Bishop Fly Fishing Guide

Bridgeport Fly Fishing Report: East Walker River – 7.5.10

July 5, 2010
Fishing Reports
Big Walker Brown Trout

Big Walker Brown Trout


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…
Agressive East Walker Brown Trout

Agressive East Walker Brown

Mammoth Fly Fishing Report: Hot Creek – 7.5.10

July 5, 2010
Fishing Reports
Wild Hot Creek Rainbow

Wild Hot Creek Rainbow

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.

Mammoth Fly Fishing Report: Upper Owens River – 7.5.10

July 5, 2010
Fishing Reports

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.

Bishop Fly Fishing Report: Lower Owens River – 7.5.10

July 5, 2010
Fishing Reports

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.

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

July 5, 2010
Fishing Reports

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.

Bishop Fly Fishing Report – Lower Owens River Update – 6.15.10

June 15, 2010
Fishing Reports

Lower Owens Brown Trout Fly Fishing - June 2010

As predicted the Lower Owens dropped to around 300 cfs and is currently hovering around that level making for some unbelievable fly fishing. We were on the water the first day it hit 300 cfs to check out one of my favorite spots. The fish were more than cooperative and action was basically non-stop. Fish were sporadically rising to caddis and BWO flies dancing on the water in the back eddies and slower water. Yellow Sallies are crawling around the streamside vegetation… Bugs are out! The nymphing was on fire! We took stomach samples and found; yellow sallie stonefly nymphs, caddis pupa, BWO emergers and cased caddis. Water was in the mid fifties and very comfortable to wade in. As we were leaving in late afternoon the caddis hatch was really starting to happen. Fishing will remain very satisfying (on fire) as long we hold around these flows which should be for a while. I am with clients out in the driftboat tomorrow and looking forward to a great day. Pictures are all taken yesterday 6.14

Lower Owens River Brown Trout Caught on a Bubbleback emerger

Lower Owens River Brown Trout Caught on a Small Stonefly Nymph

J. Bassett with a healthy Lower Owens River Brown

Mammoth Fly Fishing Report : Hot Creek – June 13, 2010

June 13, 2010
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Hot Creek Flows 167cfsUnique Hot Creek Brown Trout
High water hit Hot Creek via Mammoth Creek and it pretty much remains. One thing has changed though – water is still high yet clear, leaving many more seams, lines, runs and riffles to fish in Hot Creek. The fish have adjusted well to the new food being pushed into the water and the stream has been flushed and looks great! Fishing has been HOT! The caddis hatch is starting to come off and the fish are taking advantage of this as they make their ascent from the rocks below. Caddis Pupa of many different kinds have been taking fish all day long. #14-18 sparke pupas in tan and greens, ascending caddis and electric sparkle pupa all in sizes 14-18 are on the menu. On some days olive scuds and SJ worms are devoured, on other days they fish seem to ignore them and focus on the caddis. Small BWO emergers and various Baetis patters are still producing as well #’s 16-20. I hope these flows sustain for Hot Creek for a while as it is a pleasure to fish and no doubt good for the Hot Creek System.

Bishop Fly Fishing Report : Lower Owens River – June 13, 2010

June 9, 2010
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Good news! It looks as if us Lower Owens wild brown trout fans are going to get one more go around on the Lower Owens River here in Bishop this summer. I have received word that the Lower Owens is on its way down to 300cfs because of the additional runoff flowing into the Lower Owens river bed south of Bishop. Most of you know this is a great flow to fish the LO. Fish are out and moving around as well as the bugs. Czech nymphing works very well at these flows as you can get up on the fish more without being noticed. Also these flows are perfect for taking out my driftboat which I will be doing in the next few days. Be ready for more reports on this river as it is 340 cfs as I type this and should be around 300 in the next couple of days. For those of you who have had the opportunity to fish the Lower Owens in June at these flows, you know how great the fishing can be as the temps reach a perfect trout temperature of 50-57 degrees which turns on their metabolism converting them into bug eating machines. Water is clear and ready to fish with the very limited pressure the Lower O has received as of late due to the recent high flows. Stay Tuned….

Bridgeport Fly Fishing Report : East Walker River – June 7, 2010

June 7, 2010
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East Walker Fly Fishing Brown 6.6.10
Flowing below Bridgeport reservoir the East Walker River has always been a fly fishing dream. At a steady 192 cfs for the last few weeks the East Walker continues to be a pleasure to visit and fish. Water is clean and continues to be unusually clear for the East Walker. A great BWO hatch comes off around 10am and in certain upper sections of the river the fish absolutely go crazy for them. Launching themselves out of the water in sheer excitement to eat is a common sight during these recent hatches. For this hatch most common BWO patterns work. For something a little different try using a Thorax BWO, Etha Wing BWO, or CDC Indicator BWO all in #’s 16-18. Caddis are starting to make an appearance and this hatch should escalate in the coming days and weeks. Nymphing is on all day long but slows after around 1-2:00 pm . Ice Cream Cone midges, ChironoCones, T-midge emergers in black and pearl, and Grey Poly Wing Emergers are the bugs of choice all in #’s 18-22. Streamers get looks and sniffs on some days and chased down and eaten on others. Fish your favorite heavy streamer here on a floating line. One of my favorite trout waters to guide on, we will be out on the East Walker a lot in the coming weeks.

Mammoth Fly Fishing Report : Crowley Lake Tribs – June 7, 2010

June 7, 2010
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High water has finally hit the Eastern Sierra and that allows fish in certain places where they otherwise do not go. This usually means large lake fish go up flowing streams and creeks to seek out new food sources and spawn the next generation of beautiful fish. We happened to catch some of these waters on the way up and found some of the fish that had recently moved in. Healthy with pointy fins and white tips on all sides these fish are on fire once hooked with 4 and 5wt fly rods! This should only get better as fish use the added water flow rate to make their move upstream. Three species of trout are known to make this run. Flashy Bright nymphs and such as larger Trigger Nymphs #16-18, Robo Pt’s #16-18 and tubifex worm patterns are aggressively being eaten. .. Crowley Lake Tributaries

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