Eastern Sierra Fly Fishing Report
Jim Stimson Reports on 1.2.2020
Happy New Year! Not much has changed since we turned over the page on the calendar. What snow we have received in the valley has settled and has been packed in with vehicles out on the river. That said, do be careful where you drive, stay to the main roads that have been driven on and you should be good to go. And finally, this is all assuming you have a high clearance vehicle with 4WD. Just exercise some caution…..
The fishing is solid, not great numbers of trout, but the fish that are actively feeding are large and fat. Enjoy!
East Walker
The East Walker is flat lining and dribbling along at 20 cfs. Until the river flows pick up, I recommend giving this fishery a rest…..
West Walker
The river has dropped considerably thru the canyon and is at 45 cfs. Try patterns like zebra midges and small mayflies. Dry droppers work really well at these flows. May stealth be your guide as the river is not only low, but gin clear. Keep a low profile… if you can spot fish in the river, they can certainly see your movements.
San Joaquin
The road to Devil’s Postpone is closed for the season.
Hot Creek
The creek is flowing through the canyon at roughly 46 cfs. Target your casts to the feeding lanes between the weeds and rocks, plus the overhanging grasses along the margins. You may not see fish, but they are there. Try a dry-dropper setup with a caddis above and a midge or small mayfly below. Hot Creek is always a fun place to fish especially now that the crowds have gone home.
Upper Owens River
Just a reminder, the Upper Owens is closed for the season BELOW the bridge to the reservoir. The flows are 112 cfs but these are readings taken high in the river system. Once Hot Creek dumps into the mid-section the flows are closer to over 160 cfs. More and more trout are pushing up into the river system from the reservoir. There are some really nice fish to be had with SJ worms, small baetis, and balanced leeches. Work the deeper buckets relentlessly…. they are in there. And beware of any new snow as it will impact the driving approach.
Leave a comment