Golden Trout Guiding Co. Eastern Sierra Fly Fishing Report – October 20
Fall is in full swing
Thanks for stopping by for your Eastern Sierra Fly Fishing Report, it’s the best time of year to fish in the Owens Valley! If you’re interested in booking a guided trip please reach out. All levels of experience are welcomed and all gear is provided. Create lifelong memories while having a blast learning new skills and enjoying nature. We have a few spots left for our fall fly fishing clinic December 4th and 5th. Take your fly fishing to the next level in an educative and immersive environment, give me a call or email if you’re interested. (PLEASE PACK OUT YOUR TRASH) Im finding more trash, poop, and line then usual. Let’s respect our waters and keep them healthy and vibrant. Everyday is cleanup day on the river.
Phone- (858) 750-9820
email- [email protected]
Lower Owens; Ive been having a blast being back on my home waters with nice wadable flows and cool temps keeping the fish active and feeding throughout the day. Right now is a great time to catch fish with all styles of fly fishing, top water, indicator nymphing, streamer fishing and euro nymphing. Sporadic hatches of caddis, blue wing olive and the occasional pale morning dun should inspire you to bring an extra rod rigged up with a dry fly just incase the hatch starts to pop off. Trout are feeding on nymphs and midges all day, my go to subsurface flies have been (Tungsten Jig Perdigon, Olive and Orange, Size 18) and a (Tungsten Jig Duracell Pheasant Tail, in cream or purple, Size 18). When fishing two flies I’m using a larger Prince Nymph (Size 12-16) to my smaller flies below. Having two heavier tungsten flies allows the line to sink efficiently without having to add split shot, especially while euro nymphing. Fish are feeding in all types of water, Im having the most luck in deeper runs, and tail waters. Almost all of the river is wadable so getting off the main banks and into more secluded zones will lead to more link ups. Recommended dry flies are Deer Hair Caddis (Size 16-18) Parachute Adams (Size 16-18) Blue Wing Olive (Size 18-20) And Pale Morning Dun (Size 18-20). Im booking primarily for the Lower Owens right now as it is THE time to be on this river. Give me a call to line a trip up!
Upper Owens; (BE MINDFUL OF REDDS) if you see fish paired up in shallow beds leave em’ be!
The Upper Owens needs another group of Crowley Trout to start their run upstream. Soon enough the cold weather and changing seasons will key in pre spawning rainbows to move upstream. There are a few trophy trout in the system and the ones that are there have seen many flies so linking up is very challenging right now. This could change any day, Im keeping an eye on the weather and the water and will keep you all updated as we go into winter. The water is low and clear so moving with stealth and precision is a must. The last day to fish below the bridge (Benton Crossing Rd) is November 15th. Its a great place to try and target migrating trout moving upstream to their spawning grounds and staging areas. Take advantage of that water while you can! Dry Droppers are a great rig, Im fishing a Stimulater to various small Baetis Nymphs (size 18-20) or the classic Zebra Midge (size 18-20). Ive been having a blast streamer fishing the Upper Owens. My favorite streamer set up is a Wolly Bugger (size 12) to a leech (size 14) and dredging deep holes keeping the line tight with little movement, they like the swing! Im also streamer fishing with a Goldy Locks (Size 8-12). Its hard to get the big ones to rise for a dry fly but not impossible. Recommended dry flies, Olive Foam Caddis (size 16), Parachute Adams (size 18-20), Trico (size 20), or Blue Wing Olive (size 16-20). Tough fishing on the Upper Right now so just be ready to put some hard work in to catch a few fish. Winter is coming!
Hot Creek; Hot Creek is a trickle and needs more water. If you plan of fishing hot creek top water is the name of the game, or fishing a single midge or nymph under a tight line or Euro Rod. Overgrown vegetation and extremely low flows make it hard to cast or get a decent drift. Crossing fingers for a few storms and a big winter!
Central Gorge; Central Gorge (Canyon Section) is Killer! If you’re willing to explore and have a buddy to travel with I recommend heading into the canyon and exploring the many pools and small runs. The go to rig is a dry dropper, Im using a size 12 Elk Hair Caddis to a Copper John. Stinging nettle is beyond abundant down there so be extra careful while navigating the river. Chances for putting double digit numbers to the net are likely. Be ready to loose some flies with overgrown vegetation and obstructions in the water. Midges, Baetis Nymphs, and small stonefly patterns will all produce. When fishing a single dry fly Im usually throwing the classic Parachute Adams (Size 16) hard to beat. Although this a productive section, it is a tricky and at times dangerous area to fish so be extra careful of rockfall on windy days down there.
Bishop Creek; Bishop Creek is stunning with fall colors in full swing. Just being on the small creek with the changing seasons is worth it. Fishing has been really fun the last few weeks with mid day hatches of mosquitos, midges and mayflies. Best time to fish bishop creek is mid day while the sun is out and shining bright. 10am-3pm. The north fork of bishop creek has been producing some nice stocked fish as well as some wilds mixed in. I prefer tight lining on my 9ft 4w with two small nymphs. Recommended flies, Chartreuse Copper John (size 18) Prince Nymph (size 18) Zebra Midge (size 18-20). As far as dries go you can pretty much get away with anything thats not too big. Keep it under a size 14 and you’re gonna hook up.
East Walker; East Walker is at 55 CFS. It looks like I wont be fishing the E Walker until next year. The E Walker Closes on Nov. 15th and I doubt they will bring the flows up (100 CFS) when I start fishing it. Please Leave this river be, its currently struggling to survive at this point. Again we need a big winter to help with providing better flows for the mighty E Walker.
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(From Golden Trout Guiding Co.)
