Bridgeport Fly Fishing : East Walker River – 1.14.11

The East Walker is running at a low winter flow of around 22-25 cfs. Temperatures are down and snow is up but whats important is the fish continue to eat, a lot! The thing is one must present the right flies to get these highly selective trout to take our carefully placed fly patterns. Look to nymph shallow and light in most holes and runs, a minimum amount of shot is needed to arrive at the bottom where the fish live. The same patterns hold true as in my last report:  #18-22 pearl T- Midge poly wing emergers, Poly Wing Emergers in lighter and darker shades in sizes #18-22, Miracle Nymphs #18, WD-40′s in browns and grey in sizes #18-20. Recently, Flash Bang midges have really shined in cream and red colours in sizes #18, see these at the shop, they are very similar to JuJu Bee’s. Baetis Emerger patterns such as; halfback emergers and poxy back BWO emergers also take fish. Fish these in #s 18-20.  On the surface,for a suggestion, try a  cut wing BWO or Extended Body BWO in #’s 18-20 to trick these fish on top. Flash bang midges continue to get a ton of
attention on the east walker. Look for great fishing and some big fish on the move  from this water.

Mammoth Fly Fishing: Upper Owens River – 1.14.11

Large Fish continue to reside in most of the deeper holes and runs of the Upper Owens river. Snowy is one way to describe the experience up there at this moment. Walking up from Benton Crossing bridge is a way to fish the Upper O with a 2 wheel drive vehicle. 4- wheelers will have to enter based on their own experience driving in snow, although you probably will not make it far. Fish the same flies suggested in previous post. Going under the water for the BIG trout nymph with #14-18 PT nymphs of different styles (robo, crystal, sparkle), Hares Ears Bead Head and Flash Back in sizes #14, 18,  Tiger and Zebra Midges in a variety of colours in sizes #16-20, Poly Wing Midge emergers #’s 18-20, Trigger Nymphs #16-20.  A San Juan worm is also always a good choice for these oversized river inhabitants.  For surface activity expect to see baetis (BWO) and small caddis over the water. Streamers sunk deep will also get you large fish.. Try Slumpbusters, Double Bunnies and large Wooly Bugger style streamers to bring out the larger inhabitants of the river after you have put a decent array of nymphs by their lips. Some people prefer to fish streamers all day in these situations…

Bishop Fly Fishing: Lower Owens River – 12.03.10

The winter wild brown trout fly fishing jewel of the Eastern Sierra, the Lower Owens is now into prime form! Down to a low and easy wading level of 100cfs, the Lower Owens is on for the winter! With mid-high fifties temperatures in the Winter in the Lower Owens valley fishing the river is a pleasure. BWO’s have been coming off late morning and this hatch is somewhat predictable. It can be found in the upper reaches of the river as well as a few select runs and riffles down lower.  Before and after the hatch event all sorts of baetis emergers and nymphs will take fish when nymphed properly in the correct locations.  At 100 cfs one must read the river correctly as it will tell you the correct place to find holding trout.   For success on the Lower Owens try: Try a Throax BWO in sizes #18-20, etha wing (cut wing) BWO’s, Para BWO and Classic BWO patterns all in #16-20 will get fish as they are surfacing to adult BWO mayflies. On the underwater side try; Robo PT’s #16-20, Sparkle Trigger #16-20, Crystal PT, #18-20, Bubble Back Emergers and Half Back emergers in #18-20, Poly wing emergers, and Zebra and Tigers Midges  in sizes #18-20.  For attractor patterns a Red Copper John, Red Chironocone,  Red Disco Midge, or a Red Tiger/Zebra in sizes #16-20 is also a good addtion for your fly arsenal on The Lower Owens.  Red seems to be a colour attracting fish besides the other obvious bugs around.   Look for frequent updates on this river as we see what unfolds this December.  Wanna see the Lower Owens from a different perspective?  Try one of your drift boat trips.  Look for a December special to unfold soon.

Mammoth Fly Fishing: Upper Owens River – 12.03.10

Big Winter Bow- Mammoth Lake, CA Upper Owens River

Big Winter Bow- Mammoth Lake, CA Upper Owens River

Mammoth Fly Fishing : Upper Owens Dec 2010
Mammoth Fly Fishing : Upper Owens Dec 2010

The Upper Owens continues to be inhabited with some really way above average sized  fish! You can continue to walk along the bank and see large torpedo shaped objects shooting off for cover as you move from hole to hole… marking those areas and returning a while later after they forget of your passing can also be successful. As of now you can drive about 3/4 of a mile up towards the first gate until you hit a really large snow drift where the road has a dip adding to the depth of the snow. Those are my tracks that attempted to cross it and got denied with .5 hours of digging after that.  Don’t expect crowds on the Upper Owens right now. We have been the only people up there the last few weeks in our visits.   Going under the water for the BIG trout nymph with #14-18 PT nymphs of different styles (robo, crystal, sparkle), Hares Ears Bead Head and Flash Back in sizes #14, 18,  Tiger and Zebra Midges in a variety of colours in sizes #16-20, Poly Wing Midge emergers #’s 18-20, Trigger Nymphs #16-20.  A San Juan worm is also always a good choice for these oversized river inhabitants.  For surface activity expect to see baetis (BWO) and small caddis over the water. Streamers sunk deep will also get you large fish.. Try Slumpbusters, Double Bunnies and large Wooly Bugger style streamers to bring out the larger inhabitants of the river after you have put a array of nymphs by their lips.

Bridgeport Fly Fishing: East Walker River – 12.03.10

The East walker continues to fish similar to the conditions of my last report, fish are fat and healthy and range in size from 14″ fish to 25″ fish.  One thing is different.. snow.  Although the landscape is white, it is not deep, access is easy for now . Small hatches of baetis do come off during the warm parts of the day.. the smaller fish in the East Walker usually respond to this hatch in certain areas. This is certainly not a river wide event. The same patterns still hold: #18-22 pearl T- Midge poly wing emergers, Poly Wing Emergers in lighter and darker shades in sizes #18-22, Miracle Nymphs #18, WD-40′s in browns and grey in sizes #18-20. Recently, Flash Bang midges have really shined in cream and red colours in sizes #18, see these at the shop, they are very similar to JuJu Bee’s. Baetis Emerger patterns such as; halfback emergers and poxy back BWO emergers also take fish. Fish these in #s 18-20.  On the surface,for a suggestion, try a  cut wing BWO or Extended Body BWO in #’s 18-20 to trick these fish on top.

Mammoth Fly Fishing: Hot Creek- 12.03.10

The landscape of Hot Creek has turned to a white wonderland- Huge mountains and a high desert landscape below make just being there an experience at this time of year. The first gate is shut and 4×4 vehicles can push through to the gate at the moment. Do this at your own risk! Weeds continue to die off as winter sets in. Some spawning continues to be seen in some areas as different bahavior is evident to the observent fly angler.  As for what fly patterns to use, the same still stand.  On the surface fish: Thorax BWO #20, Cut-Wing BWO patterns in #18-22, CDC Baetis and Para BWO’s in sizes 18-22 are a few suggestions that work well for this hatch. Under the water you can fish; #18-20 Halfback Emerger BWO’s, #18-20 loop wing emergers and poxy back BWO emergers, Poly Wing emergers #18-20, Small Tiger and Zebra midges in #18-22 and WD-40′s in #18-20.  Large fish can be seen out and moving on some days!  SCROLL DOWN TO LAST HOT CREEK REPORT TO SEE A HUGE HOT CREEK BROWN  !!!!

Bishop Fly Fishing: Lower Owens River – 11.19.10

lower owens fly fishing, bishop fly fishing, lower owens river

Anjanette C. and John D. at the net with a great Lower Owens Wild Brown

The Lower Owens has been turned up and then back down since my last report. Going up to a very driftable flow of 325 cfs it is now down to 275cfs and almost guaranteed to fall from there. Fish have been on the prowl and hungry the entire time. Some really nice sized fish are coming out of the Lower Owens this year. Bugs are abundant and the river bottom is very healthy. The entire system seems to be in great shape this year.  Some dry fly top water action is being found on certain parts of the river.  These are usually Blue Winged Olives and they are a favorite food of the wild brown trout that reside in the Lower Owens. Try a Throax BWO in sizes #18-20, etha wing (cut wing) BWO’s, Para BWO and Classic BWO patterns all in #18-20 will get fish as they are surfacing to adult baetis. On the underwater side try; Robo PT’s #16-20, Sparkle Trigger #16-20, Crystal PT, #18-20, Bubble Back Emergers and Half Back emergers in #18-20, Poly wing emergers, and Zebra and Tigers Midges in greens, browns and creams seem to do the best  in sizes #18-20. Look for flows to drop even more around ThanksGiving time.

Bridgeport Fly Fishing: East Walker River – 11.19.10

The East Walker is down to the mandated flow of 22cfs of fishing flowing water. Some fish are spawning so watch for frest gravel which also always reveals a red (fish nest) of some sort.  The river is healthy and the bottom is full of healthy weeds (bug sanctuary). While a small population of the trout are spawning most are eating to their hearts content.  Light nymph and dry dropper setups are the best way to trick the inhabitants of the East Walker. #18-22 pearl T- Midge poly wing emergers, Poly Wing Emergers in lighter and darker shades in sizes #18-22, Miracle Nymphs #18, WD-40’s in browns and grey in sizes #18-20. Baetis Emerger patterns such as; halfback emergers and poxy back BWO emergers also take fish. Fish these in #s 18-20.  On the surface, starting in the later morning baetis are on the surface with fish eating them in certain holes. A cut wing BWO or Extended Body BWO in #’s 18-20 will trick these fish on top.

east walker fly fishing, east walker brown trout, bridgeport fly fishing

Kai landed this 22" Fall Brown on Nov. 13 2010

Mammoth Fly Fishing: Upper Owens – 11.19.10

 

Water is clear and continues to hover around 100cfs which is about right for the Upper O.  We are seeing  large fish and smaller fish with some being very large.  If your fish a dry fly expect the smaller fish of the population… Go down in the deeper holes and hook on to something that might leave you with your heart pounding as you realize what you should of done when he went for that undercut…… Nymph with #14-18 PT nymphs of different styles (robo, crystal, sparkle), Hares Ears Bead Head and Flash Back in sizes #14-18,  Tiger and Zebra Midges in a variety of colours in sizes #16-20, Poly Wing Midge emergers #’s 18-20, Trigger Nymphs #16-20. For surface activity expect to see baetis (BWO) and small caddis over the water. Streamers sunk deep will also get you large fish.. Try Slumpbusters, Double Bunnies and large Wooly Bugger style streamers to bring out the larger inhabitants of the river. 

upper owens fall fly fishing, mammoth fly fishing, eastern sierra fly fishing

Jon Landed this Upper Owens Slab on a nymph setup Nov. 2010

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