Fish’N Conditions

Weather is really warming up, & it is looking to be a pleasant opener. Run-off has slowed considerably, and flows have dropped slightly; or stabilized on the year around moving waters. The West Walker is the only freestone that is ripping currently.

East Walker continues to fish well during good weather. Take advantage of the lower/stable flows while you can. BWO and midge hatches daily. Lots of eager chunky rainbows in the deeper riffles!

The Middle Owens hovering around 300cfs. Wading can be difficult; but drift boat conditions have improved considerably with these stable levels. The “catching” is slow due to cooler weather.

Hot Creek can be a good option for moving water enthusiasts, thanks to a decrease in water levels. The windy weather has impacted hatches during the stormy periods; but solid BWO, & midge activity will give you dry fly opportunities afternoon during warmer/calm days.

Upper Owens has improved water conditions recently. Levels are on the high side; but nothing heavier weights can’t solve. A few large Crowley migrants are holding over, with decent numbers of smaller rainbows, & browns around as filler fish. Good BWO and midge pops on the nicer days. Cutty’s are still scarce due to cooler conditions. Roads have dried out for the most part making vehicle access safer.

Power generation will be sporadic at Pleasant Valley Reservoir making it tough to fish the river and transition section.  Tubing is your best shot at a good day using full sinks and streamers. Lake level has dropped this week allowing good access near the inlet section.

The general trout opener is on 4/28/18. Crowley Lake, Bridgeport Reservoir, Twin Lakes Bridgeport, Convict Lake, & the June Lake Loop will all have ice free conditions and good access. Road closures for locations above 8000 remain likely due to heavy March snows, and a wet April. 

We anticipate good early season “catching” on Crowley & Bridgeport Reservoirs. I have seen some large chironomids (midges) emerging already. The lakes have remained ice free for most of winter, & water levels are nearing capacity. With higher flows expected on most moving waters, the larger lakes will be the best option for early season success. The cutthroat trout migrations on the Upper Owens and McGee Creek have not begun yet in substantial numbers. This dynamic can change suddenly, especially under current conditions. 

Middle Owens River (Bishop Area)

Flows have leveled off at 300cfs. making for much better water conditions on the drift boat runs.  Wading the wild trout section remains difficult at this level. Still a decent BWO hatch coming off with a few stoneflies showing. Streamers like Spruce-A-Bu’s, Loebegrs, and Crystal Leeches used with a heavy sinking tip line are the right call under these conditions. Heavily weighted nymph rigs with standard; or parallel Assassins, flashback pheasant tails, and parallel punk perch can get you grabs below an Under-Cator.

 Upper Owens River

Still waiting for the cutthroat to arrive in numbers. The warmer weather will be the catalyst to get the fish moving up soon. Water clarity is good, although it remains higher than normal. Use extra weight to get those nymphs down below your Under-Cators.  Access is currently better as the roads have dried out. The cutthroat numbers remain low. There are a few husky spring rainbows holding over, with decent numbers of catchable bows and browns on the warmer days.  Crystal Eggs, San Juan Worms, #16-18 Assassins (dark and light), #14-16 Crystal Leeches, and #16-20 Copper Tiger Midge, Zebra Midge, and Gillies have been good patterns fished with plenty of weight below an Under-Cator.  

Hot Creek

Water conditions and flows are great here.  Numbers are decent here during warmer periods; with fish holding in the deeper slots and pools. Best bite occurs during early afternoon when the BWO’s are emerging. Large midge hatches coming off during a high barometer. Dry dropper rigs with a #16-18  Para Hi-Vis BWO and a #22 Gillie dropper 12″-18″ below is a consistent rig currently. When you observe those noses sipping the adults in the suds, remove the dropper, and dope up those high wings so they ride high on the surface.  Longer leaders, & light tippet in the 5-6x class is best. During off hatch periods try attractor patterns fished with/without an Under-cator. You can get into some of the larger fish using this method during the spring months.

Pleasant Valley Reservoir

Lake level has been fluctuating; currently on the low side, & good for access around the inlet. With sporadic hydro power generation now occurring, conditions around the transition area can be poor. If the powerhouse is churning, go elsewhere unless you are planning on tubing the lake proper. Full sinking lines fished along the steep shoreline drop-offs using patterns like Loebergs, Crystal Leeches, Parallel Punk Perch, Parallel Agent Orange, & Spruce-A-Bu’s are good calls for “freeze tubers” during the winter. Locals call PVR “little Crowley” as fly fishers in the know will use still water nymphing techniques to score big numbers during periods of stable water levels. Set your “Under-Cators” to suspend those broken back midges, crystal tiger/zebra midges, gillies, & Assassins around the 12-14 foot depth. The inlet section is historically the most consistent section to fish. This diverse fishery also allows you to move into the short river section that feeds the lake. Looking much like the East Walker, this short; but sweet section has plenty of pocket water and riffles that hold holdover rainbows and browns that move into the heavy brush during periods of lower flows. Dry/dropper rigs using para hi-vis BWO’s, Stimulators, and hi-vis caddis patterns as your upper; with crystal tiger midges, crystal olive caddis larva, & parallel; or standard assassins as a nymph. The transition area that dumps into the lake has slower moving/deeper water that requires the use of an Under-Cator, or longer dropper off your dry. This is perhaps the most fertile area of the lake, & competent roll casters may get huge days here while making extended drifts in the foam lines. The trout will concentrate here to feed on the abundant chironomid, & mayflies that come off throughout the cooler months. 

The Gorge

Flows have moved up significantly making for improved conditions. The best bite occurs during the BWO hatch mid-day. Use lighter weight rods here with a mayfly adult or go with a dry/dropper combination. Our Parachute hi-vis BWO is an excellent pattern as your dry. FB PT’s, Assassins, & small midge emergers are good calls for the dropper nymph. 

East Walker River

Best game in the region. Water releases have dropped to 115cfs, with good water clarity. Last falls planted rainbows are amazingly “rotund”, & very healthy. At this water level you can find pods of rainbows in the deeper riffles especially during the emergences. Warmer weather can trigger some solid midge, & mayfly activity. Assassins, Drifters Crawlers, crystal eggs, broken back midges. Tugging streamers like Spruce-A-Bu’s, and Loebergs in the larger pools can get a bad Leroy brown to come out and attack.