Water Conditions:  Good

Flows are 98 cfs as of 12/27

The stretch of river below Benton Crossing Road to Crowley Lake is closed to fishing until next season.

The stretch of river above Benton Crossing Road is artificial, barbless, catch and release only.

Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Fair-Very Good

Still waiting for something new to report, parking is still limited to right at the bridge and you definitely want to key in on the deeper water. Also the fall spawners are finishing up so egg patterns are working well. WithAccess by car is now limited to right above the bridge but the snow is getting firm making it much easier to venture upstream. With the weather warming up water clarity down by the bridge is poor but as you move upstream it improves every branch Hot Creek that you move above. Fishing pressure has increased significantly with more and more snowmobiles in use as well as easier for people to snowshoe or ski in. We are reaching the end of the fall run so the fish you might catch will be darker, especially down towards the bridge. It looks like the spring spawn is starting to show up, generally a little smaller than the fall run and very silvery. Still the same flies such as eggs, worms, and other attractor patterns. Not a bad idea to trail them with a #20-24 midge pattern. If you're venturing upstream on a snowmobile and you're thinking it might be nice to get closer to the stream... the ranchers are not real happy and would love to find out who it is that's cutting fences.

The fall spawning rainbows are no longer being planted so what you see is what you get. This fishery is entirely up to natural spawning so be on your best behavior or this fishery will cease to exist. There are some fish spawning in the public water so avoid wading in the tailouts/shallower than knee deep.

Luckily as temperatures drop Hot Creek water is becoming beneficial. The difference between above and below Hot Creek is at least 10 degrees so if you get out there early it might be better to start out closer to the bridge. This helps trigger the fish in Crowley to move up into colder, cleaner water of the river. There is a temperature gauge on Hot Creek right above the Owens River Road bridge. You can tell fall is here because instead of 97-112 temperature range of summer it's all the way down to 94-107 degrees.  If you're not familiar with it, to get to the upper most branch of Hot Creek, go through the first drive through gate on the main road and immediately turn left. The confluence is between the first and second walk-thru gates.

Recommended Flies

DRIES: Griffiths Gnat #20-24 | Para Adams #20-24 

NYMPHS:  Zebra Midge #16-22 | B/H Prince Nymph #12-16 | Copper John #14-16 | Tungsten Jig Baetis #18-20 | Tungsten Peacock #16-18 |  S&M Nymph #18-22 | Medalion Midge #20-24 |Bling Midge #22-24 | Tungsten Olive Mic Drop #16-18 | San Juan worms assorted colors | Egg Patterns assorted colors | Western Coachman #12-16

STREAMERS: Shock Collar Leech #10 | Woolly Bugger White or Olive #6-14 | Punk Perch light or dark #10-16