Eastern Sierra Creek Fishing Spring 2011

The local creeks are still in pretty much pre runoff stage with some nice fish being taken from Bishop to Mammoth.  Medium – Large attractor nymphs such as; Purple Prince Nymphs #16-18, Prince Nymphs #16-18, Red Disco Midges #16 and the like. Caddis are also coming off with small creek fish responding readily to a well presented Hemingway or Elk Hair Caddis in #’s 18-20. With this great  water year we will see some great numbers of terrestrials, especially hoppers coming in the next coming weeks and months making for some exciting topwater explosions from hungry sierra stream trout.

Hot Creek Bow Spring 2011

Hot Creek is flowing slightly off colour and is fishy as usual. Flows are up a little but perfect for fly fishing. A mixture of caddis and BWO’s seem to be coming off late morning – early afternoon. The patient dry fly purest can have a great day here as the caddis will continue to get stronger in the upcoming weeks and months. Fish BWO emerger and nymph patterns is sizes #18-22: Split Case Caddis, Bubble Back BWO, PT’s, WD-40′s, Soft Hackles in green and orange, and small caddis worms such as #16-20 sparkle pupa, #16-18 Ticket or Electric Caddis Pupa #18… For Dries try: Ext Body BWO’s #18-22, CDC BWO’s #18-20, #22 griffiths gnats, Henry’s Fork Caddis #10-20, Hot Creek Caddis #18-20, Hemingway Caddis #18,a nd  Fertile Caddis #18-20.

Flowing at 90 cfs not much has changed on the Upper Owens. In the last few days, along with Hot Creek, it has been pelted with a blizzard at one moment and then sunny the next moment.  Besides that, fish are spread out evenly throughout the system with some great fish still being caught.  Streamers seem to be getting more attention these days, there has been a few days recently where we fished only streamers in Upper O and surrounding streams. Chirionocones in red and green in #’s 16-18, Robo Pheasant Tails in #’s 16-20 , Sparkle Trigger nymphs in sizes #16-20, Prince nymph patterns in #14-18,  Electric Rock Worms #14-18, The Ticket Caddis Worm #14-16. On the surface some smaller fish still have been slapping the top of the water for smaller Mayfly and Caddis patterns. Thorax BWO’s and Extended body BWO patterns in sizes #18-20 with work for these fish. A small Elk Hair Caddis will also get some action when fished at the right time.  Streamers can be fished here efficiently with a floating line and correct leader length, making for a quick switchover from nymphs or dries when only carrying one

Upper Owens Springtime 2011

 rod.

Upper Owens Spring Brown 2011

The Upper Owens is still running at a low flow of around 70cfs. At this flow it is very easy to get around to the larger holes where you can still find some big trout. Trout seem to be throughout the river all the way up to the private water boundry. Browns and Bows have been caught recently of all sizes. Snow is gone and some places are muddy.. be careful where you drive!  Access is unlimited when simply avoiding the mud. For flies try: Chirionocones in red and green in #’s 16-18, Robo Pheasant Tails in #’s 16-20 , Sparkle Trigger nymphs in sizes #16-20, Prince nymph patterns in #14-18, and Z and T midge emergers and larvae in #16-20. On the surface some smaller fish have been slapping the top of the water for smaller Mayfly and Caddis patterns. Thorax BWO’s and Extended body BWO patterns in sizes #18-20 with work for these fish. A small Elk Hair Caddis will also get some action when fished at the right time. Streamers on a sink tip or other sinking method in the larger holes will also get some big tugs. A big black wooly bugger is a good place to start with streamers.

Back down to a very fishy flow of 230cfs the East Walker is showing us what it is capable of.. Big Trout! ..  Fish are out and about and ready to eat the properly presented pattern. Snow is mostly all gone except for a few shaded snow drifts.. Streamers and nymphs are working with most of the usual patterns taking fish…  #12-16 SJ worms patterns, #18-20 T-Midges in olive and Pearl, #18 Flash Bang Midges in Cream, Biot Midges in #16-20 in grey and black, Caddis worms #16-20 and other similar patterns. For dries the occasional mayfly patterns will work when you find a pod of rising trout.. generally, you will not get the larger trout out of the East Walker using standard dry flies.  Streamers of your choice will also do the trick.. We prefer large bunny streamers in a range of colours fished down deep or near the surface depending on what the fish are showing you..  An excellent choice for the Eastern Sierra fly fisherman.

                East Walker Spring Brown 2011