Golden Trout Guiding Co. Eastern Sierra Fly Fishing Report – December 26

News StaffDecember 27, 2022

0 18 4 minutes read

I hope everyone is having an awesome holiday and getting excited to get out on the water, and possibly with some new gear! I am currently booking for the new year Jan-March and would love to get on the water with you. All levels of experience are welcomed and all gear is provided. Call (858) 750 9820 or email [email protected]. Learn how to fly fish in a professional, fun, and educative environment.

rainbow+trout+lower+ — A beautiful Rainbow Trout that put up quite a fight caught on the Lower Owens while Euro Nymphing on a size 20 (Olive Ice Midge)

Lower Owens; The Lower Owens has been fishing decent, being on the right stretch at the right time of day will make all the difference. The best time to fish has been from 10am-3pm. Nymphing is producing the most fish, and I have been fishing smaller flies as fish are primarily feeding on midges and small baetis. There is still top water feeding most days although the hatches have been quick and sporadic. If you time it right and find a nice wide section of the river to cast dry flies you can do really well. I like casting up stream and taking my time while fishing small dry flies. Im watching not only for feeding trout but how they are taking the top water. Are they sipping just below the surface, or are they explosive takes for tiny mayflies? All of these factors dictate my presentation and fly selection. Lately Ive been fishing a size 20 BWO with 6X tippit and doing my best to land my flies as soft and subtle as possible. I personally love the challenge of fooling trout in these types of conditions to take a dry fly. When it all comes together it’s an amazing feeling. Fishing emergers (Barrs Emerger Size 18-20) mid day just under the surface film can be absolutely deadly as some hatches are slow to see adults above the water. Recommended subsurface flies for the Lower right now (Olive Zebra Midge Size 18-20) (CDC soft Hackle Size 16-20) (Blue/Olive Perdigon Size 16-20) (Flashback pheasant tail Size 16-20) (Olive/Brown Duracell Size 16-18). Recommended dry flies (Blue Wing Olive Size 18-20) (Parachute Adams Size 18-20) (Purple Haze Size 18-20). I think the most important thing is taking your time while wading through the water with these clear and low flies and having a more subtle presentation.

cal+lower+brown+ — Cal with a beautiful Lower Owens Brown Trout, caught on (Size 18 Duracell)

Central Gorge; We have seen some warmer days this last week and I spent some time fishing the Lower Central Gorge. It can be quite a quest to get down to the river but the lack of crowds and beautiful canyon can lead you into an immersive and awesome day. I was running a dry dropper rig with a (Size 14 Foam Caddis to a size 20 olive zebra midge) I was primarily getting takes on the midge but every 20th cast or so I got a fish to rise on the dry. Euro Nymphing and tight lining between boulders and in the pocket water will also lead you to success. The Lower Central Gorge sees the most sunlight this time of year and once the river goes in the shade Im hiking out. Prime time is 9am-2pm. When fishing a single nymph I really like going with the classic (Size 18-20 Copper John in various colors, chartreuse being my favorite) or a (Size 16-18 prince nymph). Always travel with caution while exploring the canyon, I love guiding down there and would love to show you some of my favorite spots if you’re willing to put in the hike.

ty+snowshoe+ — Snow Shoeing adventure on the Upper Owens is a fly fishing experience unlike any other.

Upper Owens; The Upper Owens has been a challenge this season, with limited trophy trout in the system. Best option is to hike in/snow shoe/ski/snowmobile into the river from the bridge. Ive already seen two cars stuck in the snow within the last week. Be very careful if you decide to drive in further than most. We have snow predicted this coming week starting tomorrow so there should be a fresh layer on the Upper, which is always epic and beautiful to fish in. Right now fish are spread out between the bridge and the very top of the public water. Persistence and patience is the best way to get into some nice fish. I like to bring two rods with me usually my 10.5 ft Euro Set Up and an Indicator Rig. I like to walk the banks and tight line right on the edge of the bank with my Euro Rod, and when I come to the bigger bends and deeper holes I switch out to my Bobber Rig. For my leader Im using 6lb flourocarbon with two flies. My go to set up has been a San Juan Worm to a (Size 16 Perdigon in purple or olive). Ive also had success on a (Size 16 Prince Nymph). Outside of fly selection, finding fish is the crux of fishing the Upper Owens. Take time to really work the runs or holes with these cold temps it might take 20 to 30 cast to finally get a proper take. Make sure you set on everything even if you think it’s the bottom, so many times Ive seen people get discouraged and loosen up on their setting and miss opportunities. Just because its slow right doesn’t mean we wont get more fish in the future. And the ones we are pulling out have been pigs. Having a guide on this water will increase your chances on hooking up with a personal best. Reach out to line up a guided trophy hunt. I am only booking full days for the Upper as we cover a-lot of water to do our best to get the job done.