Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 07-02-2026

Summer is here and so are the mosquitoes. Evenings and shadows are where the mosquitoes are hanging out. Make sure you have insect repellant!  It’s time to wet wade, but be prepared for cool days that require waders and sweatshirts. Now is the perfect time to be dry fly or dry and dropper fly fishing in the freestone creeks of the Eastern Sierra. Upper elevation lakes offer fly fishers a quiet fly fishing opportunity in a float tube. Mayflies, caddis and stoneflies are hatching and have the trout actively feeding on the substrate and on the surface.

Working dry flies in the freestone creeks that drain the canyons of the Eastern Sierra are producing wild brown trout, rainbow trout, brook trout and golden trout.

East Walker River

Miracle Mile Section:

Streamers have been producing browns and rainbows for fly fishers fishing with size 10 balanced leeches and size 10 Landon Mayer’s jigged pine squirrel leeches. Fish these with a dead drift right on the substrate or strip them around the obstacles in the river like rocks. Nymphing with size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 rainbow warriors, size 14 Duracell nymphs, size 16 bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ears and size 16 cream caddis nymphs. Key to success is covering water looking for trout that are rising to the hatching mayflies.

Dead drifting a micro leech is producing brown trout to 20 inches.

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

Windy days have been good for nymphing. The wind blows the adults right off the water and the trout never have a chance to feed on them. Using size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 16 Duracell nymphs and size 16 bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ears is producing juvenile and resident rainbow and browns to 12 inches. On non windy days the trout are feeding on mayflies and caddis on the surface. Fish with size 18 blue wing olive parachutes, size 18 Adams parachutes, size 16 elk hair caddis, size 16 pale morning dun mayflies and size 16 little yellow stoneflies. The mosquitoes are out so be sure to wear clothes that cover the skin and wear insect repellant.

Casting upstream with a dry fly or nymph is fooling the juvenile and resident rainbows and browns. in the upper Owens River

Hot Creek

Interpretive Site:

Hot Creek and surrounding waters are in danger once again from KORE Mining resubmitting a drilling permit. Your voice is needed to stop KORE Mining from moving forward with exploratory drilling. For more information contact nohotcreekmine.com.

A caddis migration and female trico hatch are how fly fishers are starting their days on the creek. With the caddis migration the caddis are bad fliers and quite often crash on the water offering the trout an easy meal. Use size 20 gray elk hair caddis, size 20 gray X-caddis and size 20 gray parachute caddis. The female trico dun hatch starts about the same time as the caddis migration. Use a size 20 female trico dun parachute, a size 20 female trico sparkle dun and a size 20 blue wing olive parachute. About an hour or an hour and a half into the trico hatch look for the spinner fall. This is when the female tricos die on the water after egg laying and offer the trout an easy meal. Fish with a size 22 trico spinner pattern on 6X tippet with a drag free drift. If you have trouble seeing the tiny trico patterns on the water fish with a dry and dry rig. Use a size 16 Adams parachute for the bigger dry fly.

The weed beds of the Hot Creek Canyon are at full growth and fly fishers are fishing trico duns and gray caddis patterns on the surface in the tiny slots in between the weed beds.

Hot Creek

Canyon Section:

Fly fishers are taking advantage of the hatching mayflies and caddis flies by fishing dry flies in and around the weed beds. The mornings are starting off with tricos and a caddis migration. These insects are starting early and fly fishers should be on the water by 8:00 A.M. rigged with a caddis or trico dry fly. Use size 20 gray elk hair caddis, size 20 gray X-caddis, size 20 gray parachute caddis, a size 20 female trico dun parachute, a size 20 female trico sparkle dun, a size 20 blue wing olive parachute and a size 22 trico spinner.

Summer is the perfect time to be wet wading and fishing a dry and dropper rig in the Owens River Gorge.

Owens River Gorge

Middle Power Plant:

With the heat of summer being here it’s the perfect time to be wet wading in the Owens River Gorge. Fly fishers using a dry and dropper rig are producing wild brown trout from eight to 14 inches. Best time to fish in the gorge is late in the afternoon so that you don’t have to deal with the  radiant heat from the rocks and the pavement of the road on the hike out. Stinging nettles are everywhere and wearing shorts is not advised. Use size 16 Adams Parachutes, size 16 elk hair caddis and size 14 stimulators for the dry fly. For the nymphs use size 16 green/gold brassies, size 14 Duracell nymphs, size 16 rainbow warriors, size 16 bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ears, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs and size 18 olive quilldigons.

The lower Owens River is flowing around 400 CFS and fly fishers are fishing spots where they can cast from the banks of the river .

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

Heat of the day makes fly fishing on the lower Owens River uncomfortable. Fish before 10:00 or after 6:00 in the evening. There are a couple of spots in the wild trout section on the river where there two channels. Fishing these spots means fly fishers are not battling the full force of the river. For streamers use olive, tan and black streamers in size 6 or 10. Use wooly buggers, slumpbusters and muddler minnows. For dry flies use size 16 or 18 elk hair caddis, size 16 little yellow stones and size 16 pale morning duns.

Pulling streamer and fishing with nymphs under an indicator or with a Euro rig is what is producing wild brown trout and stocked rainbows.

Bishop Creek Canal

Behind Bishop Veterinary Hospital:

Mornings and evenings are offering fly fishers the most comfortable time to be on the water fly fishing. This is also the times when you will find the hatches. The mosquitoes are out at night so be sure to wear clothes that cover skin and wear insect repellant.  Mayflies in the mornings and caddis in the evening are the insects the trout are looking for to feed on. The trout are taking streamers and fly fishers should use size 10 brown Landon Mayer’s jigged pine squirrel leeches, size 10 balanced leeches and size 10 wooly buggers. For nymphs fish with size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 16 Duracell nymphs, size 16 bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ears, size 12 green/gold wire Prince nymphs and size 12 stoner nymphs.

High Altitude Creeks:

A size 14 Sierra Bright Dot fooled this tiny, but pretty golden trout from an Eastern Sierra creek at 10,000 feet.

These are the creeks that drain the canyons of the Eastern Sierra. Fishing these creeks at or above 8,000 feet will produce golden trout in the right creeks. This is bush whacking style of fly fishing with an attractor dry fly. The golden trout are small, six to nine inches, but they are the prettiest trout found in the Eastern Sierra. This is perfect water for using a Tenkara rod. This is not typical fly casting water. This is using the leader and tippet to dabble the fly on the surface of the creek in the pools where the golden trout hang out. The mosquitoes are out so be sure to wear clothes that cover skin and wear insect repellant. Use size 14 Sierra bright dots, size 14 Sierra Adams, size 14 Adams parachutes and size 14 royal stimulators.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 06-25-2026

Wet wading, hatches and dry fly fishing is what summer fly fishing is all about. A dry and dropper is the perfect way to fish the freestone creeks draining the canyons of the Eastern Sierra. Caddis are the hatch of summer along with mayflies and stoneflies. Upper elevation lakes are the perfect place to spend an afternoon floating around in cool water while pulling streamers, fishing dry flies and using a dry and dropper rig. Mosquitoes are showing up and are most active early and late in the day.

Trout rising to caddis in the afternoon winds on the upper Owens River is a perfect summers day of fly fishing.

East Walker River

Miracle Mile Section:

Streamers have been producing browns and rainbows for fly fishers fishing with size 10 balanced leeches and size 10 Landon Mayer’s jigged pine squirrel leeches. Fish these with a dead drift right on the substrate or strip them around the obstacles in the river like rocks. Nymphing with size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 rainbow warriors, size 14 Duracell nymphs, size 16 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs and size 16 cream caddis nymphs. Key to success is covering water looking for trout that are rising to the hatching mayflies.

Nymphing in the pockets created by rock and boulders in the East Walker River is producing trout for fly fishers fishing under an indicator or with a Euro rig.

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

Insect hatches are bringing the trout to the surface to feed on caddis and mayflies. Caddis are being blown onto the surface in the afternoon winds and the trout are taking advantage of these caddis. Fish with size 18 elk hair caddis, size 18 X-caddis and size 18 parachute caddis. Cast your flies close to the banks where the wind is blowing the caddis onto the wind. Mid-day hatches of mayflies are bringing trout to the surface. Fish with a size 18 blue wing olive parachutes, size 18 olive sparkle duns and size 18 Adams parachutes. Nymphing with an indicator or a Euro rig is the way to present your nymphs to the trout. Fish size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 16 Duracell nymphs, size 16 bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ears, size 18 Frenchie’s and size 16 rainbow warriors in the pockets and riffles. The mosquitoes are out so be sure to wear clothes that cover the skin and wear insect repellant.

Working nymphs and dries in the pockets and riffles is producing wild brown and rainbow trout to 12 inches in the upper Owens River.

Hot Creek

Interpretive Site:

Hot Creek and surrounding waters are in danger once again from KORE Mining resubmitting a drilling permit. Your voice is needed to stop KORE Mining from moving forward with exploratory drilling. For more information contact nohotcreekmine.com.

Mornings on the Interpretive Site of Hot Creek starts with a caddis migration. Just like salmon and steelhead migrate upstream to reproduce so do caddis. Caddis are poor fliers and often crash on the water during the morning caddis migration and the trout take advantage of the caddis on the surface by feeding on them. Use size 20 gray elk hair caddis, size 20 gray parachute caddis and size 20 X-caddis to fool the trout feeding on the crashing on the water caddis. As the caddis migration is taking place look for hatching female tricos. Use size 20 female trico parachute duns, size 20 female trico dun sparkle duns and size 20 blue wing olive parachutes. The caddis hatch is coming off late in the day. Show up about the time the sun is going behind the Sierra peaks to fish the evening caddis hatch.

Fishing trico and caddis patterns in the morning on the Interpretive Site in the pools where the trout are feeding is producing trout for fly fishers.

Hot Creek

Canyon Section:

With a steeper gradient in the canyon the trout feed more reactionary. This makes the canyon a tad easier to fish. Nymphing is harder with the increased size of the weed beds. If you’re nymphing use size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 Frenchie’s and size 18 Duracell nymphs. The caddis migration starts in the morning and fishing with gray size 20 elk hair caddis, X-caddis and parachute caddis will produce trout feeding on the migrating trout as the caddis crash on the water as they are bad flies. As the caddis migration is ongoing look for the trico mayfly hatch to start. It starts with the female tricos hatching and then the females reproduce and then fall dead on the water creating a trico spinner fall. Use size 20 female dun parachute tricos, size 20 female trico dun sparkle duns, size 20 blue wing olive parachutes and size 20 trico spinners.

Working the pools along the roadside in the middle Power Plant section is producing wild brown trout to 12 inches on a dry and dropper rig.

Owens River Gorge

Middle Power Plant:

The walk out of the Owens River Gorge in the middle of the day is tough in the mid-90’s that we are experiencing right now. The radiation of the sun on the rocks and the pavement is baking the fly fishers waling out in the afternoons. Walking out after the sun goes behind the canyon wall is a more comfortable walk out. When the road gets close to the river start fishing with a dry and dropper working upstream covering each pocket or pool with your flies. Once you’ve completely covered the pool walk backout to the road and walk upstream looking for the next pocket to fly fish in. Use size 16 Adams Parachutes, size 16 elk hair caddis and size 14 stimulators for the dry fly. For the nymphs use size 16 green/gold brassies, size 14 Duracell nymphs, size 16 rainbow warriors, size 16 bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ears, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs and size 18 olive quilldigons.

Fishing from the banks of the lower Owens River with dry flies or streamers is producing a few trout in the mornings for fly fishers.

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

With the high flows fly fishers need to fish from the banks. There are very few spots that offer fly fishers uninhibited banks on the lower Owens River. Fish with streamers or dry flies to avoid hanging up on the obstructions on the substrate of the river. For nymphs fish with size 16 bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ears, size 16 Duracell nymphs, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs and size 12 stoner nymphs. For streamers use olive, tan and black streamers in size 6 or 10. Use wooly buggers, slumpbusters and muddler minnows.

It’s hot during the day and fly fishers will find the fish feeding early in the morning and late in the evening.

Bishop Creek Canal

Behind Bishop Veterinary Hospital:

Mid-day temperatures in the 90’s are keeping most fly fishers off the water. Fly fishers working the canal in the mornings before 10:00 A.M. with streamers and nymphs are finding a few wild brown trout and stocked rainbows taking their flies. For nymphs fish with size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 16 Duracell nymphs, size 16 bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ears, size 12 green/gold wire Prince nymphs and size 12 stoner nymphs. For streamers use size 10 brown Landon Mayer’s jigged pine squirrel leeches, size 10 balanced leeches and size 10 wooly buggers. The mosquitoes are out at night so be sure to wear clothes that cover skin and wear insect repellant.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 06-18-2026

Summer heat is here. With the heat look for insect activity first thing in the morning and last thing at night. Mayflies, stoneflies and caddis flies are the insects the trout are feeding on the substrate and on the surface. Mosquitoes are showing up and are most active early and late in the day. It’s wet wading time on most Eastern Sierra waters. This is a great time to be using float tubes in upper elevation lakes. The freestone creeks that drain the Eastern Sierra are prime for a dry and dropper rig.

Summers in a meadow watching the river flow by is a great way to learn what the trout are doing in the river and how to fly fish for them.

East Walker River

Below the Miracle Mile Section:

Fishing has been slow with nymphs and dries as there has not been much of a mayfly or caddis hatch during the day. For nymphs use size 16 bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ear, size 14 Duracell nymphs,  size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 green/gold brassies, size 14 copper John’s and size 12 stoner nymphs. Dead drifting and stripping a size 6 articulated goldie, size 10 Landon Mayer’s jigged pine squirrel leech, size 10 black and blue balanced leeches and size 10 olive balanced leeches is fooling wild rainbows and browns from 10 inches to 20 inches. Fish these leeches in and around the obstacles in the river like large rocks and through the deeper holes.

Fishing streamers around the obstacles that the trout are holding behind is where you will find 10 to 20 inch trout willing to take leech patterns.

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

Nymphing has been the most productive method of fly fishing the upper Owens River right now for six to 16 inch wild rainbows and browns. Nymphing under an indicator or with a Euro rod with size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 16 bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ears, size 18 tiger midges, size 18 zebra midges and size 12 stoner nymphs is fooling the wild trout. The hatches have been inconsistent, but when you see fish rising switch to a dry fly and fish with size 18 Adams parachutes, size 18 blue wing olive parachutes, size 16 PMD parachutes and size 16 elk hair caddis. For those throwing size 6 and 10 wooly buggers, Hornberg’s, and slumpbusters are moving a few rainbows and browns to 18 inches. The mosquitoes are out so be sure to wear clothes that cover the skin and wear insect repellant.

Working upstream with dries and nymphs thoroughly covering the water is how you will catch the wild trout in the upper Owens River.

Hot Creek

Interpretive Site:

Hot Creek and surrounding waters are in danger once again from KORE Mining resubmitting a drilling permit. Your voice is needed to stop KORE Mining from moving forward with exploratory drilling. For more information contact nohotcreekmine.com.

Early in the morning the trout are feeding on caddis and mayflies. Get to the creek around 8:00 A.M. rigged with a size 20 gray elk hair caddis, size 20 gray parachute caddis and size 20 gray X-caddis. The caddis are migrating upstream in the morning and since they are poor fliers they crash on the water and the trout are feeding on them. If you want to fish the caddis hatch show up on the creek around the time the sun goes behind the Eastern Sierra peaks. During the caddis migration is the start of trico hatch. The female tricos are hatching in the morning and the hatch is in full swing by 8:30 A.M. Use size 20 female trico dun parachutes, size 20 female trico dun sparkle duns and size 20 blue wing olive parachutes.

The lower Canyon Section of Hot Creek offers riffle sections where the fish have to feed reactively and fly fishers catch more fish.

Hot Creek

Canyon Section:

Nymphing in the canyon is getting tough as it is hard to drift nymphs in Hot Creek Canyon without hanging up on the weed beds which are quickly inundating the creek. Best thing to do is float dry flies in the tiny six to eight inch lanes between the weed beds. Start the morning fishing with size 20 gray elk hair caddis, size 20 gray X-caddis and size 20 gray parachute caddis. Once you see the mayflies on the water start fishing with trico female duns and spinner patterns. Use size 22 trico spinners, size 20 female dun trico parachutes and size 20 blue wing olive parachutes. When the hatches are over it’s time to go find another creek or river to fly fish.

Owens River Gorge in the evening offers dry fly fishing and is a slightly cooler walk out after the fly fishing is done.

Owens River Gorge

Upper Power Plant:

A way to beat the heat walking out of the Owens River Gorge is to come out late in the evening after the sun has disappeared from the canyon. Upper Power Plant is best fished by getting in the river and wading upstream. Fishing a dry and dropper rig is producing wild brown trout from eight to 14 inches. For the dry fly use size 16 Adams parachutes, size 16 yellow stimulators, size 14 Royal Wulff’s and size 16 elk hair caddis. For the nymphs fish with size 16 green/gold brassies, size 14 Duracell nymphs, size 16 rainbow warriors, size 16 bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ears, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs and size 18 olive quilldigons. If your planning on using waders pack them in and out and put them on when your reach the river. Now is the perfect time to be wet wading. Watch out for rose bushes, stinging nettles and rattlesnakes. It’s hot out and make sure you’re carrying enough water to keep you hydrated in the heat of summer.

At flows of 400 CFS and banks lined with tulles and willows; fly fishers need to find spots where they can fly fish from the banks.

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

Flows continue to fluctuate around 400 CFS which is beyond safe for wading in the river. For fly fishers wanting to fly fish in the lower Owens River fish from the few banks that are not overgrown from tulles and willows. Checking the DWP lower Owens River flows before going out to the river is crucial to knowing how the river is flowing. Check out the flows at: http://wsoweb.ladwp.com/Aqueduct/realtime/norealtime.htm. Day time temperatures have been in the high 90’s and it’s not fun being on the river fishing in the heat. Try fishing the caddis ovipositing from the time the sun goes behind the Sierra peaks and the hatch stops. Fish with size 16 elk hair caddis and fish it by skittering a caddis.

Bishop Creek Canal comes out of Bishop Creek and the fast water right below the weir is a good place to fish nymphs under an indicator or with a Euro Rig.

Bishop Creek Canal

Behind Bishop Veterinary Hospital:

There are a few fish to be caught during the day if you’re willing to fish in the heat. Best fishing is to skitter a caddis in the canal to the trout feeding on the ovipositing caddis in the evening when the light is off the canal. I park on the canal and wait for the sun to disappear over the peaks of the Eastern Sierra. Once the sun is off the water cast up stream and let a size 16 elk hair caddis dead drift along the opposite bank. Once it drags across the creek slowly strip it upstream. If the wind picks the fly off the water and lands it kind of hard back on the water let it drift downstream a foot by giving a foot of fly line through the end of the rod. If nothing hits the fly recast and work the caddis by dead drifting and skittering it again. The mosquitoes are out at night so be sure to wear clothes that cover skin and wear insect repellant.

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 06-11-2026

Weather has not quite settled into summer heat as there are still some storms moving through the Eastern Sierra. So plan on it being warm, but bring the jackets along just in case you need it. Dry fly fishing is just starting as hatching insects like caddis, mayflies and stoneflies are bringing the trout to the surface. Coming soon will be pale morning dun mayflies, little yellow stoneflies and evening caddis hatches.

Flowers of spring are blooming and hatches of pale morning duns, little yellow stoneflies and evening caddis hatches will be feeding the trout on the surface of Eastern Sierra waters.

East Walker River

Miracle Mile Section:

Mayfly hatches are feeding the trout on the substrate and on the surface. On the surface fish with size 18 blue wing olive parachutes, size 18 olive sparkle duns and size 18 Adams parachutes. On the substrate fish with size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 Frenchie’s and size 12 stoner nymphs. Fly fishers looking for trophy trout in the East Walker River are pulling streamers. Use size 6 and 10 balanced leeches, mini jig leeches and an articulated goldie.

Nymphing the Miracle Mile section of the East Walker River is producing trout if you are in a section where the trout are feeding on the hatching mayflies.

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

The hatchery run of cutthroat trout in the upper Owens River is done for the season. Fly fishers are nymphing for resident and juvenile rainbow and brown trout from six to 12 inches. There is a sporadic hatch of mayflies in the early afternoon. For fly fishers nymphing under an indicator or with a Euro rig the key to success is to thoroughly covering the water with drag free drifts. Using size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 Frenchie’s, size 16 hot spot pheasant tail nymphs, size 14 Duracell nymphs, size 16 bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ears and size 12 stoner nymphs are fooling the rainbows and browns. For those throwing size 6 and 10 wooly buggers, Hornberg’s, and slumpbusters are moving a few rainbows and browns to 18 inches. The mosquitoes are out so be sure to wear clothes that cover skin and wear insect repellant.

Working the pockets and riffles with mayfly nymphs is producing six to 12 inch resident rainbows and browns.

Hot Creek

Interpretive Site:

Hot Creek and surrounding waters are in danger once again from KORE Mining resubmitting a drilling permit. Your voice is needed to stop KORE Mining from moving forward with exploratory drilling. For more information contact nohotcreekmine.com.

The trico hatch and the blue wing olive hatch has fly fishers fishing dry flies for the rising rainbows and browns. Mornings are starting with the caddis migration upstream. The trico hatch starts right around the same time as the caddis emergence. You will see a few blue wing olive mayflies in the mix. This is classic Hot Creek Interpretive Site dry fly fishing. Start your morning around 8:00 A.M. fishing with a size 20 parachute caddis, size 20 elk hair caddis, size 20 X-caddis. As the caddis migrate upstream to find a spot to lay their eggs some of the caddis crash on to the water as the caddis are poor flyers and the trout take advantage of an easy meal. The female trico hatch starts at about the same time that the caddis are starting their migration. The female duns have an olive body with a black thorax. Use a size 20 female dun trico parachute, size 20 trico sparkle dun, and size 20 blue wing olive parachutes. The caddis hatch starts in the late afternoon to dusk for those fly fishers fishing the evening bite.

The flat water sections of Hot Creek Interpretive Site are perfect for floating tiny dry flies like tricos and caddis

Hot Creek

Canyon Section:

The weed beds are growing with the increase of day light. It’s hard to drift nymphs in and around the weed beds. Dry flies can be cast into the narrow lanes between the weed beds. There are spots in the canyon section that can be nymphed. Fish with size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 Frenchie’s, size 16 bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ears and size 12 stoner nymphs. For the dry flies fish with size 20 parachute caddis, size 20 elk hair caddis, size 20 X-caddis, size 20 female dun trico parachute and size 20 trico sparkle duns. The evening caddis hatch can be a lot of fun to fish as long as you can see your flies in the glare of the sun on the Creek.

The walk in and out of the gorge is the summer time can be brutal as the heat from the sun radiates off the rocks and asphalt.

Owens River Gorge

Middle Power Plant:

As the heat of summer warms up the Owens River Gorge the hike in and out of the gorge can be hot. There are lots of rose bushes and stinging nettles to deal with on the banks of the Owens River Gorge and fly fishers should be aware where they step as there are rattle snakes to contend with. The trout are feeding on mayflies and stoneflies. Fishing a dry and dropper is a great way to fly fish the river in the gorge. Use size 16 Adams parachutes, size 16 stimulators, size 12 Chernobyl ants and size 16 elk hair caddis for the dry flies. For the nymphs fish with size 16 zebra midges, size 16 tiger midges, size 16 green/gold brassies, size 14 Duracell nymphs, size 16 rainbow warriors and size 12 stoner nymphs. Now is the perfect time to be wet wading in the Owens River Gorge.

Fly fishers need to find areas where they can fly fish from the banks of the lower Owens River as flows are too high to be wading the river.

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

It’s unsafe to wade the river at flows over 300 CFS. The river has been flowing at over 400 CFS. I recommend checking the DWP lower Owens River flows before going out to the river

at: http://wsoweb.ladwp.com/Aqueduct/realtime/norealtime.htm. The flows are fluctuating. Nymphing the river at these flows fly fishers will lose to many rigs and flies. For those willing to nymph the river from the bank use size 16 bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ears, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 16 Duracell nymphs and size 16 hot spot pheasant tail nymphs. Evening caddis hatches are the time to be on the river dry fly fishing with size 16 elk hair caddis.

A mid-day mayfly hatch is bringing a few trout to the surface for fly fishers fishing with size 18 Adams parachutes.

Bishop Creek Canal

Behind Bishop Veterinary Hospital:

A mid-day mayfly hatch has a few trout rising to the surface to feed on the emerging mayflies. Fish with a size 18 blue wing olive parachute, size 18 olive sparkle dun and size 18 Adams parachute. Best fly fishing right now is when the sun goes down behind the Eastern Sierra Mountains with a size 16 elk hair caddis. Once the sun is off the canal the caddis come out to lay their eggs. Fish the caddis quartering upstream by casting to the opposite bank. Let the fly drag across the creek and then slowly strip it up stream. This is how you skitter a caddis. A very productive method of fishing an elk hair caddis during the evening caddis ova posting. The mosquitoes are out at night so be sure to wear clothes that cover skin and wear insect repellant.

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

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

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

East Walker River

Miracle Mile Section:

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

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

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

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

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

Hot Creek

Interpretive Site:

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

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

Hot Creek

Canyon Section:

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

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

Owens River Gorge

Middle Power Plant:

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

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

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

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

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

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

Bishop Creek Canal

Behind Bishop Veterinary Hospital:

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

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 05-28-2026

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

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

East Walker River

Miracle Mile Section:

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

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

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

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

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

Hot Creek

Interpretive Site:

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

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

Hot Creek

Canyon Section:

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

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

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

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

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

Bishop Creek Canal

Behind Bishop Veterinary Hospital:

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

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 05-21-2026

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

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

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

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

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

Hot Creek

Interpretive Site:

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

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

Hot Creek

Canyon Section:

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

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

Owens River Gorge

Middle Power Plant:

Once summer heat is here it will be hot walking in and out of the gorge. For now the weather is perfect for accessing the gorge. There are lots of eight to 12 inch wild brown trout willing to take flies. The preferred method of fly fishing in the gorge is with a dry and dropper rig. For the dry fly use size 16 Adams parachutes, size 14 stimulators and size 12 Chernobyl ants. For the nymphs use size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 16 bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ears, size 16 green/gold brassies, size 16 Duracell nymphs and size 16 butano nymphs. Key to success is to work each pool or run thoroughly, before moving on to the next fishy looking spot

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

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

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

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

Bishop Creek Canal

Behind Bishop Veterinary Hospital:

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

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 05-14-2026

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

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

East Walker River:

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

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

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

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

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

Hot Creek

Interpretive Site:

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

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

Hot Creek

Canyon Section:

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

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

Owens River Gorge

Middle Power Plant:

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

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

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

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

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

Bishop Creek Canal

Behind Bishop Veterinary Hospital:

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

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 05-07-2026

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

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

East Walker River:

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

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

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

The cutthroats are starting to migrate into the upper Owens River. These trophy cutthroats are taking nymphs and streamers. Fish these flies in the deep holes, deep runs and cut banks where the trophy cutthroat trout are feeding and resting. With streamers cover lots of water looking for those trout looking to feed on a bigger meal. For streamers use size 6 and 10 wooly buggers, slumpbusters, muddler minnows and Hornberg’s. For nymphs use size 12 stoner nymphs, size 12  green/gold Prince nymphs, size 14 copper John’s, size 12 Richard’s variation of a gold ribbed hare’s ears and size 12 rainbow warriors. There is a good population of resident eight to 12 inch trout taking nymphs. Use size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs and size 16 bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ears.

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

Hot Creek

Interpretive Site:

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

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

Hot Creek

Canyon Section:

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

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

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

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

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

Bishop Creek Canal

Behind Bishop Veterinary Hospital:

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

Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 04-30-2026

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

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

Lower Owens River

Wild Trout Section:

Flows continue to fluctuate from 200 CFS to 250 CFS. 250 CFS is pushing the top end of safe wading conditions. I suggest checking flows daily so you know what to expect when wading in the lower Owens River. You can check the lower Owens River flows here: Lower Owens River: http://wsoweb.ladwp.com/Aqueduct/realtime/norealtime.htm. At these flows nymphing with an indicator rig or a Euro rig is how you are going to present nymphs to the trout. The key is to have the right amount of weight in the flies or on the tippets in the form of split shot. With the increased flows the trout have moved into the slower water spots on the edges of the pools and riffles. Thoroughly covering the water with your nymphs and paying attention to the water type that is producing hits and trout is where to concentrate your effort. Use size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 Frenchie’s, size 16 Duracell nymphs, size 16 rainbow warriors, size 16 bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ears and size 12 stoner nymphs.

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

Hot Creek

Interpretive Site:

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

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

Hot Creek

Canyon Section:

While Hot Creek Canyon is known for its nymphing there can good dry fly days in the canyon. Over cast days makes for better blue wing olive mayfly hatches. Before the hatch nymph with size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 Frenchie’s, size 16 Duracell nymphs, size 18 soft hackle brassies, size 18 tiger midge and size 18 zebra midge. On the surface fish with size 20 blue wing olive mayflies, size 20 olive sparkle duns and size 20 Adams parachutes.

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

Upper Owens River

Above Benton Crossing Bridge:

This time of the year those in the know are asking are the cutthroats in the river yet? The answer in not in numbers so there are cutthroats throughout the river system. I’m observing a few cutthroats in the deep holes. The concentration of trophy cutthroats are usually in the river around the 10th of May. Fishing nymphs and streamers in the deep holes, deep runs and cut banks is how to fool the trophy cutthroat. Key to success in nymphing is to have enough weight to get the flies rolling on the substrate and thoroughly cover the water you are fly fishing. The key to fishing with streamers is to cover a lot of water and only strip the fly upstream through the deep holes, deep runs and cut banks a couple of times. If you do not get a hit with your streamer move on to the next trophy trout holding spot on the river. For the nymphs use size 12 stoner nymphs, size 12 green/gold Prince nymphs, size 14 copper John’s and a size 12 Richard’s variation of a gold ribbed hare’s ear. Fish size 6 and 10 olive wooly bugger, black wooly bugger, olive matuka, olive slumpbuster, muddle minnow and Hornberg’s for the streamer patterns.

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

Bishop Creek Canal

Behind Bishop Veterinary Hospital:

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