Eastern Sierra Fishing

Eastern Sierra Fishing Update. Smoke status – 9.17.20

September 17, 2020
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A fair amount of Fly Anglers have been calling the shop and asking what is actually open for fishing due to the temporary closures and the smoke. For the last couple of days we have seen A good amount of smoke settled in that has not moved much and seems to be lingering in the valley, it’s not awful but annoying. We expect it to move around any day now. It is a nuisance but not a fishing game-changer, you cannot see the mountains but the fishing is still unaffected and very good with the filtered sun.
All the usual Fisheries are open except for the ones in the closed national forest. We still have:

  • Lower Owens River
    -Upper Owens River
    -Crowley Lake,
    -Pleasant Valley Reservoir and mid river
    -The Gorge
    -East Walker
  • Bishop Creek
    So yes, there is smoke, but if you really want to get out and fish it is not stopping you! We have been running scheduled guided trips as normal. Give the shop a call for more info 760-873-0010 or text 661 364 6981.
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East Walker River

East Walker River Fly Fishing Report : Bridgeport, CA – 9.16.20

September 16, 2020
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The East Walker River Fly Fishing continues to show us that it is indeed a big fish factory. Flows are around 70cfs more or less which is a very moderate and low flow for this system. Fish appear to be placed throughout the system and still in the usual spots where we usually find trout holding in a boisterous river such as the East Walker. As usual on the East Walker we fish a variety of large and small flies. SJ worms of different types, small micro mayflies, midges, and midge emergers seem to be the patterns that bring admirable fish to our hands. Streamers? Always! One must know the ropes when sticking to hucking the big patterns! Stay tuned as we see how the fabulous East Walker turns out this winter.

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Upper Owens River

Upper Owens River Fly Fishing Report : Mammoth Lakes, CA – 9.14.20

September 14, 2020
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The legend of a fly fishing stream, flowing just below Mammoth Lakes, the Upper Owens River continues to fish with consistency throughout the entire system. All sizes of fish have been spotted, hooked, and caught. Streamers and nymphs in the cooler mornings, while continuing on with the terrestrials (hoppers) in the warmer afternoon seems to be the way to a satisfying experience in the Upper Owens River on these smokey days in the first part of September .

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Crowley Lake Fly Fishing

Crowley Lake Fly Fishing Report : Mammoth Lakes, CA – 9.12.20

September 12, 2020
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Crowley Lake Fly Fishing near Mammoth Lakes has been as good as we can remember. Never the exact same, but great. Size and variety of fish are unmatched. Lahonton Cutthroats, masculine Browns, and absolute HOG Rainbows are what you can expect here. Fish are now being located and caught in anywhere from 6′ to 30′ of water. Most anglers appreciate the shallower depths for casting, some have been rewarded for going deeper. Perch Fry, Damsels and Chironomids have been on our lines taking fish recently. Some algae is forming in some areas of the lake and changes daily due to wind and weather. The lake continues to drop slowly as the LADWP flows water down the hill. We imagine this should come to an end relatively soon. All spots seem to have their moments from the North Arm, around to Macgee, back to Hilton and even Crooked. Well defined weed lines are great places to get started and possibly hook the trout of a lifetime!

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Upper Owens River

Upper Owens River Fly Fishing Report : Mammoth Lakes, CA – 9.12.20

September 12, 2020
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The Upper Owens River Fly Fishing near Mammoth Lakes, CA has changed a bit since the Canadian cold sweep earlier this week. The river still flows at a late summer subtle level. Water clarity is as usual always fishable, and water temps remain within healthy levels. The Hoppers are still there but they struggle to get moving until the sun warms them at a later time depending on the day. Before that anxiously awaited moment we end up going down under the water with all sorts of attractor nymphs and streamers. The entire river holds fish, read the water to appropriate your time wisely and spend it in the fishiest looking holding water. As we feel the cooler mornings rolling in we look forward to the fish of the Fall that come up river.

Lower Owens River Fly Fishing : Bishop, CA – 9.12.20

September 12, 2020
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The mighty Lower Owens River near Bishop, CA continues to flow, for us fly fisherman, far to high at nearly 600 cfs. This must drop soon as we wonder where the water continues to come from to support these crazy flows. For now, we will imagine how the trout deep in the water columns are taking advantage of the larger food volume. Putting on weight for the winter months….

happy lady holds a good sized brown trout above the upper owens river

Upper Owens River Fly Fishing Report : Mammoth Lakes, California – 7.29.20

July 29, 2020
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Hoppers! Do I really need to say anything else on this report!? The grassy fields of the Upper Owens River near Mammoth Lakes, California have been full of the leaping insects, and the resident Trout have been taking full advantage of the situation. No doubt putting on some serious yearly mass for the seasons ahead. Windy days? Yes! We love them! In this case many hoppers are blown into the water this making themselves available to feeding trout. All sections of the river have been fishing well. Flows are clear and cool and very manageable at around 65cfs. Normal bug activity is also noted in seams and foam lines. Nymphing various attractor nymphs as usual is very effective. Crowds have been here and there but usually one can find a place to call their own for the time they are on the edge of the unique Upper Owens River just down from Mammoth Lakes.

brown trout held up on the Lower Owens near Bishop California

Lower Owens River Fly Fishing Report : Bishop, California – 7.29.20

July 29, 2020
, Fishing Reports

The Lower Owens near Bishop, CA has been flowing clean and clear for the last few months. Up to around 330cfs, this amazing river is still being fished successfully in the foam lines, pools, runs, riffles, and of course, drop offs of the clear waters of this flowing Gem. The Lower Owens has proven itself over and over again to the fact that if the water looks fishy, there is indeed a substantial amount of Trout holding there. The high flows make it more difficult yes, but the water temps are moderate, driving the fishes metabolism to consume protein in the form of aquatic invertebrates. As for flies the standby Midge patterns, Caddis Worms, Split Backs and Soft Hackles in Sizes #14-18. For dries; Elk hair Caddis, Blue Duns, Stalcups Caddis, Yellow Sallies and Terrestrials in sizes #10-18. These are only a few of the patterns we have been using to extract fish in the Lower Owens River recently. (and put them back of course)

Bishop Fly Fishing Guide

East Walker River Fly Fishing Report : Bridgeport, CA – 3.18.20

March 18, 2020
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The current news on the East Walker River flowing out of Bridgeport California, is that the flows are now a decent 50cfs, this is up from slightly less that half of this current number to put it into perspective. The current flow rate is definitely still low but render the East Walker morally fishable. Water temperatures hover in the low to mid 40’s. Sporadic trout rising to Midges in very slow water during the warmer parts of the day can get the fly angler into some sketchy surface action. These fish are usually smaller, but the bigger varieties have been seen making an appearance occasionally when it suits them on the surface. All sorts of Midge Larvae, and Midge Adult patterns have been taking fish. Caddis Worms, Baetis patterns, and Streamers lightly weighted can provide for the best action on certain days. Lightweight indicator and and dry -dropper set-ups can be successfully used on the East Walker at these flows as well. Stay tuned for these flows to eventually be bumped up to the next level very soon.

Angler Holds a fat Rainbow Trout above the Upper Owens River below Mammoth Lakes California

Upper Owens River Fly Fishing Report : Mammoth Lakes, California – 2.18.20

February 26, 2020
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The Fly Fishing on the Upper Owens River just outside of Mammoth Lakes California is still happening for the oversized Trout! Flows are around 100cfs and steady, as they have been the last couple of months. Weather is moving away from the winter feeling and a warm spring has been tempting us in the Eastern Sierras, from the Bridgeport to Bishop area. The Trophy trout of the Upper Owens are spread out along the entire system. Not only confined to the deepest and darkest holes anymore we have been finding them in the usual trout hang-outs as well. Streamers, Nymphs, and Dries can help you get a trout into your hands this February on the Upper Owens River. Snow is almost non existent on the banks of the Upper Owens these days. Watch some spots in the afternoon though, some of the thawed clay ground can be slippery upon melting!

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