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.