Bishop Creek Canyon – Fish & Trail Report
September 7, 2024
Although many of us in the resort biz consider Labor Day to be the beginning of fall. However, the reality is that summer is very much in charge as far as average daytime temps go. Having said that, we’re over 9000 ft elevation here so a few days of wind, rain, or even snow flurries (which we had 2 weeks back) mixed in with warm summer days, it’s a not-so-subtle reminder as to why bringing multiple layers of clothing is a good idea. This is even more true as we get deeper into September. When asked “what kind of clothing should we bring?” I’ve often replied that “every day is a new day up here… ya’ll may start the day in jackets and beanies and by noon its time for flops and bikinis. A reminder that you need not call our office for the 5-day, the local forecast for our latitude/longitude and elevation is linked right on our home page and it’s worth keeping an eye on. As far as the water level at our Lake Sabrina goes, it’s come up several feet over the course of August, but things appear to have leveled off. If you hadn’t already heard, the SCE spillway project was put on hold til 2025, so water managers are trying to optimize storage. South Lake on the other hand has come down a bit, although it’s still well within the range we consider “great” as the entire lake, including the back inlets, are very much accessible. Creek flows have been a little inconsistent on the middle fork, but overall its been trending on the low flow side. A lot more water coming down the So Fork Bishop Creek. In either case, both are very much in the fishy zone.
–Fishing Reports–
–Lake Sabrina–
–South Lake—
–Bishop Creek–
–Backcountry Angling–
Bishop, CA Fly Fishing Report – SEPTEMBER 7
Weekly California Fly Fishing Report to the Bishop and Mammoth Lakes area, brought to you by Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Guides
Labor Day has come and gone. It’s time to get out there and fly fish the Eastern Sierra. Last weekend was the kids fishing event at the Tri County Fairgrounds. I had two take aways. Every year I do this event it is enjoyable to see kids excited with catching there first fish. This was the first year that several of the kids asked if there was a catch and release option. It was great to realize that so many of the kids that fish are aware of and want to practice catch and release. Eastern Sierra fly fishing is headed into the primetime of the fly fishing season. Think about taking someone fly fishing who has never been fly fishing. Mayflies, caddis and midges are hatching and providing the calories the trout need as they head into winter time.
Hot Creek
Interpretive Site: Hot Creek trout feed selectively on the insects that are hatching. During the hatch fly fishers need to have the fly that represents the stage of the insect the trout are feeding on. Trico mayflies, blue wing olive mayflies and gray caddis are hatching on any given day and the fly fisher needs to figure out which insect imitation to put on the end of their tippet. Use size 22 trico female parachutes, trico spinners, size 20 bluewing olive parachutes and size 20 gray parachute caddis. After the hatch a few fish can be enticed to the surface with terrestrials. Fish with size 14 foam beetles and size 12 parachute hoppers.
Canyon Section: Weed beds influence how fly fishers fish for trout in the canyon section. Nymphing is the most productive method of fly fishing in the canyon. With the weed beds just starting to recede it is still tough to work nymphs without getting hung up on the weeds. Fly fishing with dries allows fly fishers to work the tight seems and pockets around the weed beds with minimal hooking of the weeds. The fish are feeding on tricos, gray caddis and bluewing olive mayflies. Fish with size 20 blue wing olive parachutes, size 20 gray parachute caddis and size 22 trico spinners.
Crowley Lake
Mouth of Owens River: The trout are beginning to congregate at the tributaries to Crowley Lake in preparation of their fall migration up the tributaries to spawn. The north arm of the lake is where the flotilla of float tubers, kayakers, paddle boarders and boaters are fishing. Midging in 15 to 20 feet of water over a mud bottom with red midges, albino midges, gray midges, tiger midges and zebra midges from three inches to three feet above the substrate is producing trout. Float tubers and shore fly fishers throwing Sacramento perch fry patterns like olive wooly buggers, olive matukas and balanced perch in and around the weed beds are producing trout. The trout are cruising the weed beds looking for perch fry that have strayed from the safety of the weeds.
Upper Owens River
Above Benton Crossing Bridge:
Hatches of mayflies and caddis are keeping the trout actively feeding. On the surface fish with a size 16 elk hair caddis or X-caddis, size 16 Adams parachute and size 18 bluewing olive parachute. For nymphs fished under an indicator or with a Euro rig use size 18 olive quilldigons, size 16 hot spot pheasant tail nymphs, size 12 stoner nymphs, size 14 copper John’s, size 16 bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ears and size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs and a size 16 SOS nymph. Small and medium, size 6 and 10, black wooly buggers, matukas and marabou muddlers stripped upstream are fooling the trout. There are a few trophy trout in the system and these fish can be found in the deep holes, deep runs and cut banks. To find the few trophy trout cover lots of water to find a fish or two willing to take your flies
Bishop Creek Canal
There was lots of fishing pressure on the canal over the holiday weekend. Temperatures have gone back up into the upper 90’s and low 100’s. That’s too hot to fly fish in the afternoons. There is a trico hatch coming off in the morning. The trout key in on the spinners. The spinner fall is taking place in the early morning between 8:00 and 9:30ish. This hatch is over in less than an hour. Fish with a size 22 trico spinner on a 5X tippet. Target rising fish and make sure you time the float of your fly to the rhythm of the rising the trout. After the trico spinner fall head up the hill and find a cooler place to fish the rest of the day.
As always be sure to consult with California Fish and Wildlife regulations for the water you plan on fly fishing: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Regulations
Tuesday Talks with Fred:
Fred Rowe has been meeting clients, locals, and social media followers every Tuesday from 9:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. at Mahogany Smoked Meats on 2345 N. Sierra HWY. They just hang out with everyone talking about fly fishing in the Eastern Sierra and munching on a burrito. The only time he’s not there is when he’s off guiding. All levels of anglers are welcome.
STM Fly Fishing Report
Call or text the STM Fly Shop at 760-873-0010 for more details on this dynamic fishery or to book a guided tour for a worthy fish!
ROAD ACCESS UPDATES
- Inyo County: Ready Inyo (inyocounty.us)
- Mono County: Ready Mono (ready.mono.ca.gov)
- BLM – Bishop Field Office: www.blm.gov/office/bishop-
field-office - CalTrans: QuickMap (ca.gov)
- Los Angeles Dept. of Water and Power (LADWP): https://ladwpeasternsierra.com/runoff2023
BE GOOD STEWARDS
Below are helpful links to responsible recreation programs.
- Mammoth Lakes Recreation: Tangle Free Waters Station Locator
- Visit Bishop: Know Before You Go | Wilderness Permits
- Eastern Sierra Dispersed Camping Collaboration: Camp Like A Pro
So, whether you’re a seasoned fly chucker or just starting to explore the world of wet wading and dry flies, Bishop has something for you. With its stunning scenery, crystal-clear rivers, and abundance of feisty fish, it’s no wonder this Eastern Sierra paradise is a magnet for anglers from all over. So dust off your gear, pack your sense of adventure, and get ready to make a splash in Bishop this year!
Here are some additional tips for planning your Bishop fishing trip:
- Book your accommodations early: Bishop is a popular destination, especially during the spring and summer months, so be sure to snag your spot well in advance.
- Get your fishing licenses: You’ll need a California fishing license to participate in any of the events or fish in the local waters.
- Check the weather conditions: The Eastern Sierra can experience a variety of weather conditions, so be sure to pack accordingly.
- Respect the environment: Leave no trace and practice responsible fishing etiquette.
With a little planning and a whole lot of enthusiasm, your Bishop fishing adventure is sure to be one for the books (or the fly box, as it were). Tight lines!
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