FISHING REPORT >>

 

A Guides point of view on Eastern Sierras Hot Spots

May 24th Fishing Report    

​

       

 

                               

 

 

 

                               

 

                           

 

                             

 

                

           

 

               

 

 

 

 

 

​

 

May has provided almost every fishing condition and weather pattern one can imagine. Watching the weather forecast and planning accordingly was the name of the game. However the coming weeks are looking to provide a much more stable weather pattern, and prime-time fishing. The East Walker river flows have came up, which has provided some great river fishing. The lower owens flows are stable at 275cfs and the trout have adapted to the higher water. The upper o has had a few migratory cutthroat move into the system, so please watch out when wading in the river. Crowley has been good, with abundant midge hatches and hard pulling trout.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

​

​

​

Crowley Lake 

​

Midges: Crowley Pupa, 007 Pupa, Albino Baron, Albino Pupa, Red Hot

Streamers: Pheasent Rump Bugger, Black Leeches, Olive Twin Lakes Special 

 

 

The fishing conditions and weather went hand in hand the past couple weeks. The warm, high pressure days triggered an outstanding midge hatch, leaving the boats covered, rods bent and fish full. These days have also brought very consistent fishing, with some hard pulling quality fish. On the other hand we have had some windy, cold fronts that have moved through. During these periods, the hatch window was shortened and being in the right place at the right time is key. These cold fronts that moved through have kept the water temps from climbing quickly and we still have great water clarity throughout the entire lake. We are beginning to see signs of weed beds growing in the shallow areas around the marina, which means the damsel nymphs and callibaetis mayflies will be on the menu in no time. The next few weeks are looking to bring a much more stable weather pattern and should provide great action. The fishing has still been a deeper water game this season, with less snow runoff. There are definitely fish feeding in the 10-13ft range, but our most consistent fishing of late has been in the 20-22ft range. Switching fly patterns in accordance to time of day and hatch has been the key to success.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

East Walker River

​

The Regulations have changed on the East Walker, the fishery is now not a year-round fishery and will follow general trout season opening dates. Opening Last Saturday in April- Closing November 16th.

 

​

Flows: 86 CFS 

 

Dries:  Mercers Missing Link, Yellow Sally, Fat Albert, Sparkle PMD, Chubby Chernobyl   

Nymphs:  Barr's Pmd emerger, Radiation baetis, Mercers Poxyback Pmd , GTI Caddis, Fox poppah, Split Case PMD, Solitude Stone, Pats Rubber Leg, Cdc pheasant tail, rainbow warrior, tung poison midge

Streamers:  Sculpzilla, Cravens Double Gonga, Slumpbuster, Meat Whistle

​

Im glad to say the flows are up to fishable conditions, and it has been a pleasure to be back on this amazing fishery. The flows have been bouncing from as low as 35 to as high as 101 in the past weeks. We have been watching the flows and fishing the river when conditions are right. The river is a slicker this year due to lower flows and algae growth, so even though the water is not high still be careful wading. The insect activity that we have been seeing the past weeks consisted of: Midges, PMD's, Caddis, BWO's. There has been the occasional rising fish but not much dry fly action in the past weeks. However, Dry-dropper fishing has been a stealthy approach to pressured runs during the lower flows. The fluctuating flow has improved the streamer bite, and nymph fishing is still producing best numbers. The water temps have began to increase and with not much runoff this season they could reach un-fishable temps. Carry a thermometer when fishing this summer and if the water temps rise above 68 degrees, head somewhere else.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lower Owens River

​

Flows: 276 cfs

​

Dries: Iwan-E dun,Hackle stacker Bwo , Grifiths gnat, Parachute adams

Nymphs: Go-2 Baetis, Tung Poison midge, Rainbow Warrior, Buckskin, Pheasent Tail, Kyrptonite caddis

Streamers: Pheasant Rump buggers, Rj Special, Zoo Cougar, Matuka, Gray/Silver Buggers

​

The Flows have stayed on the high side but have been stable the last few weeks. The fish have adapted to the change in flows and are actively feeding. The past weeks cold front that moved through brought a good BWO hatch to the lower and the trout were actively sipping adults. We have started to see more and more spring caddis in the past week, and should continue to see larger numbers in the coming weeks. Nymph fishing has still been very productive during non-hatch periods, and the dry dropper fishing is improving as insect activity increases. The lower is definitely the place to be for match the hatch fishing this Spring!

​

Fishing on the Lower Owens is at its best from now through the late spring. By  June or July the flows will be anywhere from 300 CFS + making it difficult to access the river. Come fish with us and explore one of the best trout fisheries in the area.

 

​

 

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

​

Upper Owens River

​

Flows: 56 CFS Above HC Confluence

             65 CFS Below HC Confluence

​

Dries: x-2 caddis, Mercers Missing Link, Extended body pmd, Griffiths gnat

Nymphs: Poxyback Pmd , Solitude Jig Pmd,  Rainbow Warrior , Zebra Midge

Streamers: Muddler Minnow, Seal Buggers, Olive Zonker, Simi-Seal leeches

​

 

Flows on the Upper have dropped down into the 60cfs range. This has triggered many of the migratory fish to begin their journey back to Crowley. These fish have spawned in the river throughout the late winter and have deposited eggs along the stream bed. Please be careful of were you are wading. The resident fish on the river have started looking up more as we have been seeing some decent mayfly activity. Fishing dries this time of the year on the river can be a blast, and you never know when that lake run fish still holding will come up and sip your dry!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hot Creek

​

Special Regulations: Barbless Artificial, Catch and Release Only. PLEASE DO NOT WADE!

Flows: 14 cfs

 

Dries: Hackle stacker BWO, Mercers Missing Link, Hot Creek Caddis

Nymphs: Iron Lotus, Walts Worm, Mercers Micro May, Hot Spot Scud, BTS, Zebra midge

Streamers: Muddler Minnow, Matuka, Balanced Leeches

​

​

The creek has been fishing well considering the small amount of runoff we have received this year. The flows are still low and making good drifts through the slots and into the pockets is key to success. Dry fly fishing has been good during hatch periods, and dry dropper fishing has done the job between times. The Fish have been keying in on emergers and drifting caddis throughout the day. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

​

 

​

 

 

Pyramid Lake, Nevada

 

​

Flies: Balanced Leeches , Midges, Mahalo Nymph, Booby Flies, Beetles, Buggers, Game-Changer

 

If you are interested in experiencing some of the best fishing of the season at Pyramid lake. The last few weeks of June at Pyramid can provide some of the best action of the year, in beautiful warm weather! This time of the year is our favorite, as we are chasing large bait balls of Tui-chub, and sight casting to the world's largest Cutthroat trout! This is truly an experience every trout angler should see! I will be guiding Pyramid from June 16th-30th. Dates are filling up fast, please give me a call if you would like to come out.

​

 

 

    

 

 

​

​

​

​