: January 2009

Bishop Fly Fishing: Lower Owens River 1/13/2009

The Lower Owens flows have been adjusted to 147 cfs of water coming out of PV dam.. This level is great for floating and it will be interesting to see how long it stays here. The warmer weather has done nothing but good for the bug activity and the fishing. The hatchs come off strong in certain parts of the river allowing an angler to catch many fish without moving from one spot. It can happen around the bend and not on another bend right out of sight. Midge patterns and very small mayflies will catch the rising fish.. CDC patterns and small parachute patterns will be a good bet for the mayfly lunch. CDC adult midges and griffiths gnats are great places to start for midge imitations. Nymphing and streamers still continue to pull fish out of the depths. The # 16 midge emerger in dark green, olive or black continues to produce, hares ears and PT's in similar sizes, The rob0 PT #14-18, and any sort of bright green caddis worm is a standard for this time of year. Steamers fished low and slow or swung off the banks will be chewed. Most colours of streamers have been working; greys, olives, browns,blacks and sometimes whites. The water contines to warm the river making the fishing conditions and the comfort level as good as anywhere in the country for winter fly fishing...!! Read More

Bridgeport Fly Fishing : East Walker River 1/13/2009

Flows on the East Walker have flatlined out at 19 cfs.. I will wait until they bump it up a little before making the trip over the hill... stay tuned.. I can't stop thinking of the Browns that river holds!! Read More

Mammoth Fly Fishing: Upper Owens River 1/13/2009

The Upper Owens is still a frigid meadow for winter fishing but the weather has warmed a bit allowing some snow to melt. Temperature highs are in the high 40's to lower 50's. In the morning things are frozen and driving is easy.. Later on things can get sloppy.. Use only a 4wd when driving on the east side of the river. The flow continues to be just above 100 cfs. Small nymphs such as WD-40's in dark greens and blacks, small PT's and hares ears around size # 16, and prince nymphs in similar sizes continue to bring trout to the net. Dont forget to bring your midge patterns as well...Look for rising fish in the foam (foam is home!) The traditional streamer strip up along the undercut banks also produces strong tugs. Go bigger on the streamers here as I usually find they dont mind chasing down the big meat on the Upper O. Or try a larger streamer followed by a smaller one to figure out what they want for their protein for the day! Read More

Mammoth Fly Fishing: Hot Creek 1/13/2009

Hot Creek continues to fish well! Warmer weather has pushed a little more bug movement. Like the Upper O use small WD-40's and midge patterns once again in dark greens and blacks. Very small PT's and small baetis emergers continue to get some attention. Try all of these patterns in sizes #18-#22. Rises to midges and very small baetis occur more often than last month, if you want to take them on the dries, spot a rising fish to try the midge or baetis dry. Place accurate casts over them until you trick their instincts and he decides to bite, patience is needed here. As always certain sections of the river will fish well when a small bugger or streamer pattern is pulled by their lips. Always a pleasure to fish and ALWAYS an education! Read More