Winter has come to the Eastern Sierra this week. Owens Valley got snow that did not last more than one morning. Upper elevations waters have snow on the ground and limited access. Backcountry waters are frozen up for the winter and will not thaw until late spring or early summer. Expect warming over the weekend. Rain and snow has kept most fly fishers off the water. For those fly fishers equipped to handle the weather are being rewarded with fish. This weekend should see the Eastern Sierra dry out and offer good fall days on the water. Eastern Sierra waters are now under winter regulations. Most moving waters are now catch and release barbless lures and flies. Resort lakes are closed tell April. All other lakes are open to year round fishing. Mayflies and midges are the insects trout will be feeding on all winter. Time to stock up on midge nymphs, blue wing olive dry flies and baetis nymphs.
The best part of a winter storm in the Eastern Sierra is when the sun comes out and the trout are feeding.
Lower Owens River
Wild Trout Section:
Rain and snow during the week has slowed down the fly fishers fishing on the wild trout section of the lower Owens River. Those dressed for the conditions are finding trout taking their nymphs. Weekend is supposed to dry out and fly fishing should be good with both nymphs and dries. Mid-day mayfly hatches have the trout feeding on the substrate and on the surface. For nymphs fish with size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 Frenchie’s and size 18 olive quill RS2. On the surface fish size 18 Adams parachutes, size 18 blue wing olive parachutes and size 18 olive sparkle duns. Fly fishers are landing four inch to 16 inch wild rainbows and browns.
An afternoon of fly fishing the lower Owens River as the storm brews up in the mountains..
Hot Creek
Interpretive Site:
We are heading into winter and midges and baetis mayflies will be the active insects the trout will be feeding on. The key to success as we head into winter will be placing the flies right in front of the trout. As the water temperatures drop the trout’s calorie intake decreases. Make lots of casts with your flies to areas you know are holding fish. Fish with size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 brassies, size 18 green/gold brassies, size 18 tiger midges, size 18 zebra midges and size 18 blood midges. Carry size 20 Adams parachutes, size 20 blue wing olive parachutes and size 20 Griffiths gnats for those times the trout are feeding on the surface.
Snow on the ground in Hot Creek Canyon has slowed access to the creek, but the trout continue to feed on nymphs and dries..
Hot Creek
Canyon Section:
The cold weather and lack of daylight is helping to break up the weed beds in the canyon section of Hot Creek. Nymphing with size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 Frenchie’s, size 18 green/gold brassies and size 20 midges in tiger and zebra coloration is producing eight to 10 inch wild rainbows and browns. On overcast days look for hatching blue wing olive mayflies and midges. On the surface fish with size 20 Adams parachutes, size 20 blue wing olive parachutes, size 20 olive sparkle duns.
Nymphing with size 12 stoner nymphs are fooling trophy rainbow trout in the upper Owens River like this one laying in the river in the net.
Upper Owens River
Above Benton Crossing Bridge:
Access is limited with the snow on the roads leading out to the upper Owens River. Highly suggest using four wheel drive vehicles to access the upper Owens River. Remember if you get stuck you will need to call Frosty4Wheeler at (760) 625-4537. Trophy rainbows are providing most of the action for fly fishers. Fishing the deep runs, deep pools and cut banks with size 12 green/gold Prince nymphs, size 12 stoner nymphs, size 12 gold ribbed hare’s ears variations, size 14 copper John’s and size 16 hot spot pheasant tail nymphs are fooling the trophy trout that are resting and feeding on their journey up the river. The Owens River below Benton Crossing Bridge is closed.
Hold over rainbow trout are taking size 18 pheasant tail nymphs and size 12 stoner nymphs..
Bishop Creek Canal
Behind Bishop Veterinary Hospital:
Drizzle and rain has slowed down the mid-day hatch of mayflies that have juvenile rainbows and brown trout coming to the surface. Dry fly fishing should be good over the weekend as the Owens Valley dries out from the week’s storms. On the surface fish with a size 20 Adams parachute, size 20 blue wing olive parachute and a size 16 Adams parachute, as your indicator fly. Nymphing under an indicator or with a Euro nymph rig is producing wild brown trout and stocked rainbow trout. Nymph with size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 Frenchie’s, size 18 olive quill RS2’s and midges in size 20 in zebra and tiger coloration. Bishop Creek Canal is under winter regulations catch and release with barbless lures and flies through the Friday preceding the last Saturday in April.