Fishing Report
December 18, 2024
Hot Creek
Winter conditions at Hot Creek make access challenging, with snow-covered roads requiring 4WD vehicles and high clearance. A recent storm has worsened road conditions, and the cold water has slightly slowed fish activity. Despite this, fishing remains productive. Nymphing is the most effective method, with dry-and-dropper rigs working well for spookier trout. With fewer weeds, drifting nymphs is easier, and trout are actively feeding on larvae. Midges dominate the hatches now, as tricos are done and caddis hatches are tapering off.
Effective Flies:
Dry Flies: Adams Parachute (#16-18), Stimulator (#14-16), Chernobyl Ant (#8-12).
Nymphs: Bead Head Flash Back Pheasant Tail (#18), Olive Quilldigon (#18), Hot Spot Pheasant Tail (#16-18), Olive Scuds (#14), Zebra Midge (#20).
Streamers: Woolly Bugger Olive & Black (#6-12).
Upper Owens River
The Upper Owens is snowy and cold, with roads in poor condition after the recent storm. Crowds are gathering near the bridge due to easier access. Trout activity has slowed slightly due to the cold water, but warming days should bring them back to feeding more actively. The river holds trophy rainbows resting in deep holes, runs, and cut banks. Lake-run fish are selective, but egg patterns, worms, mop flies, and streamers are productive.
Effective Flies:
Dry Flies: Chernobyl Ant (#8-12), CDC Transition Midge (#20-22), Zelon Midge (#20-24).
Nymphs: Bead Head Flash Back Pheasant Tail (#14-18), Chamois Caddis (#16-20), Olive Quilldigon (#18), Clown Egg (#14), Zebra Midge (#16-24).
Streamers: Woolly Bugger Olive & White (#6-10).
Lower Owens River
Flows on the Lower Owens are steady at 125 CFS, offering great fishing conditions despite recent cold weather. The storm has made the water colder and slightly slowed fish activity, but it’s picking up with warmer afternoons. The river holds plenty of small, healthy wild rainbows (6–8 inches), with some larger fish up to 20 inches and browns in the 8–13 inch range. Focus on nymphing deep runs and riffles, and watch for trout occasionally rising to small dries.
Effective Flies:
Dry Flies: Adams Parachute (#16-20), Blue-Wing Olive Parachute (#18-20), Elk Hair Caddis (#14-20).
Nymphs: Bead Head Flash Back Pheasant Tail (#16-18), Olive Quilldigon (#18), Zebra Midge (#20-22).
Streamers: Woolly Bugger Olive & Natural (#6-10).
Flows:
December 11, 2024:
Fishing Report December 11, 2024
Hot Creek
Access to Hot Creek during the winter requires a 4WD vehicle with high clearance due to snow-covered roads. The effort to reach the creek is well worth it, offering excellent fishing opportunities. Most success currently comes from nymphing, but dry-and-dropper rigs are also effective to avoid spooking the trout. Reduced weed coverage makes drifting nymphs easier, and trout are actively feeding on larvae. Techniques like Euro nymphing, dry-and-dropper setups, and indicator nymphing are highly effective. Covering large areas and properly weighting your flies to bounce along the substrate are keys to success. Trico hatches are over, and Caddis hatches are nearing their end, leaving midges as the dominant activity. Focus on midge pupa, emergers, scuds, eggs, and worms to match the hatch. Monthy Fly Boxes are tested here and are working very well here right now.
Effective Flies:
Dry Flies: Adams Parachute (#16-18), Stimulator (#14-16), Chernobyl Ant (#8-12).
Nymphs: Bead Head Flash Back Pheasant Tail (#18), Olive Quilldigon (#18), Hot Spot Pheasant Tail (#16-18), Olive Scuds (#14), Zebra Midge (#20), SOS Nymph (#18).
Streamers: Woolly Bugger Olive & Black (#6-12).
Upper Owens River
The Upper Owens is snowy and cold, with tough driving conditions contributing to crowding near the bridge. Despite these challenges, the river offers opportunities to target trophy rainbow trout. Larger attractor patterns are effective, as hatches are minimal, and lake-run fish remain selective. The water is off-color but clearer than it has been recently. Focus on deep holes, runs, and cut banks where trophy trout are feeding and resting.
Fly fishing with egg patterns, worm patterns, mop flies, and streamers is productive for larger fish. Nymphing under an indicator using gold-ribbed hare’s ear variations, Copper Johns, and green/gold Prince nymphs is the go-to method for targeting trophy trout. Resident rainbows and browns can be caught with olive quilldigons, size #16-18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, and size #16-18 hot spot pheasant tail nymphs. The Winter Box and the Monthly Fly Boxes are producing very well here and they will continue to throughout the winter.
Effective Flies:
Dry Flies: Chernobyl Ant (#8-12), TRS Double Griffiths (#18-20), CDC Transition Midge (#20-22), Zelon Midge (#20-24), Stillborn Midge (#20-22).
Nymphs: Bead Head Flashback Pheasant Tail (#14-18), Chamois Caddis (#16-20), Olive Quilldigon (#18), Clown Egg (#14), , Squirmy Wormy (#12-14), Zebra Midge (#16-24).
Streamers: Woolly Bugger Olive & White (#6-10).
Lower Owens River
Flows have dropped to 125 CFS and remained steady, creating great conditions for fly fishing. The cold snap slowed activity temporarily, but warmer days have brought the trout back to feeding actively. The river holds a mix of wild trout, with most rainbows around 6 inches—small but healthy and abundant. Larger rainbows, up to 20 inches, and browns in the 8–13 inch range are also being caught.
Indicator nymphing and Euro nymphing are highly effective. Focus on deep runs and riffles, ensuring your flies are weighted correctly to reach feeding fish. Surface activity is sporadic, but in the right conditions, trout can be caught on dries. The Sierra Mix Monthly Fly Box is producing very well here and it will continue to throughout the winter.
Effective Flies:
Dry Flies: Adams Parachute (#16-20), Blue-Wing Olive Parachute (#18-20), Elk Hair Caddis (#14-20).
Nymphs: Bead Head Flash Back Pheasant Tail (#16-18), Olive Quilldigon (#18), SOS Nymph (#16-18), Zebra Midge (#20-22).
Streamers: Woolly Bugger Olive & Natural (#6-10).