For the moment the East Walker river is low and a little too warm to extract trout out of without possibly harming the fish. So we are leaving it alone until cooler temperatures hit these waters.. Stay tuned
Hot Creek has been fishing well in spite of all the weeds. A Trico hatch comes off in the morning as well as a small number of baetis mixed in throughout the day. Using 6X or 7X Tippit an experienced fly angler can extract many of these trout From the low fish filled waters of Hot Creek. A visual game, one will be able to see each trout he is casting too and pick and choose the fish they want. Hoppers and beetles fished in the pockets in between the weeds morning through evening will also get some definite trout visuals and hookups. Nymphing as usual will work but will result and a lot of weedy flies. RS2 Trico Emergers, Poly Wing Emergers # 18-20, Poxy Back Mayfly #18-20, Small scud patterns will work throughout the day when dropped just a foot or so under the surface. Various hopper and attractor patterns including beetles will work well and you can drop a scud or nymph below it if you want to get more action but be ready for more weedy flies. Look for the Trico hatch for the most action.
The upper Owens is down to a low flow of 64 CFS. Hoppers and Caddis are being eaten on the surface throughout the day. We are not seeing the big fish that swim in upper Owens River from Crowley Lake recently but we are getting some very nice standard size Trout consistently. Attractor patterns such as Robo PT’s, Green Rock Worms and Prince Nymphs and red Copper Johns are just a few of the patterns that will take fish, all in sizes # 16-20. Various leggy hopper patterns in # 12-14, And Elk Hair Caddis patterns and similar patterns to the rising pods of smaller fish #18-20.
The Lower Owens got turned way up to a high flow of 525 CFS. There are a few places on the river with some decent foam lines that the fly angler can nymph deep and extract some nice brown trout. We have been throwing streamers to the opposite bank and tugging them back with some great results in very certain areas. The last couple hours of the day the caddis hatch comes off with good action in the deeper pools. We will have to see how long the department of water and power keeps us at these very high water levels, there’s not enough water up there to maintain them very long that is for sure.. Flies are : larger and heavier Streamers #4-8, Bubble Back Emergers # 16-20, Sparkle Trigger Nymphs #14-20, Robo PT’s #16-20, and at night Elk Hair Caddis and other Caddis patterns # 16-20 will take fish.
Crowley lake is been fishing hot recently with many large brown trout being taken on Chironomid patterns mid morning to late at night. The trick is to keep your eyes on your indicator at all times after finding the fish and setting at the right depth with the right colors for the time of day (silver on black, red on black, black on grey)
The Lower Owens is down to a low flow of 125cfs which is unusual for this time of year. The river is healthy and the foliage around the river is green and alive, this is a very different river if you have only fished it during the winter months when the flows are down like they are now. BubbleBack emergers #16-20, Sparkle Triggers #16-20, RS2’s #16-18, all sorts of green caddis worms and emergers #16-18. Some hopper action can be found throughout the day, but not to the extent of Hot Creek or the Upper Owens. During the caddis hatch at night fish small Fertile Caddis #18-20, Elk Hair Caddis #18-22, Small Adams and Baetis patterns #18-22 are also good to have along for the Lower Owens selection right now.
The East Walker has just been kicked up to 200cfs of flow. This will be good for the resident trout and help to keep the water temperatures cool. Fish have been active in the mornings and evenings, they still do continue to eat during the day in the deep pools and riffled water. Large Attractor patterns continue to get attention from trout of all sizes! We have had some large explosions on mouse and large foam patterns recently. Try Hopper Sandwiches #6-10, Fat Alberts #6-10, and other large leggy foam or natural patterns. Under the water fish continue to eat caddis, baetis and midges. The ticket in green #18-20, Crawling caddis #18, halfback emerger #18-20, CDC case BWO emerger #18-20..
The Upper Owens is flowing at a low cool rate of around 65cfs. Water clarity is 90% with colour changing above the confluence of Hot Creek. Fish are throughout the system with a few big fish in the biggest holes this time of year. A caddis hatch comes off sparsely throughout the day with responses from the smaller trout in this system, a larger specimen can be found eating these Caddis on the surface to the observant angler. Hoppers splatted along the banks and foam lines will get an aggravated response from trout of all sizes in the Upper Owens which makes for an exciting day. Smaller streamers and buggers fished down and in the shadows will also get attention as the first cast into that dark hole or cut bank is the most important when fishing streamers here. Try Sparkle Buggers #6-10, and Slumpbusters or other small streamers patterns in the #6-10 size range will work best. For hoppers use Yellow, tan or other bright and leggy hopper patterns in sizes #10-14. Nymphs to use are; Princes #14-18, Sparkle Triggers #16-18, Bright Green Caddis Worms #16-18, Soft Hackles #14-18, Red Copper Johns #14-18, Red Disco Midges #16-18 and other similar patterns like the ones mentioned here.
Hot Creek is low and slow and since it is a spring creek the water has remained cool. Weeds are up to the surface and birds are walking on them. In spite of the weeds and low water the trout still have to eat! A light nymph pattern can be thrown into some holes comfortably but can result in a lot of hang ups if not done properly. Throw a lot of Beetles #12-16, X stimis #14-16, Feth Hoppers #14-12, Fat Alberts #8-14 and other small hopper patterns will also work. For nymphs the CDC case BWO emerger #18-20, T Midge #18-20 and Hot Creek and Fertile Caddis fished wet or dry will take fish.
East Walker Top Predator
The East Walker has been flowing clear and cool with an up and down flow rate of around 115 t0 150 cfs… Water is clear for the East Walkers standards and fish have been eating very well earlier in the day. Typical lower water conditions in the warmer weather requires you to fish earlier and end earlier. Midges in the morning with a scant PMD hatch letting you know it is there with fish responding in certain areas. Sometimes, as the last “fish of the Month” shows you can rarely find some areas where the BIG Browns will actually rise to a Dry Fly. Up and down the river from the Dam down to the Border trout are being found. Large Attractor dries are getting fish up against the banks and dropoffs. The same nymph patterns I suggested last time in my fishing report are holding strong. One thing different, the upper fly we use above the midge pattern can now be something meatier! Try a small crayfish, or perch imitation.. Nymph these above your small Midge/Midge Emerger for some interesting results.