Mammoth Fly Fishing: Upper Owens River Mid-September 2009
Upper Owens is coming along nicely with some nice trout coming out of this caldera spring creek. The entire river has fish of some sort or another.. Stockers can be found below the bridge.. Further on down toward Crowley Lake, some large lake fish can be found seeking refuge from the algae of Crowley in the oxygen rich waters on the Upper Owens... On above the bridge, my clients have been getting into some great crimson striped wild pointy tailed rainbows.. The river is getting better as the fall temps roll on in.. One can land fish on Hoppers and Beetles #10's and 12's. Caddis dries (EHC) in #14-18....Streamers in a couple of sizes larger, try #6 -12 in your favorite streamer pattern..Twin lakes specials are a good place to start or go straight to the double bunny depending on your mood. Nymphing deep with Red Copper Johns #12-16, Red Soft Hackles #14-18, Hares ears and PT's #16-18 and small San Juans will get you fish all day. Also try small Zebra and Tiger midges in pearl and red..
Mammoth Fly Fishing: Hot Creek Mid-September 2009
Hot Creek is still being fish friendly by maintaining its stream bed covered with weeds! Things will start changing as the temps drop lower every night up here in the Eastern Sierra. Flows continue to be about the same as they have been this summer. Fish are still eating mostly caddis throughout the day .. I have recently seen active caddis in certain parts of the stream throughout the day and intensifying towards the evening and on into the night. Small mays can also be seen coming off in the morning with the fish giving them some attention.. Still a remarkable place to practice our art of fly fishing! For flies try small caddis dries off 6x; Elk Hair Caddis in #18-22, Hemmingway Caddis #18-20 and Partridge Caddis in #18-20 also.. #18-20 Adams, Sprout Baetis and Trico patterns are also good to have along. Hoppers and various attractors (ants and beetles) in #10-14 can also provide an accurate fly angler with action. Nymphs include #18-22 poxy back tricos, PT's, Hares Ears, WD-40's, furmiskys epoxy midge and various other similar patterns.. This is the true dream stream when fished properly!
Bishop Fly Fishing: Lower Owens Mid-September 2009
The Lower Owens is still flowing at near 500 cfs which moves it to blown out status.. However, I did get reports in my shop that some fly anglers were taking the browns on large hoppers and streamers..And hitting hatches in the evening. Water is clean for these flows and fish can be caught if that is your only option for the moment..Bridgeport Fly Fishing: East Walker River Mid-September 2009
The East Walker has been back to itself with decent trout friendly temps for some time now since the nights in Bridgeport have been getting a bit cooler than the Mammoth side.. The flows have been between 120 and 190 cfs and are currently at a very fishable 165 cfs. The 10-14" fish are on the surface with the occasional larger fish coming up to sip. A Trico hatch comes off mid morning which adds to the excitement of the fish on the surface. The beasts lie down below waiting to inhale your Midges (Tiger or Zebra) in a light color #16-18, Disco and Pearl Midges #16-18, PT's #16-20, Poxy Back Tricos #20-22... On the surface fish Elk Hair Caddis #16-20, Hemingway Caddis #16-18, Sprouts Trico #18-20 or a Gnat #18-20.. Streamers are starting to get the attention they did a few months back .. throw your favorite bunny streamer here at all water levels. These fish live to hit properly presented streamers right under the surface.