: August 2009

Bishop Fly Fishing: Lower Owens River Mid-August

The Lower Owens has been flowing at an incredible 148 cfs until the last couple of days; it has now been cranked up to 216cfs as of 8/13. This is still a fishable flow and the Lower Owens has been on fire! A great amiocentrus caddis hatch has been getting the fish very excited in the early morning and evening making for some great dry action... during the day nymphing has been on fire! Nymph deep with caddis pupa and larva, all sorts of midge larva, Pheasant tails, Princes and WD's... Flows at 216are still wade able and the water temps make for hungry fish... The wild trout section all the way down to Warm Springs road has had this caddis action. We will see where the flows go from here... Read More

Mammoth Fly Fishing: Hot Creek – Mid August 2009

As usual for this time of year the weeds are getting thicker and longer requiring anglers to make more accurate and precise presentations and drifts. Flows are down to around 60 cfs of combined flows with some weeds up to the surface. Dry dropper combinations or just a dry are the best methods to hit Hot Creek this time of year. The evening caddis hatch is the best thing going here... Later in the evening the creek can boil with caddis eating activity. During the day fish a buoyant dry with a small WD-40, PT or a midge or black fly larva. Put on a single hopper and cast to the holding water in between the weeds or on the opposite shore and expect some fishy attention. In the evening use a partridge caddis or small EHC throughout the hatch. IF you are not catching fish here you are doing something wrong... Step back and rethink your strategy. Enjoy! Read More

Bridgeport Fly Fishing: East Walker River Mid-August 2009

The cooler nights have dropped the East Walker water temps down to fish friendly levels for the time being. Flows are up and down this time of year but as of now 8/13they are flowing at 192 cfs... Fish are more educated this time of year with larger fish still being caught but just not at the rate they were earlier this year. Go under the water if you want to have to chance at a larger East Walker beast. Small midges, WD-40's, SJ's, caddis pupa and larva and micro mayfly imitations will find you success on this water... This is the time of year the EW water temps can be harmful to fish and we are privileged to just be able to fish the East Walker this time of year so watch the water temperatures... Smaller fish are coming up on dries in the early morning and evenings. Start early take a break and finish late. Read More

Mammoth Fly Fishing: Upper Owens River – Mid August 2009

The Upper Owens continues to be a popular fishing destination with a panoramic view that is as beautiful as any... Flows are still low and water temps are good... The fish are not as concentrated as years past so spend less time in a hole if you are not getting trout attention. Small fish are up on the surface eating small dries here and there all day long... Most of these fish seem to be small browns. In the larger holes fishing can be excellent if you can find pods of fish are residing there. Hoppers can be flopped down for a bit of attention, but move around a lot if you are fishing hoppers as the fish usually pound them on the first presentation if they are willing. Streamers are always getting attention on the Upper O... Cast these to the opposite bank and tug back quickly... The fish will also usually hit these on the first presentation if they are feeling carnivorous... Fish the larger pockets with quicker strips leading into slower strips for a deeper presentation. Nymphing your basics will get you into fish here... Hares Ears, Pheasant tails, Red Copper Bobs, and Prince nymphs will get bitten if presented properly... the best method for the Upper O right now is to move from hole to hole covering lots of water while spending more time in the deeper holes where larger populations of fish reside.. Read More