Eastern Sierra Fishing Report

Jim Stimson reports on 5.25.2017

We have runoff…. after several days of warm weather, everything is running high and wild. All of the weather services are sending out flood warnings. The next couple of weeks will be interesting. Keep in mind there is over 50 feet of snow reported at the ski area, 90 feet has been measured in some of the cirques!

The fishing in general has picked up with the arrival of the cutthroats in the Long Valley Caldera. A word of caution though; remember these fish are spawning. Please be respectful to the trout and the fishery. The cuttys are easy to spot when they are sitting on their redds. These fish are cavorting around in the shallow water, spawning, and chasing off other fish that get too close. If you have to cross the stream, look for these lighter places in the gravel beds (redds) that the trout have cleared away to lay their eggs and avoid them. Walking and wading through these spawning beds can dislodge and kill thousands of eggs. By being respectful to the spawning fish, you are ensuring the health and future of the fishery. Try targeting the deeper pools below the spawning beds. There are some rather plump rainbows and browns that are following and scarfing the drifting eggs that are drifting downstream from the cutthroat spawn. Yummy! Anything red seems to work just fine in your bug selection.

Hot Creek

The creek is on the rise at almost 132 cfs, as runoff from the high country is beginning. There is a nice lunch time hatch of BWO’s, sized 18’s. Zebra midges, Barr emerges, juju baetis, and scuds will usually elicit a bump. Target your casts to the feeding lanes between the grasses and rocks. You may not see fish, but they are in there.

Lower Owens River

The flows are still cranking above the 750 cfs mark, so don’t rush out and grab your fishing gear. The river is spilling its banks and there are sections between Chalk Bluff Road and the river that are wetlands and marshes. It is a muddy, goopy, mess. If you are going to wade, exercise extreme caution. With enough weight you can cast into the quiet water along the edges and perhaps raise a fish.

Upper Owens River

The flows are roughly 120 cfs high in the river system but as the Owens meanders towards the Benton Crossing bridge, Hot Creek dumps in a significant amount of water especially when spring runoff is involved. I fished out there last week… the river below the confluence is slightly off color, very similar to tea. I haven’t seen the river look so healthy in years. I spotted some nice fish darting about as I plodded up the river banks looking for trout. Caddis are buzzing around and anglers are scarce. Long story short, fishing was good. I tried a variety of bugs and got grabs on just about anything that was presented well: San Juans, Prince Nymphs, soft hackles, etc…. and, there are some VERY healthy fish in the river. As the days get longer and warmer, the fishing will only get better. I think we will have a good spring.

East Walker

The flows have been bumped up to 800 cfs, which makes even the upper part of the river, the Miracle Mile, sketchy. You can fish at these levels but beware. If you get dunked, you might be swimming for awhile. Anything below the bridge will be ripping fast as the river narrows and has a steeper gradient. I would stick to the section below the dam. Look for the quiet water along the edges. Watch the flows, they will be fluctuating all spring. Size up on your tippet material, use 3x at the minimum. San Juans, zebra midges, small beats patterns…. streamers!