Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 03-04-2021

Late winter in the Eastern Sierra is warm to hot days sprinkled with the occasional winter storm. This has been a warm week with a storm due to hit the Eastern Sierra as the weekend begins. The increase in daylight with the higher day time temperatures is increasing the insect activity in the streams. Midges, blue wing olive mayflies, and caddis are hatching and the trout are feeding on them. Congratulations to Tom Paulson the winner of the first Trout Rodeo held last weekend on the waters in and around Bishop.

Snow is starting to recede on the road into the Owens River above Benton Crossing Road and it will be another two to four weeks before vehicles can access the dirt roads to the Owens River.

 Lower Owens River:

Wild Trout Section:

Blue wing olive may flies have been hatching middle of the day and the trout are feeding on the nymphs and the emergers. Before the hatch size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs and size 16 olive quilldigons have been fooling the wild brown trout. First thing in the morning the midges have been swarming on the surface and the trout have been feeding on them sporadically. Fishing midge nymphs like tiger midges and zebra midges and using midge pupae patterns in size 18 to 22 is producing trout. The approaching storm will slow the insect activity down for a day or two.

Working nymphs under the overhanging willows is how you catch the cautious brown trout in the lower Owens River.

Hot Creek:

Interpretive Site:

The ground is starting to show through the bed of snow that has covered the banks of Hot Creek at the interpretive site since late December. The warmer weather has blue wing olive mayflies and midges hatching. Midges have been the predominant insect that the trout are feeding on. Biot midge emergers and parachute midges are fooling the surface feeding trout. On the right days the blue wing olive hatch is strong enough to fish blue wing olive parachutes to the surface feeding trout. 

Hot Creek:

Canyon Section:

The snow has not melted enough to allow vehicle access to the parking lots that access the canyon of Hot Creek. The canyon has the least fly fishing pressure and nymphing is producing the bulk of the trout. Nymphing with bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, olive quilldigons, tiger midges, zebra midges, Manhattan midges, and secret midges in the runs and pools are fooling the wild rainbow trout and brown trout.

Trophy trout love to run up under the banks to avoid the danger they perceive from being hooked.

Upper Owens River:

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

The snow is receding and anglers can walk in with their waders and boots to access the upper Owens River above Benton Crossing Bridge. It’s a 30 to 50 minute walk in to the inlets of the Hot Creek forks. In the morning the snow is frozen and easy to walk on. Walking out in the late afternoon is tough as the snow is soft and you are no longer walking on top of the snow. The trophy trout are in the river and feeding on stoner nymphs, green/gold wire Prince nymphs, hot spot pheasant tail nymphs, Frenchie’s, and egg patterns. The trophy trout are concentrated in the deep holes, deep runs, and under the cutbanks.

Bishop Creek Canal is at its lowest level and is very clear making it hard to sneak up on the trout.

Bishop Creek Canal:

Behind the Ford Dealer:

Low clear water is making the trout of Bishop Creek Canal skittish. Casting 30 to 50 feet upstream of the angler allows the flies to drift without spooking the trout. Size 18 blue wing olive parachutes, size 18 olive sparkle duns, and size 20 Griffiths gnats have been fooling the surface feeding wild brown trout. I’ve been fishing these dries three feet behind a size 16 Adams parachute which I’m using as an indicator to identify where my small fly is on the water. Nymphing with zebra midges, tiger midges, olive quilldigons, and bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs is producing trout before and after the hatch.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 02-25-2022

Winter came back during this week leaving up to a foot of new snow in the higher elevations. Cold weather and wind kept most fly fishers off the water mid-week. We need the moisture, but the warm days and blue wing olive hatches had me on the water nymphing and dry fly fishing prior to the storm. Midges and mayflies continue to be the insects that have the trout feeding in the middle of winter. Saturday February 26, 2022 is the inaugural fly fishing tournament the Trout Rodeo being held in the Eastern Sierra.

Richard Standridge from Big Pine learning how to control the fly line while drifting a size 18 blue wing olive parachute that the wild brown trout were chomping on.

Lower Owens River:

Wild Trout Section:

Storms during the week have slowed down the fly fishing in the catch and release section of the lower Owens River. For the few brave fly fishers that battled the constant winds nymphing produced wild trout. Looking forward to the weather next week as we are expected to warm back up. Fly fishing should return to the good nymphing with midges and blue wing olive nymphs and the blue wing olive hatch will just get stronger as we head towards spring.

Robert Canter from Athens, Ohio with the rare lower Owens River rainbow trout that took a well drifted midge nymph.

 Hot Creek:

Interpretive Site:

Winter has returned with snow and temperatures in the negatives. I’ll wait for the next weeks weather to warm up before getting back out to Hot Creek. Before the storm rolled in, the blue wing olive hatch had the fish coming to the surface for size 18 olive sparkle duns, olive compara duns, and blue wing olive parachutes. Nymphing with size 16 olive perdigons and size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, tiger midges, zebra midges, Manhattan midges, and secret midges were fooling the wild rainbows and browns.

 Hot Creek:

Canyon Section:

It’s too cold, windy and snowy for the hike into the canyon except for the most hardy of fly fishers. Prior to the storm fly fishing in the canyon was good with little fly fishing pressure. Both nymphs and dries were producing trout. Blue wing olive mayflies and midges were providing all of the action. Once the storms pass it will be time to head back into the gorge for some great nymphing and dry fly action.

Upper Owens River:

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

Snow pack was melting and brown grass and dirt was starting to show through. Now the upper Owens River has a new short blanket of snow on the banks. Fly fishing for trophy trout continues to be good. For the few brave souls willing to fish through the storms there are trophy trout to be caught. These fish can be caught in the deeper holes, runs, and cutbanks for fly fishers willing to walk thirty minutes up the snowed over dirt road from Benton Crossing Road. Size 12 jigged patterns like the stoner, green/gold wire prince nymph, and the bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ear nymph are proven patterns on the upper Owens River trophy trout.

Cold weather and wind blew in for the week and fly fishers stayed away from Bishop Creek Canal.

Bishop Creek Canal:

Behind the Ford Dealer:

Wind and cold weather kept most fly fishers off the water middle of the week as the storms rolled through the Eastern Sierra. Prior to the storm the warm weather was kicking the blue wing olives into a hatch that had the trout coming to the surface. For dry flies I’m using size 18 olive sparkle duns, olive compara duns, and blue wing olive parachutes. For the dry fly in the dry and dropper I’m using a size 16 Adams parachute. The trout are taking midge nymphs like the zebra and tiger, the olive quilldigon, and the bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph. Trout in the canal are still spooky and require a stealthy approach.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 02-18-2022

We got a little bit of precipitation at the higher elevations. Nowhere near enough to help out the snow pack. Starting to look like year two of a drought. By the weekend we will be back to warm days here in the Owens Valley and nice days at upper elevation waters. Blue wing olive mayflies and midges are providing the food that is making the trout actively feeding. I’ve seen my first adult skwala of the winter season. I find that the nymph produces a lot more takes for me than fishing an adult pattern.

Parachute Adams, blue wing olive parachute, and X-caddis are productive flies throughout the Eastern Sierra in the winter time.

Lower Owens River:

Wild Trout Section:

Fishing pressure from weekend fly fishers and fly club outings has effected fly fishers fishing with nymphs and dries. Nymphing has been the most consistent producer with mayfly nymphs, midge nymphs, and midge pupae. I’ve been using a size 16 olive quilldigon, a size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph, and size 20 tiger midges or zebra midges. I’ve been experimenting with a few midge pupae patterns with fair results. The trout are starting to come to the surface for the hatching blue wing olive mayflies. Not all spots on the lower Owens River are equal during the hatch. Fly fishers need to move around to find areas with a concentration of rising trout. Even in areas without consistent risers I’ve been fooling trout with an Adams parachutes in sizes 16 and 18 as well as size 18 blue wing olive parachutes. Skwala stoneflies have started to hatch and should be around for a few weeks. 

Mark Rafeh of Simi Valley Euro nymphing a late afternoon session on the lower Owens River wild trout section.

Hot Creek:

Interpretive Site:

Access is still over the snow down to the interpretive site from Hot Creek Hatchery Road. Middle of the day has been good with hatching blue wing olive mayflies and midges. Size 20 blue wing olive parachutes and size 20 to 24 biot midge emergers have been fooling the wild trout of Hot Creek. Fly fishers need to watch their approach as these fish are supper spooky. Size 6X tippet, drag free drifts, and accurate casts are required to fool these wary wild trout.

 Hot Creek:

Canyon Section:

It is about a mile walk over hard pack snow into the parking lots to access the canyon section of Hot Creek from where the road is no longer plowed. Going in and out of the canyon on the trail can be tricky in spots that have ice on them. Fly fishing pressure is low as few fly fishers are willing to make the effort to hike into the canyon. For fly fishers fishing the canyon nymphing under a dry fly with midge and mayfly nymphs is producing trout. Size 16 olive perdigons, and size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs along with size 20 to 24 tiger and zebra midges are good imitations of the mayfly nymphs and midge nymphs. For the dry fly I’m using a size 16 Adams parachute. Carry mayfly parachutes for those days when the trout are actively feeding on the hatching blue wing olive mayflies.

 Upper Owens River:

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

The upper Owens River continues to produce trophy trout up to 24 inches. Access to this area is over the snow with cross country skis, waking, snowshoes, or snowmobiling. The trout have been congregating in the deep holes, runs and under the cutbanks resting and feeding on their migration up river to spawn. I try to avoid fly fishing for actively spawning trout and concentrate my effort on resting and feeding trophy trout. These trophy trout are looking for a mouth full of calories and I’m offering them size 12 stoner nymph, green/gold Prince nymph, and gold ribbed hare’s ear. These flies in jigged versions fished on a Euro rig are my go to big fish producers.

Low clear water in Bishop Creek Canal is making the trout particularly spooky right now.

Bishop Creek Canal:

Behind the Ford Dealer:

The water level in the canal is at its lowest and the water is very clear. This is making the trout extremely spooky. I’m fishing a dry and dropper and casting 30 to 50 feet upstream to keep me far enough away from the trout not to spook them. The blue wing olive hatch has been extremely sporadic and the fish have not started to feed on them with any consistency. I’m doing best with a size 16 Adams parachute and a size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph three feet under the dry on 5X tippet.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 02-11-2021

Weather is the deciding factor of successful fly fishing in the winter time. Since we are not getting snow at least we have nice warm days to enjoy on the river. The warmer weather is causing the insects to be more active and the trout are actively feeding. Midges are the stable winter food for the trout. The blue wing olive mayflies are just starting to hatch and are offering sporadic dry fly action. It will be a week or two until we see lots of surface feeding trout on blue wing olive mayflies. Mornings in the upper elevations continue to be below chilly and fly fishers need to dress accordingly.

The stoner nymph imitates the winter skawalla stonefly nymphs that will be hatching at the end of the month.

Lower Owens River:

Wild Trout Section:

The sun is shining and the days are warm in the Owens Valley. I’ve been leaving the coat in the truck. The blue wing olive mayflies have been hatching starting around 1:00 P.M. and lasting for about an hour. Fly fishers have to move around to find pools with rising trout during the hatch. Before and after the hatch the trout have been feeding heavily on mayfly nymphs. I’ve been nymphing with size 16 olive quilldigons and size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs. For dry flies I’m using size 18 blue wing olive parachutes and size 18 olive sparkle duns. 

It’s warm enough mid-day to wear a T-shirt while out Euro nymphing on the lower Owens River.

Hot Creek:

Interpretive Site:

Warm temperatures at the creek have midges and blue wing olive mayflies hatching. A size 18 blue wing olive with a size 20 tiger midge has been a good combo to fool the wild trout at the interpretative site of Hot Creek. The creek is fishing best during the warmest part of the days which has been early afternoon. These fish are spooky and fly fishers need to make a stealthy approach.

Hot Creek:

Canyon Section:

In the morning the walk in to the canyon is easier with the frozen snow. The walk out in the soft snow is taxing at times. Nymphing under a dry fly is the most productive method to fish the creek. Use a size 16 Adams parachute or a size 18 blue wing olive parachute for the dry fly. Hang a size 16 olive quilldigon, a size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph, a size 20 tiger midge or zebra midge on 24 inches of 5X fluorocarbon tippet attached to the bend of the dry fly with a cinch knot. On the warmer days in the right spots of the canyon the dry fly activity is good enough to switch from nymphs to dry flies.

Upper Owens River:

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

The snowmobiles are getting out to the river ahead of the fly fishers walking, cross country skiing, or snowshoeing into the river. They are controlling the better holes as they stay on them all day. Fly fishers not on snowmobiles need to find the deep holes, runs or under cut banks that are holding trophy trout migrating up from Crowley Lake. The fish in the deep holes and runs are resting and feeding. These fish are looking for food that will provide lots of calories. The stoner nymph, green/gold Prince nymph, and gold ribbed hare’s ear in size 12 offers the trout a bigger meal. 

Mid-day blue wing olive mayfly hatches are bringing trout to the surface to feed on size 18 blue wing olive parachutes.

Bishop Creek Canal:

Behind the Ford Dealer:

Middle of the day is seeing a good blue wing olive hatch that has the trout coming to the surface to feed on the hatching mayflies. The trout in the canal are skittish and require a subtle approach to catch them. I’m using a size 16 Adams parachute or a size 18 blue wing olive parachute with a nymph attached to a three foot tippet of 5X fluorocarbon. For the nymph I’m fishing with size 16 olive quilldigon, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph, and size 20 tiger midge or zebra midge.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 02-04-2022

Wind is the vane of every fly fisher. Cooler sunny windy days have prevailed for most of the week. Wind takes the fun out of a day on the water. For those braving the wind, nymphs have been the most productive flies. Cold morning temperatures in the Long Valley area has made fishing tough in the upper elevation waters. Be dressed to handle the freezing morning temperatures.  Hatches have been blown off the water so there has been little to no surface action. Nymphing is producing all of the action.

It’s back to bundling up in a jacket to fish Eastern Sierra waters like the lower Owens River.

 Lower Owens River:

Wild Trout Section:

Cold windy days has made fly fishing on the lower Owens River in the wild trout section miserable. Gusts are pushing casts away from the intended target. High sticking with an indicator and the wind is pushing the line causing the indicator to drag. There is some relief from the wind when your down in the river bed and sheltered by the willows and tulles. Dry flies are being blown around the surface of the water and the trout are not feeding on the surface. Nymphing is producing a few fish if you can get a drag free drift. Olive quilldigons, and bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs are my two best producers. Midge nymphs and midge emergers are producing a few trout. I’m using tiger midges, zebra midges, Manhattan midges, and secret midges. Best time to be on the water has been from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.

Wading the river in areas where the willows and tulles are thick is a way to hide from the wind.

 Hot Creek:

Interpretive Site:

Early morning temperatures have been cold making it easier to show up around 10:00 A.M when things are warming up and the trout and insects are active. When the wind lies down the midges are hatching from 11:00 to 1:00 A.M. For dry flies use biot midge emergers, and Griffiths gnats. Try trailing a midge emeger two to three feet behind the Griffith’s gnat. I’m using secret midges, Manhattan midges, and mercury two tone brassies for the emerger patterns. 

Hot Creek:

Canyon Section:

Access to the Canyon starts where the plow stops plowing. It’s about a mile walk in to the canyon over hard packed snow. Getting in and out of the canyon is tricky where there is ice on the trail. Best fishing is nymphing with midges and midge pupae patterns like tiger midges, zebra midges, blood midges, Manhattan midges, top secret midge, mercury midge, and mercury two tone brassies. This is a good spot to fish a dry and dropper. I like to use a size 16 Adams parachute with a midge pattern and a midge pupae pattern. I’m fishing these nymphs on 18 to 24 inches of 5X or 6X tippet tied to the bend of the dry fly.

Upper Owens River:

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

Access is over the snow to reach the spots on the river above Benton Crossing Bridge. Walking in with waders and boots, cross country skiing, snow shoes, and snowmobiles is necessary to access the upper river. Mornings air temperatures have been in the negatives making for very cold mornings on the river. Dress accordingly to stay warm. There is still a good population of trophy trout in the upper Owens River. These fish can be caught on nymphs like the stoner nymph, copper John’s, green/gold wire Prince nymphs, and bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ears fished in the deep holes, deep runs, and under the cut banks.

Low clear water and spooky fish is making fishing Bishop Creek Canal tough.

Bishop Creek Canal:

Behind the Ford Dealer:

The water is clear and as low as it gets. The trout have become skittish and require a stealthy approach not to spook them. I’m making long casts with a dry and dropper rig to keep from spooking trout. I’m fishing with a size 16 Adams parachute for the dry. For the nymph I’m fishing with olive quilldigons, bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, tiger midges, and zebra midges. When the wind subsides fishing Griffith’s gnats middle of the day is producing a few trout on the surface.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 01-28-2022

Warm sunny days in the middle of winter are a treat, but we have had to many nice days in a row. Time for a storm or two to roll through the Eastern Sierra. Nothing in the near future, but things might be changing on the horizon. Fishing has been fair to good middle of the day. Mayfly and midge hatches are providing action for fly fishers. Stonefly nymphs are always a good fly to offer the trout in winter as it represents a mouth full of calories to the trout. Access to upper elevations lakes is still across snow. Cross country skis, snowshoes, or snowmobiles offer the best access to these waters.

Fly fishing in a T-shirt is a bonus in the middle of winter.

Lower Owens River:

Wild Trout Section:

Trout are not consistently feeding off the surface on the midges and mayflies that have been hatching. For the diehard dry fly angler fishing with size 18 blue wing olive mayflies, size 20 biot midge emergers or Griffith’s gnats are producing a few fish for anglers that cast to rising fish. Walking the banks mid-day is the best way to find the few surface feeding trout. Nymphing has been the most consistent producer. I’ve fished with the Euro rig, an indicator, and a dry and dropper. The olive quilldigon in a size 16 and a bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph in a size 18 have been my best producers. Midges are starting to show up in the stomach samples. I’ve been fishing with tiger midges and zebra midges in size 20 and 22. Insects and trout have been most active from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.

Wild brown trout in the catch and release section of the lower Owens River have been feeding on mayfly nymph patters like the olive quilldigon and the bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph.

Hot Creek:

Interpretive Site:

Fly fishers are parking on Hot Creek Hatchery Road and walking in on the hard pack snow to the interpretive site of Hot Creek. A mid-day midge hatch has the wild trout coming to the surface to feed on the hatching midges. Griffith’s gnats and biot midge emergers in black are fooling the wild trout. Nymphing is still the most productive method of fishing in the creek. Fishing with midge emerger patterns like Manhattan midges, top secret midge, mercury midge, and mercury two tone brassies.

Hot Creek:

Canyon Section:

Getting into Hot Creek Canyon require a little effort. Fly fishers are parking at the end of the road where snow removal ends. The walk to the parking lots is straight forward. The walk into and out of the canyon is a little tricky. Icey spots make it slippery especially in the steep sections. The canyon section has the least amount of fly fishing pressure. Nymphing with midges like tiger midges, zebra midges, and blood midges is producing most of the day. During the hatch try adding a midge emerger pattern like Manhattan midges, top secret midge, mercury midge, and mercury two tone brassies. Using weight to get the flies down on the substrate where the trout are feeding can be tricky. I use small weights in the winter time like size 1 or 4. I also use a mayfly nymph that has a tungsten bead in conjunction with a midge pattern instead of adding a weight.

Upper Owens River:

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

Trophy trout are migrating through the upper Owens River above Benton Crossing Bridge. Fly fishers have to access the river over the snow. Walking in with waders and boots, cross country skiing, snow shoes, and snowmobiles is necessary to access the upper river. The trout are holding in the deeper pools and runs. Don’t overlook the cutbanks. The trophy trout like to hide under the banks where predators can’t get to them. Bigger flies in size 10 to 14 is what is needed to get the trophy trout to take your nymph. The trophy trout will not expended the energy to feed on small midges and mayflies. I like fishing with size 12 stoner nymphs, copper John’s, green/gold wire prince nymphs, and bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ears. Bouncing streamers of the substrate is another good way to get the trophy trout to take a fly. Try fishing with matukas, wooly buggers, hornbergs, and marabou muddlers in size 2, 6, or 10.

Low clear water and no fishing pressure makes Bishop Creek Canal an easy to access spot to fly fish in winter.

Bishop Creek Canal:

Behind the Ford Dealer:

I like fly fishing the canal when I only want to fly fish for an hour or two. It easy to access and is only five minutes from my house. The trout are sporadically feeding on midges and mayflies middle of the day. I’m have success nymphing under an indicator or with the Euro rig. I’m having most of my success with size 16 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, and tiger midges and zebra midges in size 20.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 01-21-2022

Winter solace is behind us. The days are slowly getting more sunlight, the temperature is warming and the insects are starting to get more active. Midges and may flies represent the most common aquatic insects for the trout to feed on. Blue wing olive mayflies have not started hatching in quantities that will bring the trout to the surface. Upper elevation waters are accessible with not as much effort as when the snow first dumped on the Eastern Sierra. Some waters can be accessed by walking in with your waders and wading boots. Cross country skis, snow shoes, and snowmobiles still offer the easiest access on the snow to the waters. If you can make it up to the Eastern Sierra in the next month or two you will find good winter fly fishing opportunities.

Heading out to fly fish on a winter day in the Owens Valley.

Lower Owens River:

Wild Trout Section:

Marin Luther King weekend saw lots of fly fishing pressure on the lower Owens River wild trout section. Fly fishing is not wide open, but there are lots of wild brown trout and a few rainbows in the river feeding on midges, midge pupae, and mayfly nymphs. I’ve been fishing with size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 16 olive quilldigons, size 20 and 22 tiger midges, zebra midges, and blood midges. If an area your fly fishing is not producing move around. A lot of trout got caught last weekend. These trout take time to recover from the stress of being caught. The number of available trout to take your fly is diminished until the trout caught on the weekend recover and start feeding again.

Midges and mayfly nymphs under an indicator produced wild brown trout for Shawn Diamond of Santa Ana on the catch and release section of the lower Owens River.

Hot Creek:

Interpretive Site:

The snow pack is hard and makes it easier to access the interpretive site of Hot Creek. Most fly fishers are walking in on the hard pack trail made by the numerous fly fishers that have accessed the creek since the last snow fall. A prolific midge hatch has the trout coming to the surface. I fish with Griffiths gnats and biot midge emergers in black. The mid-day midge hatch has the fish rising for an hour or two. This section is offering some of the best dry fly fishing in the Eastern Sierra right now.

Hot Creek:

Canyon Section:

Access to the parking lots of Hot Creek Canyon is pretty easy as fly fishers and snowmobilers have packed the snow down. Getting in and out of the canyon on the steep trails is tricky in spots. Some fly fishers are finding it easier to use snow shoes on the steep trail in and out of the canyon. Midges are providing the bulk of the activity for fly fishers. These tiny flies are hatching mid-day and nymphs and dry flies are producing trout. Midge patterns and midge pupae patterns like tiger midges, zebra midges, Manhattan midges, and two tone brassies in size 20 are fooling the wild trout. At the peak of the hatch the trout are feeding on midges off of the surface. The biot midge emerger and the Griffiths gnats are fooling the finicky trout rising to the surface of Hot Creek in the Canyon.

Upper Owens River:

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

Trophy trout are providing action for fly fishers willing to put in the effort to access the upper Owens River in the middle of winter. Days are cold with morning temperatures in the negatives. The farther up-stream you can access the river the less fly fishing pressure on the trout and the easier they are to fool with nymphs. Fly fishers are walking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing and snowmobiling into the upper Owens River over the two to three feet of snow blanketing the ground. The trophy trout are in the deeper holes and pools resting on their migration up river. The fish in these spots are actively feeding. Larger nymphs like size 12 stoner nymphs, size 12 green/gold wire Prince nymphs, and size 12 gold ribbed hare’s ears offer the trophy trout a mouth full of calories.

Bishop Creek Canal is a great place for young anglers like Hudson Carpenter from Aliso Viejo to learn fly fishing techniques.

Bishop Creek Canal Behind the Ford Dealer:

Just north of town and warm temperatures makes fishing the canal a fun place to fly fish for an hour or two. There is very little fly fishing pressure on the canal as most fly fishers are not aware of the changes in the regulations opening up moving waters in the Easter Sierra to catch and release fishing with barbless lures and flies. There are a few fish rising to midges,  but the bulk of the action has been on nymphs. Blue wing olive nymph imitations, midge nymphs, and midge pupae are fooling the wild brown trout and the rare wild or hold over rainbow trout. I’m fishing under an indicator, on a Euro rig, and with a dry and dropper rig. Tiger midges in size 20, olive quilldigons in size 16, and bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs in size 18 are fooling the trout.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 01-14-2022

Weather impacts the winter fly fishing in the Eastern Sierra. We are in for a week of sunny days with no big weather fronts anticipated. The increased day light is helping to warm up the streams so the insects and trout are more active middle of the day from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. We are in the middle of winter and it is midge time. This is the trout’s stable food source when other aquatic insects are inactive. Midges in size 16 to 20 cover the range of midges found in the streams and rivers of the Eastern Sierra.

Fly fishers are hooking up middle of the day when the trout and insects are most active. Photo by Embry Rucker

Lower Owens River:

Wild Trout Section:

The wild trout section of the lower Owens River is offering consistent mid-day fly fishing with nymphs for wild brown trout. Fly fishers can expect to hook up using mayfly nymphs and midges. Euro nymphing and fishing under an indicator is the most productive way to fly fish the lower Owens River. There are a few fish rising in the middle of the day to emerging midges if you are in the right  spot. Pheasant tail nymphs, peeking caddis, tiger midges, zebra midges, and blood midges are fooling the brown trout. Key to success is having the right amount of weight on the rig to get a drag free drift of the nymphs on the substrate.

Embry Rucker from Encinitas working a size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph under an indicator on one of the riffles in the catch and release section of the lower Owens River.

Hot Creek:

Interpretive Site:

Fly fishers have been accessing the interpretive site by walking in from Hot Creek Hatchery Road. Enough fly fishers, along with warmer weather, have packed down the snow to make for easier access into Hot Creek. Fishing has been slow with nymphing under an indicator or under a dry fly producing a few wild brown trout. Conditions remind me of the dogs days of summer. What we have now are the frozen days of winter. Fly fishers willing to work hard are landing a few wild brown and rainbow trout in the middle of the day. 

 Hot Creek:

Canyon Section:

To fly fish the canyon section of Hot Creek fly fishers have to put in extra effort to access the three parking lots. Walking, snowshoeing, or cross country skiing in from Hot Creek Hatchery Road where they stop plowing is required to get to the canyon. Fly fishing has been tough as there is not much insect activity going on for the trout to feed on. The primary insect in the canyon has been midges. Black and red bodied midges are your best patterns right now. I fish with tiger midges, zebra midges, blood midges, two tone brassies, and Manhattan midges in sizes 16 to 20. 

Fly fishers trekking into the upper Owens River need to be prepared for the days conditions. Photo by Embry Rucker

Upper Owens River:

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

Mornings have been cold with temperatures in the negative range. Fly fishers heading a mile or two upstream from Benton Crossing Bridge need to be prepared for adverse conditions. The trophy trout are on the bite and can be found feeding in the deeper holes and runs. Stoner nymphs, green/gold wire Prince nymphs, gold ribbed hare’s ears, and copper John’s are the fly patterns that I have the best luck with. These flies need to be fished down deep in the pools and runs. Don’t be afraid to add additional weight to get the flies down on the substrate where the trophy trout are feeding.

Bishop Creek Canal Behind the Ford Dealer:

This area continues to be under-utilized by fly fishers and offers good mid-day fly fishing nymphing under an indicator, using the dry and dropper method, or Euro nymphing. The wild brown trout are taking midge nymphs, midge pupae, and mayfly nymphs. For the dry fly in the dry and dropper rig I’m using a size 16 Adams parachute. For the nymphs under an indicator or the dry fly I’m fishing with size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 20 tiger midges, zebra midges, blood midges, two tone brassies, and Manhattan midges. On the Euro rig I’m fishing with a size 16 or 18 olive quilldigon, size 18 tiger midge, size 12 stoner nymph, size 16 Butano nymph, size 16 thread Frenchie, and a size 16 hot spot pheasant tail nymph.

Peter Moglia from Hermosa Beach nymphing Bishop Creek Canal on a sunny day in the Owens Valley.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 01-07-2022

We’ve gotten a break from the storms. The days have been sunny, but not overly warm. Not much in the way of hatching insects. This is nymphing time on most Eastern Sierra waters. Midges are king this time of year on most waters. Black and red are the most common color of midges in Eastern Sierra Waters. The lower Owens River occasionally gets an olive midge. There are a few little fish feeding on the surface of the waters on midge clusters.

Carrying a rod set up to fish a dry fly while fishing a nymph set up is a great way to be prepared for the sporadic hatches found in the winter time.

Lower Owens River:

Wild Trout Section:

Nymphing with midges and mayfly nymphs is what’s needed this time of year. There are a few trout rising to midges, but the bulk of the trout are feeding on nymphs right on the bottom of the river. Mating swarms of midges are on the water early in the morning and a few fish can be fooled fishing with a Griffith’s gnat. I like to nymph under an indicator with a size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph and a size 18 or 20 tiger midge, zebra midges, blood midge, or a two tone brassie. 

The Sierra Mountains covered in their winter whites are the perfect back drop for fly fishing on the lower Owens River.

Hot Creek:

Interpretive Site:

Access is on Hot Creek Hatchery Road. Fly fishers have to walk in on the snow. Fly fishing has been slow. There are wild browns and rainbows willing to take a well placed midge fished under a dry fly or an indicator. There are lots of midge nymph patterns that will work. I like to fish the tried and true tiger midge, zebra midge and a blood midge in sizes 18 or 20.

Hot Creek:

Canyon Section:

Fly fishers can only drive as far as the road has been plowed. From there fly fishers need to walk, snowshoe, ski, or snowmobile into the three canyon access points. Getting into the canyon can be a little tricky with all the snow and ice on the trail. Fishing is all nymphing with midges and I like to fish a size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph in tandem. It represents the mayfly nymphs living in the substrate. Your favorite midge nymph with a black body fished under an indicator or a dry fly will produce a few wild trout.

Upper Owens River:

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

The snow has settled after the storm and is easier to travel across to reach the deep pools and holes that are holding trophy trout. Fly fishers need to ski, snowshoe, or snowmobile in to the upper Owens River. There are trophy trout hanging in the deeper pools and runs willing to feed on a well-placed nymph or streamer. Stoner nymphs, green/gold wire Prince nymphs, gold ribbed hare’s ears, and copper John’s are fooling the trout.

Bishop Creek Canal Behind the Ford Dealer:

The fly fishing has slowed down as the trout are feeding on nymphs in the deeper pools. Fishing nymphs is the method that is producing trout. I’ve fished under an indicator, under a dry fly and with the Euro rig. The fish are feeding on midges, and mayfly nymphs. I’m using tiger midges, zebra midges, and bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs. The trout are skittish as the water is clear and low. My shadows on the water is spooking trout.

Nymphing Bishop Creek Canal middle of the day is a fun way to catch wild brown trout.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 12-31-2021

We wanted snow and we got it. The upper elevations got pounded the last two weeks. It will be a few more days for crews to clean up the snow in the towns and on the roads. Most upper elevation waters are inaccessible due to the heavy snow pack. Most roads accessing upper elevation lakes and streams are closed for the winter. The Owens Valley is snow free and the fly fishing has been good with nymphs. We are heading into midge season on Eastern Sierra waters.

The Owens Valley got a dusting of snow and the Sierra got dumped on.

Lower Owens River:

Wild Trout Section:

There is a dusting of snow on the ground and lots of water puddles on the drive out Chalk Bluff Road to access the lower Owens River in the wild trout section. Fly fishing pressure has been at a minimum and the wild brown trout are feeding on midges and caddis. Stick caddis have been the most abundant insect in stomach samples from trout in the wild trout section. There are a few trout feeding on midges on the surface, but nymphing is the most productive method of fishing the lower river right now. I’ve been successful with size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 16 olive quilldigons, size 12 stoner nymphs, and size 16 Butano nymphs.

Michael Palmer from San Diego had a great day Euro nymphing and catching wild brown trout.

Hot Creek:

Interpretive Site:

Access is hampered by the amount of snow the area got out of the last series of storms. Roads are slowly getting cleaned up. There is two to four feet of fresh snow to wade through or post hole through to reach the creek. It’s a lot of work to reach the creek. Fly fishing is slow and there is little to no surface activity. Midges make up the bulk of the trout’s diet this time of the year. There are lots of midge patterns that will work on the creek as long as there in sizes 16 to 20. I use tiger midges, zebra midges, soft hackle brassies, and secret midges.

Hot Creek:

Canyon Section:

The road is only plowed to Hot Creek Ranch. From there fly fishers will need to snow shoes, ski, or snowmobile into the canyon section. Nymphing is the only game here with a Euro rig, under an indicator, or with a dry and dropper set up. Midges are the insects most available to the trout right now. I use tiger midges, zebra midges, soft hackle brassies, two tone brassies and secret midges.

Upper Owens River:

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

Access is to the Benton Bridge. Fly fishers will have to park off Benton Crossing Road at the river and snow shoe, ski, or snowmobile in to the river. The snow is fresh and soft making it hard to get around. In a few days the snow will firm up making accessing the river easier for fly fishers willing to put in the effort to get out on the upper Owens River to fly fish. Nymphing the deep holes and runs where the trophy trout are stacked up will produce trout. Fly fishers will need to cover a lot of river to find pods of trophy trout willing to take there imitations. Larger nymphs like stoner nymphs, green/gold wire Prince nymphs, gold ribbed hare’s ears, and copper John’s are fooling the trout.

Bishop Creek Canal Behind the Ford Dealer:

There is very little fly fishing pressure in this section. There are a few trout feeding on midges middle of the day on the surface. Nymphing has been the most productive method on the canal. Olive quilldigons, bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ears, tiger midges, zebra midges, and blood midges have been fooling the wild brown trout and the occasional hold over rainbow trout.

Middle of the day the trout will take a nymph fished under a dry fly or on a Euro rig in Bishop Creek Canal.