Fishing has picked up, with the canyon fishing better than the interpretive site

Hot Creek - Mammoth Lakes, CA (Mono County)


by The Trout Fitter Staff
5-19-2023
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Flow Rates and Water Conditions

Water Conditions: Fair- good, showing 77 cfs as of 5/18

Remember, these are the flows just below Highway 395 on Mammoth Creek.

Mammoth Creek is still relatively clear but the flows are up to 77 cfs 5/18

Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Fair-Good

As long as Mammoth Creek stays relatively clear the creek should be worth fishing. The road is open into the Hot Creek canyon parking lots.  Fishing has picked up, with the canyon fishing better than the interpretive site.  Midges in the morning and Baetis midday but they are getting smaller, #18-22 but still the most productive hatch. Unfortunately, with the increased flows the surface action is pretty much over. In the past, during runoff I have seen some very localized surface activity so make sure you have a selection of dry flies whenever you head down. One of the guides said there was a Mayfly hatch around 5 pm, he thinks they were Baetis but not sure.  Generally the midges will be hatching until early afternoon and then egg laying and spent adults in the afternoon.  Scuds and egg patterns will work all day.  With the increases in flows the streamer fishing should be picking up.

I still tell my clients that a 4 second drift is average and finish with an aggressive pickup, you will hook fish you never knew existed.

Recommended Flies

DRIES:  R.P. Emerger #22 | Mother Shucker #24 | Griffith's Gnat #20-24 | Stillborn Midge Black #20-22 || Hi-Vis Baetis #18-20 | 

NYMPHS:  T Midge #24 | Zebra Midge #18-22  | Buckskin Caddis #16-20  | JuJu Baetis #18-20 | Psycho Baetis #16-18| Scuds grey #14-18 | Tailwater Sowbug Rainbow #16-18 |  Bling Midge Brown #24 | TB Millers+1LT #16-18 | Egg Patterns | B/H Pheasant Tail #16-20 

STREAMERS: Mini Sculpin Orange #6 | Slumpbuster Natural #10 | Hornburg #10-14  




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