Looks like finally the forecast is calling for a normal winter storm this weekend. The upper elevations could see upwards of 2 feet if everything lines up right. This will not be a game changer for winter by any means at this stage, but it will bring some added moisture to add to the rivers and lakes for the upcoming spring. The Upper Owens River is still kicking out some big ones. They are harder to trick, so make sure your presentation is flawless. Open access to all areas still. Hot Creek has an all day dry fly hatch taking place, a few BWO’s but the midges are still dominating. The Lower Owens is fishing well and flows have come down slightly here. Much better mid-day mayfly hatch taking place. The East Walker River has seen a slight flow increase, adding just a touch of water for some of the fish to move in to.

Sierra Drifters is a guide service based near Mammoth Lakes, CA. There is no retail shop to visit, but our time tested fly patterns are available to purchase at select locations and online here on our website. Click here to view our entire selection of flies.

Lower Owens River/Wild Trout Section (Bishop Area)
Pretty solid hatches here now in the afternoons on BWO’s. You will see midges, some stoneflies, and even caddis poking around throughout the day. We are going lighter, or not as deep using our streamer patterns due to a slight flow drop. Water is still very clear in most sections of the river. The punk perch in dark and light has been the fly of the month. You can try mixing it up with different colors depending on the lighting conditions.

Best Flies: Spruce-a-Bu #8 Light and Dark, Loeberg #10 all colors, Agent Orange #8-10, Crystal Leech #8-10, Punk Park dark and light #8-12, Flashback PT #16-18, Copper Tiger Midge #18-20

Hot Creek
The afternoon mayfly hatch has been loads of fun this month. Some good hatches in the afternoons have the fish looking up at everything that floats by or lands on the water. Fishing smaller midge patterns prior to the big hatch can be deadly too. Small nymphs and egg patterns are also doing the trick throughout the day. Water is very clear and low, so stay hidden for more bites.

Best Flies: Flashback PT’s #16-#20, Tricos Spinners #20-22, SD Crawlers in Red #14, Copper Tiger Midges #18-20, and #18 Assassin Dark, Tangerine Opaque, Kiwi Flash, and Apricot Flash Otter Eggs have been excellent.

Upper Owens River
Still great fishing here, and soon we should be getting into our favorite way of fishing for these large rainbow trout, dry fly fishing. Yes, that’s correct, as the fish get closer to returning to the lake, they will take up feeding positions in the shallows and take advantage of the BWO hatch. It is at this time where you can throw dry flies to them. It is the best dry fly fishing for trophy trout in the sierra and we excitedly awaiting this window to arrive. In the meantime, standard egg patterns, serendipity, leeches, Pheasant tails, and san juan worms are fooling the big ones. You will find some smaller and medium sized fish in here as well. Road access is great, although it may get muddy after this weekend’s storm.

Best Flies: Stimulator – 12, 14, 16; Crystal Copper Tiger Midge – 16,18; B100FB – 14, 16, 18, 20; Spruce a bu dark and light; Loeberg Mallard Silver; Loeberg Guinea Silver, Crystal Midge Pupa Black – 18; Crystal Chironomid Emerger Copper – 16, 18; Broken Back Copper Tiger Midge – 14,16,18, Tangerine Opaque, Tangerine Red Flash, Kiwi Flash and Flamingo Otter Eggs.

This is a year around fishery with special regs in place. We walk and wade guide here.*Doug Rodricks, Doug Dolan, Hans Grotewold, and Devin Preston are under permit from the Inyo National Forest Service to guide Hot Creek.

East Walker River
Flows have now come up a little. Good fishing here in the deeper sections, but don’t overlook any water just deep enough to hold a trout along the banks. Fish will move into these areas to feed during the warmer weather days and retreat back to the depths in the evenings. Water is still cold so they aren’t really chasing much. Look to the deepest pools and get your flies down, or vary the depth depending on where they are holding in the water column.

Best Flies: B100FB – 18, 20; Crystal Copper Tiger Midge -16; Crystal Zebra Midge – 16, 18; Punk Perch Light and Dark – 14, 16; Parallel Punk Perch Light and Dark; Crystal Leech – 12, 14, 16; Agent Orange 12, 14, 16; Parallel Agent Orange – 14, Spruce-a-bu Dark and Light, Eggs: Tangerine Red Flash, Dead Egg, Tangerine Opaque, Flamingo.