Sierra Bright Dot Fly Fishing Report -September 18, 2023
Weather is cooling, nights are getting longer and I’m seeing leaves in the street. Fall is here in the Eastern Sierra. Rivers, streams and creeks are now at safe fishable levels. Freestone creeks in particular are finally offering good fly fishing with dry flies. Lakes continue to produce fish for fly fishers particularly fishing high elevation lakes. Trout are finally coming to the surface to feed on hatching mayflies and caddis. Nymphing under an indicator or with a Euro rod continues to be the most productive method of fly fishing in the Eastern Sierra right now.
***Please note that 2024 Blake Jones Trout Derby will be March 23, 2024.
Lower Owens River
Wild Trout Section:
Flows on the Lower Owens River are fluctuating from 300 to 400 CFS. At 300 CFS the river is wadable, but at 400 CFS the river is unwadable. Fly fishers need to check the flows of the lower Owens River before heading out to the river to fly fish. There is a mid-day mayfly hatch that the trout are feeding on the nymph. Olive quilldigons, hot spot pheasant tail nymphs and bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs in size 16 or 18 are the perfect imitation of the hatching mayfly nymphs. At 400 CFS it is requiring more weight than I care to fly fish with and it’s just not fun to fish that much weight.
Hot Creek
Interpretive Site:
Caddis are finally hatching in big numbers, but only the smallest of trout are coming to the surface to feed on them. A size 20 gray caddis emerger will fool the bigger trout when the caddis are hatching. There are some trico mayflies hatching with a size 22 trico spinner producing a few trout on the surface. Nymphing continues to be the most productive method of fly fishing Hot Creek. I prefer using my Euro rig with a hot spot pheasant tail nymph, stoner nymph and olive quilldigon.
Canyon Section:
With only small fish taking dries off the surface it’s purely a nymphing situation in the canyon. Working the slower pools and behind obstacles in the creek is producing trout under an indicator or with the Euro rig. Hot spot pheasant tail nymphs, olive quilldigons, stoner nymphs, scuds, olive burlap caddis, gray caddis emergers and bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs. Be sure you are using enough weight to keep the nymphs bouncing on the substrate.
Upper Owens River
Above Benton Crossing Bridge:
It’s time to start looking for trophy trout that are migrating out of Crowley Lake into the tributaries. I expect to see these fish in the next few weeks. Juvenile trout are producing lots of actions on using elk hair caddis, Adams parachutes, flying ants and trico spinners. For the trophy trout I’m fishing with stoner nymphs and green/gold prince nymphs in the deep pools, deep runs and cutbanks. Cover lots of water to find the few trophy trout in the Owens River.
Crowley Lake:
The fly fishing flotilla is fishing mouth of McGee, little Hilton Bay and Crooked Creek. All these areas are offering the trout cooler water to feed in. Perch fry are showing up in numbers and size that the trout are feeding on them. Pulling streamer patterns that imitate the young of the year perch on a sinking line is producing trout. The perch like the safety of the growing weed beds. The trout tend to hang out in these areas feeding on the perch fry that wander away from the security of the weed beds.
Bishop Creek Canal
Behind the Ford Dealer:
Nymphing with a Euro rig or under an indicator with bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, olive quilldigons, hot spot pheasant tail nymphs, bead head flash back gold ribbed hare’s ears and green/gold Prince nymphs are the productive fly patterns. Afternoon winds are blowing hoppers into the canal and the trout are feeding on them.
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.
Bishop Creek Canyon | Summer Fish & Trail Report
8/20/2023
–Trail Conditions–
–Fishing Reports–
–Lake Sabrina–
–South Lake–
–Bishop Creek–
–Intake 2–
–Backcountry Angling–
—Fish Stocking Update–
–Roads–
Road Access Updates
- Inyo County: 2023 Runoff Response | Ready Inyo (inyocounty.us)
- Mono County: Ready Mono (ready.mono.ca.gov)
- BLM – Bishop Field Office: www.blm.gov/office/bishhop-
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
- Eastern Sierra Dispersed Camping Collaboration: Camp Like A Pro
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