Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report for 06-04-2026

Is it winter or is it summer? Last week it snowed on the upper elevation mountain tops and Eastern Sierra waters. This week the Owens Valley is in the low 90’s. No see ums and mosquitoes are starting to show up and bite fly fishers. Trout are feeding on streamers, dries and nymphs of young of the year trout, mayflies, caddis flies and stone flies. This week wear your shorts and bring your warm layers to dress according to the weather on the day you are fly fishing.

Summer is coming to the Eastern Sierra and fly fishers are awaiting the hatches of summer including pale morning dun mayflies, blue wing olive mayflies, little yellow stones and grass hoppers.

East Walker River

Miracle Mile Section:

The East Walker is producing trout for fly fishers fishing with dries, nymphs and streamers. There has been a mid-day hatch of blue wing olive mayflies. For the nymphs use size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 Frenchie’s and size 12 stoner nymphs. For the dries use size 20 blue wing olive parachutes, size 20 olive sparkle duns, and size 20 Adams parachutes. Streamer patterns are producing the bigger browns that the East Walker River is known for. Use size 10 balanced leeches and size 10 mini jig leeches.

Nymphing with a size 18 olive quilldigon under and indicator during the blue wing olive hatch is producing brown trout to 15 inches.

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

The hatchery run of cutthroat trout is coming to an end. There are no fresh cutthroats in the river. There are a few cutthroats still on redds spawning. There are lots of down streamers, cutthroats that are migrating back to Crowley Lake. There are dead fish floating down the river that did not survive the rigors of spawning. There is not much happening in the form of hatching insects. There is a sporadic blue wing olive hatch late morning into the early afternoon bringing a few trout to the surface taking size 18 blue wing olive parachutes, size 18 olive sparkle duns and size 18 Adams parachutes. Nymphing with size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 Frenchie’s and size 16 hot spot pheasant tail nymphs is producing six to 10 inch wild browns and rainbows. No see ums and mosquitoes are out and about and biting fly fishers.

Nymphing the outside corner of an upper Owens River pool with blue wing olive nymphs is producing a few rainbows and browns to 10 inches.

Hot Creek

Interpretive Site:

This is the perfect spot on Hot Creek to fly fish with dry flies. There is a good morning hatch of blue wing olive mayflies coming off mid-morning to mid-afternoon. Fish with size 20 blue wing olive parachutes, size 20 olive sparkle duns and size 20 Adams parachutes. If you can’t see size 20 dry flies on the water use a dry and dry fly set up. Use a large high visible fly for the indicator like size 16 Adams parachutes, size 14 stimulators and size 12 Chernobyl ants. Add three feet of 5X or 6X tippet to the indicator fly and attach the size 20 fly pattern you’re fly fishing with.

The weed beds in the canyon are starting to grow and making it hard for fly fishers to work nymphs through and around the weed beds.

Hot Creek

Canyon Section:

The weed beds are starting to grow in the Canyon Section of Hot Creek as we move into summer. As the weed beds grow it makes it tough to nymph in the canyon. The trout are feeding on blue wing olive nymphs prior to the hatch. Use a size 18 olive quilldigon, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph, size 18 Frenchie’s and size 16 hot spot pheasant tail nymphs. Fish the nymphs under a dry fly or on a Euro rig.

Fly fishing from the banks of the Owens River Gorge with a dry and dropper is producing wild browns to 12 inches.

Owens River Gorge

Middle Power Plant:

It’s a 20 minute walk down into the gorge to fly fish. Coming out in the middle of the afternoon when the temperatures are in the 90’s is hot and takes up to 30 minutes. The gorge is a great place to fish a dry and dropper rig. A size 16 Adams parachute will bring trout to the surface, but is hard to see in the rough water sections where there is lots of foam. For the indicator fly try using size 16 stimulators, size 12 Chernobyl ants and size 14 Royal Wulff. For the nymphs use size 16 green/gold brassies, size 16 tiger midges, size 16 zebra midges, size 16 bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ears, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 olive quilldigons and size 16 Duracell nymphs. With the heat it’s worth using wet wading gear. For the most part working the holes and runs by fishing off the banks is an easy way to work the river.

With  flows over 400 CFS the lower Owens River is flowing bank to bank and should only be fished from the banks.

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

Flows on the lower Owens continue to flow over 400 CFS. At these flows it’s unsafe to wade the river. I don’t like nymphing the river at these flows as I lose to many rigs and flies. For those willing to nymph the river from the bank use size 16 bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ears, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 16 Duracell nymphs and size 16 hot spot pheasant tail nymphs. Evening caddis hatches are the time to be on the river dry fly fishing with size 16 elk hair caddis. I highly recommend checking the DWP lower Owens River flows before going out to the river

at: http://wsoweb.ladwp.com/Aqueduct/realtime/norealtime.htm.

Afternoons are hot and fishing in the evenings when the caddis are laying there eggs is a great way to end a warm summer day.

Bishop Creek Canal

Behind Bishop Veterinary Hospital:

Fishing on the canal when the sun goes down is when the caddis come out to lay their eggs on the water. Cast a size 16 elk hair caddis upstream and let it drift drag free downstream. When it gets downstream let it drag across the stream. The first quarter and last quarter of the drag is where you should expect to get a hit. When the fly is straight down stream it’s time to start skittering the caddis upstream. Do this by slowly pulling the caddis upstream along the bank. If the wind grabs the fly line and pulls the fly off the water, let if land back on the water and give it slack to let it drift about a foot downstream. Then continue to pull it upstream. The mosquitoes are out at night so be sure to wear clothes that cover skin and wear insect repellant.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 05-28-2026

As we move into summer the weather is still unsettled. Bring your warm clothes and don’t be surprised you will want your shorts. The crowds of Memorial weekend are gone and the summer crowds are not here yet. This is a great time to be fly fishing the waters of the Eastern Sierra. Hatches of mayflies, caddisflies, stoneflies and midges are feeding the trout on the substrate and on the surface. Pulling streamers is producing a few trophy trout.

Afternoon storms have been showing up in the Sierra making a dramatic backdrop to fly fishing on the East Walker River.

East Walker River

Miracle Mile Section:

The Miracle Mile Section is coming back from the complete fish kill from two years ago. There are more bigger fish than young of the year fish in the Miracle Mile Section. There is a mid-day hatch of blue wing olive mayflies that the juvenile trout are feeding on. On the surface fish with size 20 blue wing olive parachutes, size 20 olive sparkle duns and size 20 Adams parachutes. On the substrate fish with size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 olive quilldigons and size 18 Frenchie’s. For the trophy trout fish with size 12 stoner nymphs, size 12 green/gold Prince nymphs, size 16 Duracell nymphs and size 12 bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ears. For the streamer fly fishers use size 6 and 10 leech patterns, wooly buggers and slumpbusters.

An East Walker brown trout that was fooled with a drag free drift and a size 18 olive quilldigon fished under an indicator.

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

The cutthroat season on the upper Owens River is coming to an end. There will be some fish in the river through early June, but the bulk of the run is done spawning and heading back to the lake. Throwing size 12 stoner nymphs, size 12 green/gold wire Prince nymphs and size 12 Richards variation of a gold ribbed hare’s ear and size 14 copper John’s in the deep holes, deep runs and cut banks is where you will find trophy trout willing to take a bigger meal. The resident six to 12 inch rainbows and browns are feeding mid-day on the blue wing olive hatch. Fish with size 20 blue wing olive parachutes, size 20 olive sparkle duns and size 20 Adams parachutes on the surface when the trout are rising consistently. On the substrate fish with size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 Frenchie’s and size 16 thread midges in tiger and zebra coloration.

Afternoon storms are bringing wind and rain to the meadows of the upper Owens River where fly fishers have been fishing for spawning cutthroats.

Hot Creek

Interpretive Site:

Fishing dry flies is what most fly fishers are going to Hot Creek Interpretive site for. The blue wing olive hatch is coming off mid-day. Use size  20 blue wing olive parachutes, size 20 olive sparkle duns and size 20 Adams parachutes. If you have trouble seeing the size 20 blue wing olive patterns, use a size 16 Adams parachutes, size 16 elk hair caddis and size 14 stimulator as an indicator. Use three feet of 6X tippet tied to the bend of the indicator fly and attach the other end through the eye of blue wing olive pattern. A drag free drift is mandatory to catching fish in the Interpretive Site of Hot Creek.

Fishing the holes and runs of Hot Creek Interpretive site with blue wing olive parachute patterns are producing wild rainbow and brown trout to 16 inches.

Hot Creek

Canyon Section:

Now is a great time to be nymphing in the Canyon Section of Hot Creek. With increased flows from spring runoff you need the right amount of weight to keep your flies bouncing off the substrate. For nymphs fish with size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 12 stoner nymph, size 18 Frenchie, size 16 Duracell nymphs, size 18 green/gold brassies, size 18 soft hackle brassies and size 18 thread midges in zebra and tiger coloration.

The lower Owens River flows are up from 250 CFS, in the picture, to flows over 400 CFS

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

Flows are around 400 CFS and expected to continue to go up as summer progresses. With flows over 300 CFS and not safe to wade the river I’m done fishing the lower Owens River until the flows drop below 300 CFS. Expect flows to subside sometime in the fall normally in early October. I highly recommend checking the DWP lower Owens River flows before going out to the river at: http://wsoweb.ladwp.com/Aqueduct/realtime/norealtime.htm.

The clear flats of Bishop Creek Canal require fly fishers to be stealthy when stalking the surface feeding trout.

Bishop Creek Canal

Behind Bishop Veterinary Hospital:

It will not be long before Bishop Creek will be too hot to fish middle of the day. For now a mid-day hatch is feeding the trout on the surface and on the substrate. On the surface fish with size 18 blue wing olive parachutes, size 18 olive sparkle duns and size 18 Adams Parachute. On the substrate fish with size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 12 stoner nymphs and thread midges in zebra and tiger coloration.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 05-21-2026

Memorial Day weekend is here and so are the crowds to enjoy the kick off of summer in the Eastern Sierra. The weather continues to be unsettled. Beginning of the week I was wearing a down jacket over my sweat shirt all day long. The heat of summer is not far off. Hatches of caddisflies, mayflies, stoneflies and midges continue to feed the trout on the substrate and on the surface. Fly fishers looking for trophy trout are offering the trout a big calorie meal by pulling streamers.

Summer is coming to the Eastern Sierra and sitting on the bank enjoying the river and watching the actions of the trout is a great way to start a day of fly fishing.

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

The cutthroats seem to have lock jaw this season. They are in the river, but the bulk of the fish have been in the shallows spawning. Actively spawning trout are not interested in eating and fly fishers should not fish for actively spawning trout as they are the future of the trout populations in the upper Owens River. The cutthroats seem to be a non-reproducing strain of trout in the upper Owens River and the tributaries of Crowley Lake. Streamers and nymphs is what the cutthroats are taking. Fish the deep holes, deep runs and cut banks where the cutthroats are resting and feeding. For streamers use size 6 and 10 olive wooly buggers, black wooly buggers, olive slumpbusters, Hornberg’s and muddler minnows. Fish nymphs under an indicator or with a Euro rig. Use size 12 stoner nymphs, size 12 green/gold wire Prince nymphs, size 12 Richard’s version of the gold ribbed hare’s ears, size 14 copper John’s, size 12 rainbow warriors, size 14 tungsten tacos, size 10 mop flies and size 12 squirmy wormies. For the resident trout up to 12 inches fish with size 16 hot spot pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 olive quilldigons and size 18 Frenchie’s

Fly fishers have been working hard to hook up with trophy cutthroat trout in the upper Owens River.

Hot Creek

Interpretive Site:

The blue wing olive hatch has been sporadic. When the hatch is not happening it’s time to nymph fish the creek. When the trout are consistently rising to the hatching blue wing olive hatch fish with size 20 blue wing olive parachutes, size 20 olive sparkle duns and size 20 Adams parachutes. When the hatch is inconsistent fish with size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 12 stoner nymphs and size 18 Frenchie’s.

In spring time Hot Creek Canyon offers good nymph fishing opportunities with little fly fishing pressure.

Hot Creek

Canyon Section:

Flows on Hot Creek are elevated with spring runoff. This is a great time to nymph and streamer fish the canyon section of Hot Creek. Fish with size 6 olive wooly buggers, size 6 slumpbusters and your favorite articulated streamer pattern. Pull the streamers through the deep holes and around the obstructions where the trophy trout are waiting to ambush a big calorie meal. For nymphs fish with size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 12 stoner nymph, size 18 Frenchie, size 16 Duracell nymphs, size 18 green/gold brassies, size 18 soft hackle brassies and size 18 thread midges in zebra and tiger coloration. When the trout begin to feed on the surface consistently it’s time to switch to a size 20 blue wing olive parachute and size 20 Adams parachute.

Deep holes in the Owens River Gorge is where you will find the trout feeding on nymphs, dries and streamers.

Owens River Gorge

Middle Power Plant:

Once summer heat is here it will be hot walking in and out of the gorge. For now the weather is perfect for accessing the gorge. There are lots of eight to 12 inch wild brown trout willing to take flies. The preferred method of fly fishing in the gorge is with a dry and dropper rig. For the dry fly use size 16 Adams parachutes, size 14 stimulators and size 12 Chernobyl ants. For the nymphs use 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 16 green/gold brassies, size 16 Duracell nymphs and size 16 butano nymphs. Key to success is to work each pool or run thoroughly, before moving on to the next fishy looking spot

At flows in the 400 CFS range the lower Owens River is not safe to wade and fly fishers will need to find open banks to fly fish from.

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

With flows over 400 CFS it is fishing from the banks only as it is not safe to wade at flows over 300 CFS. If you are going to fly fish from the bank use nymphs with plenty of weight in the flies or on the tippet with a split shot. Use size 16 bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ears, size 16 Duracell nymphs, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs and size 18 olive quilldigons.  I highly recommend checking the DWP lower Owens River flows before going out to the river at: http://wsoweb.ladwp.com/Aqueduct/realtime/norealtime.htm.

As weed beds grow it means fly fishers will need to work their flies in the seams between the weed beds where the trout are hanging out in the weeds for protection from predators.

Bishop Creek Canal

Behind Bishop Veterinary Hospital:

Mid-day temperatures have been perfect for fly fishers nymphing and dry fly fishing in Bishop Creek Canal. There are still blue wing olive mayflies hatching bringing trout to the surface. For the surface feeding trout fish with size 18 blue wing olive parachutes, size 18 olive sparkle duns, size 18 Adams parachutes and size 18 elk hair caddis. Under the surface fish with size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 16 Duracell nymphs, size 12 stoner nymphs, size 16 rainbow warriors, size 16 bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ears, size 18 green/gold brassies and size 18 thread midges in zebra and tiger coloration.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 05-14-2026

With Memorial Day weekend a week away is the warm weather of summer here to stay? This week in the Owens Valley temperatures have risen into the mid-90’s. Might be time to break out the wet wading gear and retire the waders until fall. Consistent hatches of insects are not happening in the Eastern Sierra yet. The trout are primarily feeding on the larvae and pupae of midges, mayflies, caddisflies and stoneflies. With near perfect trout temperatures in the waters the trophy trout are hunting for a big meal and are looking to eat streamers first thing in the morning and last thing at night.

Summer weather is quickly coming to the Eastern Sierra and the meadows of the upper Owens River are ready for the iris to bloom and the cutthroat are in the river.

East Walker River:

Fly fishers working the miracle mile section of the river are finding trophy rainbows and browns willing to take streamers and nymphs. When streamer fishing remember that trout like to ambush their prey from below. Fish holes that are deep enough to allow the trout to ambush their prey.  Size 6 and 10 wooly buggers, slumpbusters, muddler minnows and articulated goldies are the streamer patterns that are producing. Nymphing under and indicator or on a Euro rig is a very productive way of fly fishing the East Walker River. Use size 12 stoner nymphs, size 14 copper John’s, size 12 green/gold Prince nymphs, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 16 bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ear nymphs, size 16 Duracell nymphs and size 18 thread midges in zebra and tiger coloration.

Trophy trout and fly fishers have moved back into the Miracle Mile section of the East Waler River.

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

The cutthroat run is in full swing in the river. Spawning trout in the creeks and rivers represent the future trout population for the rivers and creeks. It’s uncertain if the cutthroats are successfully reproducing in the Crowley Lake tributaries. Avoid fishing for actively spawning cutthroats. You will be able to identify this as you will see the female turn on her side and dig up the gravel. The eggs and fry will be in the redds for about 45 days. So avoid stepping on redds if you need to wade in the river. Fishing in the deep holes, deep runs and cutbanks is where you will find the cutthroats feeding and resting. Actively spawning trout are not interested in feeding and will avoid your flies. Nymph with size 12 stoner nymphs, size 12  green/gold Prince nymphs, size 14 copper John’s, size 12 Richard’s variation of a gold ribbed hare’s ears, size 12 rainbow warriors, size 14 tungsten tacos, size 10 mop flies and size 12 squirmy wormies. Wooly buggers, slumpbusters, muddler minnows and Hornberg’s in sizes 6 and 10 are the streamer patterns that are producing cutthroat trout.

Fishing the deep holes, deep runs and cut banks of the upper Owens River is where to find the trophy cutthroat trout willing to take nymphs and streamers.

Hot Creek

Interpretive Site:

The blue wing olive hatch is starting late in the morning and lasting into early afternoon. Before the hatch fish with nymphs like a size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph, size 18 olive quilldigon, size 12 stoner nymph, size 18 midges in tiger and zebra coloration. Once the trout start feeding consistently on the surface fish with size 20 blue wing olive parachutes, size 20 olive sparkle duns and size 20 Adams parachutes. A dry and dry rig is  a great way to allow the fly fisher to see the tiny size 20 blue wing olive patterns on the water.

Hatches of blue wing olive mayflies have the trout of the Interpretive Site of Hot Creek feeding on the surface taking size 20 blue wing olive parachutes.

Hot Creek

Canyon Section:

The Canyon Section with higher flows from spring runoff is the perfect place to be nymphing. There are lots of open spots in the creek to bounce your nymphs through. It will not be long before the weed beds take over and it will be tough to drift a nymph through the creek. Euro nymphing with a size 12 stoner nymph, size 18 Frenchie, size 18 olive quilldigon, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph, size 16 Duracell nymphs, size 18 green/gold brassies, size 18 soft hackle brassies and size 18 thread midges in zebra and tiger coloration are fooling wild rainbow and brown trout to 16 inches. When the trout begin to feed on the surface consistently it’s time to switch to a size 20 blue wing olive parachute and size 20 Adams parachute.

Working the holes and pockets from the banks of the Owens River Gorge with a dry and dropper rig.

Owens River Gorge

Middle Power Plant:

With the heat of summer approaching most fly fishers avoid the Owens River Gorge until fall. For those willing to hike in and out of the gorge there is fun fly fishing for eight to 12 inch wild brown trout. While this section of the Owens River is technically a tail water fishery it fishes like a freestone creek. Working the pockets and pools with a dry and dropper rig is a very successful method of fly fishing the gorge. For the dry fly use a size 16 Adams parachute, size 14 stimulator and size 12 Chernobyl ant. For nymphs fish with size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 16 green/gold brassies, size 16 Duracell nymphs and size 16 butano nymphs. With the heat of summer here be sure to carry lots of water with you into the gorge.

Flows in the lower Owens River are fluctuating around 300 CFS which is right at the unsafe wading level.

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

Flows continue to fluctuate up and down from 230 CFS to just over 300 CFS. I highly recommend checking the DWP lower Owens River flows before going out to the river at: http://wsoweb.ladwp.com/Aqueduct/realtime/norealtime.htm. Anything between 200 and 250 CFS is worth fishing the lower Owens River. Nymphing with a Euro rig or under an indicator is the most productive method of fishing the river right now. Use size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 16 Duracell nymphs, size 18 Frenchie’s, size 16 rainbow warriors, size 16 bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ears and size 12 stoner nymphs.

As the temperature goes up, afternoons on Bishop Creek Canal can be hot, but is very productive with nymphs and dries.

Bishop Creek Canal

Behind Bishop Veterinary Hospital:

With warm to hot afternoon temperatures it’s not necessarily pleasant to be a fly fisher in the afternoon on Bishop Creek Canal. Using nymphs and dries are producing wild brown trout and hatchery rainbow trout all day. Before the hatch fish under an indicator or with a Euro rod with size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 16 Duracell nymphs, size 12 stoner nymphs, size 16 rainbow warriors, size 16 bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ears, size 18 green/gold brassies and size 18 thread midges in zebra and tiger coloration. When the trout start feeding on the hatching duns use a size 18 blue wing olive parachutes and size 18 Adams parachutes.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 05-07-2026

Unsettled weather is the hall mark of spring in the Eastern Sierra. A storm moved through the Eastern Sierra this week leaving a fresh layer of snow on the peaks of the mountains. This weekend in Bishop the thermometer is supposed to climb into the high 80’s or low 90’s. So bring your jackets, bring your shorts and dress accordingly. Mayflies, stoneflies, caddis and midges are the insects the trout are finding on their menu for this time of the year. Nymphing continues to be the most productive method of fly fishing for trout. On the trophy trout menu is bait fish and fly fishers pulling streamers are finding a few trophy trout willing to take streamer flies.

Spring is coming to the Eastern Sierra even though the Sierra got another dusting of snow on upper elevation mountains.

East Walker River:

This is one water that opened to fishing on the trout opener on April 26, 2026 and I was interested in seeing how it fished. The miracle mile section of the East Walker River is returning from the fish kill two years ago. There are larger trout taking up residence and offering fly fishers an opportunity to land some trophy trout. These trout are taking nymphs and streamers. For the nymphs fish with size 12 stoner nymphs, size 12 green/gold Prince nymphs, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 16 bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ear nymphs, size 16 Duracell nymphs and size 18 thread midges in zebra and tiger coloration. For streamers use size 6 and 10 wooly buggers, slumpbusters, muddler minnows and articulated goldies.

The miracle mile section of the East Walker River is producing bigger fish, but not lots of them.

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

The cutthroats are starting to migrate into the upper Owens River. These trophy cutthroats are taking nymphs and streamers. Fish these flies in the deep holes, deep runs and cut banks where the trophy cutthroat trout are feeding and resting. With streamers cover lots of water looking for those trout looking to feed on a bigger meal. For streamers use size 6 and 10 wooly buggers, slumpbusters, muddler minnows and Hornberg’s. For nymphs use size 12 stoner nymphs, size 12  green/gold Prince nymphs, size 14 copper John’s, size 12 Richard’s variation of a gold ribbed hare’s ears and size 12 rainbow warriors. There is a good population of resident eight to 12 inch trout taking nymphs. 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.

Members of the San Diego based Southern California Fly Fishers Club ventured out on the upper Owens River looking for trophy cutthroat trout.

Hot Creek

Interpretive Site:

Dry fly action late morning to early afternoon is bringing the trout to the surface. Use size 20 blue wing olive parachutes, size 20 olive sparkle duns and size 20 Adams parachutes. Fish with a nine foot size 6X leader with three to five feet of 6X tippet. Drag free drifts will produce hits from the trout feeding on the hatching mayflies. If you have a hard time seeing these little dry flies fish with a dry and dry rig. Use a size 16 Adams parachutes and attach the blue wing olive imitation on three feet of 6X tippet tied to the bend of the Adams.

Hot Creek Canyon is a prime spot for nymphing with a Euro rig in the spring time.

Hot Creek

Canyon Section:

With a stepper gradient in the canyon section the trout tend to take flies with more of a reactionary take then a selective take. This leads to slightly easier fishing for fly fishers. Working the faster riffle sections in the stepper parts of the canyon produces more fish when fishing with nymphs and dries. For nymphs fish with size 12 stoner nymphs, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 Frenchie’s, size 18 soft hackle brassies, size 18 tiger midges and size 18 zebra midges. On the surface when the trout are consistently rising use size 20 blue wing olive parachutes, size 20 olive sparkle duns and size 20 Adams parachutes.

With flows stabilizing on the lower Owens River it is the perfect time to be nymphing with a Euro rig.

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

What are the flows on the lower Owens River? Every day seems to be different as the flows continue to fluctuate. Right now they hovering around 235 CFS. If the flows stay consistent look for the fly fishing to improve. You can check the lower Owens River flows here: Lower Owens River: http://wsoweb.ladwp.com/Aqueduct/realtime/norealtime.htm Nymphing is the most consistent method for fishing the river at these flows. Use an indicator or a Euro outfit to present size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 16 Duracell nymphs, size 18 Frenchie’s, size 16 rainbow warriors, size 16 bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ears and size 12 stoner nymphs.

Bishop Creek Canal gets lots of attention from anglers during the month of May, but if you’re on the water on the right day and right time you will have it to yourself.

Bishop Creek Canal

Behind Bishop Veterinary Hospital:

The hatchery trout are being caught and kept by anglers. There are a few of the hatchery fish left in the canal to be caught fly fishing with nymphs and streamers. The stockers are supper aggressive and stripping a streamer through the schools will get grabbed. Use size 10 wooly buggers, size 10 matukas and size 10 slumpbusters. For nymphs use size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 16 Duracell nymphs, size 12 stoner nymphs, size 16 rainbow warriors, size 16 bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ears, size 18 green/gold brassies and size 18 thread midges in zebra and tiger coloration. The wild brown trout are feeding on the mid-day blue wing olive hatch and they can be caught with size 18 blue wing olive parachutes and size 18 Adams parachutes.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 04-30-2026

Opening weekend was a combination of wind, rain and snow depending on the elevation you were at. It was a typical opening day with wind and rain. Upper elevation mountain tops got a dusting of fresh snow. I attended the Lone Pine Opening Day Trout Tournament held at Diaz Lake. Kids and adults endured the wind and a few drops of rain. Dry flies, nymphs and streamers are producing trout in the waters of the Eastern Sierra. Mayflies, caddis, midges and young of the year trout are feeding the wild and stocked trout in Eastern Sierra waters.

Cold and windy is typical of spring weather in the Eastern Sierra, but a backdrop of snow on the Glass Mountains makes for a pretty day on the upper Owens River looking for trophy trout with a streamer.

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

Flows continue to fluctuate from 200 CFS to 250 CFS. 250 CFS is pushing the top end of safe wading conditions. 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. At these flows nymphing with an indicator rig or a Euro rig is how you are going to present nymphs to the trout. The key is to have the right amount of weight in the flies or on the tippets in the form of split shot. With the increased flows the trout have moved into the slower water spots on the edges of the pools and riffles. Thoroughly covering the water with your nymphs and paying attention to the water type that is producing hits and trout is where to concentrate your effort. 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, size 16 bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ears and size 12 stoner nymphs.

Sierra Bright Dot guide Richard Lancaster Euro nymphing a deep hole on the lower Owens River pre fishing before a guide trip at 200 CFS.

Hot Creek

Interpretive Site:

Over cast days boost the blue wing olive mayfly hatch. There seems to be more blue wings hatching and it takes longer for their wings to dry. The amount of time the mayflies are on the water intensifies the surface feeding of the rainbow and brown trout of Hot Creek. Casting to specific rising fish with a drag free drift will fool the finicky trout of Hot Creek. Use size 20 blue wing olive parachutes, size 20 olive sparkle duns, size 20 Adams parachutes, size 20 gray parachute caddis and size 20 gray X-caddis.

Nymph fishing in Hot Creek Canyon is good in the spring before the weed beds take over the creek.

Hot Creek

Canyon Section:

While Hot Creek Canyon is known for its nymphing there can good dry fly days in the canyon. Over cast days makes for better blue wing olive mayfly hatches. Before the hatch 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. On the surface fish with size 20 blue wing olive mayflies, size 20 olive sparkle duns and size 20 Adams parachutes.

The upper Owens River is flowing from bank to bank and fly fishers working the deep holes, deep runs and cut banks are looking for the start of the trophy cutthroat season.

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

This time of the year those in the know are asking are the cutthroats in the river yet? The answer in not in numbers so there are cutthroats throughout the river system. I’m observing a few cutthroats in the deep holes. The concentration of trophy cutthroats are usually in the river around the 10th of May. Fishing nymphs and streamers in the deep holes, deep runs and cut banks is how to fool the trophy cutthroat. Key to success in nymphing is to have enough weight to get the flies rolling on the substrate and thoroughly cover the water you are fly fishing. The key to fishing with streamers is to cover a lot of water and only strip the fly upstream through the deep holes, deep runs and cut banks a couple of times. If you do not get a hit with your streamer move on to the next trophy trout holding spot on the river. For the nymphs use 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. Fish size 6 and 10 olive wooly bugger, black wooly bugger, olive matuka, olive slumpbuster, muddle minnow and Hornberg’s for the streamer patterns.

The general trout season started on Saturday April 25th, 2026 and anglers are taking advantage of fishing Bishop Creek Canal for stocked rainbow trout.

Bishop Creek Canal

Behind Bishop Veterinary Hospital:

Bishop Creek Canal got stocked the day before the Eastern Sierra annual trout opener. These fish continue to offer fly fishers the opportunity to catch some nice sized rainbow trout on flies. The stockers are schooled up and when you find a school just keep working it. Using a drag free drift with size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 12 stoner nymphs, size 16 rainbow warriors, size 16 Duracell’s, size 16 bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ears, size 18 green/gold brassie and size 18 thread midges in zebra and tiger coloration is fooling the trout. The stockers are supper aggressive and stripping a streamer through the schools will get grabbed. Use size 10 wooly buggers, size 10 matukas and size 10 slumpbusters.

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.