for hatching blue wing olive mayflies and midges. On the surface fish with size 20 Adams parachutes, size 20 blue wing olive parachutes, size 20 olive sparkle duns.

Nymphing with size 12 stoner nymphs are fooling trophy rainbow trout in the upper Owens River like this one laying in the river in the net.

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

Access is limited with the snow on the roads leading out to the upper Owens River. Highly suggest using four wheel drive vehicles to access the upper Owens River. Remember if you get stuck you will need to call Frosty4Wheeler at (760) 625-4537. Trophy rainbows are providing most of the action for fly fishers. Fishing the deep runs, deep pools and cut banks with size 12 green/gold Prince nymphs, size 12 stoner nymphs, size 12 gold ribbed hare’s ears variations, size 14 copper John’s and size 16 hot spot pheasant tail nymphs are fooling the trophy trout that are resting and feeding on their journey up the river. The Owens River below Benton Crossing Bridge is closed.

Hold over rainbow trout are taking size 18 pheasant tail nymphs and size 12 stoner nymphs..

Bishop Creek Canal

Behind Bishop Veterinary Hospital:

Drizzle and rain has slowed down the mid-day hatch of mayflies that have juvenile rainbows and  brown trout coming to the surface. Dry fly fishing should be good over the weekend as the Owens Valley dries out from the week’s storms. On the surface fish with a size 20 Adams parachute, size 20 blue wing olive parachute and a size 16 Adams parachute, as your indicator fly. Nymphing under an indicator or with a Euro nymph rig is producing wild brown trout and stocked rainbow trout. Nymph with size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 Frenchie’s, size 18 olive quill RS2’s and midges in size 20 in zebra and tiger coloration. Bishop Creek Canal is under winter regulations catch and release with barbless lures and flies through the Friday preceding the last Saturday in April.