Online StoreMammoth Fly Fishing : Upper Owens River – Early April 2012
The Upper Owens is still giving up some of her larger residents with nymph and streamer setups. Undercut banks and large backwater holes will hold some very large trout... Possibly the largest trout some of you have caught. Try large streamers in various patterns in sizes #4-8 in dark and light or mixed colors.. SJ worms in pink and reds #8-12, Robo PT's in #16- 18, Pheasant Tails #16-20, Trigger Nymphs #16-18 and various soft hackles in similar sizes will take fish. A small baetis hatch comes off in the afternoon causing the smaller fish to come to the surface for an hour or so. We do not mess with these fish as we are there to take the larger specimens of the river. To fish a hatch see my report on Lower Owens river and Hot Creek.
Mammoth Fly Fishing : Hot Creek – Early April 2012
Hot Creek gate is again shut at the top of the hill above the ranch keeping fisherman numbers reasonably low. Fisherman that arrive there are experiencing a dry fly hatch starting around 11:00 to around 1:00... Some people are experiencing great success while others struggle. Baetis (BWO) patterns are doing the best when placed correctly on the water in the lanes of feeding fish. Thorax BWO's #18-20, Extended Body BWO #18-22, and the CDC Winged Emerger #18-20 are all patterns that have been fooling trout recently. Nymphing small Baetis Emergers such as; Loop wing BWO emergers #18-20, Thorax BWO emergers #18-20, Small PT's #20 and various other Baetis emerger patterns in similar sizes will put fish in your net.
Bridgeport Fly Fishing : East Walker River – Early April 2012
The East Walker is flowing around 40 cfs and is fishing good. A solid hatch comes off mid-morning and most of the fish respond well. Water should be coming up any day now allowing the fish to move about under more cover.. The same patterns as my last report still hold true; #18-20 Thorax BWO's, Extended Bodies #16-20 and Etha with BWO's #18 will all take fish on the surface. Like always, in this fishery the very large fish are going to be taken on nymphs or streamers. Miracle Nymphs #18-20, Grey Biot Midges #18- 20, T-Midge Poly Wings in Pearl and Olive #18-20, and WD-40's in various colours are also a good bug to have in the East Walker Box. Look for this fishery to heat up and produce some surprises as springtime rolls in.
Chilean Patagonia Fly Fishing — Stayed Tuned
Tomorrow, March 1st I leave for Chilean Patagonia for another dream fly fishing trip (mouse patterns in crystal clear water for 20" + trout)... Look for my reports and photos in the next few weeks to come from the other side of the Globe! Stay Tuned!!!
Bishop Fly Fishing : Lower Owens River – Late. Feb Early March
Beryl shows a hard-pulling pointy finned trout taken on a recent drift.
In Spite of what the CFS readout says at 255cfs the Lower Owens REMAINS low and fishable. Around 130-160 cfs is my best guess!! We are still putting on dry flies here to fish the Lower Owens for a good part of the day. Most who come in the shop are getting into great nymphing and really enjoying the pods of dry fly action that they come across when spending the day on the Lower Owens. Fish continue eating midges and BWO's and will take Griffiths Gnats, Tricos, Thorax BWO's and various other midge and very small mayfly patters on the surface. Fish most all these in sizes #20-22. When the hatch quits nymphing small BWO and Midge emergers will get you into fish consistently. CDC BWO Emerger #18-20, PT's #18 -20 and most sorts of midge emergers #18-20 will consistently take fish under the water. Like I stated last time a Trouts metabolism operates on a lower frequency in the winter, you will find trout in the slower foam lined water.
Mammoth Fly Fishing : Upper Owens River – Late Feb- Early March
Its a great thing that the BIG fish are still to be found in the meandering bends of the Upper Owens River. Once hooked they pull hard and break the peaceful serenity of the flowing waters of the Upper Owens with leaps above the surface of the water ! These pointy finned trout continue to be caught on a variety of Attractor patterns including Nymphs and Midges, and Streamers. Variations of the Pheasant Tail (Trigger Nymphs, Emergers, Robos ect.) in sizes #16-18. Standard and Wire San Juans #16-18, and various streamer patterns dead drifted and stripped will take these world class fish. This can not go on forever so don't miss out!!
Mike Mc. stuck with it and was paid off with this chrome winter Rainbow Trout.
Bridgeport Fly Fishing : East Walker River – Late Feb. Early March
The East Walker has been fishing very well. Not much has changed and the water continues to flow at a slightly higher level of 43 cfs at this time. Some anglers prefer not to fish the river below 20 cfs. Most have a fine time when driving the extra miles. Fish are fat and hungry for small midges. Streamer fishing has not been exceptionally great, you will take fish if you throw some rabbit fur and stick with it. A mid morning Baetis hatch will bring up some of the mid-sized and small trout providing action throughout the warmer parts of the day. #18-20 Thorax BWO's, Extended Bodies and Etha with BWO's will all take fish on the surface. As I have said many times before in this fishery the very large fish are going to be taken on nymphs or streamers. Miracle Nymphs #18-20, Grey Biot Midges #18-20, T-Midge Poly Wings in Pearl and Olive #18-20, and WD-40's in various colours are also a good bug to have in the East Walker Box.
Mammoth Fly Fishing : Hot Creek – Late Feb. Early March
Hot Creek continues at low winter flows with fewer weeds. Fish are throughout the system with large trout at the top. Certain holes see surface activity while other parts of the river remain quiet, on the surface anyway. Small midge patterns nymphed short and light will really get the numbers here, it will be starting starting in the morning and lasting all day.Fish the same patterns as last report. On the surface fish will take various BWO patterns. EXt. Body BWo #18-20, Thorax BWO #20-22, and Comparadun BWo's in similar sizes. Under the water try; T-midge emergers #18-20, Poly wingemergers #18-20, Various Biot and Zebra/Tiger patters #18-20. BWO Biot Thorax BWO's, Loop Wing Emergers and Halfback Emergers all in sizes #18-20.
Bishop Fly Fishing : Lower Owens River – Early February 2012
Kern River Fly Fisher Sharon R. gets Double Digits on Lower Owens - Winter 2012
The long awaited dry fly action is finally here with fish responding heavily to millions of midges over the water! For the last two days we have been fishing the Lower Owens without putting on a nymph! Fish are vigoursly eating midges and will take Griffiths Gnats, Tricos, Thorax BWO's and various other midge and very small mayfly patters. Fish most all these in sizes #20-22. When the hatch quits nymphing small BWO and Midge emergers will get you into fish consistently. CDC BWO Emerger #18-20, PT's #18 -20 and most sorts of midge emergers #18-20 will consistently take fish under the water. Trouts metabolism operates on a lower frequency in the winter, you will find trout in the slower foam lined water. Look for this action to go on for the next month or two!