Golden Trout Guiding Co. Eastern Sierra Fly Fishing Report – February 21

Central Gorge (Canyon Section)– The Central Gorge picked up last week big time with warmer temps bringing the canyon section to life. Flows are remaining stable and the water color has cleaned up significantly from the last few big storms. I have started guiding more and more anglers down there, as the Lower’s higher flows makes hooking up more difficult right now. Flows might be Lower in the Central Gorge but that doesn’t mean its any less technical. The central gorge has tight casting positions, reeds and down logs, and small pocket water, if you can get fish to the net down there you can fish anywhere. I consider the Central Canyon a perfect place to work on ALL TECHNIQUES dry flies, dry dropper, streamer, euro nymphing, and bobber fishing. The central gorge will challenge any angler, especially while targeting wild trout on top water, forcing the angler to have a precise cast and you usually only get one to two chances before you catch a bush or tule haha. It reminds me of small creek fishing in Alaska or New Zealand, usually sighting and hunting your fish. I have two main styles of fly fishing I use down there, either my Euro Rod with two flies, or the dry dropper. For my dry dropper I like using a size 14 Olive Foam Caddis to a size 18-20 black zebra midge with a copper head. Chances are the trout will take the midge but every so often a fiery brown will smash the Caddis on top water. We have a storm moving in as we speak which will slow things down in the canyon, good news is most of the weather will stay at higher elevations so chances of the river blowing out are slim. When I find myself in a deep pool, I am having fun fishing small streamers like a size 12 black leech, size 12 olive/brown Wolly Bugger, size 12 Goldy Locks, or a size 12-14 punk perch. Right now is the time to get down to the central gorge moving into spring, once things start warming up the stinging nettle will grow rapidly on the banks and come summer it’s extremely difficult to access good water. I have been exploring the canyon weekly and so have some of my clients on their own, we are consistently hooking up on 16-18 inch browns and rainbows. Reach out to line up a guided trip into the Canyon Section for a full day of adventure with no-one else in sight!

Upper Owens River- The Upper Owens river has been on FIRE this last week. We had warmer temperatures with minimal wind creating active feeding trophy trout and some incredible snow bows landed. Fish are being caught from the bridge all the water to the private water. Thats around 10 miles of fishable river, that being said if you’re willing to put in the miles and get above the 2 mile mark chances are high you’re going to get into some quality fly fishing. Weekends have been busy at the word is out and we are in peak trophy season. Let’s practice good river ethics by allowing anglers at least two to 3 bends to fish, especially if they are there first. I like to ask anglers how they are doing as I pass the up or downstream, as an Eastern Sierra angling community we have the ability to create a welcoming and respectful environment. There are plenty of holes, and plenty of fish so if you favorite hole is taken go adventure to a new one! I have been guiding a lot on the Upper Owens, as this is the time of year I am primarily hunting for the biggest and baddest fish in the river. Working ALL the cut banks like a grid will eventually lead you into fish. Having the right weight, depth, leader length, and flies all come into play. Right now I am fishing a short mono leader to a tippet ring with 6lb fluorocarbon to my two flies. My whole leader in length comes in around 8-9ft. The 6lb allows me to fight the bigger fish well, and land them as quick as possible. Streamer fishing has been incredible last week, attracting MEAT EATERS to come and play. I am tying custom Wolly Buggers, a pattern I call the Space Bugger using Orvis Olive Polar Chenille as my body, one of my favorite materials to tie streamers with. I highly recommend. There are many large holes on the Upper Owens where getting a drag free drift into the back eddy in near to impossible. I like casting streamers in those zones letting them sink and stripping the back through the feeding lane. Streamer takes on the Upper Owens are exhilarating and addicting. As far as nymphing under an indicator I recommend a size 12-14 squirmy worm, size 12-18 prince nymph, size 16-18 quildigon/perdigon, size 14-16 rainbow warrior/pink/or purple. I don’t stray too far from those flies as they have all been producing. Make sure you are using strong hooks when fishing smaller sizes. The Orvis tactical jig hook has never let me down. I have availability going into spring and am currently booking for the Upper Owens, give me a call to line up a guided trophy hunt. We got another month of good fishing before things usually slow down. Then its cutthroat season! Very excited for spring.

Thanks for stopping by for my Eastern Sierra Fly Fishing Report. I wish you all a great rest of the month and tight lines. I love teaching new anglers and people from all walks of life the joy and art of fly fishing. Please don’t be shy to reach out if you have any questions on the report or to line up a guided trip. All gear is provided, all you need to show up with is a current CA fishing license.