Report Date:
http://www.sierradrifters.comA much needed shot of snow fell last weekend that got the 3 day holiday off to a great start. It was mostly higher elevation snow that was measurable and provided a nice foot or so in some of the areas above 8,000′. We are back to warm weather again this week, and there are no major storms ahead for the remainder of the month. The next storm may hit around the first week of February. Fishing has been great on the Upper Owens River with big rainbows in most locations. Egg Patterns and pheasant tails have been doing well. No snow down here and access is easy. Hot Creek giving up some fun fishing with dry flies and eggs. The BWO hatch is sparse but will start materializing through the coming weeks. The East Walker River has been good in the deep areas where the fish have congregated. Different patterns are working from day to day. The Lower Owens River has been steady. Some slower days combined with some good days for numbers has been the norm. A few BWO’s making a showing in the afternoons, as the weather has been mild and beautiful down here.
Lower Owens River/Wild Trout Section (Bishop Area)
A few mayflies are now showing on the mild weather days. Warm weather has the fish back in the deep water and along the transition zones. Getting the flies down to the bottom has been the key to success. Smaller streamer patterns with minimal flash have been working best on the bright and sunny days, then switching to dark colors on cloudy days has been the key. Lots of fish have been holding tight to the bottom, so getting those flies down makes all the difference. We have been enjoying some windless days of 50 degree weather and not seeing another angler on most days!
Best Flies: Spruce-a-Bu #8 Light and Dark, Loeberg #10 all colors, Agent Orange #8-10, Crystal Leech #8-10, Punk Park dark and light #8-12, Flashback PT #16-18, Copper Tiger Midge #18-20
Hot Creek
Be stealthy and make sure there is zero drag on those dry flies. It’s an all day midge hatch in small sizes. Get the perfect drift without any drag on it and you will be rewarded. Egg patterns fished along the bottom in the deep transitions are getting grabs. Remember to set those hooks in the direction that your indicator is traveling for a solid hook set. Some of the larger rainbows are on the look out for eggs that drift in front of their faces. Match the hatch as best as possible with micro dry fly patterns. Find the right one and its game on with some challenging dry fly fishing.
Best Flies: Flashback PT’s #16-#20, Tricos Spinners #20-22, SD Crawlers in Red #14, Copper Tiger Midges #18-20, and #18 Assassin Dark, Tangerine Opaque, Kiwi Flash, and Apricot Flash Otter Eggs have been excellent.
Upper Owens River
With the recent snow, like clockwork, more fish have flooded into the river as they take up residence in their new spots. It has been very consistent here for big fish daily. The last weekend saw large crowds spreading out on the river and adding a lot of fishing pressure. Things are back to normal again and the fishing has been getting even better daily. Cover all areas of the river to get into these fish consistently, and make sure your drift is perfect. Mixing it up with your fly selection can keep you on the fish. Getting the right drift in the right spot is still king, so leave no stone unturned!
Best Flies: Stimulator – 12, 14, 16; Crystal Copper Tiger Midge – 16,18; B100FB – 14, 16, 18, 20; Spruce a bu dark and light; Loeberg Mallard Silver; Loeberg Guinea Silver, Crystal Midge Pupa Black – 18; Crystal Chironomid Emerger Copper – 16, 18; Broken Back Copper Tiger Midge – 14,16,18, Kiwi Flash and Flamingo Otter Eggs.
This is a year around fishery with special regs in place. We walk and wade guide here.*Doug Rodricks, Doug Dolan, Hans Grotewold, and Devin Preston are under permit from the Inyo National Forest Service to guide Hot Creek.
East Walker River
There has not been much pressure here this month at all. The fishing is good if you can get into the right pools and throw the right bugs. The fish are definitely opportunistic this time of year, and as they lay corralled up in big numbers they remain very competitive. Work the main pools and you could be rewarded with some monster fish!
Best Flies: B100FB – 18, 20; Crystal Copper Tiger Midge -16; Crystal Zebra Midge – 16, 18; Punk Perch Light and Dark – 14, 16; Parallel Punk Perch Light and Dark; Crystal Leech – 12, 14, 16; Agent Orange 12, 14, 16; Parallel Agent Orange – 14, Spruce-a-bu Dark and Light, Eggs: Tangerine Red Flash, Dead Egg, Tangerine Opaque, Flamingo.
Be sure to check out our fine selection of the best fly patterns in the Eastern Sierra. Click on “fly sales” on the navigation bar above, hit “menu” first from a mobile device to access the navigation bar.
You can pick up our flies & Under-cators at Reagan’s Sports in Bishop, the Crowley General Store (not at the lake), Ricks Sport Center in Mammoth (limited selection), Bridgeport Reservoir RV Park , Stroud’s Tackle in San Diego, & Malibu Fish’N Tackle in Thousand Oaks, and Fly and Field Outfitters; Bend, OR.
