Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 04-23-2026

OPENING WEEKEND

I’ve been coming to the Eastern Sierras since the beginning of the 1970’s. As a kid it was a big spectacular. Cars, truck, RV’s and boats traveling up and down HWY 395. Getting a boat checked into Crowley Lake was waiting in a line on HWY 395 that stretched half way between the Rock Creek exit and the Crowley Lake exit and took an hour or two to get through. These days there is no expectations on fly fishing waters of the Eastern Sierra with the exception of those waters that are closed and will open on April 25, 2026 like Crowley Lake and the East Walker River. Looks like a slight chance of rain or snow for the opener. Totally expected. Weather has been warm with lots of wind. Hatches of mayflies, caddis and midges are feeding the trout. Fly fishers are fishing with streamers, nymphs and dry flies and are catching trout.

As daylight increases, the temperatures increase, plants turn green and the snow begins to recede from the mountain tops it is the start of spring time fly fishing in the Eastern Sierra.

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

Flows were expected to increase to over 300 CFS in mid-April. It did not happen. Flows are fluctuating from a low of 150 CFS to a high of 285 CFS. Right now the flows are fluctuating around 200 CFS. I suggest checking flows daily so you know what to expect when wading in the lower Owens River. You can check the lower Owens River flows here: Lower Owens River: http://wsoweb.ladwp.com/Aqueduct/realtime/norealtime.htm. There are hatching mayflies, but the trout are not consistently rising to them. Nymphing under an indicator or with a Euro rig is what’s producing the trout. Use size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 Frenchie’s, size 16 Duracell nymphs, size 16 rainbow warriors and size 12 stoner nymphs. At these flows make sure you have the right amount of weight in the flies or on the tippet in the form of split shot to slowly roll your flies along the substrate.

At 200 CFS the lower Owens River looks daunting, but if you’re in the right section it’s wadable if you’re a confident wader.

Hot Creek

Interpretive Site:

With a few storms moving through the Eastern Sierra and leaving snow on the ground it’s not affecting access to Hot Creek Interpretive site. What snow is stacking up is melted by the afternoon or the next day when the temperatures climb back up. Look for hatching mayflies and midges in the mornings. Start off with a size 20 Griffiths gnat or a size 20 CDC midge when you get on the water in the morning. Once you see the blue wing olive mayflies hatching mid to late morning switch to a size 20 blue wing olive parachute, size 20 olive sparkle dun and size 20 Adams parachute.

Hot Creek Canyon offers good nymph fishing opportunities in the spring before the weed beds take over the stream.

Hot Creek

Canyon Section:

Spring is the time to nymph fish in the canyon section before the weed bed growth inhibits your nymphs ability to properly float to the trout feeding on the substrate in between the weed beds. Fish your nymphs with a dry and dropper rig or with a Euro rig. Nymph with size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 Frenchie’s, size 16 Duracell nymphs,  size 18 soft hackle brassies, size 18 tiger midge and size 18 zebra midge. Work your nymphs in and around the weed beds and concentrate your drifts in the deep holes and riffles without weed beds. For the dry fly in the dry and dropper rig use a size 16 Adams parachute, size 16 elk hair caddis and a size 14 stimulator.

Working the deep holes, deep runs and cut banks with nymphs and streamers is how you fool the trophy cutthroats.

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

Cutthroat season is approaching. Saw my first cutthroats of the season in the river, but did not target them. Concentrated on fishing for the resident six to 12 inch wild rainbows and browns. For dry flies fish with size 16 and 18 elk hair caddis, size 18 Adams parachutes and size 18 blue wing olive parachutes. For nymphs fish with size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph, size 18 olive quilldigons and size 16 thread midges in zebra and tiger coloration. Fish the deep holes, deep runs and cut banks with size 12 stoner nymphs, size 12 green/gold Prince nymphs, size 14 copper John’s and a size 12 Richard’s variation of a gold ribbed hare’s ear for the resting and feeding trophy cutthroats. Pulling a size 10 or size 6 olive wooly bugger, black wooly bugger, olive matuka, olive slumpbuster, muddle minnow and Hornberg’s will fool a few of the trophy cutthroat trout. Key to success with streamers is to cover lots of water and only throw a few casts in each area you are fishing.

Bishop Creek Canal offers a good spot to practice fly fishing techniques as there is lots of fish in the creek and very few stream side obstacles for fly fishers to hang up on.

Bishop Creek Canal

Behind Bishop Veterinary Hospital:

Bishop Creek Canal is a great practice water with little to no stream side vegetation. When the winds come up there is no protection on the canal and fly casting is tough. Trout are feeding on mayflies on the substrate and on the surface. Fish on the surface with size 18 Adams parachutes, size 18 olive sparkle duns, size 18 blue wing olive parachutes, size 18 Griffiths gnats and size 18 CDC midges. On the substrate fish with size 16 Duracell’s, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 16 bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ears, size 12 stoner nymphs and size 18 thread midges in zebra and tiger coloration.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 04-16-2026

With a snow storm that squeaked into the upper elevations of the Eastern Sierra over last weekend, it now is looking like April in the Eastern Sierra. Look for another storm end of the weekend or beginning of the week. I will not be surprised if we have a snow storm for opening weekend. In between the storms look for good fly fishing waters in the Eastern Sierra. Hatches of mayflies, midges and caddis are providing the food for the trout to feed on. Dry flies, nymphs and streamers are producing trout in the still waters and streams of the Eastern Sierra.

Fly fishers plying the waters of the Eastern Sierra are being treated to trout that are feeding on dries, nymphs and streamers.

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

Fluctuating flows are staying under 250 CFS. For those willing to wade at these levels are finding trout willing to take flies. Nymphing with an indicator or a Euro outfit is producing trout in the edge of the river where the water is slower. Fish with size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 Frenchie’s, size 16 rainbow warriors and size 16 Duracell nymphs. Key to success is having the right amount of weight in the flies or as split shot on your tippet.

Wading the river is the only way to present flies in those sections of the river with riparian vegetation is blocking access to the banks.

Hot Creek

Interpretive Site:

Spring like weather on Hot Creek means bring a jacket. Look for trout rising to the hatching midges and mayflies in the Interpretive Site. Use size 20 blue wing olive mayflies, size 20 olive sparkle duns, size 20 Adams parachutes, size 20 Griffiths gnats and size 20 CDC midges. Look for consistently rising trout and cast your fly to that trout. It may take up to 15 casts to get the drift and timing down to fool the trout. Once you hook one trout look for a second trout to target. Casting and fooling specific rising trout is a great way to fish the Interpretive Site of Hot  Creek.

The end of the trail is where fly fishers like to work their dry flies in the deep hole that contains lots of surface feeding wild trout.

Hot Creek

Canyon Section:

Winds get concentrated in the Canyon Section of Hot Creek so getting on the creek in the mornings is a way to avoid the afternoon winds that show up every afternoon. Weed beds are just starting to grow so it is the perfect time to fish the creek with nymphs. Fish the deeper holes and riffle sections without weeds. If you don’t mind hanging up on the weeds or losing a fly or two work your flies in and around the weed beds. A dry and dropper rig is a great way to nymph in the Canyon Section of Hot Creek. For the dry fly use a size 16 Adams parachute, size 16 elk hair caddis and a size 14 stimulator. For the nymphs use a size 18 olive quilldigon, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph, size 18 Frenchie, size 16 Duracell, size 18 green/gold brassie, size 18 soft hackle brassie, size 18 thread midges in tiger and zebra coloration.

It’s important for young fly fishers to be successful when learning to fly fish particularly when indicator nymph fishing.

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

One day it’s perfectly warm like a nice June day and the next day it’s a typical spring day with lots of wind and cooler temperatures. Spring weather is unsettled and fly fishers should be prepared for warm days as well as snowy days. The trophy rainbow trout run is pretty much done for the year and the cutthroats are not in the river yet. Working the deep holes, deep runs and cut banks with size 12 stoner nymphs, size 12 green/gold Prince nymphs, size 14 copper John’s, size 10 matukas, size 10 wooly buggers and size 10 slumpbusters is producing a few fish in the trophy trout size range. For the resident six to 12 inch rainbows and browns fish with size 16 bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ears, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 tiger midges, size 18 zebra midges and size 18 green/gold brassies. The mid-day blue wing olive hatch has been sporadic. If you’re on the right piece of water on the right day you will find trout feeding on size 18 blue wing olive parachutes and size 18 Adams parachutes.

Hooked up on Bishop Creek Canal while fishing a size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph under an indicator.

Bishop Creek Canal

Behind Bishop Veterinary Hospital:

The waters cleared up and the trout are feeding on nymphs and dries. Fishing the faster moving sections of the canal has been more productive. Fishing a size 18 Adams parachute and a size 18 blue wing olive parachute and targeting the mid-day rising rainbows and browns is a fun way to spend and hour or two fly fishing on Bishop Creek Canal. Nymphing anytime of the day with size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 16 bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ears, size 18 Frenchie’s, size 16 Duracell’s and size 12 stoner nymphs is fooling the wild trout of Bishop Creek Canal.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 04-09-2026

It’s acting like spring in the Eastern Sierra. No that’s not right. We normally have cold and windy springs in the Eastern Sierra. This week feels more like June than April. It’s been in the 80’s in the Owens Valley and the mid-70’s at upper elevation waters. Remember almost every opening weekend it snows or is very windy and cold. With the warm weather has come hatches of midges, mayflies and caddis. Nymphing continues to be the most consistent method of fly fishing. When the trout are consistently rising to the emerging insects put away the nymphs and tie on a dry fly rig. North Landing Road, the road that allows access to Green Banks, Sandy Point and the north side of McGee Bay, will continue to be closed through June. Expect this to be lifted when the lake levels recede probably sometime in June.

Warm days, trout feeding on nymphs and dries and mountains with the snow quickly receding is what fly fishers can expect to find on waters in the Eastern Sierra.

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

Flows are fluctuating daily from 185 CFS to 250 CFS. At 250 CFS you better be a good wader to handle the water flows. I’m done with the lower Owens unless it stay consistently under 200 CFS. For those that have battled the higher flows are finding trout willing to take their nymphs when using enough weight in the flies or on the line as split shot. Nymph under an indicator or a Euro rig with size 18 olive quilldigon, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 Frenchie’s, size 16 rainbow warriors and size 16 Duracell’s.

Battling the river is hard work when the flows are in the 200 CFS range even for experienced fly fishers.

Hot Creek

Interpretive Site:

The weather is bringing out the fly fishers to enjoy what feels like a June day not an early April day. The warm weather has the midges and mayflies hatching. Fish with size 20 blue wing olive parachutes, size 20 olive sparkle duns and size 20 Adams parachutes, size 20 CDC midges and size 20 Griffiths gnats. Key to success is to be on the water before the hatches start and fish your dry fly with a drag free drift targeting rising trout.

The Canyon Section of Hot Creek offers good nymphing this time of the year as the weed beds are at their lowest in the season.

Hot Creek

Canyon Section:

Nymphing in the Canyon Section of Hot Creek produces more and bigger wild brown and rainbow trout. The key to success is working your nymphs on the substrate, but not spooking the trout. Using a dry and dropper instead of an indicator will allow the dry fly to land on the surface gently without spooking the trout. A Euro rig also allows the fly fisher to get a drag free drift and not spook the trout from the splashing of the indicator on the creeks surface. For the dry fly use a size 16 Adams parachute, size 14 stimulator, size 16 elk hair caddis and a size 16 royal Wulff. For the nymph use a size 18 olive quilldigon, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph, size 18 Frenchie, size 16 Duracell, size 18 green/gold brassie, size 18 soft hackle brassie, size 18 thread midges in tiger and zebra coloration.

Euro nymphing with a three fly rig of a stoner, olive quilldigon and green/gold Prince nymph produced rainbows and browns in the deep holes and deep runs of the upper Owens River.

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

June like weather makes fly fishing the upper Owens River in April a joy. Wore a T-shirt all day and was not to hot and not to cold. The trophy rainbow trout are just about done for the season. For fly fishes willing to work lots or water with nymphs or streamers are finding a few trophy rainbow trout. Use size 12 stoner nymphs, size 12 green/gold Prince nymphs, size 14 copper John’s and size 12 Richard’s variation of a gold ribbed hare’s ear, size 10 olive wooly bugger, size 10 olive matuka, size 10 olive slumpbuster, size 10 muddler minnow and size 10 Hornberg. There is a mid-day hatch of blue wing olive mayflies that the resident six to 12 inch rainbows and browns are feeding on. For dry flies fish with size 18 blue wing olive parachutes, size 18 Adams parachutes, size 18 elk hair caddis and size 18 X-caddis. For nymphs use size 18 olive quilldigon, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph, size 16 bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ear, size 16 Duracell’s, size 18 Frenchie’s and size 16 rainbow warriors.

Fishing nymphs and dries in Bishop Creek Canal is producing wild brown and rainbow trout with size 18 olive quilldigons and size 18 blue wing olive parachutes.

 Bishop Creek Canal

Behind Bishop Veterinary Hospital:

With higher flows fly fishers using nymphs need to be sure they have the right amount of weight in their flies or on their tippets in the form of a split shot. The early afternoon blue wing olive mayfly hatch is bringing trout to the surface to feed on the hatching mayflies. Use size 18 blue wing olive parachutes, size 18 olive sparkle duns and size 18 Adams parachutes. Under an indicator or with a Euro rig use a size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph, size 12 stoner nymph, size 18 olive quilldigon, size 18 Frenchie and size 16 Duracell nymphs.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 04-02-2026

A little weather system moved through the Eastern Sierra this week and we are back to normal April temperatures. Dry flies, nymphs and streamers are producing wild and stocked trout for fly fishers. The mountains still have lots of snow up high. Dirt roads in the 7,000 foot elevation are dried out and are drivable. Springs in the Eastern Sierra (April and May) are cold and windy. I’ve been in shorts and Jackets this week. A quick reminder that most moving waters in the Eastern Sierra are under winter regulations through April 24th, 2026. Catch and release with barbless flies and lures are in effect. Go to the CDFW Inland Sport Fishing regulations PDF for the regulations on page 33 for general trout regulations and for waters with special regulations on page 72.

Dry flies are producing trout in moving waters as spring moves into the Eastern Sierra like this brown that took a size 18 blue wing olive parachute.

 Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

Flows on the lower Owens River at the time of this writing is at 220 CFS which is high, but wadable for strong fly fishers. I’m expecting flows to go over 300 CFS very soon and at those levels it’s unsafe to wade in the lower Owens River. Nymphing will produce most of your fish. Use weight in the flies or as split shot added to your tippet. Nymph with size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 Frenchie’s, size 16 Duracell’s and size 16 rainbow warriors. Be sure to carry some size 18 blue wing olive parachutes for those trout feeding on the surface on the emerging blue wing olive mayflies.

At 225 CFS the lower Owens River is tough to wade and fish with nymphs as it will take the right amount weight to keep nymphs bouncing along the substrate.

Hot Creek

Interpretive Site:

With easy vehicle access and nice spring weather Hot Creek Interpretive Site is getting pressure from fly fishers. Dry flies are producing the wild brown and rainbow trout of Hot Creek Interpretive Site. Use size 20 blue wing olive parachutes, size 20 olive sparkle duns, size 20 Adams parachutes, size 20 CDC midges and size 20 Griffiths gnats. Target specific rising trout and present your dry fly with a drag free drift on 5X or 6X monofilament tippets.

Nymphing in the Canyon Section of Hot Creek is producing wild rainbow and brown trout to 14 inches.

Hot Creek

Canyon Section:

Nymphing with a dry and dropper or a Euro rig is producing wild trout to 14 inches. Nymphing is tough as it’s hard to get a drag free drift with all the vegetation in the creek. Work your nymphs in the holes and the shallow areas free of weeds. Fish with size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 Frenchie’s, size 16 Duracell nymphs, size 18 green/gold brassies, size 18 brassies and size 18 thread midges in zebra and tiger coloration.

Doug hooked up to an upper Owens River rainbow that took a Hornberg he tied over 30 years ago on the suggestion of Bob Slamal from Riverside Ski and Sport.

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

Weather has been more like summer not spring on the upper Owens River. Mid-day blue wing olive hatches are feeding the small resident trout. Use size 18 blue wing olive parachutes, size 18 olive sparkle duns, size 18 Adams parachute, size 18 elk hair caddis and size 18 X-caddis on the surface. There are a few trophy trout in the system taking streamers and nymphs. Fish the deep holes, deep runs and cutbanks with size 12 stoner nymphs, size 12 green/gold wire Prince nymphs, size 12 Richard’s variation of a gold ribbed hare’s ear, size 14 copper John’s size 10 olive slumpbusters, size 10 olive matuka’s, size 6 wooly buggers and size 6 hornbergs.

Flows on Bishop Creek Canal doubled at the beginning of the week and for the first few days the water was very dirty as the increased flows pushed debris downstream.

Bishop Creek Canal

Behind Bishop Veterinary Hospital:

A reminder that the canal is under winter regulations which are catch and release with barbless lures and flies through April 24th. On Monday the flows in the canal doubled as downstream irrigation requirements required the increased flows.  Nymphing before the hatches with size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 Frenchie’s, size 18 rainbow warriors, size 18 olive quill RS2’s and size 18 thread midges in zebra and tiger colorations. On the surface fish with size 18 blue wing olive parachutes, size 18 olive sparkle duns, size 18 Adams parachutes, size 20 Griffith’s gnats and size 20 CDC midges. With the increased flows be sure to up the amount of weight in your flies or the amount of split shots on your tippets.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 03-26-2026

The heat wave continues. With Lower Owens River flows over 300 CFS the lower Owens River is done until the flows lower probably sometime in October. Snow is melting and dirt roads are drying out at about the 7,000 foot level. Hatches and nymphs of midges, mayflies and the occasional caddis are creating the food source for the trout in the waters of the Eastern Sierra. Summer like weather is making it pleasant to be fishing the waters in the Eastern Sierra particularly above 5,000 feet.

Long Valley waters are drying out with this summer like weather that the Eastern Sierra has had for several weeks and the fish are feeding on nymphs and dries.

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

Winter fly fishing on the lower Owens River is over for this winter season. Flows are above the 300 CFS level which makes wading the lower Owens River unsafe. The river can be fished at levels over 300 CFS, but it’s tough fishing due to very little bank fly fishing opportunities. Normally the winter season ends late April to very early May when DWP needs to make room in Crowley Lake for the snow runoff. With the warm weather snow up to the 7,000 foot level and slightly beyond has melted and filled up Crowley Lake. Expect flows to increase to 500 CFS or more and stay there throughout the summer months

At 185 CFS the lower Owens River was tough to wade and fish and now that it’s over 300 CFS, its done until the flows come down sometime this fall.

Hot Creek

Interpretive Site:

Easy access to Hot Creek makes fly fishing the creek open to fly fishers now that winters blanket of snow is gone. Look for hatches of mayflies and midges. Early morning is when you will see the midges on the water. For the midges on the surface use size 20 Griffiths gnats, size 20 CDC midges and size 20 midge emergers. For the mayflies use size 20 blue wing olive parachutes, size 20 olive sparkle duns and size 20 Adams parachutes. Key to success is using nine to 12 foot leaders tapered to 5X and 6X and presenting the flies with a drag free drift.

Fly fishers in the Interpretive site of Hot Creek are having luck fishing dry flies on the surface for the trout feeding on hatching mayflies and midges.

Hot Creek

Canyon Section:

Nymphing in the canyon is at its best this time of year as the weed beds are at their smallest level. Working the open areas and in and around the weed beds with a dry and dropper rig or a Euro rig will produce the wild rainbow and brown trout that inhabit the Canyon Section of Hot Creek. Use size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 Frenchie’s, size 18 green/gold brassies, size 18 soft hackle brassies, size 18 olive quill RS2 and  size 18 thread midges in tiger and zebra coloration

Working the deep holes, deep runs and cut banks where the trophy rainbow trout are feeding and resting with nymphs is producing the trophy trout.

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

The snow is gone and so is most of the mud. There are a few mud puddles on the spur roads leading out to the river. Drive with caution when dealing with mud and mud puddles. There are still trophy rainbows in the river willing to take nymphs, eggs, worms and mop flies. The trophy trout holding in the deep runs, deep holes and cut banks are resting and feeding. Work your nymphs through these waters thoroughly. Nymph under an indicator or with a Euro rig with size 12 stoner nymphs, size 12 green/gold Prince nymphs, size 12 Richard’s variation of a gold ribbed hare’s ears, size 14 copper John’s, size 14 tungsten tacos, size 10 mop flies and size 12 squirmy wormies.

A wild brown trout from Bishop Creek Canal that took a size 18 blue wing olive parachute off the surface on a warm Owens Valley afternoon.

Bishop Creek Canal

Behind Bishop Veterinary Hospital:

Middle of the day is almost too warm to be fly fishing on Bishop Creek Canal. Mid-day hatches of blue wing olives have the trout coming to the surface. It’s fun to find consistently feeding trout and target them with size 18 blue wing olive parachutes, size 18 olive sparkle duns and size 18 Adams parachutes. Nymphing the faster runs with size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 Frenchie’s and size 18 olive quill RS2’s on the substrate will produce the trout feeding on nymphs.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 03-19-2026

The heat has come to the Eastern Sierra in mid-March. Hi 80’s in the Owens Valley this week. Who turned up the thermostat to 90 degrees? Snow is melting and filling up some waters. Caddis, mayflies and midges are hatching and the trout are feeding on them. Bass pre-spawn has started in the Owens Valley ponds. Hi elevation dirt roads are drying out. Still use caution if you see the snow.

Flows in the lower Owens River are going up to 185 CFS by the weekend and expect flows to increase the following week to over 300 CFS.

 Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

Lower Owens River flows update: As of Thursday March 19th, 2026 the flows in the lower Owens River below Pleasant Valley Reservoir are running at 185 CFS. The water is definitely dirty with the increased flows picking up mud and lots of debris including willows, tulles and tumble weeds. Expect flows in the lower Owens River to crest over 300 CFS by mid to late next week. It’s unsafe to wade in the lower Owens River when the flows are over 300 CFS. Check the water flows for the lower Owens River on Sierra Bright Dot Webpage at https://www.sierrabrightdot.com/water-flows-owens-river-east-walker-river.

DWP has started to take water out of Crowley Lake to make room for this year’s snow melt and ship it to reservoirs south of Crowley Lake. The lower Owens River will be up to 185 CFS by the weekend and expect it to go up higher next week. Nymphing will continue to produce trout as they acclimate to the rising water. Over 300 CFS is the level of unsafe wading conditions for the lower Owens River. Euro nymphing and indicator nymphing will be the most effective methods of fooling the wild trout of the lower Owens River. If you see consistently rising trout definitely switch to a dry fly. On the surface use size 18 blue wing olive parachutes, size 18 olive sparkle duns and size 18 Adams parachute. On the substrate use size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 Frenchie’s, size 16 rainbow warriors, size 16 Duracell nymphs, size 14 olive burlap caddis, size 16 olive quill RS2 and size 16 Butano nymphs. Key to success in the rising water will be to have enough weight in the flies or on the tippet in the form of split shot to keep the nymphs on the substrate. Plan on fishing with a size BB split shot or more.

Nymphing is producing wild brown and rainbow trout to 17 inches in the wild trout section of the lower Owens River.

Hot Creek

Interpretive Site:

Continued warm weather has melted the snow and fly fishers can drive right up to the Interpretive site with no problems. Mid-morning is the time to be on the water for the midge and mayfly hatches. Casting up stream with a drag free drift using size 20 blue wing olive parachutes, size 20 olive sparkle duns, size 20 Adams parachutes, size 20 CDC midges and size 20 Griffiths gnats is fooling the wild trout of the Interpretive site of Hot Creek on the surface.

The snow is gone from Hot Creek Canyon and fly fishers can drive to the parking lots that allow fly fishers to access the Canyon Section of Hot Creek.

Hot Creek

Canyon Section:

Easy vehicle access makes it easy for fly fishers to access the parking areas accessing the Canyon Section of Hot Creek. Mid-day hatches of blue wing olive mayflies are bringing the trout to the surface. Fish with a size 20 blue wing olive parachute, size 20 olive sparkle dun and size 20 Adams parachute with a drag free drift and be ready to set the hook when the trout take your flies. Before and after the hatches nymphing with a dry and dropper rig or Euro rig is fooling the substrate feeding trout. Fish with size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 Frenchie’s, size 12 stoner nymphs and size 12 green/gold prince nymphs on the substrate to fool the trout feeding on nymphs.

The snow on the meadows of the upper Owens River are gone and the trophy trout are still in the river and taking nymphs fished on the substrate under an indicator or with a Euro rig.

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

The heat is drying out the meadows and dirt roads along the upper Owens River upstream of Benton Crossing Bridge. Working nymphs, eggs, mop flies and worm patterns in the deep holes, deep runs and cut banks where the trophy trout are resting and feeding is producing wild rainbow trout from 16 to 24 inches. Thoroughly work you flies before moving upstream to cover new water. Key to success is being able to thoroughly cover the water with your nymphs bouncing them off the substrate. Fish with 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 14 tungsten tacos, size 10 mop flies and size 12 squirmy wormies.

Mid-day temperatures are in the high 80’s middle of the day on Bishop Creek Canal and the trout are taking blue wing olive mayflies hatching middle of the day.

 Bishop Creek Canal

Behind Bishop Veterinary Hospital:

As the water goes up in the lower Owens River look for the water in Bishop Creek Canal to rise. It will not rise as significantly as the lower Owens River is rising. If you can handle the mid-80’s heat that the Owens Valley is experiencing you will find rainbows and browns rising to emerging blue wing olive parachutes. Fish with size 18 blue wing olive parachutes, size 18 olive sparkle duns, size 18 Adams parachutes and size 18 pheasant tail paranymphs. On the substrate under an indicator, dry fly or with a Euro rig fish with size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 Frenchie’s, size 16 hot spot pheasant tail nymphs and size 16 olive quill RS2’s. Key to success is not spooking the trout in the clear water, getting a drag free drift and using the proper amount of weight in the flies or as added split shot to the tipper to bounce the nymphs off of the substrate.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 03-12-2026

March is the start of spring in the Eastern Sierra. April and May are quite often cold and windy. Right now days are warm and shorts are coming out of the closet. With the warmer weather is coming hatches of mayflies, caddis flies and midges mid-day to early afternoon. Dirt roads are muddy from the melting snow and drying out with the heat. March is the time to come up and fly fish in the Eastern Sierra.

Snow in the mountains and warm sunny days in the Owens Valley makes March the perfect time to be fly fishing in the Eastern Sierra.

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

March is the time for fly fishers to invade the lower Owens River. This past weekend saw the Sierra Pacific Fly Fishers bring 30 new fly fishers to the lower Owens River for their annual Introduction to Fly Fishing Graduation Outing. The students had a great time and many of them landed trout on dry flies and nymphs. Adding to the numbers of fly fishers on the river was the Long Beach Fly Fishing Club. Where you could find water to fish the trout were feeding on caddis and blue wing olive mayflies. On the substrate the trout were taking size 18 Frenchie’s, size 18 soft hackle pheasant tail nymphs, size 16 hot spot pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 16 gold ribbed hare’s ear, size 18 La Fontaine’s caddis emergers, size 16 Duracell’s and size 16 Butano nymphs. On the surface the trout are feeding on size 18 elk hair caddis, size 18 E/C caddis, size 18 foam caddis, size 18 X-Caddis, size 18 olive sparkle duns, size 18 Adams parachutes and size 18 blue wing olive parachutes.

Fishing in the lower Owens River with nymphs and dries is producing wild rainbows and brown trout to 16 inches.

Hot Creek

Interpretive Site:

With a week’s worth of sunshine and warmth the road into Hot Creek Interpretive Site is drivable. Mid-morning hatches of midges and mayflies are bringing the trout to the surface. Fish with size 20 blue wing olive parachutes, size 20 olive sparkle duns, size 20 Adams parachutes, size 20 Griffith’s gnats and size 20 CDC midges. Key to success is to cast to rising trout and time the drift of your fly to coincide with the rhythm of the feeding trout.

A week ago the road into the canyon section of hot Creek was questionable to drive and now with the heat you can drive out to the parking areas accessing the canyon of Hot Creek.

Hot Creek

Canyon Section:

Quickly the snow is disappearing and the road to the canyon section of Hot Creek is now drivable. This is the time of year when the weed beds are at their smallest and it’s possible to fish nymphs in the canyon section. Fishing in the open water sections and the holes next to the weed beds is where you will find the trout feeding on midge and mayfly nymphs. Fish with a dry and dropper or a Euro nymph rig with size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 Frenchie’s, size 16 hot spot pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 soft hackle pheasant tail nymphs, size 20 green/gold brassie, size 20 soft hackle brassie and size 20 thread midges in tiger and zebra coloration to fool the wild trout.

And just like that the snow on the upper Owens River is gone and trophy trout are still taking nymphs.

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

The warm weather is drying out the dirt roads up river of Benton Crossing Bridge. Mud is no fun to get stuck in, so drive with caution. Trophy rainbow trout are still in the river and are resting and feeding in the deep holes, deep runs and cut banks. Using the right amount of weight and getting the flies down on the substrate and thoroughly covering the water is what will produce trophy trout. Fish with size 12 stoner nymphs, size 14 copper John’s, size 12 green/gold wire Prince nymphs, size 12 Richard’s version of a gold ribbed hare’s ear, size 12 squirmy wormies and size 14 tungsten tacos to fool the trophy rainbow trout.

Mid-day hatches of blue wing olive mayflies have the trout feeding on the surface.

Bishop Creek Canal

Behind Bishop Veterinary Hospital:

It’s been T-shirt and shorts weather in the Owens Valley during the day. Blue wing olive mayflies are hatching mid-day and the wild rainbows and brown trout are coming to the surface for the hatching blue wing olive mayfly duns. Fish with a size 18 blue wing olive parachute, size 18 olive sparkle dun and size 18 Adams parachute. Key to success is targeting specific rising trout. Getting a drag free drift is what will produce the takes from the surface feeding trout.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 03-05-2026

And just like that the sun came out, the weather warmed up and a lot of snow melted in just a few days. The ice on Crowley Lake is mostly broken up and the snow line is approaching the 8,000 foot level. Dirt roads in the Long Valley area are full of snow melt and are very muddy. Drive this area with caution. Know your limitations. I choose to walk out to the river and not get my truck stuck or tear up the dirt roads. Caddis, mayflies, midges and stoneflies are the insects the trout are feeding on, on the surface and on the substrate. Owens Valley is warming up nicely and offering T-shirt weather fly fishing middle of the day.

Two weeks ago and there was plenty of snow in the Eastern Sierra and now with the warming weather the snow is quickly melting and the dirt roads are muddy.

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

Caddis and blue wing olive hatches are bring the trout to the surface mid-day. Trout are consistently rising to the emerging insect from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. each day. Be aware that these times may fluctuate. Blue wing olive mayflies are hatching and fly fishers should use size 18 blue wing olive parachutes, size 18 Adams parachutes, size 18 olive sparkle duns on the surface and size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 16 hot spot pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 soft hackle pheasant tail nymphs and size 18 Frenchie’s on the substrate. Caddis hatches are more prolific on the lower sections of the wild trout section of the wild trout section of the lower Owens River and are slowly working their way up stream. Use size 18 elk hair caddis, size 18 X-caddis, size 18 foam caddis and size 18 E/C caddis on the surface and size 18 gold ribbed hare’s ears, size 18 La Fontaine’s caddis emerger, size 16 Butano nymph and size 18 Duracell nymphs on the substrate and in the water column. Swimming nymphs and emergers to the surface in a caddis hatch will provide action for fly fishers using a Leisenring lift. Winter skwala stoneflies are still providing trout with energy when they feed on the nymphs and adults. For the nymphs fish with a size 12 stoner nymph, size 14 copper John’s and size 14 Pat’s rubber legs on the substrate and fish with size 12 yellow/olive stimulators and size 14 yellow/olive bodied Chernobyl ants. There are a few wet mud spots on Chalk Bluff Road.

Wading upstream and casting your flies into the riffle directly above the pool is where you will find the wild trout feeding on the hatching mayflies and caddisflies..

Hot Creek

Interpretive Site:

The snow is soft and easy to walk through to the Interpretive Site, but is still too deep to drive into the parking area at the Interpretive Site. Fly fishers walking into the Interpretive Site will be welcomed with hatching mayflies and midges late morning into early afternoon. Fish on the surface with size 20 blue wing olive parachutes, size 20 Adams parachutes, size 20 olive sparkle duns, size 20 Griffith’s gnats and size 20 CDC midges. Targeting specific rising trout is a fun way to fish through the hatch. Sometimes it will take multiple drifts to time the rise of the trout with the drift of the fly. On the substrate fish with a size 18 olive quilldigon, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph, size 18 Frenchie’s and size 20 thread midges in tiger and zebra coloration.

Walking into the Interpretive Site is through snow deeper than a vehicle can drive, but shallow enough for easy walking through the footsteps left by other fly fishers.

Hot Creek

Canyon Section:

There is a road closed sign on Hot Creek Hatchery Road where the winter closure is. There is a set of tire tracks out to the canyon, but I was not willing to drive out and possibly getting stuck. The snow is soft and not very deep so the walk out to the parking areas to access the canyon is pretty easy. For fly fishers fishing in the canyon, now is the easiest time to be nymphing with the weed beds at their lowest growth point of the year. It will not be long before the weed beds start growing again and making it tougher to fish nymphs. A dry and dropper is a great way to nymph in the canyon. Use a size 16 Adams parachute for the dry fly and fish with size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 Frenchie’s, size 18 soft hackle pheasant tail nymphs, size 20 green/gold brassies and size 20 thread midges in zebra and tiger coloration.

Fly fishers willing to walk into the upper Owens River are being treated to trophy rainbow trout.

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

I’m old enough that I don’t want to deal with getting my truck unstuck. So there is lots of muddy roads on the upper Owens River to get a truck stuck in. My recommendation is to park on the main dirt road and walk in. It’s a 20 minute walk out to the river from the main dirt road. Working nymphs in the deep holes, deep runs and cut banks where the trophy trout are resting and feeding will produce the trophy trout. Nymph on a Euro rig or under an  indicator with size 12 stoner nymphs, size 12 green/gold Prince nymphs, size 12 Richard’s version of a gold ribbed hare’s ear, size 14 copper John’s, size 14 tungsten taco’s, size 12 squirmy wormies and size 10 mop flies. Key to success is to thoroughly cover the water your nymphing before moving onto another fish holding looking spot. Be sure to set the hook on the slightest of movement in the indicator or in the sighter.

It took a week for the snow to disappear, but the fly fishing on Bishop Creek Canal continues to be good with nymphs and dries.

Bishop Creek Canal

Behind Bishop Veterinary Hospital:

It took about a week for the snow to melt and now it’s all gone. Flows are at their lowest of the year. Nymphing and dry fly fishing is producing wild brown trout. For nymphs fish with size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 12 stoner nymphs, size 18 green/gold brassies and size 18 thread midges in zebra and tiger coloration.

The trout are feeding on the surface and on the substrate. Middle of the day fish with size 18 Adams parachutes, size 18 blue wing olive parachutes and size 18 olive sparkle duns to fool the trout feeding on the hatching blue wing olive mayflies on the canals surface. On the substrate fish with size 18 tiger midges, size 18 zebra midges, size 18 green/gold brassie emergers, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs and size 18 Frenchie’s.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 02-25-2026

Time to figure out what is available for easy access and what will take time for the snow to melt before drivable access. Snow shoes, skis and snowmobiles are needed to access Long Valley waters. The sun is out, the fish are rising and it’s time to get up and fly fish the Eastern Sierra. Blue wing olive mayflies are hatching and the fish are feeding on the surface and the substrate. Winter Skwala stoneflies are active and the trout are feeding on them. Dirt roads in the Owens Valley have mudpuddles, but are drivable and should be dried out by the weekend. Overcast days are days to be on the water fly fishing with blue wing olive mayflies at noon.

It looks like winter time in the Eastern Sierra and the trout are feeding on blue wing olive mayflies and skwala stoneflies and it’s time to fly fish the waters of the Eastern Sierra.

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

March is the season for dry fly fishing with blue wing olive mayflies and winter skwala stoneflies on the lower Owens River in the wild trout section. Mid-Day hatches, noon to 1:00 P.M., of blue wing olive mayflies are bringing the trout to the surface if you’re in the right section of the river. Look for consistent rising trout and use a size 18 blue wing olive parachute, size 18 Adams parachute and size 18 sparkle dun. Fish these dries upstream and up and across to rising trout on a monofilament 5X tippet. In the mid-afternoon use size 12 and 14 yellow-olive stimulators to imitate the skwala stoneflies. Nymphing on a Euro rig and under an indicator rig with size 12 stoner nymphs, size 14 copper John’s, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 Frenchie’s, size 18 French nymphs, size 18 JuJu baetis and thread midges in size 18 in olive, tiger and zebra coloration are fooling the trout feeding on the substrate. Key to success is having the proper amount of weight in your flies or as split shot on your tippet. Roads are drivable and should be dried out by the weekend if the warming trend continues.

Finding the right riffle pool around noon is where to be fly fishing with adult blue wing olive mayflies patterns like a blue wing olive parachute to consistently rising rainbow and brown trout.

Hot Creek

Interpretive Site:

It’s going to take snowshoes or skis to get into the Interpretive Site of Hot Creek. It will take some time for others to make a trail walkable with just waders and wading boots. For the fly fishers willing to put in the effort there will be rising trout to midges and blue wing olive mayflies. Size 20 Adams parachutes, size 20 blue wing olive parachutes, size 20 sparkle duns, size 20 CDC midges, size 20 quill emerger midges and size 20 Griffiths gnats are fooling the surface feeding trout. On the substrate fish with size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs and size 20 thread midges in tiger and zebra coloration.

Nymphing with midge patterns and blue wing olive patterns are producing wild rainbow trout from Hot Creek.

Hot Creek

Canyon Section:

For now it’s going to take lots of energy to access the Canyon Section of Hot Creek. Fly fishers need to use skis or snowshoes starting from the winter road closure to the parking areas and trails leading into the canyon. Getting into the canyon with all this snow will be tricky. The midges are hatching before the mid-day blue wing olive  mayfly hatch. Nymphing with size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 olive French nymphs, size 18 Frenchie’s, size 20 green/gold brassies, size 20 soft hackle brassies and size 20 thread midges in zebra and tiger coloration are fooling the substrate feeding trout. On the surface if the trout are feeding consistently use size 20 sparkle duns, size 20 blue wing olive parachutes, size 20 Adams parachutes, size 20 midge emergers, size 20 CDC midges and size 20 Griffiths gnats to fool the surface feeding trout.

Access to the upper Owens River is now hindered by the new snow fall on the banks of the river.

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

For now fly fishers will have to park at Benton Crossing Bridge and ski, snowshoe, walk or ride a snowmobile upstream to find the trophy trout. The trophy rainbow trout are still in the Owens River system and are feeding on nymphs, egg patterns, worm patterns and mop flies. Nymph with size 12 stoner nymphs, size 12 copper John’s, size 12 green/gold Prince nymphs, size 12 Richard’s variation of a gold ribbed hare’s ear, size 14 peach tungsten tacos, size 12 San Juan worms, size 12 squirmy wormies and size 12 mop flies. Look for the deep holes, deep runs and cutbanks where the trout are resting and feeding. The farther upstream fly fishers get they will find better water to fly fish for the trophy rainbow trout.

Last week’s snow has lasted longer than expected. This week’s warmer temperatures have melted the snow and the trout are feeding on hatching blue wing olive mayflies in the early afternoon.

Bishop Creek Canal

Behind Bishop Veterinary Hospital:

The trout are feeding on the surface and on the substrate. Middle of the day fish with size 18 Adams parachutes, size 18 blue wing olive parachutes and size 18 olive sparkle duns to fool the trout feeding on the hatching blue wing olive mayflies on the canals surface. On the substrate fish with size 18 tiger midges, size 18 zebra midges, size 18 green/gold brassie emergers, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs and size 18 Frenchie’s.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 02-19-2026

The Eastern Sierra is getting much needed precipitation in the form of snow and rain. The Owens Valley got several inches of snow. Upper elevation waters will need to be evaluated for access once this series of storms have come and gone and we will know how much snow is left on the ground. My guess is that it will take snow shoes, skis or snow mobiles to access the waters in the Long Valley area. It will take a few days for the puddles of water to dry up on the dirt roads leading out to the waters in the Owens Valley. The overcast weather has helped out the blue wing olive hatch as it intensifies during overcast weather. Stoneflies, mayflies and midges are feeding the trout on the substrate and on the surface.

The Owens Valley got snow and the lower Owens River is dressed in a blanket of snow.

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

With the approaching storm fly fishers took advantage of the blue wing olive hatch by fly fishing with dry flies on the surface. Use a size 18 blue wing olive parachute, size 18 Adams parachute and size 18 olive sparkle dun to imitate the hatching blue wing olive mayflies. Nymphing continues to be the most productive method of fly fishing the lower Owens River. Whether using an indicator rig or Euro nymphing rig the trout are feeding on mayflies, stoneflies and midges on the substrate. Use size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 brown French nymphs, size 18 Frenchie’s, size 18 JuJu baetis, size 12 stoner nymphs and size 18 thread midges in olive, zebra and tiger colorations. If you were here when it snowed on the river your got a rare treat of fly fishing the lower Owens River in the snow or with snow on the banks.

Snow on the ground, snow in the mountains and trout rising to blue wing olive mayflies make for a perfect day on the lower Owens River.

Hot Creek

Interpretive Site:

Access will be determined after the storms drop their snow on the banks of the creek. Plan on using snow shoes or skis to access the Interpretive Site after the storms. Fishing is primarily on the surface with size 20 Adams parachutes, size 20 blue wing olive parachutes, size 20 sparkle duns, size 20 CDC midges, size 20 quill emerger midges and size 20 Griffiths gnats. When the trout are not feeding on the surface fish with size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs and size 20 thread midges in tiger and zebra coloration.

Who will make first tracks into Hot Creek Interpretive site after this last set of storms?

Hot Creek

Canyon Section:

Access to the canyon sections will be limited by the fresh snow. Only the hardiest of fly fishers will be putting in the effort to access the waters of Hot Creek Canyon. For those few willing to put in the effort they will be rewarded by solitude and fish feeding on dries and nymphs. Nymphing is easiest this time of year as the weed beds are at their least. Nymphing with size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 olive French nymphs, size 18 Frenchie’s, size 20 green/gold brassies, size 20 soft hackle brassies and size 20 thread midges in zebra and tiger coloration. Mid-morning to early afternoon is when the blue wing olive mayflies are hatching. The midges are hatching before the mayflies. Fish with size 20 sparkle duns, size 20 blue wing olive parachutes, size 20 Adams parachutes, size 20 midge emergers, size 20 CDC midges and size 20 Griffiths gnats.

Despite access issues from the storm the few fly fishers braving the conditions are finding trophy rainbow trout willing to take nymphs, egg patterns, worm patterns and mop flies.

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

With the new snow fly fishers will no longer be driving up the dirt roads above Benton Crossing Bridge. After the storms it will be time to reassess access to the upper Owens River. Trophy rainbow trout continue to offer fly fishers good fly fishing. Parking at Benton Crossing Bridge and walking upstream fly fishers should be fishing 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 peach tungsten tacos, size 12 San Juan worms, size 12 squirmy wormies and size 12 mop flies.

Bishop Creek Canal covered in a layer of snow while the trout were taking size 18 blue wing olive parachutes and size 18 olive quilldigons.

Bishop Creek Canal

Behind Bishop Veterinary Hospital:

Dry fly fishing middle of the day has been good using blue wing olive dry fly imitations. Use size 18 blue wing olive parachutes, size 18 Adams parachutes and size 18 olive sparkle duns. Nymphing with size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 Frenchie’s, size 20 olive, tiger and zebra thread midges is producing wild brown and rainbow trout.