Eastern Sierra Fly Fishing Report

J. Coons reports on November 16th, 2024

Eastern Sierra Fishing Report

The regular fishing season has closed and we are at my favorite
time of year… the off season!! The crowds are gone, the air temps
are dropping and we have some great fishing on the horizon.
Make sure to check regulations as they have changed for the
fall/winter season.

Hot Creek- 50cfs
The crowds are gone and pressure will continue to ease as it gets
colder. Nymphing is most productive early until the BWO's get
going. Remember, matching body size, shape and color is key
here. Try nymphing little mayflies or grey scud patterns.
Casting streamers upstream and ripping them down through the
lanes can produce savage takes! Yes, the streamer works in Hot
Creek!

E/C Caddis #18-22, Black Cripple #20-22, Jarett’s CDC Emerger
#20-24

Sexy Waltz #14-18, Crosscut Scud #14-18, Biot Baetis #18-22,
Barr Emerger #18-22

Olive Bugger Variations #4-6, Jig Sculpin, #4-6, Cone Head
Muddler #4-6

Upper Owens- 57cfs (east portal)
113cfs (below east portal).

The section below Benton Crossing Bridge to Crowley Lake has
closed. Make you are fishing above it and check double check
regs as they have removed the monument boundary.
Like always, be sneaky and cover water. Nymphing small
attractors and midge larva is the go to way to produce fish until
you see risers. But, if you want to break the monotony, try dead
drifting streamers. Stripping works well too, but dead drifting them
can be lots of fun!

Midge Larva Variations #-18-24, Grey/Olive Hares Ear #18-20,
Waltz Worm #14-16, Black Perdigons #16-18, Prince Nymph #14-
18

E/C Caddis #18-20, Jarett’s CDC Emerger #18-22, Parachute
Adam’s #18-24, Trico Cripple #20-24

Olive and Black Bugger Variations #4-8, Zoo Cougar #4-6, Ice
Dub Baitfish #10-8

Lower Owens- 148cfs
The flows here have just dropped down to 148cfs, kicking off our
winter wade/drift season. Wading should be nice and easy. Lots
of little stuff this time of year. Baetis and midge patterns in size
#18-24 are a good place to start. A nice BWO hatch starts
midday. Try something different, nymph scud patterns or strip
streamers. There are lots of baitfish that provide a big meal and
these trout love to chomp on them. Remember, sculpin don’t have
air bladders so keep that streamer on the bottom if imitating them.

Parachute BWO/Adam’s #18-22, Parachute Midge Emerger #20-
24, Jarett’s CDC Emerger #18-22, Barr Emerger #18-20

Biot Beatis #18-22, Grey Soft Hackle #18-22, Midge Larva #18-
24, Sexy Waltz #16-18, P.T. Variations #18-22

Zoo Cougar #4-6, Olive Bugger Variations #4-6, Baby Fat Minnow
#4, Conehead Zonker Muddler #4- 6

J. Coons
Sierra Mountain trout Guide Service
Big Pine, CA
760-920-0659