HOT CREEK 4/16/08
Water Conditions;
Use caution when accessing the creek . There is lots of slippery mud starting to surface with the recent temperature increases. . Highs have been in the low 60s with the lows in the 30s .
Fishing Conditions and Hatches:
The fishing has been very good. There has been some windy and colder days lately. There has been lots of Baetis(mayfly) nymphs and Midge larva falling prey to hungry trout. Wintertime fishing can be amazing at times with low crowds and pristine settings. Get it while its hot though because fishing opener is the 26th of this month and crowds will definitely increase .
Recommended Flies:
NYMPHS-
#14-18 scuds#12-16stonefly #16-18 Pheasant Tails,#18-20 G/B Micro May in Brown or Olive, #16-20 Surface Emerger, #18-20 Baetis Mighty May, #20 Tiger or Zebra Midge, and #20-24 WD-40 in Gray, Black or Olive.
DRY FLIES-
For dries try a#18 parachute adams, #20-22 BWO Last Chance Cripple, #20 Comparadun BWO, #20 Hatch Master Baetis, #20-24 Griffith's Gnat, #20-24 Brook's Sprout Midge in Black or Cream and #20 Parasol Midge Emerger in Black.
Guide's hint LEAVE HOME AND GET HERE ASAP THE FISHING HAS TRULY BEEN SUPERB .!!!!!!!
UPPER OWENS - 4/18/08
Water Conditions:
Fishing is closed From the benton crossing bridge downstream to crowley lake un till April 26.
In the past upstream from the "bc"bridge fishing was not allowed. Having water to fish in town has been a nice treat .The water is cold and clear.
Fishing Conditions and
Hatches: Good
Nymph fishing is probably the best choice. You might get fish to respond with a PT or a midge nymph imitation. If that fails start trying other patterns . There has also been some amazing hatches in the later afternoon. During the hatches you should expect to see high volumes of trout rising on midges and mayflies.
Recommended Flies:
NYMPHS- #16 Copper John in Black or Copper, #16- Tiger Midge, #16 prince nymph, #18- Miracle Midges in Gray or Black, #20 Disco Midges in Green and #14-16 Birds Nest in Olive or Tan.
DRY FLIES-
#10-18 Stimi's, #10-16 Madam X, #14 Parachute Adam's, #14 Royal Coachman, #16elk hair caddis and #18-20 Profile Baetis.
STREAMERS-#6-10 Wooly buggers in dark colors, #6 meat whistle's in black, #4-8 Bunny leeches, #8-16 Matukas and #6 Zonkers in multiple colors .
Guide's Hint: PLEASE DO NOT FISH FOR SPAWNING FISH!!!
OWENS RIVER GORGE 4/16/08
Water conditions;
Prime time to go fish this beautiful little tail water. The fishing should be really good down there. Water temps should be prime.
The flow on this section of the Owens River is maintained at a constant 40 cfs by the LADWP as mandated by law.
Check Lower Owens for weather report.
Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Good
The gorge is Nestled in a pristine canyon and has great fishing using dry/dropper rigs. Big fish are not common, but what you sacrifice with size usually gets replaced with a high catch rate. Fish down here are very spooky, approach the holes with a lot of stealth. Wear earth tones to blend in. Use caution when fishing the gorge because It is the time of year when rattlesnakes start being seen searching for a nice warm rock in the sun to warm there bellies on .
Recommended Flies:
Try #16-18 Parachute Caddis in Brown,#16 Elk Hair Caddis, #16 Parachute Adams, #16 Stimi and #16-18 Humpy. For the dropper use a #18-20 Prince Nymph, #18-20 Zebra Midge, #16-20 Caddis Pupa in Tan, or a #18-20 Zug Bug. If you stick with these bugs you should have good success.
Guides Hint: Do not get caught up in having a thousand different bugs. Bring your five favorite patterns, use some stealth and get a good drift. That's the beauty of the Gorge, Simplicity!
LOWER OWENS RIVER 4/16/08
Water Conditions:
The Lower Owens is flowing fast right now . The water temps are in the mid 40s to low 50s and the water is fairly clear. There still are few weeds in the Owens but they are slowly going away. Air temps have been in the high 60s to mid 70s .
Fishing Conditions and Hatches:
There was a fire 1/2 mile below the foot bridge which is located at the top of the wild trout section that burned 1200+ acres and took 700 firemen to contain near the cement plant .
There had been a lot of anglers fishing in the Wild Trout section of the Owens and reports had been great . One might consider the gorge or south of five bridges for a little while till things start to recover . caddis ,mayfly's, and midges are all hatching and being gobbled by hungry fish . The weather has been stunning right now ,do not forget sunscreen or sunglasses.
Recommended Flies:
-NYMPHS-
#18-20 WD-40 in Olive or Gray, #18-20 Pheasant Tail, #18-20 Lightening Bug in Black,#18-20 Copper John in Green, #18 Surface Emerger, #18-20 Barr's BWO Emerger, #18-22 Biot Midge and #18-20 Tung-Head Midge
-DRIES-
#18 Elk hair caddis #18-24 Parachute Adams, #18-20 BWO Cripple, #18-20 Hatch Master BWO, #18-20 Brooks Sprout Baetis and #18-22 Griffith's Gnat.
Guides Hint; we advise taking some runs at the ski resort before heading down to the "O", you might even consider a sierra grand slam ,which is when you ski, fish and then jacuzzi !. We guarantee you will be the envy of all your friends .
EAST WALKER RIVER 4/16/08
Water Conditions;Cold
Daytime temps have been in the upper 50s. It should improve in a few weeks once summer starts letting it's presence be known.
Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Slow
The fish are sluggish with the cold nights and the water from the reservoir is very cold. Look for deeper holes and slow runs for the fish to hide.
Baetis and Midges are a main stay for the fish on the Walker. There are a few Stones moving in the lower parts of the river. Make sure to have a few on hand.
Recommended Flies:
NYMPHS-
#8-16 Stonefly, #12-18 Hares Ear, #18 Frostbite Chironomidae, #18-16 Copper John, #16-20 Soft Hackle PT, #16-18 Surface Emerger, #18 Pheasant Tails, #16-20 WD-40 in Olive or Black, #14-18 Prince Nymph # 14-18 Serendipity's and #18-20 Zebra Midges
DRY FLY'S-
#16-18 Parachute Adams, #12-16 Madam X,#18-20 Ext Body BWO, #18-20 BWO Cripple and # 10-18 Royal Wulff
Guides Hint: fishing later in the afternoon will probably produce more action than the morning.