Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 12-22-2022

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone. This is a time to reflect on my relationships, new and old. I’ve had a great year fly fishing and have enjoyed the time I’ve spent on the water with everyone. I am looking forward to developing new relationships and rekindling old relationships as we move into the new year.

Winter solstice is now behind us. I’m tempted to say that the days are going to get longer, but I know that a day is 24 hours. It is the amount of sunlight we get each day that is now increasing. I find that it takes mid to late January for the fly fishing to pick up again. With the day light at its least the insects are not very active and neither are the trout. While there will be some surface activity, nymphing will be the most productive method of fly fishing for the next four to six weeks. I find Euro nymphing techniques to be the most productive nymphing method on Eastern Sierra moving waters in the winter time. Snow will be the limiting factors for fly fishers plying waters at elevations above 6,500 feet.

The best part of a snow storm is when the sun comes out and the snow is on the peaks of the Eastern Sierra and the lower Owens River is fishing good middle of the day.

Lower Owens River:

Wild Trout Section:

Mornings and late afternoon fly fishing is cold and the trout are not very active. Mid-day from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. offers good fly fishing with nymphs and the occasional opportunity to fish dry flies. I spend most of winter time Euro nymphing the lower Owens River with size 18 olive quildigons, size 12 stoner nymphs, and size 16 hot spot pheasant tail nymphs. Trout are starting to feed on midges as they are an active aquatic insect that is hatching right now. The trout are taking midge nymphs and midge pupae patterns. I’m midging with zebra midges, tiger midges, Manhattan midges, and blood midges in sizes 22 and 24. There is still a blue wing olive mayfly hatch middle of the day.

Wild brown trout are the dominate species in the lower Owens River.

Hot Creek:

Interpretive Site:

The interpretive site is easier to access than the canyon section. This area is getting more fly fishing pressure than the canyon, but fly fishing pressure is lite. Middle of the day, 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. is the best time to be on the water. Nymphing with midges and blue wing olive nymphs is producing the best right now as there is little insect hatching activity.

There are days in the winter will you can be the only fly fisher on the water like Rod Humphrey.

Hot Creek:

Canyon Section:

Accessing the canyon requires fly fishers to walk in from Hot Creek Ranch on the road, snowmobile, or cross country ski in. Hiking in and out of the canyon is tricky with all this snow on the ground. This extra effort keeps most fly fishers off the creek. With the decrease in fly fishing pressure anglers that are fly fishing in the canyon are catching fish with an opportunity to catch a trophy trout. Nymphing is the primary method of fly fishing in the canyon in the winter time. I’m fishing with midge nymphs and blue wing olive nymph patterns.

Are we going to have to wait tell march to see trophy trout in the upper Owens River like this rainbow displayed by Napa fly fisher Alex Cukui from March of 2021.

Upper Owens River:

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

Most fly fishers are going with guides that have snowmobiles if they don’t have their own snowmobiles. From Benton Crossing Bridge it takes about an hour to walk into the areas that offer the best fly fishing. The trophy trout have not showed up into the upper Owens River in big concentrations yet. I’m covering lots of water looking for the few trophy trout that are in the river and not spawning. I’m fishing with jigged stoner nymphs and green/gold Prince nymphs in size 12.

Overcast days are usually good for blue wing olive hatches, but with the low flows the canal is fishing tough right now.

Bishop Creek Canal:

Behind the Ford Dealer:

Water levels are at their lowest and the fly fishing is tough as it is hard to approach the trout without spooking them. I’m nymphing with zebra midges, tiger midges, blood midges, bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, and olive quilldigons. I’m fishing with my Euro rod and I’m spooking trout. I’m fishing with a dry and dropper rig and casting 40 to 50 feet in front of me. Even at these distances I’m still spooking trout.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 12-16-2022

Fly fishers are aware of the dog days of summer when the temperatures in the stream rise to the point that the trout become lethargic. The same phenomenon happens in winter when the water gets so cold that the trout’s diet is nonexistent. From the middle of December through mid to late January the trout’s nutritional requirements are at their lowest. During these times you need to put your fly pattern right in front of the trout. If I take four to six casts to cover a spot in the summer time, I’m taking 18 to 24 casts in the winter time to cover the same water. Midges and blue wing olive mayflies are the predominate winter insects in Eastern Sierra moving waters. I also through some big morsels, stone fly nymphs, to entice the bigger trout to feed on as easy meal. The latest storms left up to three feet of snow at the upper elevation peaks in the Eastern Sierra.

Sierra Bright Dot owner Fred Rowe taking advantage of an overcast day on the lower Owens River while the storm leaves snow on the upper elevation peaks.

Lower Owens River:

Wild Trout Section:

Blue wing olive hatches in the middle of the day, 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M., have the trout actively feeding. It’s a short window of opportunity to catch trout this time of the year. There are midge pupae, midge nymphs, and mayfly nymphs the trout are feeding on. Tiger and zebra midge pupae and midge nymphs and blue wing olive nymphs are the flies I’m throwing for the trout. I’m dressing warm, thermals and jacket, to stay in the water fishing for as long as I want. Nymphing with the Euro rod continues to be my productive method of fly fishing the lower Owens River.

Wading upstream where you cannot fish from the bank opens up all kinds of fly fishing spots to explore.

Hot Creek:

Interpretive Site:

This area got up to 18 inches of new snow. Time will tell if enough vehicles will access the road to make the road drivable. Hot Creek is in winter mode with the fish feeding middle of the day if there are midges or blue wing olive mayflies hatching. This is a tough area to nymph fish, but it will be the most productive method for the next month or two.

With the new snow on the ground it will take a few days for anglers to build trails in the snow making access easier like it was before the latest storms.

Hot Creek:

Canyon Section:

Accessing the canyon section with all this new snow is the hurdle of fly fishing in the canyon. Snow shoes or cross country skis will make access easier. There is enough open water sections for fly fishers to be able to nymph. I’m fishing with midge nymphs, pupae, and mayfly nymphs. I’m fishing my nymphs under a size 16 Adams parachute. My tippet under the dry fly is 18 to 24 inches of 5X or 6X fluorocarbon tippet. Success here requires lots of casts to drift the fly right in front of a trout that wants to feed. Effort equals more trout to the hand. Cover the water thoroughly.

Parking is limited on the upper Owens River to parking in and around Benton Crossing Bridge.

Upper Owens River:

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

Fishing here is still tough as not a lot of trophy trout are in the river. Successful fly fishers are covering lots of water looking for the few trophy trout that are feeding and resting in the deep holes, runs, and cutbanks. Access is by foot, snowshoes, cross country skiing, or snowmobiles. The better runs and holes are about an hour’s walk up upstream of Benton Crossing Bridge. I’m fishing with larger nymph imitations on my Euro rig. I like fishing with a stoner nymph and a green/gold Prince nymph for the trophy trout.

Bishop Creek Canal is at its lowest levels of winter and fly fishing is tough right now.

Bishop Creek Canal:

Behind the Ford Dealer:

Fishing here is tough as water levels are at their lowest levels. There are a few trout here and there, but they are very spooky. Middle of the day is the best time to be on the water. Nymphing with the Euro rod, under an indicator, or under a dry fly will produce a few trout. Most indicators are spooking the trout. Yarn indicators or a dry fly will spook less trout. I’m nymphing with zebra midges, tiger midges, blood midges, bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, and olive quilldigons.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 12-09-2022

We are expecting winter storms this weekend that could bring as much as 24 inches of fresh snow on the peaks in the Eastern Sierra. The Owens Valley is expected to get rain from these storms. We are heading in to the winter doldrums. For me the middle of December to middle of January is the toughest fly fishing of the year in the Eastern Sierra. This time frame corresponds with the least amount of sunlight per day as we approach winter Solstice and head into winter. I find that there is little insect activity and fly fishers will do best fishing nymphs. In the winter time I make three to four times more casts to cover the water then I do in the summer months. This time of the year you need to put the fly in the trout’s mouth or they will not take your nymphs.

Bishop Creek in the Owens Valley is a great place to fish when winter storms are brewing in the upper elevations.

Lower Owens River:

Wild Trout Section:

Midges and blue wing olive mayflies are providing the action that have the wild trout feeding. Midges are on the water earlier and later in the day. The blue wing olive hatch happens mid-day. While I’m seeing times where the trout are selectively feeding on adult blue wing olive mayflies on the surface, I continue to nymph fish with my euro rig. For the adult patterns I’m fishing with size 18 or 20 blue wing olive parachutes and with size 20 Griffiths gnats. On the Euro rig I’m fishing with a size 18 olive quildigon, size 12 stoner nymph, and a size 16 hot spot pheasant tail nymph. Under the indicator fish with a size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph or a size 20 tiger midge, zebra midge or Manhattan midge.

Zach Zira from Mission Viejo is enjoying the mid-day fly fishing action that the blue wing olive mayflies provide on the lower Owens River wild trout section.

Hot Creek:

Interpretive Site:

The past storms only left a little bit of snow on the ground and the road is accessible with four wheel drive vehicles. Fishing is good mid-day with blue wing olive parachutes. Try fishing midge adult patterns before or after the blue wing olive hatch. This area is expected to get up to a foot of snow this weekend.

Fly fishing Hot Creek by yourself is one of the perks of winter fly fishing on the creek.

Hot Creek:

Canyon Section:

Four wheel drive vehicles can still access the parking areas for the canyon. The trail in and out of the canyon has icy sections and fly fishers need to be careful in this section. The canyon is a good spot to fish with nymphs in the areas that offer open water now that the weed beds are receding. I’m fishing with bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs and zebra midges, tiger midges, and secret midges. I’m fishing the nymphs under a size 16 Adams parachute. I will switch to dries if the trout are selectively feeding on the adult mayflies and midges at the peak of the hatch.

The upper Owens River dirt roads are still accessible with four wheel drive vehicles, but may not be after this weekend’s snow storms.

Upper Owens River:

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

This area is still accessible by four wheel drives. The rainbow trout from Crowley Lake have not come into the river in any concentration. There are a few trophy trout in the river taking nymphs and streamers. Successful fly fishers are covering lots of river in search of that one or two trophy trout that will take their fly offerings.

Mid-day on Bishop Creek Canal and no one is fly fishing it.

Bishop Creek Canal:

Behind the Ford Dealer:

Water levels are way down and the trout are extremely spooky. It’s hard to approach the trout without spooking them. I’m fishing a nymph under a dry and making 40 to 50 foot casts. Even with the long casts most of the trout I can see are getting spooked by my casts. The creek flows need to increase to offer better fly fishing.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 12-02-2022

Our warm mid-day weather is about to turn into much needed winter weather as the Eastern Sierra are expecting storms over the weekend. There will be new snow at upper elevations and hopefully a little rain in the Owens Valley. The trout’s winter feeding hours will be from 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M to coincide with winter insect activity. Fish can be caught before and after these hours, but prime trout fishing will be in the middle of the day. Midges and mayflies will be providing the bulk of the insect activity until we get to February when stoneflies and caddis will be hatching.

The Home Street Middle School fly fishing club enjoyed a late afternoon session of nymphing on Bishop Creek Canal.

Lower Owens River:

Wild Trout Section:

I’m getting out to the wild trout section by 11:00 A.M. just in time to catch the blue wing olive hatch that starts mid-day. While some sections have enough trout rising to the surface for dry fly action, I prefer to fish nymphs on my Euro rig. Size 18 blue wing olive patterns like blue wing olive parachutes and olive sparkle duns are fooling the surface feeding wild trout. On the Euro rig I’m fishing with an olive quilldigon, stoner nymph, and hot spot pheasant tail nymph. I’ve been catching fish on all three flies. I’m wading into sections that are heavily lined with willows and tulles. These are spots that a lot of fly fishers don’t fish.

Andrew Castillo from San Diego learned how to Euro nymph honing his skill while catching little brown trout.

Hot Creek:

Interpretive Site:

Access before the storms was easy as multiple vehicles had packed down the snow on the road to the Interpretive site and in the parking area. Access after the storms will depend on the accumulated snow fall. Fishing mid-day has been good with midges and blue wing olives. I’m using size 20 blue wing olive parachutes, size 20 sparkle duns, and size 22 midge emergers.

Hot Creek Canyon is tricky to access when it has snow, but is worth the effort when the wild browns are taking nymphs and dries.

 Hot Creek:

Canyon Section:

If there is enough accumulated snow from this series of storms it’s highly probable that the road will not be accessible by vehicles. Nymphing with mayfly nymphs and midge nymphs has been the most productive method of fly fishing the canyon prior to the storms. Dry fly activity, if it happens, will be middle of the day. The primary winter hatch will be midges with the occasional blue wing olive hatch.

Fly fishers covering lots of river looking for trophy trout that are feeding and resting in the deep holes, runs and cutbanks are finding a few trout willing to take stoner nymphs and green/gold Prince nymphs.

Upper Owens River:

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

Access to the upper Owens River will be tough right after the storms. It will take a few days for the snowmobiles and walking in fly fishers to pack down the trail. Fishing on the upper Owens has been tough as there are few trophy trout in the system. Successful fly fishers are covering lots of water looking for the few trophy trout that are resting and feeding in the deep holes, runs and cutbanks. I like fishing with larger nymphs dredged on the bottom of the deep water sections. I’m Euro nymphing with size 12 stoner nymphs, and size 12 green/gold Prince nymphs.

John Mcquade from San Diego is nymphing over a pod of stocker rainbows that were taking his nymph fished under an indicator.

Bishop Creek Canal:

Behind the Ford Dealer:

Few fly fishers are taking advantage of the canal being open to catch and release barbless lures and flies for the winter season. The trout are feeding on nymphs and I’m fishing under an indicator or with the Euro rig. I’m fishing with bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, hot spot pheasant tail nymphs, stoner nymphs, and olive quilldigons. There are a few pods of stocked trout roaming around in the canal offering fly fishers a chance to catch a few rainbows.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 11-25-2022

Warm days and mid-day hatches are offering fly fishers good fishing on a number of Eastern Sierra Fly Fishing waters. With cold mornings, hatches are starting late morning or early afternoon. Upper elevation waters have 12 to 24 inches of snow. Some spots are drivable. Others spots I park and walk in. I prefer not to get my truck stuck in the snow. Caddis and blue wing olive mayflies are providing the food for the trout

City of Los Angeles Department of water and power is doing scheduled maintenance on Pleasant Valley Dam power station and are rerouting the lower Owens River below the maintenance road.

Lower Owens River:

Wild Trout Section:

As of November 16th the wild trout section of the lower Owens River is now catch and release with barbless lures and flies. I’m starting to see brown trout redds in the riffles throughout the wild trout section. This is the future population of trout and these redds should be avoided by wading fly fishers.  The lower Owens River is offering quantity fly fishing with dry flies and nymphs for wild brown trout and rainbow trout to 12 inches. The best fishing, during the hatch, has been from 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. Dry fly enthusiasts are finding pods of selectively feeding trout that are taking size 20 blue wing olive parachutes, and olive sparkle duns. Nymphing under an indicator or on a Euro rig has been the most productive method of fly fishing the lower Owens River in the wild trout section. I’ve been catching trout up till dark.

Kelly Wagner from San Luis Obispo landing a wild brown trout on the lower Owens River even though the bottom section of his rod fell off .

Hot Creek:

Interpretive Site:

Four wheel vehicles can access the interpretive site parking area. Snow has been trampled down by fly fishers increasing access along the creek. A blue wing olive hatch from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. have the wild brown trout feeding on the surface. I’m using size 20 blue wing olive parachutes, and olive sparkle duns. There are a few trophy trout coming to the surface to feed on the hatching blue wing olive mayflies.

Rod Humphrey fishing the interpretive site all by himself on a cold day during the blue wing olive hatch.

Hot Creek:

Canyon Section:

Access into the canyon is slippery going up and down the hill and fly fishers need to be cautious. There are open water spots that fly fishers can drift nymphs through. Euro nymphing, Tenkara nymphing, and dry and a dropper nymphing techniques are producing wild brown trout and rainbow trout to 14 inches. I’m fishing with size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, and olive quilldiqgons. During the hatch I’m fishing the surface with size 20 blue wing olive parachutes or olive sparkle duns.

Fly fishers can try fly fishing in the area upstream of Benton Bridge, but the best fishing is a 45 minute to hour walk up steam.

Upper Owens River:

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

Fishing for trophy trout is tough right now. There are not a lot of trophy trout in the river. Covering lots of water fishing with stoner nymphs and green/gold Prince nymphs in the deep holes, runs, and cutbanks is the way to find a trophy trout or two. I’m fishing 45 minutes to an hour walk upstream from Benton Crossing Bridge. It’s a lot of effort for few trophy trout.

Below Benton Crossing Bridge:

This section is closed to fishing as of Wednesday November 16, 2022.

This is the time of year to fly fish the canal with no fly fishing pressure.

Bishop Creek Canal:

Behind the Ford Dealer:

If you’re looking for a spot to fly fish all by yourself the canal is that spot. I’m nymphing with bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, and olive quilldigons. The best fishing is from 11:00 to 1:00 P.M. The hatch has been sporadic, but if you see a lot of trout feeding on the surface, I would try a size 20 blue wing olive parachute.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 11-18-2022

As of Wednesday November 16, 2022 Eastern Sierra waters are under winter regulations. Non resort lakes like Intake Two, North Lake, and backcountry lakes are open to year round fishing with no gear restrictions. Resort lakes like Crowley Lake, South Lake, and Sabrina are closed to fishing for the winter. Most moving waters, rivers, streams and canals are under catch and release regulations with barbless lures or flies through the Friday preceding the last Saturday in April. Be sure to check the California Department of Fish and Wildlife fishing regulations PDF section 7.50 for specific water closures.

Twelve to 24 inches of snow can be found at upper elevation waters. The snow is soft and it’s tough waking through it with just boots or waders. Snow shoes, cross country skis, or snowmobiles are the easier way to get around. Cold windy days are for staying home tying flies and getting caught up on paper work. Warm windless days are for being out on the waters of the Eastern Sierra fly fishing. Hatches of mayflies and caddis are keeping the trout actively feeding. It’s cold out there and fly fishers should be adequately dressed for winter conditions.

With snow on the ground at upper elevations fly fishers need to be careful where they drive and park their vehicles.

 Lower Owens River:

Wild Trout Section:

There is a good mid-day blue wing olive hatch that is keeping the trout actively feeding on dries and nymphs. The closer you are to Five Bridges Road you will find trout actively feeding on the freshly hatching blue wing olive mayflies. The key to fishing dry flies is to find pods of surface selectively feeding trout and presenting your dry fly with a drag free drift. I’m consistently doing well with blue wing olive nymph patterns under an indicator or on the Euro nymph rig. On the surface I’m using size 20 olive sparkle duns and size 20 blue wing olive parachutes. On the Euro rig I’m using olive quilldigons, stoner nymphs, and hot spot pheasant tail nymphs. Under the indicator I’m using size 18 olive quilldigons and size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs.

Elise Minichiello from Ventura with a wild brown trout from the catch and release section of the lower Owens River that took a size 18 olive quilldigon.

Hot Creek:

Interpretive Site:

The interpretive site is covered in a blanket of snow from 12 to 24 inches deep. Fly fishers are making tracks in the snow which is making getting around in the snow easier. Vehicles can be driven up to the Kiosk. A late morning very early afternoon blue wing olive hatch has the trout actively fishing on the surface. Size 20 blue wing olive parachutes trailed three feet behind a size 16 Adams parachute is the rig that is producing trout for me and my clients. The fishing shuts down by 1:00 P.M.

Hot Creek Canyon has just enough snow to make the trek in and out of the canyon an adventure.

Hot Creek:

Canyon Section:

This area is harder to access. You will need a four wheel drive with clearance to get through the snow on the road which will not be plowed. The parking lots are tricky to park in as few vehicles have driven into them packing the snow down. Access up and down the trials into the canyon is tough with wind drifts up to two feet deep. Going down is easier then coming out. Coming out is much slippery then going down. Nymphing and dry flies are producing wild trout in this section. Nymphing with an Adams dry fly 18 to 24 inches above a size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph or size 18 olive quilldigon is producing fish most of the day. During the hatch I’ve been throwing size 20 blue wing olive parachutes at the rising trout. This is an area for very fit fly fishers to be fishing.

The upper Owens River has a blanket of snow that fly fishers need to negotiate to reach the trout’s spawning grounds upstream of Benton Crossing Bridge.

Upper Owens River:

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

There is lots of snow on the ground here. I would only drive out the roads above Benton Crossing Bridge if there are lots of tire tracks. It’s pretty easy to get your vehicle stuck on the snow covered dirt roads. Fly fishers parking at Benton Crossing Bridge and walking upstream are finding trophy trout willing to take nymphs and steamers. I’ve been fishing with size 12 stoner nymphs and size 12 green/gold Prince nymphs on the Euro rig. Best fishing has been 30 minutes to an hours walk above the bridge. I’m working the nymphs in the deep holes, runs, and cutbanks that the trophy trout are resting and feeding in. I avoid actively spawning fish on redds. These reproducing trout are the future of our wild trout population in the upper Owens River.

 Below Benton Crossing Bridge:

This section is closed to fishing as of Wednesday November 16, 2022.

With winter regulations in effect few fly fishers fish Bishop Creek Canal in the winter time.

Bishop Creek Canal:

Behind the Ford Dealer:

Bishop Creek Canal is now under winter fishing regulations which is catch and release barbless flies or lures only. I’m Euro nymphing with olive quilldigons, stoner nymphs, and hot spot pheasant tail nymphs. Under an indicator I’m using bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs and olive quilldigons. There are a few stocker rainbows left in this area. Wild brown trout will be the most commonly caught trout during the winter months in the canal.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 11-11-2022

The mountains are full of snow as the last storm left 12 to 24 inches of snow at the upper elevations. This is a great start to a winter snow pack. Waters above 7,000 feet are full of snow and fly fishers should use caution driving in these areas especially on the dirt roads. For those that get stuck in the snow try contacting Frosty 4 Wheeler off-road towing to get you out at 760 625-4537. It always seems like we go from warm weather to cold weather over night. I’m now fishing in my down jacket where two weeks ago I gave up my shorts and flip flops. It’s definitely cold out there on the rivers. Be sure to check the California Department of Fish and Wildlife fishing regulations to know the opened and closed waters starting on November 16, 2022.

The mountains have their winter blanket of snow which makes a great back drop when fishing the waters of the Owens Valley.

Lower Owens River:

Wild Trout Section:

Water levels are down to rock bottom at 80 CFS. This allows fly fishers to go almost everywhere in the stream bed. The only places I can’t go are the holes that are deeper than I am tall. Nymphing is producing the bulk of the fish for me at this time. I’m Euro nymphing with olive quilldigons, stoner nymphs, and hot spot pheasant tail nymphs. If you’re in the right place at the right time of day when the blue wing olive hatch is coming off you can switch to dry flies. A size 20 blue wing olive parachute or a size 20 pheasant tail emerger will fool the surface feeding trout.

A rainbow trout that took a size 18 olive quilldigon fished on the Tenkara rod deep in a pool in the lower Owens River.

Hot Creek:

Interpretive Site:

This area is now under 12 inches to 18 inches of fresh snow from this latest storm. Access is dependent on the road to the ranch being plowed. Blue wing olive adults and gray caddis are hatching and bringing the trout to the surface. I’m using size 20, blue wing olive parachutes, olive sparkle duns, gray partridge spent caddis, gray X-caddis, and gray elk hair caddis. Look for pools with selectively feeding trout. Trout feeding on mayflies will leave rings on the surface of the creek. Trout feeding on caddis will be breaking the waters surface. You will see parts of the trout coming through the creeks surface.

 Hot Creek Canyon no longer looks like this since it is covered in a blanket of 12 to 18 inches of snow.

Hot Creek:

Canyon Section:

With the fresh snow, access to this area is going to be on foot from Hot Creek Ranch for at least a few days or possible until the snow melts in spring. Time will tell on access to the canyon. Fishing in here will be tough, but for fly fishers willing to do battle with the weeds the trout will take dries and nymphs. I’ve been nymphing with size 18 olive quilldigons and size 20 gray La Fontaine caddis emergers. On the surface I’m using size 20 blue wing olives and size 20 gray X-caddis.

A week ago the mountain tops were dusted with snow and now there is over a foot of snow on the ground on the upper Owens River.

Upper Owens River:

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

Access will be determined by the amount of snow on the road. If you drive in from Benton Crossing, I would suggest extreme caution as getting stuck is a real reality. There was a fresh run of trophy trout in the river before the storm came in. I expect to see more fish move in with the change in weather. The cold weather should be the catalyst to get the spawning run started. I will be walking into this section from Benton Crossing Bridge using my Euro nymphing rod with size 12 stoner nymphs, and size 12 green/gold Prince nymphs. I like working the deep holes, runs and cutbanks where the migrating trout like to rest and feed on their journey upstream.

With new snow on the ground it is going to be difficult to get a final fly fishing trip into the Monument area of the upper Owens River which closes on Tuesday November 15, 2022.

Below Benton Crossing Bridge:

The last day to fish this section is Tuesday November 15, 2022. This section is probably done for the year. I would not make first tracks in the snow here. I will drive in if it looks like there has been multiple vehicles accessing this area. I’m fishing my Euro rod with size 12 green/gold Prince nymphs, and size 12 stoner nymphs. The deep holes is where I’m concentrating my effort. There are a few spawners moving through this area.

August Chamberlain throwing a Panther Martin in the canal before it goes to catch and release fishing for the winter.

Bishop Creek Canal:

Behind the Ford Dealer:

Tuesday November 15, 2022 is the last day to keep trout in the canal. On Wednesday November 16, 2022 Bishop Creek Canal goes to catch and release lures and flies. I’ve been successfully fishing size 18 olive quilldigons and size 12 3.00 mm stoner nymphs. I’ve been catching stocker rainbows and wild brown trout.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 11-04-2022

A storm has pushed through the Eastern Sierra leaving the peaks of the mountains frosted in Snow. Mammoth Mountain will be opening this Saturday November 5, 2022. Higher elevation waters are done for the season or one storm away from being inaccessible by vehicle due to snow on the ground. Resort lakes will be closing on Tuesday November 15, 2022. Most moving waters will become catch and release barbless flies and lures starting Wednesday November 16. Be sure to check the California Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations section 7.50 for specific water closures. Caddis and mayfly hatches have the trout feeding and taking flies that imitate the hatch that is on the water.

Fall colors are starting to show in the Owens Valley and the mountains are frosted with the first snow of the season.

Lower Owens River:

Wild Trout Section:

Blue wing olive mayfly hatches have the trout of the lower Owens River in the wild trout section feeding consistently on blue wing olive nymphs. Euro nymphing and under an indicator is producing the best action. If you’re in the right spot you can catch a few wild trout on a size 20 blue wing olive parachute at the peak of the hatch. I’m success with size 16 or 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, olive quilldigons, Frenchie’s and, hot spot pheasant tail nymphs. Fly fishing has been consistent from mid-morning to sunset.

Andy Gregg from Huntington Beach showing the results of learning to nymph fish under an indicator on the wild trout section of the lower Owens River.

Hot Creek:

Interpretive Site:

Weeds are starting to deteriorate allowing fly fishers more room to work their flies around the weed beds. A mid-morning to early afternoon caddis hatch has the wild trout feeding on emergers and dry flies. Size 20 gray X-caddis, elk hair caddis, and partridge spent caddis are fooling the selectively feeding trout.

Hot Creek Canyon water levels are low, but there are enough spots to fish in between the weed beds to allow fly fishers to catch a few wild trout.

Hot Creek:

Canyon Section:

Water levels are low and weed beds are dominating the stream bed. There are enough open slots and holes to allow fly fishers to fish dries and nymphs in Hot Creek Canyon. A mid-day caddis hatch is responsible for the selectively feeding trout to be feeding on pupae and dries. I’m fishing with size 20 gray X-caddis, elk hair caddis, and partridge spent caddis cast and dead drifted in between the weeds. I’m also nymphing with size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs and olive quilldigons. There has been very little fly fishing pressure as fishing is tough at its best.

Working size 12 stoner nymphs and green/gold Prince nymphs in the deep holes, runs, and cutbanks is producing trophy rainbow trout.

Upper Owens River:

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

With the storm that came through the Eastern Sierra we now have some new trophy trout in the upper Owens River. These fish are resting and feeding in the deep holes, runs and cutbanks. They are looking for a big morsel like wooly buggers, matukas, slumpbusters, stoner nymphs, and green/gold Prince nymphs. Key to successfully fly fishing in this section is finding the pods of trout and casting to them without spooking them.

The upper Owens between Benton Crossing Bridge and Crowley Lake closes to fishing on Tuesday November 15, 2022.

Below Benton Crossing Bridge:

This section is open for just a little while longer. It’s worth fishing down here as the fish have to move through here on their way upstream to the spawning gravels. I’m looking for trout in the deeper holes and cutbanks. I’m making minimum casts with stoner nymphs and green/gold Prince nymphs on my Euro rod. If I don’t get hit or don’t see fish I’m moving to the next spot. Covering lots of water finding the fish is key to success in this section.

Bishop Creek Canal is a great spot to teach fly fishing to beginners.

Bishop Creek Canal:

Behind the Ford Dealer:

Stocker rainbows and wild brown trout are taking nymphs cast with stealth and drifted drag free. Olive quilldigons, Frenchie’s, hot spot pheasant tail nymphs, bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, Prince nymphs, and stoner nymphs are fooling the trout. These flies need to be fished down on the substrate. Weeds make it hard to get a good drift in some spots. The trout are feeding on top of the weeds or hiding in the weeds and darting out to feed on nymphs passing by them.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 10-28-2022

Well I’ve put away the flip flops and the shorts for another year. Cool mornings and evenings give way to perfect warm fall days. Fall colors are starting to show up on the floor of the Owens Valley. The mountain resorts are closing up in preparation for winter. The freestone creeks are at their lowest and I’m done fishing them in the mountain sections for the season. Brook trout and brown trout are finishing up their spawning seasons at elevations. At lower elevations the brown spawning season has not begun. Dry flies, nymphs, and meat streamer patterns are all producing fish for fly fishers. There have been two fires in the lower Owens River area. The last one was on Sunday October 23, 2022 across from the turnoff to the Pleasant Valley Dam from Hwy 395.

On Sunday afternoon October 23, 2022 there was a fire at the corner of HWY 395 and Sawmill Road.

Freestone Streams:

Rock Creek:

The creek is running at its lowest just before winter sets in. Fish are supper spooky and tough to catch right now. Dry flies are producing a few trout. I’m throwing elk hair caddis and Adams parachutes in size 14 and 16. I’m casting them as far upstream as I can to avoid spooking fish.

Alonso Parker-Martin from San Francisco Tenkara fly fishing Rock Creek on a fall morning on Rock Creek.

Bishop Creek

South Fork Bishop Creek at Weir Pond:

Low water is making fly fishing on south fork of Bishop Creek tough. Brook trout are congregating in preparation for spawning. These brook trout and the occasional brown trout are still taking dry flies like an Adams parachute or an elk hair caddis. I’m done up in Bishop Canyon until spring time. I might fish Bishop Creek in the Owens Valley this winter.

Spawning brook trout in the Fall are fun to catch and I’m done fishing for these fish until next Spring.

Lower Owens River:

Wild Trout Section:

This area is producing the most consistent fly fishing for me and my clients. Nymphing with an indicator rig or a Euro nymph rig is consistently producing wild brown trout to 12 inches. These fish are taking size 18 blue wing olive mayfly nymph patterns like olive quilldigon, Frenchie’s, hot spot pheasant tail nymphs, and bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs. The bite is starting mid-morning and lasting until dark. There are a few caddis pupae hatching and the trout are chasing them down and grabbing them right at the rivers surface. There is an abundance of grass hoppers on the river, but the trout are not feeding on them as they are not getting blown into the river.

Pat Everett from Calabasas nymphing under an indicator with a size 18 olive quilldigon on the lower Owens River.

Hot Creek:

Interpretive Site:

Weed beds are still going strong and lack of hatches is making it tough to fish this section of the creek. Fly fishers working the water hard with caddis dries or blue wing olive dries are landing a trout or two. Three seasons of drought are having a negative effect on the fly fishing in Hot Creek.

Hot Creek Canyon is still a tough spot to fish with low water and weed beds at full majority.

Hot Creek:

Canyon Section:

I was hoping that cold weather would decrease the weed beds in this section of the creek. It’s not been cold enough for the weeds to die off. Hard core fly fishers working nymphs in and around the weeds are managing to fool a few trout. It’s tough to get a drag free drift in this section with snagging the weeds. I’m throwing bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ears, zebra midges, and tiger midges.

A cold windy afternoon on the upper Owens River all to ourselves and no trophy trout took on nymphs.

Upper Owens River:

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

There are a few trophy trout hanging out in the deep pools. These fish are aware of anglers and their offerings. Working flies over these fish will occasionally get a hit. For the trophy trout I’m using size 12 jigged green/gold Prince nymphs and stoner nymphs. Juvenile rainbow and brown trout to 12 inches are taking olive quilldigons, hot spot pheasant tail nymphs, and parachute mayfly patterns. We need a storm or an increase in water flows to get the trout to migrate up from  Crowley Lake to spawn.

I’m exploring the Monument section of the upper Owens River looking for migrant trophy trout that have just entered the Owens River system from Crowley Lake.

Below Benton Crossing Bridge:

I’m spending some time in this section from the monument to the lake. I’m covering the deeper holes, pools, and cutbanks with stoner nymphs, and green/gold Prince nymphs. I’m searching this area looking for migrants working their way upstream to spawn. I’m only making a few casts to each spot. If I don’t see fish or don’t get hit, I’m moving upstream looking for the next spot to cast my flies to. So far, no fish in this section. This section closes on November 15th.

Home Street Middle School fly fishing club working Bishop Creek Canal with nymphs under an indicator.

Bishop Creek Canal:

Behind the Ford Dealer:

Nymphing with  blue wing olive nymph patterns is producing a combination of wild brown trout and stocked rainbows. A drag free drift and a stealthy approach will increase your odds of fooling trout in this section. I’m fishing with the Tenkara rod, Euro outfit, and under an indicator with olive quilldigons, stoner nymphs, and bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 10-21-2022

This weekend were supposed to get the first hint of winter with snow expected at the upper elevations. Mountain tops are expecting a couple of inches of snow. We are in the midst of one of the nicest Falls I can remember. Fishing for spawning brook trout and browns is peaking in the high country. Mayflies, caddis, and midges are providing lots of opportunities for fly fishers to fish with nymphs and dry flies. This is prime time to be throwing meat streamer patterns in those waters that have trophy trout.

Enjoy the Fall colors in Bishop Canyon and taking advantage of the fall fishing on the forks of Bishop Creek.

Freestone Streams:

Rock Creek:

Fishing here has gotten tough. The trout are there, they are just hard to sneak up on and present a fly to. For anglers wanting to fish these waters I would throw dry flies. Use your favorite dry fly as you will fish it with more confidence. I’m using Adams parachutes, elk hair caddis, and Royal Wulff’s in sizes 14 and 16.

Alonso Parker-Martin from San Francisco is exploring Rock Creek in the fall when the trees are changing color after a morning of Tenkara fishing.

Bishop Creek

South Fork Bishop Creek at Weir Pond:

This is a favorite spot of fly fishers in Bishop Creek Canyon. Brook trout and brown trout are feeding on dry flies. When the sun goes behind the mountains the midges are hatching. Using a Griffiths gnat or a midge adult is taking trout of the surface. I’m fishing Adams parachutes and elk hair caddis. There are hatches of mayflies and caddis coming of starting around noon. The fall colors in this area are wanning. If the storm has lots of wind it will be the end of fall colors up high in the area of South Lake.

In the Fall I’m targeting spawning brook trout on south Fork Bishop Creek and Weir Pond.

Lower Owens River:

Wild Trout Section:

Best fly fishing spot in the Eastern Sierra right now. Mayfly and caddis hatches are keeping the trout active. I’m Euro nymphing the river with olive quilldigons, hot spot pheasant tail nymphs, Frenchie’s, pheasant tail nymphs, and stoner nymphs. For those that don’t Euro nymph, fishing these flies under an indicator is fooling lots of wild brown trout to 12 inches. Catching lots of juvenile brown trout. This should equate to a strong year class of trout. I expect next season to offer lots of 12 to 16 inch brown trout.

Jae Lee from Camarillo caught this rainbow while nymphing under an indicator with a size 18 olive quilldigon on the lower Owens River.

Hot Creek:

Interpretive Site:

Tough fly fishing, but if you’re going to fly fish Hot Creek this is your best opportunity. Most of the action has been in the morning with gray caddis. I’m using partridge spent caddis, elk hair caddis, and X-caddis in a size 20. There are a few trico mayflies and blue wing olive mayflies around, but the trout are not keying in on them. I’m hoping this change in weather might improve the hatches on Hot Creek.

With low water and weed beds at full maturity Hot Creek Canyon is one of the hardest to fish spots in the Eastern Sierra right now.

Hot Creek:

Canyon Section:

I’m hoping that the cooler weather will start the decline of the weed beds in Hot Creek Canyon. For those willing to tough out fly fishing around the weeds, there are trout to be caught. Dry flies are easier to float in and around the weed beds. Nymphing is producing more trout and lots of weeds. Nymphing is tough, but for those willing to work nymphs you will catch trout.

Emmet Broughton of Corona plying the waters of the upper Owens River in the Monument area looking for trophy trout.

Upper Owens River:

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

We need an influx of new trophy trout into the upper Owens River. I’m hoping this change in weather might bring in some new trout. Euro nymphing or indicator nymphing is producing rainbows and browns to 14 inches. These trout are taking bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, olive quilldigons, Frenchie’s, hot spot pheasant tail nymphs, stoner nymphs, and green/gold wire Prince nymphs.

Below Benton Crossing Bridge:

With this section being opened through November 15th I’m searching this section from time to time for trophy trout. The trout migrating up the river have to pass through this section. Good place to work nymphs and streamers is in the deep pools that the trout are using as resting places on their journey upstream to their spawning grounds. Best way to fly fish this section is to make a few cast to the pools you think might hold trout. If you don’t get a grab in three to five casts move on to the next spot. The trout are migrating through this section and fly fishers just have to find a pod of trout to be successful.

First time fly fisher Connie Snyder from Bishop hooked up to a rainbow trout on Bishop Creek Canal.

Bishop Creek Canal:

Behind the Ford Dealer:

Weekends have been packed with anglers fishing the canal. Mid-week crowds are a lot less dense. Fishing nymphs on the Euro rod or under an indicator is working for wild brown trout and stocked rainbow trout. I’m fly fishing with green/gold Prince nymphs, stoner nymphs, olive quilldigons, and bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs.