Bob Marriott's Flyfishing Store - High Sierra Fish Report

HIGH SIERRA'S
Updated: July 24, 2008

Hot Creek
Start with Trico’s in the morning. Midmorning there will be migrating caddis along with some hatching, depending on the weather witch may bring fish to the surface. If nothing is hatching throw some hoppers as they are out and about and very abundant. Later in the afternoon there has been a very good caddis hatch with the afternoon thunder heads building up. The Weeds are thick and it’s getting technical but the fishing is still awesome if you want to test the skills!

Lower Owens
Fishing has been pretty good for those who know this river and where and how to fish it at high water. A good understanding of tailwater fisheries and their hatches will make or break your day. Hatches have been very good for months now. There’s the classic Lower Owens trico emergence and spinner fall in the early a.m. That leads into a decent PMDs grab followed by a smattering of yellow sally stones and caddis. Evening caddis hatch may reward anglers from 6pm till dark.

Owens River Gorge
The Gorge is a tough place to fish during the summer months. If you decide to fish it, I would fish the afternoon, and be sure to take extra water or a water purifier for the tough hike out. The spooky resident browns are not quite as spooky when the sun is off the water, so make sure and use some extra stealth tactics when approaching the fish. A dry dropper rig will work the best. We recommend a Stimulator or Elk Hair Caddis with a size 16 Bird of Prey beneath. There are sporadic caddis coming off mid morning, but the trout do not seem to feed on the adults. However, a well presented nymph will pick up fish all day.

Upper Owens River
Lots of dry action throughout the day. Hoppers are coming on strong! Early morning there are Tricos, caddis, some PMD’s and Calibaetis. Late morning there are hoppers, beetles and ants. Try nymphing deeper holes when sun is straight up. Lots of caddis in evening.

Crowley Lake
McGee Bay has blown out by 10:30 am the last couple of days but it has been very good even as early as 6:30 this am. Try midging in 8 to 12 ft of water and if you have a thermometer, 60 or 61 is the magic number as most of the bay is 62-65 degrees. Look for fish rolling on Damsels on the surface sometimes in as close as 6 ft amongst the weeds and strip SLOOOOOOWLY. There is perfect 57 degree water but it is so close to the mouth that it is choked with weeds. If you know how to midge in deep water also check out just inside the McGee floating bathroom in about 20 feet of water.

West Walker River
The fish are sluggish with the cold nights and the water from the reservoir is very cold. Look for deeper holes and slow runs for the fish to hide. Baetis and Midges are a main stay for the fish on the Walker. There are a few Stones moving in the lower parts of the river. Make sure to have a few on hand. Try using #18-22 PT's, Zebra Midges, Silver Streaks, and Hare's Ears will get you into fish. Pull some #6-8 weighted streamer patterns through the deeper pools and hang on.

East Walker River
Fishing is good. Nymph fishing has been good early with indocators, lots of weight and bead headed flies in a size 16-18. The female Trico hatch has been starting about 8:30 am on non windy mornings. The best and most consistent hatch is the evening caddis . A lot of angling pressure has been happening in the top mile of the river, We advise fishing downstream below the bridge.

Pleasant Valley Reservoir (Float Tubing)
Air temps have been a lot warmer down this way. Fish the inlet section which flows into the Reservoir with streamers and nymphs for some grabs. Float tubing with a full sink line and a variety of streamer patterns will get you into fish. Concentrate your efforts near the boat ramp area and you should do well here. The Wild Trout Section has also been fishing well lately. Nymphing has been producing fish as well and dry flies are getting fish when they are on the surface. The gorge is also a good option as this is a great time of year to get fish on dry flies. Good presentations are important to fool the wild fish down here.

San Joaquin
Fishing is good for both wild and stocked fish. There is more holding water below minaret creek now than up higher due to the higher flow. Hatches are sporadic with large light color and smaller Caddis, some Mayflies, (sporadic large Drakes), and small and larger Stoneflies. Look for pocket water and start with a dry/dropper setup. When the fish ignore the dropper, switch to a single dry. Move laterally in the water to get the best drift. The areas in and between the upper campgrounds are starting to show the effect of heavy pressure. You are best off hiking a bit.

June Lake Loop
June Lake has been decent on the Marina side. Tow some streamers and don't be afraid to try some large bait fish patterns. Silver Lake has still been quite productive for anglers still water nymphing the weed edge on the south west corner. Grant was kind to me at the inlet stripping heavily hackled black or purple buggers. If you don't pick up fish there try the points fishing deep. Recent stockings of Alpers should help keep the action in the Loop exciting.

Lee Vinning Creek
Good Fishable conditions can now be had. Runoff has peaked and is slowly coming down. Dry dropper techniques are work well here and cover water. Try fishing big attractor dry fly patterns along the edges and eddies (slowest water) that you find. Stimulators #12-14, Elk Hair #12-14, Humpy’s #12-14, Royal Wulff #12-14 Streamers in the gauging station pools; Black Bugger’s, small Double Bunnies.

Rush Creek
Fishing is good. You will have to contend with other anglers between the lakes but you can find solitude below Grant. Up high you can find some nice stocked rainbows especially in the deeper holes, as well as smaller wild fish. Down low will be almost exclusively small wild fish eager to take a dry if you place it in the right spot once things have warmed up. The stockers will eat most attracter patterns but the wild fish will be more selective.

Bridgeport Reservoir
The Damsel hatch has been amazing for the last week. Perch fry have also been seen putting around the weed edges. To be honest, it's a free buffet for the fish right now. Scuds, Midges and Calibaetis and all been seen in heavy numbers too. Look for fish starting to move as the water temps start to increase. The fish are moving to the river channels and deeper water. The East Walker and Buckeye River channels are prime areas for fish to hold. Just off Rainbow point or Paradise has also been good. The middle of the lake has been hot for the bait anglers for the last month. Another good choice would be the Dam for the last couple hours of the day.60 degrees. The temps near the bottom range from 47-52 degrees. Water temps are perfect.

Mammoth Lakes Basin
Fly fishing conditions at the Twin Lakes and Mamie are excellent with abundant midges coming off early in the morning, and again in the evening, bringing fish to the surface for some fun dry fly action. During the mid morning, we are seeing good hatches of Calibaetis, and Damselflies, especially along the weed beds of Lower and Middle Twin. Lake George has been producing some nice Alpers, as well as Lake Mary, on streamers. Try using Flash Buggers, Wooly Buggers, Mini Leech, Mohair Leech, 14-#20 B.H. Chironomid, Larva red, grizzly and black, #14-#20 Frostbite black#14-#20 Williams Lake Wonder black and red #14-#20 Zebra Midge assorted colors.

Kern River
The river is flowing at 550 cfs. The water is off color but clearing. Try using bright patterns like the Kern Emerger or the Kern Kandy.

THIS REPORT IS COURTESY OF:
The Trout Fly, Sierra Drifters, Kern River Troutfitters and Fish First.

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