Eastern Sierra Fly Fishing Report

Happy Autumn! After several weeks of raging waters on the lower Owens River, the Department of Water and Power has finally cut back the flows coming out of Pleasant Valley Reservoir. The river has been running between 200-225 cfs, depending on the whims of the DWP. The river is getting “grabby” again, the fishing is getting better by the day. The drop in flows along with the onset of autumn temperatures will make this a blue ribbon fishery once again. Look around for the quiet water in the evenings if you want to catch the trout looking up for some dry fly action. There are a potpourri of aquatic bugs cruising around. Huck out an elk hair caddis or Kaufmann’s stimmulator and see what happens! One of my favorite mayfly patterns, the hackle stacker, works like a charm. For indicator nymphing, tie on black zebra midges in the mornings then make a bug adjustment as the temperatures rise. Think about mayfly patterns at noon-o'clock (Mercer’s micro mayfly, PT’s, biot emergers), then caddis worms in the afternoon. Don’t ignore the shallow riffles, there are still lots of nice fish hanging out, sucking oxygenated water, soaking some rays, and eating. Try tying on a caddis pupae, casting across and down, perhaps throwing in a mend, and let your fly swing across the deeper grooves. When you get the grab, hang on! Because the river is so shallow in the riffles, the trout explode off the bottom seeking freedom. Enjoy the aerial displays!