Middle of the day is almost too warm to be fly fishing on Bishop Creek Canal. Mid-day hatches of blue wing olives have the trout coming to the surface. It’s fun to find consistently feeding trout and target them with size 18 blue wing olive parachutes, size 18 olive sparkle duns and size 18 Adams parachutes. Nymphing the faster runs with size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 Frenchie’s and size 18 olive quill RS2’s on the substrate will produce the trout feeding on nymphs.
Fishing Report
Eastern Sierra Fishing photos compiled by our local guide staff and the rest of the information sourced from their crew and our wonderful guests. Thank You!!!
Photo @CarterMurphyPhoto
Lower Owens River
Winter fly fishing on the lower Owens River is over for this winter season. Flows are above the 300 CFS level which makes wading the lower Owens River unsafe. The river can be fished at levels over 300 CFS, but it’s tough fishing due to very little bank fly fishing opportunities. Normally the winter season ends late April to very early May when DWP needs to make room in Crowley Lake for the snow runoff. With the warm weather snow up to the 7,000 foot level and slightly beyond has melted and filled up Crowley Lake. Expect flows to increase to 500 CFS or more and stay there throughout the summer months
To stay up with the changing flows check out Eastern Sierra water flows.
DWP has started to take water out of Crowley Lake to make room for this year’s snow melt and ship it to reservoirs south of Crowley Lake. The lower Owens River will be up to 185 CFS by the weekend and expect it to go up higher next week. Nymphing will continue to produce trout as they acclimate to the rising water. Over 300 CFS is the level of unsafe wading conditions for the lower Owens River. Euro nymphing and indicator nymphing will be the most effective methods of fooling the wild trout of the lower Owens River. If you see consistently rising trout definitely switch to a dry fly. On the surface use size 18 blue wing olive parachutes, size 18 olive sparkle duns and size 18 Adams parachute. On the substrate use size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 Frenchie’s, size 16 rainbow warriors, size 16 Duracell nymphs, size 14 olive burlap caddis, size 16 olive quill RS2 and size 16 Butano nymphs. Key to success in the rising water will be to have enough weight in the flies or on the tippet in the form of split shot to keep the nymphs on the substrate. Plan on fishing with a size BB split shot or more.
>> Complete Lower Owens Fishing Report by Sierra Trout Fly Shop
Upper Owens River
Above Benton Crossing Bridge
The snow is gone and so is most of the mud. There are a few mud puddles on the spur roads leading out to the river. Drive with caution when dealing with mud and mud puddles. There are still trophy rainbows in the river willing to take nymphs, eggs, worms and mop flies. The trophy trout holding in the deep runs, deep holes and cut banks are resting and feeding. Work your nymphs through these waters thoroughly. Nymph under an indicator or with a Euro rig with size 12 stoner nymphs, size 12 green/gold Prince nymphs, size 12 Richard’s variation of a gold ribbed hare’s ears, size 14 copper John’s, size 14 tungsten tacos, size 10 mop flies and size 12 squirmy wormies.
The Owens River below Benton Crossing Bridge is closed until APRIL.
>> Complete Fishing Report by Sierra Bright Dot
Invasive Golden Mussel !
The discovery of these new golden mussels present threats to more local waters than the Quaggas and Zebras because they need less calcium in the water and can survive higher and lower temps. Bottom line, we need your help to spread the word to keep the invasive species from spreading into our lakes and streams. Required for ALL boats, trailers and gear is Drain, Clean & Dry. It’s the LAW.
www.wildlife.ca.gov/mussels
866-440-9530
Hot Creek
Interpretive Area:Easy access to Hot Creek makes fly fishing the creek open to fly fishers now that winters blanket of snow is gone. Look for hatches of mayflies and midges. Early morning is when you will see the midges on the water. For the midges on the surface use size 20 Griffiths gnats, size 20 CDC midges and size 20 midge emergers. For the mayflies use size 20 blue wing olive parachutes, size 20 olive sparkle duns and size 20 Adams parachutes. Key to success is using nine to 12 foot leaders tapered to 5X and 6X and presenting the flies with a drag free drift.
The Canyon:
Nymphing in the canyon is at its best this time of year as the weed beds are at their smallest level. Working the open areas and in and around the weed beds with a dry and dropper rig or a Euro rig will produce the wild rainbow and brown trout that inhabit the Canyon Section of Hot Creek. Use size 18 olive quilldigons, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 Frenchie’s, size 18 green/gold brassies, size 18 soft hackle brassies, size 18 olive quill RS2 and size 18 thread midges in tiger and zebra coloration
Bishop Creek Canal
Now until Fishing Opener in April, the canal is catch and release fishing with barbless lures and flies.
> Complete Bishop Creek Canal Fishing Report by Sierra Bright Dot
Crowley Lake
CLOSED FOR THE SEASON.
Please keep the fish in the net and let them have a chance to revive before releasing them. These warmer water temperatures can really put a lot of stress on the fish.
https://www.crowleylakefishcamp.com/fishing-reports
All boats entering Crowley Lake will need to be inspected.
Fishing Reports by top ranked Fishing Guides – Owens River, Hot Creek, Bishop Creek and Eastern Sierra Lakes
- Local Fishing Report by Sierra Trout Magnet
- Weekly Fly Fishing Report by Sierra Bright Dot
- Bishop Creek Fishing Report by Parchers Resort
Fishing Maps
Bishop Creek
CLOSED FOR THE SEASON.
Courtesy of Parchers Resort and South Lake Landing
Storm’s past, snow’s melting, and the color keeps coming. It’s so pretty out here.
BOOK ONLINE
Sabrina Boats – www.VisitLakeSabrina.com
South Lake Boats & Parchers Cabins– www.ParchersResort.net
Latest about fishing Bishop
The heat wave continues. With Lower Owens River flows over 300 CFS the lower Owens River is done until the flows lower probably sometime in October. Snow is melting and dirt roads are drying out at about the 7,000 foot level. Hatches and nymphs of midges, mayflies and the occasional caddis are creating the food source for the trout in the waters of the Eastern Sierra. Summer like weather is making it pleasant to be fishing the waters in the Eastern Sierra particularly above 5,000 feet.
Year-Round Fishing
