As I was arriving last Friday I was the first one to be shut out as the Forest Service was there locking the gate at lower end of the ranch property. Lots of snow has fallen since then making access even harder.. For the serious fisherman the work to get there is well worth it! Mid morning the water boils with fish taking very small #20 Baetis.. Going on into the afternoon they switch over to the Amiocentrus caddis for their afternoon meals. Use #20 baetis imitations or just the good old P. Adams… For the Caddis try a Partridge, Hemmingway or Hot Creek Caddis, once again in a size #20. Under the water voracious bug eating also occures. Very small midges fished properly here will yield lots of trout with some big guys coming out of the creek!

The East Walker is now up to a more fishable flow of 44 cfs. The fishing remains strong, the only catch in arriving there. Since the last dumping of snow a few days ago the trip over the mountains to the East Walker takes a little while longer. The majority of the fish are holding in the slower water due to a slower metabolism from the colder winter water temperatures. One other thing; you will also be much more likely to have the river to yourself this time of year. For bug to toss at them try the usual small midges in different colours and configurations in sizes #18-22… Silver and Gold on Black TigerZebra is a good place to start. Disco and Biot Midges are also a good choice. WD-40’s and PT’s in the same sizes will also get you fish in the middle of this winter wonderland.

The Upper Owens is up to 121 cfs as this report is being written. Snow covers the banks of the Upper O keeping the fairweather fisherman away for the season. Water temps are obviously down, but the fish really are not. Fish are coming up to midges here and there throughout the day.. Nothing consistent though. Large Crowley Lake fish can still be sighted, fished to, and caught by the patient anger. Use 4×4 or chains to get around here. My Xterra in 4-wheel driver had no problem getting around. Zebra and Tigers are still getting attention here in #’s 18-20.. Try them in red/silver or black/silver. Small baetis imitations and your basic PT in similar sizes will also get you fish here.

The East Walker is down to a low flow of 19 cfs.. When you first walk up on the river you say “wow” when you realize how little water is in there. In spite of this the water remains at a great fishing temp and condition. Risers are everywhere eating midges and the fish are competetive and hungry! Few spots will now require you to use lead on your nymphing rigs. Just a handful of Large fish can be seen spawning in very certain areas of the river. (not M-Mile section) PLEASE DONT FISH TO THESE GUYS and let them do their thing.
Fish small Griffaths Gnats for the rising fish and watch for some Baetis emergence as well.. for underwater your favorite midge larva, PT,or WD-40 all is sizes #16-20 will work fine. Try a SJ if you are inclined. Your favorite streamers big and small will also cause big browns to move on your offerings.. I prefer a streamer with some white or lighter colours in it…

Flows at Hot Creek are around 40-45cfs with the Spring and Mammoth Creek combined. The caddis have not been around as much with the colder weather moving in on us the last couple of weeks. The fish will still come up to take a well placed Elk Hair Caddis though! Midges and Baetis are now making more of an appearance than the Amiocentrus caddis we saw most of the Summer.. Nymphing #18-22 PT’s, AP’s, Furmiskys Poxy Midges, Small Tiger and Zebras and properly places WD-40 will still get you into fish under the water all in #18-22’s.. The weeds are still hanging on but are dying off and collecting on any rock they can. These collected weeds are FULL of #12 green scuds which can be fished above a smaller fly I have mentioned above for some decent success. I look for this to get better as the crowds diminish and weeds go away!