: July 2010

Mammoth Fly Fishing: Upper Owens River – 7.31.10

The Upper Owens has finally come to fulfill is reputation as a prime trout stream as we are finding many large brown and rainbows moving up the Upper O from the fish factory of Crowley Lake below. More rainbows are being caught as the larger browns in the system are showing themselves less frequently. Lots of trout are being caught all around with varous nymphs, dries and streamers working; SJ worms and bright midges are taking many fish as well as UV midges #18-20, Disco Midges #18-20, T-Midge Emergers #18-20 are all taking fish as well as well-ribbed zebras and tigers of the same sizes. Some hopper action is starting to angles that like to cover a lot of water as they fish. Some caddis are working as well; BH Ascending Caddis #14-18 and other sparkle pupas should also be in the Upper O anglers Fly Box. Buggers and Rabbit Streamers off all sorts are also catching fish. You can fish these off a floating of sinking line depending on your style. The Upper O will continue to get better as well roll on through summer into fall. Stay tuned for Pics. Read More

Bishop Fly Fishing: Lower Owens River – 7.31.10

Since my last report the Lower Owens has gone down to 300cfs and back up to a higher flow of 400cfs. At 300cfs we managed to sneak in a few driftboat and guide trips with great results. At 400cfs it is a bit tough, but the concentration of the caddis and midges keeps the trout feeding and accessable to anglers willing to navigate the Lower Owens at these healthy higher flows. Some patterns that have been taking fish are: Ascending caddis pupa #14-16, Sparkle Pupa #14-16, T-Midge emergers #18-20, Tigers and Zebras (in dark greens and blacks) #16-20. Come evening time the caddis hatch is well on the way and a good fly anger in the right place can catch as many wild browns as time will allow. Elk Hair Caddis (olives and browns) #14-18, Adult Caddis (stallcup) #16, Para Caddis #14-16. During the day there is some action on midges in hoppers in certain areas. Nymphing the caddis and midges will get most fly fisherman into some nice fish. Vegetation is in full growth on the Lower O with many trails being eaten by the new foliage. Bugs of all sorts are out but not too awful bad most of the time. Brings some insect deterent of some sort to be on the safe side. The Caddis hatch late evening is highly recommended. Read More

Bishop Fly Fishing: Bishop Creek Drainage (Sabrina, North and South Lake Creeks) 7.31.10

Bishop Creek continues to produce a strong, yet clear and healthy fishing flow of clear sierra water. Lots of anglers are float tubing the intakes with good results. Going away from stocking points usually results in being able to fish to more wild browns in this system. Large stonefly type flies such as; rubber leg golden stone patterns #10-14, Prince nymphs #12-16, Pheasant Tails #12-16 and various other larger nymphs patterns are taking trout. On the surface large and small attractor patterns of all types are getting eaten by the resident trout of the stream. #12-16 hopper patters of all sorts (leggy) Fuzzy Wuzzy #12-14, Royal, orange or any well tied Stimulator #12-16 and other large attractor patterns of your choice fished correctly will get attention. Buggers are always a welcome food when tugged through a trouts domain in Bishop Creek. Some caddis are seen in the evening with fish reponding in the large pools and intakes.. Elk Hair Caddis #14-16 does the trick here. Read More

Bridgeport Fly Fishing Report: East Walker River – 7.5.10

The East Walker is at a nice and clear fishable flow of 265cfs and continues to give out is healthy trout to deserving fly fisherman. Some days a great PMD hatch comes off around 11:30 and most of the trout in the river respond very well. Midges continue to be present most of the day with fish eating many midge and midge emerger patterns underneath. PMD emergers also get some attention at the right times. The upper section can be crowded starting mid-morning but later on people thin out. The hatch is strongest near the dam with the most fish responding. Some of the larger trout seem to have found their homes further downstream on the East Walker. Streamers are getting some attention when fished deep or when the sun is off the water. PMD's dries (extended body, thorax) in sizes #14-16 will take fish off the surface during the hatch. T-Midges, Poly wing Midges, Biot midges, and disco midges will all take fish on the EW in #'s 18-22. Hoppers could also be a major food source very soon! Stay tuned on this one... Read More

Mammoth Fly Fishing Report: Hot Creek – 7.5.10

Hot Creek continues to sustain high and clear flows which are very fishable. The high flow is cool runoff water that inhibits the growth of weeds that warmer water temps bring and Hot Creek is known for. Not only is there less weed growth, there is more fishable water to see; more lines, riffles and runs exist at these flows and fish are more than adjusted to the new water level and temperature. Caddis are really starting to make an appearance here, while the adults are not on the water the caddis pupa/emergers are getting devoured below the surface as well as baetis nymphs and emergers and midge emergers. Various caddis pupa in sizes #16-18 (stallcup ascending caddis, sparkle pupa, ect.) are a must have in the Fly Box for Hot Creek. Midge emergers (T-Midge, Poly Wing Emerger) in #'s 18-22 are a great choice for the bottom fly on a nymph system. Bubbleback emergers and baetis patterns in #'s 18-22 have also taken fish in the last few outings. The strongest caddis emergence happens in the evening after sundown. Fish are on the surface and the serious dry fly enthusiast can leave reality for a few hours into a world of nonstop top-water action when the hatch is strong and fish are responding which has been most nights as of late. Read More

Mammoth Fly Fishing Report: Upper Owens River – 7.5.10

The upper Owens is steadily fishing better and better as the early summer progresses. Flows have not gone out of control and water remains clear, especially above the Hot Creek confluence. Hoppers are setting up to be a major food source for the trout of the Upper Owens this summer and fall. With the numbers of hoppers I have seen in some of the fields around the Upper O recently it is a good indicator that the trout will put on some poundage this year feasting on these large terrestrials. Spotty hatches of caddis and baetis can be found here and there pleasing the dry fly angler, but nothing too consistent. Nymphing consistently takes fish here: Purple Princes #14-18, Robo PT's #16-18, Bright Midge patterns such as; UV pearl midges, Disco midges, T-Midge Emergers and serendipities and in sizes #16-20 will take fish. A handful of anglers are getting into some big fish on streamers and nymphs. Read More

Bishop Fly Fishing Report: Lower Owens River – 7.5.10

The Lower O has reached a high year clear flow of 450cfs..Finding areas to fish at this flow is tough, but fish are hungry and water can be accessed and efficently fished in certain spots if you know the curves of the Lower O well. Caddis are making an appearance as well as a few baetis here and there. Caddis emergers and pupa fished deep in the right water will produce fish in sizes #16-18. Stallcups ascending caddis is a great choice to imitate these caddis. Midge emergers in grey and black #18 are also taking fish. Robo PT's, Bubbleback emergers, and Sparkle Trigger nymphs in #'s 16-20 are also taking fish. Come evening caddis roll off and rising fish can be found eating in the slower runs and holding water. Read More

Bishop Fly Fishing Report: Bishop Creek, North Lake, South Lake and Sabrina- 7.5.10

Bishop Creek is high and clear. Water is cool and fish are eating all sorts of attractor patterns as well as some stoneflies. The forks of Bishop Creek out of Northlake and Southlake are clear and fishable. Fish can been seen in most pools in the creeks where holding water can be found. The inlets also have good fish populations in Northlake and Southlake and Sabrina as well. Various stonefly patterns will work here: Whitlocks red squirrel, rubber leg stone nymphs, prince nymphs and Pheasants tails all in sizes #12-16 are taking fish. Many other attractors can be used as well. For dries use; Royal Wulffs, Stimulators, Parachute Adams, Para Hoppers and Coachmens all in sizes #14-18. Streamers such as wooly buggers, Muddler Minnows, Rabbit and Squirrel patterns, and various other patterns are always a good choice for big fish in the Bishop Creek/Lake system. Fish these in sizes #6-12. Read More