Water Conditions: Good, showing 4 cfs as of 2/24

Remember, these are the flows just below Highway 395 on Mammoth Creek.

With nighttime temperatures as low as they've been the ice buildup has made the gauge unreliable.

Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Good     

 Besides the midges we're seeing more and more BWOs and even though temperatures are dropping and the water is cleaner don't forget the scuds and streamers.  Right now, the Interpretive is fishing well with the primary hatch being midges but they will eat BWO imitations as well. The canyon has the same hatches and is also fishing well, all the way until dusk. The BWO hatch in the canyon is getting stronger, late morning until early afternoon. If you're looking for dry fly action the Interpretive Site is a lot better but you'd better bring your A game, the drift is everything. One benefit of spring fed besides being a reliable water source, the water temperature stays fairly consistent throughout the winter.

I hate to say this because I don't want to encourage crowding but lots of cars doesn't necessarily mean lots of fisherman. A lot of people are down there hiking, for example last Sunday there were 8 cars at the Interpretive Site but only 2 people fishing. With the colder water the weeds are starting to die off, but I still tell my clients that a 4 second drift is average and finish with an aggressive pickup, you will hook fish you never knew existed.

I guess I took my cautionary tale about the spawning fish down to early. There are still lots of fish on the Redd's and people are hammering them. I'm seeing more and more pictures on the internet, rainbows in full spawning colors being held in a death grip and away from the bank. There's a term for this but I'm not sure the age of the people reading this report, so I'll stick with Ego or Glory Shot.

Recommended Flies

DRIES:  R.P. Emerger #22 | Parachute Adams # 16-20  | Mother Shucker #24 | CDC Baetis Dun #18-24 | Griffith's Gnat #20-24 | Stillborn Midge Black #20-22 | Hi-Vis Baetis #16-20

NYMPHS:  T Midge #24 | Zebra Midge #18-22  |Juju Baetis #16-20  | Medallion Midge #18-24 |  Buckskin #16-20  |  Barr's Emerger #16-22 | RS-2 Gray #16-22 | CDC Transition Midge #18-22 | Scuds grey or olive/grey #14-18 | Bling Midge Brown #24

STREAMERS: BH Bopp SlumpBuster | Perfection Perch #4-8 | Punk Perch #10-16 | Hornburg #10-14   Mice