Fred Rowe
Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 06-10-2022
The days, particularly in the Owens Valley, are starting to heat up. We are still dealing with windy days in the Eastern Sierra. When the wind lays down the days have been nice, really nice! Hatches of mayflies, caddis flies, and stone flies are starting, but are not sufficient yet for really good days of selectively feeding trout on the surface. Nymphing continues to offer the bulk of the fly fishing opportunities in the Eastern Sierra.
Lower Owens River:
Wild Trout Section:
The lower Owens River has stabilized at 225 CFS for over a week now. The river is wade able, but fly fishers need to be cautious at these flows. The increased flows have slowed down the fish feeding on the surface on the hatching mayflies, caddis flies, and stone flies. Nymphing with the Euro nymph rod has been the most productive. I’ve increased the weights on my middle and upper fly on my three fly rig. This is to get the flies down on the bottom where the trout are feeding. Fishing under an indicator requires the use of at least one or maybe two BB sized weights. Try fishing size 16 bead head gold ribbed hare’s ears, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 12 stoner nymphs, and size 16 Butano nymphs.
Hooked up on the lower Owens River while nymphing a deep hole from the opposite bank.
Hot Creek:
Interpretive Site:
Hatches of gray caddis, and blue wing olive mayflies have started but are not strong enough yet to bring lots of wild trout to the surface. Fishing a nymph on the bottom is still the best producer. I’ve been fly fishing with bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, and gray caddis emergers. I’ve been fishing these under an Adams Parachute or a mini Chernobyl Ant. I’m using size 20 blue wing olive parachutes, and size 20 gray partridge spent caddis on the surface when I can cast to rising trout.
The iris are blooming along the bank of Hot Creek, but they never last long enough for me.
Hot Creek:
Canyon Section:
The canyon section of Hot Creek has been the most productive area on Hot Creek. The trout are taking nymphs under a dry fly. I’ve been fly fishing with olive scuds, bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, and olive burlap caddis. I’m using a size 16 Adams parachute and a size 14 mini Chernobyl Ant for the dry fly. The hatches in the canyon have been sporadic, but if you see rising trout trying throwing a size 20 blue wing olive parachute to them.
Jeff Duran from Corona indicator nymphing the pale morning dun hatch on the upper Owens River.
Upper Owens River:
Above Benton Crossing Bridge:
Hatches are just getting started on the upper Owens River. Pale morning duns, and caddis are on the water and trout are rising to them. Nymphing has been the better producer. I’m fishing bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ears size 16, bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs size 18, stoner nymphs size 12, and green/gold Prince nymphs size 12. I’m working the riffles and the pools. There are trout in both habitats taking flies.
Floating midges under indicators in McGee Bay on Crowley Lake with the mountains as the backdrop.
Crowley Lake:
Water temperatures are starting to warm up and the trout are starting to move into deeper water. Try fly fishing your midges in 15 to 30 feet of water. Hilton Bay, north west corner of McGee Bay, and Six bays are producing trout. Not all spots are created equal and it pays off to move around if you’re not catching trout. Grey, tiger, zebra and Albino Barron midges fished three inches to three feet off the bottom are producing bobber downs.
Bishop Creek Canal is full of water and the weed beds are mature and offering hiding spots for the trout.
Bishop Creek Canal:
Behind the Ford Dealer:
Water levels are full in the canal and the weed beds are fully developed. These two habitats are making for good trout habitat and the trout are feeding on nymphs. Bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ears, and bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs are fooling wild brown trout to 12 inches.
Sierra Bright Dot Fly FIshing Report 06-03-2022
When the wind is not blowing fly fishers off the water the fly fishing in the Eastern Sierra has been good. The cutthroat spawn in the Crowley Lake tributaries has come to an end. Hatches of mayflies, stoneflies, and caddis flies are beginning. The days are warming as we head towards summer solstice. Nymphing is providing the bulk of the action, but it will not be long that dry flies dominate the Eastern Sierra fly fishing scene.
Bishop Mules days parade was back and the streets were lined with a great crowd.
Lower Owens River:
Wild Trout Section:
The lower Owens River is coming up and flows at the time of this posting are up to 230 CFS. Flows of 300 CFS is at the top limit of being able to wade the river. With Eastern Sierra streams opening up the fly fishing pressure on the lower Owens River has dissipated. There are hatches of blue wing olive mayflies, pale morning dun mayflies, little yellow stoneflies, and caddis flies, but the trout have not been coming to the surface consistently to feed on the hatching insects. Nymphing, primarily Euro nymphing, has been the most productive method of fly fishing the river. I’m using olive quilldigons, hot spot pheasant tail nymphs, Frenchie’s, stoner nymphs, bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, and bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ears. The key is to get the nymphs down on the substrate where the trout are feeding.
Euro nymphing is the most productive way to fly fish the wild trout section of the Owens River right now.
Hot Creek:
Interpretive Site:
With hatches still sporadic fly fishing in the interpretive site is tough. Nymphing with bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ears, midges nymphs and pupae in tiger and zebra coloration, and scuds under a dry fly is producing a few trout. The insects are active from about 10:00 to 2:00 P.M. As summer approaches the insect hatches will intensify and the dry fly action will improve.
Erik Skasick from Brea hooked up to a wild rainbow trout in the canyon section of Hot Creek fishing with a size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph.
Hot Creek:
Canyon Section:
The increased gradient in the canyon section of Hot Creek means the trout have to react to the fly patterns quickly unlike the interpretive site where the fish can scrutinize the fly patterns. This makes catching the trout in the canyon section easier. Bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs in size 18, and bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ears in size 16, olive burlap caddis in size 14, size 18 cream or gray caddis pupae, and olive scuds in size 12 are fooling wild rainbows and browns. I’m fishing the nymphs under a size 16 Adams parachute, size 12 Chernobyl ant, or size 12 Morrish hopper.
This is the last cutthroat of the season for me in a season that saw lots of cutthroats in the upper Owens River.
Upper Owens River:
Above Benton Crossing Bridge:
The cutthroat spawn is coming to an end. Most of the spawners have returned to the lake or died due to the rigors of spawning. Resident trout and juvenile trout will provide the action for fly fishers until Fall when the spawning browns return. Pale morning dun mayflies will be the first hatch to show up and should be hatching in the next week or two. Grass hoppers will be next along with caddis.
A chunky 16 inch cutthroat that took a tiger midge fished 18 inches off the bottom in McGee Bay on Crowley Lake.
Crowley Lake:
When the wind is not blowing the boats of the lake midge fly fishing has been good in McGee Bay on the northwest side, Sandy Point, Six Bays, and North Landing. The fish have moved out into deeper water from 15 to 25 feet. Midges in gray, tiger, zebra, and Albino Barons are producing the trout. Windless afternoons have been producing trout for the few fly fishers that explore the lake after the morning bite. One of the keys to success on the lake is to vary the depth of your midge. I fish my midges from three inches to four feet of the bottom.
This brown trout caught in Bishop Creek Canal has its pectoral fins clipped showing that it is a stocked trout.
Bishop Creek Canal:
Behind the Ford Dealer:
Nymphing under an indicator with size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, and size 16 bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ears is fooling wild and stocked brown trout. I like to fish the faster water sections of the canal below the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power weirs. These oxygenated sections have a good concentration of trout. You need to get a good drag free drift to fool the wild trout.
Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 05-27-2022
Wind continues to hamper Eastern Sierra fly fishing opportunities. I have had mornings blown out that have turned into a great afternoon. I have had great mornings where the wind has blown out the afternoon fly fishing opportunities. For the Owens Valley Memorial weekend is Mule days. The mule days people are here in full capacity. Lots of events taking place at the Tri County Fair Grounds this weekend. Hatches are just getting started. June is the biggest month of hatching aquatic insects. Look for hatches of pale morning dun mayflies, blue wing olive mayflies, caddis flies, and little yellow stone flies. Summer is starting and so is the heat!
The cutthroat run has been good, but is coming to an end in the next week or two.
Lower Owens River:
Wild Trout Section:
Euro nymphing continues to be the most productive method of fishing the wild trout section of the lower Owens River. Pale morning dun mayflies, little yellow stones, and caddis are hatching. The trout are not coming to the surface to feed on these hatching insects. Nymphing is the best way to fool a trout right now with stoner nymphs, caddis nymphs, caddis emergers, and bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs. Look for a size 20 blue wing olive mayfly hatch first thing in the morning. It has been done by 9:30 A.M.
Euro nymphing the pools below a riffle is producing wild brown trout to 14 inches on the wild trout section of the Owens River.
Hot Creek:
Interpretive Site:
Fishing is tough at the interpretive site as there are not a lot of insects hatching. There are a few caddis and a few blue wing olive mayflies hatching. A few trout are feeding on these hatching adults, but the majority of trout are feeding on nymphs in the bottoms of the deeper holes. Gray caddis nymphs, olive scuds, and bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs are producing a few trout. Windy days makes it hard to cast and hard to get a drag free drift. The creek fishes best on windless days!
The steeper gradient of Hot Creek Canyon makes it ideal for fishing nymphs like a size 20 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph.
Hot Creek:
Canyon Section:
This is your best bet for catching trout in Hot Creek right now. Nymphing under a dry fly is the best way to go. I’m using Chernobyl ants, Adams parachutes, and hoppers for the dry fly. Twenty four to 36 inches of 5X fluorocarbon tippet tied to the hook of the dry fly with a bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph in size 20, an olive scud in size 12, and a gray caddis emerger in size 20 are fooling the trout. I’m done fishing Hot Creek by 2:00 in the afternoon and am off looking for lunch or another fly fishing spot. If the winds not up I’m heading to the upper Owens.
First time fly fishers Lori Tardiff from Oceanside hooked up to a cutthroat on the upper Owens River in the afternoon wind.
Upper Owens River:
Above Benton Crossing Bridge:
The cutthroat spawn is in full swing with a lot of the fish showing signs of the rigors of spawning. A lot of the fish have white spots on them which is caused from rubbing against the rocky bottom to make redds. A high percentage of the spawning cutthroats do not make it back to the lake. I’m continuing to fish the deep holes, runs and cutbanks for the resting-feeding trout. I’m not targeting the spawning fish on redds. The fish are taking size 12 stoner nymphs, size 12 green/gold Prince nymphs, and size 12 bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ears.
Hooked up with a tiger midges in the north corner of McGee Bay in 15 feet of water on a cold windy morning.
Crowley Lake:
Wind is the issue on the lake. Some mornings are windy and some afternoons are windy. You just have to hit the right time on the lake. The north side of McGee Bay, Sandy Point, Sometimes Bay, and Crooked Creek Arm are productive spots. The guide boats are moving around trying to find spots with lots of fish taking the midges. Albino Barons, grey midges, tiger midges, and zebra midges fished in 14 to 17 feet of water are fooling rainbows, browns, and cutthroats. I’m fishing my flies 12 to 18 inches of the bottom.
When the winds not blowing the canal has a size 20 blue wing olive hatch happening early in the morning.
Bishop Creek Canal:
Behind the Ford Dealer:
For those that can get out to the water early the blue wing olive hatch has been good for an hour or an hour and half starting at 8:30 A.M. I’m using a size 20 blue wing olive parachute. Once the hatch is over, I’m fishing an indicator with a size 16 bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ear, or a size 18 or 20 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph. This area is prone to afternoon winds.
Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 05-20-2022
It’s shaping up to be a hot, windy spring especially in the Owens Valley. In between spring storms we are getting temperatures in the high 80’s and low 90’s. Insect activity in Owens Valley waters are getting active. Insects in the upper elevations are just starting to get active. Lakes in the backcountry and still iced over and will be for a few weeks to a month depending on the altitude. Rainbows and cutthroats are showing up in the rivers that access major water impoundments and lakes. Crowley Lake tributaries open to fishing on Saturday May 28, 2022.
Now is the perfect time to learn how to fly fish with Sierra Bright Dot.
Lower Owens River:
Wild Trout Section:
Fishing has been up and down. Euro nymphing has been the better producer. Fly fishing under an indicator is producing a few trout. There are blue wing olive mayflies, pale morning dun mayflies, little yellow stoneflies, and caddis hatching. This insect activity have the trout feeding on the nymphs. I’ve seen few trout rising to the hatches of these insects. Several species of birds have been taking advantage of the hatching insects and are feeding voraciously on them. For nymphs I’m using olive quilldigons, stoner nymphs, Butano nymphs, bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ear, and bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph. I have pale morning dun parachutes, blue wing olive parachutes, X-caddis, and little yellow stonefly adults in my fly box for the day the trout are selectively feeding on the hatching insects.
Wild brown trout are being fooled by nymphs fished on a Euro nymph rod in the lower Owens River.
Hot Creek:
Interpretive Site:
Fishing continues to be tough as there are few insects hatching to bring the trout to the surface. Gray caddis nymphs, olive scuds, midge nymphs and pupae in tiger and zebra coloration, and bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs are producing rainbows and browns fished under foam hoppers, Chernobyl ants, and Adams parachutes. In the next couple of weeks I expect the blue wing olive mayflies and caddis hatch to increase to the point the trout will be selectively feeding on these hatching insects. Windy days makes fishing the creek tough. There has been a lot of windy days on the creek this spring.
Bob Nydam of Sierra Madre with a pretty wild brown trout that took an olive scud pattern.
Hot Creek:
Canyon Section:
Most fly fishers are fishing the canyon section of Hot Creek with nymphs. With the low water level fishing a dry and dropper rig is better than a commercial indicator. For the dry fly try hopper patterns, Chernobyl ants, and Adams parachutes. For the nymphs fish with size 12 olive scuds, size 20 gray caddis nymphs and caddis pupae, and size 18 and 20 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs. If you find trout selectively feeding on the hatching adults use a size 20 blue wing olive parachute or a size 20 gray spent partridge caddis. Fishing slows way down in the early afternoon. By 2:00 P.M. I’m heading home or heading to Crowley Lake Store for a slice of pizza for lunch.
This Owens River cutthroat took a size 12 jigged stoner nymph fished on a Euro nymph outfit.
Upper Owens River:
Above Benton Crossing Bridge:
The cutthroat run is peaking. There are cutthroats from Benton Crossing Bridge to the Longyears area. I’m targeting the cutthroats that are resting and feeding in the deep pools, runs, and cutbanks. I’m using jigged stoner nymphs, green/gold wire Prince nymphs, and bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ears in size 12. I’m finding lots of cutthroats willing to take my nymphs. Streamers will fool the cutthroats. I like fishing classic patterns like the black wooly bugger, hornbergs, spruce flies and matukas.
Bishop middle school 8th grade science teacher Jonathon Willy with four students from the middle school fly fishing club out on Crowley Lake learning to midge fish.
Crowley Lake:
The guides are fishing McGee Bay, Sandy Point, Six Bays, and Christmas Flats with gray, black and wine colored midges in 12 to 17 feet of water. Small moves can yield big dividends. If you’re in 14 feet of water try moving out to 17 feet. Moving the flies of the bottom also can yield fish. If you’re not getting hit on the bottom move the fly to 12 or 18 inches of the bottom.
Grandfather Joe Moore from San Francisco with grandson Aiden Vallejo of Bishop, a recent graduate of Bishop City’s Fish Camp, showing his grandfather what he has learned about fly fishing.
Bishop Creek Canal:
Behind the Ford Dealer:
This area is getting a lot of fishing pressure from fly fishers and conventional gear anglers. The wild brown trout are feeding on nymphs during the day and the blue wing olive hatch first thing in the morning. For nymphs I’m using size 16 bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ears, stoner nymphs in size 14, and size 20 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs. The blue wing olive hatch is starting in the morning around 8:30 A.M. and is over by 9:30 A.M. I’m using a size 20 blue wing olive parachute once the fish are feeding on the surface. Wind, particularly in the afternoons is making fly fishing the canal tough.
Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 05-13-2021
We have fresh snow on the White Mountains and the Sierra Mountains and followed up with temperatures in the low 90’s. Welcome to spring in the Eastern Sierra. Wind continues to hamper fly fishers in the Eastern Sierra. When the wind does not blow the fishing has been fun. Cutthroats are in the Crowley Lake tributaries. Remember that the Owens River is the only tributary open to fishing. The other tributaries open up on the Saturday before Memorial Day. Blue wing olive mayflies, crane flies, midges, pale morning dun mayflies, little yellow stone flies and caddis are hatching and the trout are feeding on them.
Jack Basso from San Clemente braves a cold blustery day on the lower Owens River in the wild trout section.
Lower Owens River:
Wild Trout Section:
Flows have stabilized and water is clearing. Nymphing has been the most productive despite seeing hatches of crane flies, mayflies, little yellow stone flies and caddis. Euro nymphing has been more productive than the indicator nymphing. On the Euro rig olive quilldigons, stoner nymphs, and Butano nymphs have been the most productive. Under an indicator a bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ear, bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph, and stoner nymph have been producing wild brown trout to 14 inches. The hatches of blue wing olives and pale morning duns has been sporadic with the swallows eating more than the trout. Not all waters are equal when it comes to finding rising trout to the mayflies. Move around to find runs or holes where trout are feeding selectively on these insects.
Father and son, Allen and Jack Basso from San Clemente, nymphing under an indicator with stoner nymphs and bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs.
Hot Creek:
Interpretive Site:
Spring storms are blowing in and blowing out making it hard to fly fish on Hot Creek. The trout are staying on the bottom feeding on nymphs when the wind blows. Fishing with midge nymphs and pupae in zebra or tiger midge coloration, and bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs is producing a few fish. This is a good time to work a streamer down in the deep holes and runs dead drifted or stripped. I like fishing with size 6 olive wooly buggers. Balanced perch patterns are working also.
A rare day on the Interpretive site of Hot Creek all to myself.
Hot Creek:
Canyon Section:
This section is a little more forgiving to fly fishers. There is some dry fly activity, but most fly fishers are fishing nymphs. With the low water in the creek fishing a dry and dropper is more effective than using a commercial indicator. Olive quilldigons and bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs in sizes 18 and 20 are producing wild brown trout and rainbow trout to 18 inches. When the wind does not blow and the hatch is in full swing a parachute blue wing olive in size 20 will fool the surface feeding trout.
The cutthroats are in the upper Owen River system from the Monument to the confluence of Hot Creek.
Upper Owens River:
Above Benton Crossing Bridge:
The cutthroats are in the system and moving upstream. The run started out in the lower section of the upper Owens River in the area of the monument. Now the cutthroats are above Benton Crossing Bridge. The Longyears area of the upper Owens River has a few cutthroats. Fly fishers need to move around and find where there are concentrations of the trophy cutthroats. The cutthroats are taking nymphs and streamers. I’m fishing with stoner nymphs and green/gold Prince nymphs. Mayer’s mini leeches in gray and white are working well. Wooly buggers, hornberg’s, and spruce flies are fooling the trophy trout.
Hooked up on Crowley Lake with a midge system in 12 to 14 feet of water at Sandy Point.
Crowley Lake:
When the wind is not howling Crowley Lake is producing trout for fly fishers nymphing in 12 to 20 feet of water. Sandy Point, Six Bays, and McGee Bay are where the guides are fishing as well as everyone else. Tiger midges, and zebra midges have been the fly of choice. Be sure to move your flies every few minutes. After giving the line a slight pull be ready for a grab as this action attracts the fish to your midges. A few fly fishers have been getting rainbows, browns, cutthroats, perch, and chubs on their midges. The grand, grand slam of fly fishing on Crowley Lake.
Bishop Creek Canal is a great place for beginners to learn to fly fish with little stream side vegetation to inhibit fly casts.
Bishop Creek Canal:
Behind the Ford Dealer:
Wild brown trout are providing the action for fly fishers. This is a great spot for beginners to learn how to fly fish. Fishing a bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph or a bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ear under an indicator is producing brown trout to 16 inches. There is no break from the wind when fly fishing the canal. When the wind lies down the fly fishing has been good.
Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 05-06-2022
I think it was a typical opener for me. On Saturday and Sunday morning I along with a number of guides and volunteers had 18 six to 12 year old’s that we taught fly fishing, fly tying, water safety, and entomology as part of Bishop City’s Park and Recreation Fish Camp. Saturday was a perfect day to be out and about on the waters of the Eastern Sierra with warm air temperatures and no wind. As perfect an opener day as you could ask for. Sunday and the winds of spring showed up and made it miserable to fly fish. The kids at the park prevailed over the wind with everyone catching at least one trout on Sunday.
It depends on the day and where in the Eastern Sierra you are if the wind is blowing and how hard. Monday my clients and I got blown off the upper Owens River. We dropped down to the lower Owens River and there was no wind and it was hot with air temperature in the low 80’s. When I’m guiding, I fish the weather that we encounter for the day. When I’m fishing for myself, I only go out on the nice days, especially the days in spring when the wind is not blowing.
Sierra Lancaster from Bishop holding a rainbow trout, that her father Richard Lancaster landed, from Bishop Park Pond as part of Fish Camp.
Lower Owens River:
Wild Trout Section:
The flows have stabilized at 175 CFS. The water is off color, as the river flows increase, so does the rivers ability to carry sediment. These are good levels to wade the river and work the riffles and pools that are holding trout. Pale morning dun mayflies and blue wing olive mayflies are the insects the trout are feeding on. I’m fishing with a size 16 bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ears and size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs under an indicator. On the Euro rod I’m using a size 16 olive quilldigon, a size 12 stoner nymph, and a size 16 Butano nymph. There has been little dry fly activity as there is not enough insects hatching to bring the trout to the surface.
Paul Morrissey from Long Beach reaching out with the cast to get a drag free drift with his indicator rig on the lower Owens River.
Hot Creek:
Interpretive Site:
When the wind is not howling the trout are feeding on midges and blue wing olive mayflies. The trout are concentrating on the nymphs and not feeding on the hatching insects. It’s tough to work nymphs in the slow deep water. I’m fishing under a size 16 Adams parachute with 3 to 4 feet of 5X fluorocarbon tippet. I’m using size 18 to 22 midge pupae and midge nymph patterns in zebra and tiger coloration. A size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph fished middle of the day is fooling a few fish.
When the wind is not howling the canyon section of Hot Creek is producing wild brown trout to 18 inches on mayfly nymphs.
Hot Creek:
Canyon Section:
The canyon section of Hot Creek with its steeper gradient is easier to fish than the interpretive site. I primarily fish nymphs under a dry fly. A size 18 or 20 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph fished in the pockets created by rocks and weed beds is producing wild trout to 18 inches. If the hatch develops to the point that the trout are selectively feeding on the surface I will switch to a dry fly. Most days the hatch has not been strong enough for a good dry fly session. Consistent action with the nymphs is usually over by mid-afternoon.
Arnold Becker from Los Angeles is hooked up to a 12 inch rainbow trout that took a size 14 stoner nymph fished under an indicator.
Upper Owens River:
Above Benton Crossing Bridge:
The cutthroat trout have enter the upper Owens River system. The bulk of the run is below Benton Crossing Bridge as the cutthroats have just started their migration up the river to spawn. Fly fishers sight fishing to pods of cutthroats in the deep pools, runs and cutbanks are fooling a few fish. The stoner nymph, green/gold Prince nymph and a bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph are producing the trophy trout. The run will peak in the next week or two.
Home Street Middle School kids from the fishing club fishing off of a pontoon boat that Crowley Lake fish camp donated for our afternoon outing on Crowley Lake.
Crowley Lake:
I took out four Home Street Middle School fishing club students with teacher Jonathon Willy and fly fishing guide David Downs. The kids put to use the techniques they have been learning all school year. Fly fishing off of the north end of Sandy Point in 12 to 14 feet of water was the most productive spot for us. Tiger midges and zebra midges in size 18 were the productive flies. The midge bite is just getting started on Crowley Lake.
Eight four year old John McDonnell from Lafayette was able to fly fish for wild trout with the assistance of a chair.
Bishop Creek Canal:
Behind the Ford Dealer:
It did not take long for anglers to remove the bulk of the rainbow trout that California Fish and Wildlife planted in the canal. The wild brown trout are taking nymphs worked under an indicator or under a dry fly. Bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ears and bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs are fooling wild brown trout to 12 inches. Fishing pressure has greatly increased with the general trout opener on April 30, 2022.
Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 04-30-2022
At mid-day I drove from Riverside to Bishop on Thursday April 28th, 2022. I was surprised at the lack of motorhomes, trailers, campers, and boats on the highway. When I got into Bishop there were just a few boats and trailers to be seen. Friday before opener is the day that most anglers make the pilgrimage to the Easter Sierra for the trout open or more affectionately known as fishmas. When I was growing up in the 70’s in southern California and lived in Mammoth Lakes in the 80’s opening weekend was a much bigger deal. I can remember waiting at least an hour to get in the gate at Crowley Lake. There were huge crowds of anglers at spots like Crowley Lake, Convict Lake and the June Lake Loop.
For me opener is anticlimactic these days as I’ve been fishing all the fly fishing waters year round. I’ve even fished a few of the creeks that are not well known fly fishing waters, but are now open to winter catch and release fishing with lures and flies. For a while now, I spend opening weekend on Bishop Park Pond. Along with other volunteer guides I will be teaching 6 to 12 year old’s how to fly fish. This event is called Fish Camp.
As part of fish camp the campers are allowed to catch and release fly fish in Bishop Park Pond.
Lower Owens River:
Wild Trout Section:
Flows have gone up slightly to 175 CFS and I think they will continue to slowly rise as City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power is increasing flows to full fill irrigation commitments in the Owens Valley. It usually takes a few days of steady flows for the fish to acclimate to the increased flows. There has not been much surface activity from the wild brown trout. There are a few size 20 blue wing olive mayflies and some size 16 pale morning duns hatching. Nymphing has been the most productive method of fly fishing the lower river. I’ve been using size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs and size 16 and 18 bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ears. A mop fly is a pattern that works well or produces nothing. I had my first couple days of seeing a client catch fish on a tan mop fly last week.
Chris Hortinela from Santa Barbra being instructed by future Sierra Bright Dot guide Richard Lancaster on the catch and release section of the lower Owens River.
Hot Creek:
Interpretive Site:
Nice warm days with no wind has allowed fly fishers to enjoy the dry fly fishing in the Interpretive site. Winds, particularly in the afternoons, are hampering fly fisher efforts of catching trout. Midge nymphs in the morning are producing fish previous to the blue wing olive hatch. During the hatch blue wing olive parachutes and olive sparkle duns in size 20 are fooling the rainbows and browns that inhabit this section.
Hot Creek:
Canyon Section:
Nymphing in the canyon is the most productive way to fly fish in Hot Creek. The fish are holding around the structure like rocks, and weed beds. A nymph under neath a dry fly placed so it floats into these trout holding structures will produce trout. I like to fish my nymph patterns two to three feet underneath a size 16 Adams parachute. I tie size 16, or 18, olive quilldigons or size 18 or 20 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs onto 5X fluorocarbon. Best fishing is from 9:00 A. M. to 2:00 P.M.
Fly fishers are anxiously awaiting the run of cutthroat trout to enter the upper Owens River.
Upper Owens River:
Above Benton Crossing Bridge:
It’s in between time on the upper Owens River. The trophy rainbow run out of Crowley Lake is done for the year. The cutthroat run has not started yet. I will start looking for this run after the 5th of May. The cutthroat run only lasts a few weeks and is usually done by Memorial weekend. With no trophy trout in the Owens River to catch fly fishers are hooking a few Juvenile rainbows and browns. There is not enough insect activity to get these fish into a consistent feeding situation. Tiger midges, zebra midges, pheasant tail nymphs, and gold ribbed hare’s ears are fooling a few fish when fished under an indicator.
Bishop Creek Canal is a great spot for beginners and experts to catch hatchery rainbows and wild brown trout.
Bishop Creek Canal:
Behind the Ford Dealer:
In preparation for the general trout season opener on Saturday April 30, 2022 the California Department of Fish and Wildlife stocked Bishop Creek Canal with rainbow trout. These fish have been providing lots of catch and release fly fishing opportunities for fly fishers. With the general opener allowing these fish to be kept their numbers will dwindle quickly. There are still lots of wild brown trout willing to take a size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph or size 16 bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ear nymph. I’m fishing the nymphs under an indicator for beginners and on a Euro nymph rig for myself.
Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 04-22-2022
Opening day for the Eastern Sierra is Saturday April 30, 2022. While the majority of Eastern Sierra waters have been open to catch and release fishing or catch and keep there are a few prime fly fishing waters that will be opening on April 30. Crowley Lake and the East Walker are two major fly fishing waters that will be opening up to fishing. With the opening of all waters this will take the pressure of some of the waters that fly fishers have been fishing this winter like the lower and upper Owens River. Lakes up to 7,500 feet are iced out. Lakes in 8,000 to 9,000 foot range are just starting to ice out. Ice out is a great time to fly fish these lakes. Be prepared for spring storms as they are always possible even in low snow years like this year.
One way to get out of the wind is to fish in the river bed and allow the tulles and willows to block the wind.
Lower Owens River:
Wild Trout Section:
Flows have stabilized around 150 CFS. This is a great flow to fish in the wild trout section. This increase in flows provides more habitat for the fish to live in. It allows the fish to live in deeper holes and runs which provides safety from predators like osprey. The blue wing olive hatch has slowed down and the insects hatching are a size 20. The trout are still actively feeding on the nymphs. There are pale morning duns hatching and the trout are feeding on the nymphs. I like to use a size 16 gold ribbed hare’s ear to imitate the pale morning dun nymphs. I like to use a size 16 split wing pale morning dun or a brown quilldigon to imitate the emerging pale morning duns. Spring time in the Eastern Sierra seems to be filled with wind. Fishing in the river bed allows fly fishers to get out of the wind.
Owen Farkas from Thousand Oaks with his first trout on the fly rod landed in the catch and release section of the lower Owens River.
Hot Creek:
Interpretive Site:
Spring winds are playing havoc with fly fishers trying to fish Hot Creek. I fish with the idea of manana. If the winds blowing, I stay home and do paper work or tie flies and go fly fishing on non-windy days. When the wind lays down there is good dry fly action for fly fishers. Blue wing olives are offering most of the action even though there are midges around. I like to fish size 20 blue wing olive parachutes or size 20 olive sparkle duns. The surface activity is over by 2:00 P.M.
Hot Creek:
Canyon Section:
With the steeper gradient in the canyon section it lends its self to nymph fishing. I like to fish with a dry and dropper set up. The reduced flows allow the dry fly to not spook trout like an indicator well. I fish with size 16 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, tiger midges, zebra midges and soft hackle brassies. The water in the canyon is shallow and I’m fishing the nymphs on a two to three foot tippet of 5X fluorocarbon. Sometimes I’m as short as 18 inches between the dry fly and the dropper. Work the nymphs around the structure, weed beds and rocks, being ready to set the hook at the slightest movement in the dry fly.
It will be at least a couple of weeks before the cutthroats show up in the upper Owens River.
Upper Owens River:
Above Benton Crossing Bridge:
Spring storms are affecting fly fisher looking for trophy trout on the upper Owens River. When it’s not snowing and blowing working nymphs in the deep holes, runs and cutbanks are producing a few trophy trout. The cutthroats are not in the river yet. It will be two to three weeks before these fish show up. Remember that the Owens River is the only tributary to Crowley Lake that is open to fishing. The other tributaries will open up on the Saturday before Memorial Day.
Fishing the pool below a riffle is producing lots of wild brown trout for fly fishers fishing an indicator nymph rig.
Bishop Creek Canal:
Behind the Ford Dealer:
Flows are increasing in Bishop Creek canal and the wild brown trout are feeding on nymphs. I’m fishing clients under an indicator with a gold ribbed hare’s ear or bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph. Fishing the faster sections of the canal, water below a weir or culvert has been the most productive spots to be fly fishing. I’m using my standard nymph set up of the nymph on the bottom with a weight 12 to 18 inches above the fly and the indicator 1.5 to 2 times the average depth of water above the bottom fly. For the canal I’m using a size 1 weight and the indicator five to six feet above the fly.
Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 04-15-2022
Winter is begrudgingly hanging on with a few winter storms. It warms up nicely and then we get freezing weather. Then it’s back to warm weather with lots of wind thrown in. So far, a typical spring in the Eastern Sierra. There is not a lot of snow left in the mountains for a spring runoff. Irrigation is starting and Los Angeles Department of Water and Power are starting to increase water flows in the Owens River and canals throughout the Owens Valley. We are in between hatches and spawning trout. Some areas are fishing good while others are slowing down. Welcome to spring in the Eastern Sierra. Fly fishers are starting to target the warm water species in the Owens Valley.
Julie Faber from Bishop is on the lower Owens River with not much snow left on the Eastern Sierra mountains this early in spring.
Lower Owens River:
Wild Trout Section:
Flows have increased and the river is still very wade able flows. There is an increased sediment load being carried by the river that has the river off color. The fish are still feeding, but there is a decrease in insect activity. Midges and mayflies are what the trout are feeding on. Size 18 to 20 midge nymphs and midge pupae patterns in tiger midge and zebra midge configuration is producing trout in the morning. There are blue wing olive mayflies hatching, but there is not enough of them hatching to provide good dry fly fishing. I’ve been concentrating my fly fishing on nymphing with bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs in size 18 and olive quilldigons in size 16. With the increased flows fly fishers need to increase the amount of weight they are using on their nymph rigs. This is a good time to fish with black streamers like wooly buggers, marabou muddlers, and slumpbusters in sizes 6 an 10.
Marsh Faber from Bend, Oregon water loading a cast with an indicator rig so he can cast upstream without getting hung up in the stream side vegetation.
Hot Creek:
Interpretive Site:
When the winds not blowing the fishing has been good with midges and blue wing olive mayflies. I start the morning off with a size 20 or 22 tiger midge or zebra midge in midge or pupae configuration. An hour or so before the blue wing olive hatch I switch over to a size 18 bead head pheasant tail nymph. Once the hatch is in full swing and the trout are selectively feeding on the hatching mayflies, I switch to a size 18 blue wing olive parachute. The hatch is usually over by 2:00 P.M. and I either head over to the upper Owens to continue fly fishing or go look for lunch somewhere in Mammoth or Crowley Lake.
Hot Creek:
Canyon Section:
I like to fish a dry and dropper rig in the canyon. I fish with a size 16 Adams Parachute on top. First thing in the morning I like to use a midge nymph or midge pupae pattern in tiger or zebra coloration in size 20 or 22. Late morning I take off the midge and put on either a size 16 olive quilldigon or a size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph. I keep my nymphs on a short two to three foot tippet of 5x fluorocarbon. If the trout start to feed selectively on the hatching mayflies I put on a dry fly and fish on the surface. I like fishing dries, but the nymphs are more productive.
It will be three weeks or so before the cutthroat trout enter the upper Owens River to spawn.
Upper Owens River:
Above Benton Crossing Bridge:
Wind and snow have made it unpleasant to fish on the upper Owens River as spring time storms have been rolling through the Eastern Sierra. You just have to pick the right days to fish the river. Flows in the river are dropping and the fish are just not concentrated in the river right now. The winter rainbow run is just about over and the spring cutthroat run is still a few weeks away from starting. I start looking for the cutthroat run around Cinco de Mayo. Enjoy an evening of tacos and margaritas and head out to the upper Owens River looking for the beginning of the cutthroat run the next day. For fly fishers putting in lots of effort there are a few trophy rainbows that are taking jigged stoner nymphs, green/gold wire Prince nymphs and gold ribbed hare’s ears. Cover lots of water to find the few trophy trout that are in the deeper pools, runs and under the cutbanks.
A pretty wild brown trout from Bishop Creek Canal that took a size 16 olive quilldigon fished on a Euro rig with a three fly setup.
Bishop Creek Canal:
Behind the Ford Dealer:
Increased flows have spurred the trout in the canal to be on the feed again, or is that we can now approach the trout in the creek without spooking them. The water is up and off color. I’m fishing my Euro rig in the canal. I had my first triple hook up of the year. Unfortunately two of the trout came off and I only landed one pretty brown. I’ve not yet been able to land a triple on the Euro rod. When the wind is not blowing nymphing mid-day has been good with olive quilldigons and bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs. There has not been much surface activity so I have not been throwing dry flies.
Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report 04-08-2022
Spring is here. Temperatures are in the high 70’s to low 80’s. I’ve had the air conditioning on in the truck as I drive to and from my fly fishing spots. Bass, carp, and bluegill are getting active in the Owens Valley. It’s time to start working the ponds, canals and Owens River for these fish. Mid-day continues to be when the insects are most active and the trout are responding by feeding on the nymphs and emerging mayflies, caddis flies, and midges. With most moving waters open to catch and release fishing with barbless flies and lures it time to start exploring some of the higher elevation creeks. This is an underutilized fly fishing opportunity in the Eastern Sierra in spring.
I know it’s spring when the dandelions take over my back yard and the insects and birds utilize them.
Lower Owens River:
Wild Trout Section:
Water is off color, but the trout are still feeding. Midge nymphs or pupae in zebra or tiger configuration, bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, olive quilldigons, and caddis emerger patterns are fooling the trout from morning to early evening. I’ve been fishing with a Euro rig pre blue wing olive hatch. The olive quilldigon has been responsible for most of my trout. The mid-day hatch of blue wing olives has been good enough to get my dry rod out of the case and bring it on the river with me. When the hatch starts, I go looking for a spot where all the trout are selectively feeding on the emerging blue wing olives. I’m fishing with a size 18 blue wing olive parachute or an olive sparkle dun. Caddis activity late in the day is worth throwing some elk hair caddis on the water.
Nate Ostrander from Bishop Euro nymphing a section of the lower Owens River that is only accessible by wading.
Hot Creek:
Interpretive Site:
With vehicle access to the creek fly fishing pressure has increased. Sometimes you need to get out before the hatches just to secure a spot on the creek. Mornings have seen good midge activity with the trout taking midge nymphs, pupae, and adults. For the nymphs and pupae I’m using size 18 to 22 tiger and zebra configurations. For the adults I’m using Griffiths gnats and biot midge emergers. An hour or two before the blue wing olive hatch I’m using a bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph. When the trout turn their attention to the hatching blue wing olives I switch to a dry fly and start using a blue wing olive parachute or an olive sparkle dun. I’m usually done with Hot Creek by 2:00 P.M. Then it’s time to go find lunch.
Hot Creek:
Canyon Section:
The canyon section offers better nymphing opportunities for fly fishers. I like to fish my flies under a fly and not an indicator. With the lower flows in the creek the commercial indicators spook to many trout. I’m using a size 16 Adams parachute with a midge nymph or pupae in tiger or zebra configuration. Mid-day before the blue wing olive hatch I put on a bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph in size 18. If the trout are feeding selectively on the newly hatching blue wing olive mayflies, I switch to a size 18 or 20 blue wing olive parachute. I fish with a dry and dry so that I can find my small dry fly on the water. I use the 16 Adams parachute for the dry in the dry and dry setup.
The winter run of rainbows from Crowley Lake are just about done for the year.
Upper Owens River:
Above Benton Crossing Bridge:
Fly fishers have complete access to the river on both sides with their vehicles. This has increased the fly fishing pressure in this area. The winter run of rainbows is slowly coming to an end. For the fly fisher willing to put in the effort of covering lots of water looking for the few pods of trophy trout that are in the system right now you will find a few trophy trout willing to take your fly. I’m still fishing with size 12 jigged stoner nymphs, green/gold Prince nymphs, and gold ribbed hare’s ears in the deeper pools, runs, and cutbanks.
Bob Creed from Riverside was able to catch several wild brown trout after rigging up an indicator nymph rig.
Bishop Creek Canal:
Behind the Ford Dealer:
Flows have increased in the canal and it’s easier to approach the trout. I’m fishing with a dry and dropper rig or under and indicator. I like to fish a bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph about 20 inches below the midge. I put a size one split shot between the two flies and the indicator 1.5 to 2 times the average depth of water above the bottom fly. I used this setup with Bob Creed from Riverside on Monday and he landed several wild brown trout. The canal will get better as water flows are increased.
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