Jeff K. with a Huge Hot Creek Brown 11.18.10

Hot Creek  is in good shape as the blasts of cooler weather have lowered the water temps- Weeds continue to die out of the lanes and collect in pads on the fronts of rocks downstream. Water is cool and low and some fish are starting to show spawning behavior. Caddis are left behind as BWO’s emerge and fish key on the adults on the surface. Dry fly action is what Hot Creek is known for and that is what is going to happen throughout the winter here.  On the surface fish a: 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. Some large fish are starting to move as this weather closes in…

The Lower Owens has been lowered to a very fishy flow of 200cfs. Water temps are mid-high 50’s and fish are healthy and fat from months of feeding at a very high and clear cfs (cubic feet/second of water). Some summertime-high flow weeds still exist making some familiar holes fish different than we remember them, on the other hand many other new runs and riffles have popped up with the lower seasonal flows.  Caddis, Baetis (BWO) and Tricos can be seen during mid morning. Some dry fly action can be observed. For flies fish #16-20 Pheasant tails and Hares Ears,  Zebra Midges in various colours from black to green in #’s 18-22. Poly wing emergers #18-20, Sparkle Trigger Nymphs #16-20,  Various Green Rock Work patterns in #’s 16-18 and RS2 and WD-40’s in similar sizes are all taking fish. Exact patterns that fish take can change daily so be prepared. On the surface BWO patterns #18 (para BWO, Adams, Etha Wing Duns) Have a few elk hair caddis with you to cover a caddis feed.

Lower Owens Brown Fall. 2010

Cooler nights have the trout of the East Walker moving about and eating more to stock up for the long winter ahead.  Flows are down to around 90 cfs and steady.  Water colour is slightly off which is usual for the East Walker for this time of year.

East Walker in Autumn

Fall Coloured Brown-Bridgeport, CA

We have been seeing BIGGER fish eating and moving around recently. Fishing has been great some days and good on others.  Don’t be afraid to mix it up with different styles of the same pattern. Caddis sparkle pupa #18, Ascending Caddis #16-20 Gut Instinct #16-20 and Poly Wing Emergers #18-20 in (Cream and Gray) T- Midge emergers in Pearl or Olive #18-22.  Bow Warriors #18-22. To change it up a bit more try crayfish patterns or  perch fly patterns  in  sizes #8-12. Tug or nymph these patterns. Further on down the river  Prince nymphs, Copper Johns and Stonefly nymphs all sizes #12-16 as well as all mentioned patterns above.

Large East Walker Brown Trout

Though we did not see quite as many HOGS out of the East Walker as we did in 2009 that is all changing  this Fall of 2010… The river is is great shape at 121cfs, a light green colour is observed- this green river colour helps the large fish move about the river under cover. Streamers are getting more attention: Rock Knocker Sculpins #2-6 ,Zonkers 2-6, Large Wooly buggers and Double Bunnies are all great patterns to fish in the EW. Try different colours throughout the day. For nymphing use Baetis Emerger patterns- Bubbleback emerger #18-20, BWO halfback emerger #18-20  Caddis sparkle pupa #18, Ascending Caddis #16-20 Gut Instinct #16-20 and Poly Wing Emergers #18-20 in (blk, brown and Gray) T- Midge emergers in Pearl or Olive #18-22. Crayfish patterns, and perch fly pattern as a top fly  in  sizes #8-12 have been getting fish. Tug or nymph these patterns. Further on down the river try Prince nymphs, Copper Johns and Stonefly nymphs all sizes #12-16 fished with the flies suggested above. This will be an unforgetable fall season on the East Walker- which is one of our favorite waters to guide.  Look for more updates frequently as we will be spending a lot of time up in Bridgeport. Give us a call at the shop for more info.   (760)873-0010

East Walker Double w/STM Guide Jon Bassett 10.2.10

view from lodge porch

log cabins on the rivers edge

Westslope Cutt Color

Dry Fly Westslope Cutt

Clark Fork Cuttbow

Just a reminder about our Montana Fly Fishing trip I will be hosting this year to my families own fly fishing lodge. This is where I grew up and first started guiding on the Clark Fork River in Western Montana. There will be four full days of fishing out of wooden Makenzie River Drift boats that my Dad and I created by hand. The Clark Fork is known for its Dry Fly Fishing – 80% of the fishing we do there will be with a large dry fly.. We will fish to rising chunky Rainbows, Westslope Cutthroat, and Cuttbows. Fishing is done out of the drift boat, we will also be exiting the drift boat to fish from shore in prime areas.

Guests will need to arrive the night of the 25th of Sept. and meals will commence the following morning and be served until the morning of the 30th. Guests will then be leaving after breakfast on the 30th of Sept. The stay is all inclusive as we provide all meals and flies while you are our guests. Four cabins provide lodging at the rivers edge. The main lodge has a 12 person dining room overlooking the river. My Sister will be coming in to cook (outstanding food)specifically on these dates for this group. The cost is $2200- Guests can fly into Missoula, MT – or Spokane, WA. Spokane lies around 1.5-2 hours from the lodge while Missoula is 1-1.5 hours. This promises to be an unforgettable fly fishing experience for those who can make it. Call the Sierra Trout Magnet Fly Shop @ (760)873 0010 or 661 364 6981 with any additional questions you might further have.