It has been spotty here this winter and slower overall than last year thus far. Access is better than the UO, but you need to choose the right day before making the trek into the canyon. The trail is hard packed in the morning but can be very slushy in the afternoon, or if it is above freezing at sun up. The cold cap temperature inversion this winter has been a major factor here. The BWO hatch is building like a Juggernaut & will ultimately be the main attraction in mid/late February through March for sure. If you enjoy epic dry fly fishing/ or wish to experience and learn how to catch trout on a dry, this is the prime time for sure at Hot Creek. May flies are "sitting ducks" and easy targets for the trout. They do not have the erratic behavior displayed by caddis flies & are much larger than the ever present midges. The late winter and spring conditions will be much better than the early summer here for sure. There will be high flows as soon as the snow begins to melt & due to lower snow lines this season it may be earlier than usual.