Hot Creeks still has weeds and is still fishing very well. Many more dry fly fishing days are being had on Hot Creek as colder nights converge on the Eastern Sierra. Caddis are the main players on the water, although,there is some Mayfly and Midge action to be seen. Hoppers and terrestrial action has died off with this recent storm as they are either frozen at night or burrowed underground. Nmphing small midge and baeits patterns has made up for this . Suggested flies are: Harrops Fertile Caddis #18-20, Hot Creek Caddis #18-20, and Elk hair caddis in similar sizes will take fish that are feeding on caddis. For under the water try Sparkle Pupa and Ascending Caddis #18-20 for the emerging caddis imitations. A drowned Brooks hot creek caddis in #18-20 will get eaten. #18-20 Zebras, Tigers and T-midges are another great choice for a point fly.

Fish are being caught in the Upper Owens at a more constant rate than I have seen this season. As usual there is always some really big fish here and there if you fish hard enough. Flows are running clear and conditions are perfect for deep and shallow nymphing down to the Upper Owens fish. Large Brown and Rainbow Trout should start to move up the River out of Crowley as Autumn weather progresses.  San Juan Worms #10-14, Robo Pheasant Tails #14-18 , Hares Ears #14-18, Trigger and sparkle back emergers #’s 16-20,  and Disco, T and UV midges in #18-20 will get fish below the water. Some dry action is found here but the smaller fish seem to be the ones that come up on the dries in the Upper Owens. Large streamers pulled through the correct holes can also get something big attached to the end of your line.

Fish are still being taken in the Bishop creek drainage from town, to Intake 2 and on up to the three lakes (North Lake, South Lake, Lake Sabrina) that provide Bishop Creek with water. Small buggers #8-12  in black and olives will take fish when presented correctly. Start under the waters surface then go deeper if you are not satisfied with the results.  Some dry fly action can be had with the usual suspects: Sierra Bright Dots, Royal Wulff and Coachman, Mosquitos and Adams.. all in sizes #16-20. Bishop Creek fish are still responding well to large attractor patterns such as: Stimulators, Hoppers, Beetles and Wulffs.. all in sizes # 10-14. Prince, Pheasant Tail, and Stonefly nymphs will also get eaten if you prefer nyphs. Fish nymphs in sizes #12-18.

The Lower Owens is still pumping at near its maximum levels of clear cool water. A small dr0p in CFS was noted recently, but not sustained.  Fish are hungry and hard to get to at these flows. Fish the foamy pools and slower water where fish end up holding to stay out of the faster water. The nymphs I mentioned in my last Lower Owens report are still taking fish. A caddis hatch can be found some evenings in the slower foamy water.  Walk the river in the evenings to find a hold for rising fish. This will be on-fire as soon as the flows drop which should be reasonably soon. Stay Tuned For This one.

The East Walker remains at a very reasonable flow of 290cfs for the summer months. Fish are active and the good fishing the East Walk has to offer remains constant. As usual you can find most of the anglers in the “Miracle Mile” section just below the dam throughout the day. One can go on down farther off the rat trails to find some world class fishing. A few bug species continue to be seen throughout the day; PMD’s, Midges, Caddis and a few Tricos can be seen when one spends the day on the Walker. Thick dry fly action can be had in the late evening when almost all of the “miracle mile” crowds leave. Midge emergers #18-20 will pick up fish of all sizes! We have been continuing to use grays, browns and blacks with success. T-midges #18-20 and various sno-cone Midges and Zebra and Tiger Midges will also get eaten. WD-40′s and various small PT and Trico nymphs are also getting consumed by East Walker residents. Fish these all in #’s 18-22. Arriving in the early morning hours this time of year can be a great idea for the more serious angler. Always a pleasure to guide this water.

Bishop Creek is a beautiful little place to throw a fly and practice some dry fly fishing with large attractor patterns. Fish are coming up to eat just about any larger attractors (mostly hoppers) in most of the creek. Large stonefly nymphs dropped a couple of feet under will also produce brown and rainbow trout for the competent angler. The intakes always hold fish and various colours of wooly buggers and streamers will make a fly angler successful. Prince Nymphs, Pheasant Tails, Zug Bugs and various stone patterns are working well. Most in sizes #12-16.