Eastern Sierra Fishing Update

With water conditions changing weekly, it’s essential to keep up to date with current reports before heading out on your next fishing adventure. 

With three out of the four estimated runoffs complete, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power is doing a good job at monitoring and controlling these flows thus far. 

Hot Creek has been the “hot ticket” lately, with the most consistent and productive fishing. With water conditions looking Fair and showing 318 cfs as of last week, just below the 395 on Mammoth Creek. As long as Mammoth Creek stays clear, Hot Creek is worth fishing.

Crowley Lake has picked up and is much more consistent than in the last few weeks. With the water level lower, due to DWP making room for the runoff, it’s filling up slowly but surely. The best fishing has been late morning before the winds pick up. 

The Upper Owens water conditions are starting to clear up and slowly improve. Even though the water is starting to clear, it is still very high, limiting fishing conditions. Better reports are coming from above and below Benton Crossing, where some big Rainbows are heading back to the lake.

The Lower Owens and East Walker have poor water conditions and dangerous fishing. Check back in a couple more months and hopefully by fall, we will see some clear water and fishing areas. 

Pleasant Valley Reservoir is open but only from Gorge Road at the upper end. DWP is expecting the campground below the reservoir to flood in the near future

Here are a few tips and words of wisdom from veteran guide Pat Jaeger…

1.   When the river flows are massive, go upriver; when it’s little, go downriver.

2.   When you fish runoff-affected rivers, start early. The water temperature is the warmest of the day, and water flows, the smallest. (Runoff normally peeks mid- to late- afternoon into the night).

3.    Look for reliefs of current (it’s all math). Fish will feed in fast currents, but hold up in calmer.

4.     The angler who puts the fly in front of the fish wins. (When fish are up, use dry flies; when fish are down, use nymphs). Big river years, do your best to find the bottom, that’s where the fish are.

Adapted from Bob Marriott’s Fly Fishing Store newsletter