Hot Creek Fishing Report

Hot Creek - Mammoth Lakes, CA (Mono County)

Photo Credit: Courtesy of The Troutfitter

by The Trout Fitter Staff
2-5-2021
Website

Flow Rates and Water Conditions

Water Conditions: Fair, showing 9 cfs as of  2/4

The flow gauge on Mammoth Creek is not accurate, probably due to ice. I've stopped by the weir the last 2 days and the flows are definitely lower.

Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Fair-Good

One new report from the last couple of days, an afternoon trip with good fishing, mainly on small midge and mayfly patterns. He didn't see any hatches but arrived too late to see any Baetis coming off. Parking is now at the end of the pavement at Hot Creek Ranch and access is by snowshoe, skis or snowmobile. I don't recommend walking in, the trip in will be fine but once the snow softens up you will be post-holing all the way back. We are starting to see a few of the bigger BWO (#16-18) which means that the mid-winter hatches may have begun. Almost no hatches outside of the midges and a very few BWO so if you're looking for dry fly action be ready to wander looking for rising fish. Midweek has been pretty empty so plan your days accordingly. Subsurface bugs are tiny right now, try #20-30 mayflies and case caddis! This is typical for this time of year so try some bigger nymphs #12-14, they will often move a little further for that random bigger meal. Also, on the warmer days when the water gets a little off color try throwing some smaller streamer patterns.

Recommended Flies

DRIES:  R.P. Emerger #22  | Hi-Vis Baetis #20-24 | Yellow Stimulator #8-16 | Mother Shucker #24 | CDC Baetis Dun #20-22

NYMPHS:  Bottom Roller Phsyco Rycho #10-14 | T Midge #24 | Zebra Midge #18-22 | Grey/Olive Scud #16-18 | Tailwater Scud Tungsten #14-18 | S&M nymph #20-22 |  Tungsten jig Baetis #16-20 | Kingrey's Cold Turkey Baetis #20-22 | Wd 40's #20-22 | Pheasant Tail #16-20

STREAMERS: BH Bopp Leech Olive & Brown #12-10 | Perfection Perch #4-8 | Punk Perch #10-16 | Hornburg #10-14




More Reports

The Trout Fitter Reports
for Monday, February 1st, 2021

Hot Creek: Hot Creek Fishing Report
Owens River - Section 3 - Upper (above Crowley): Upper Owens River Report
Owens River - Lower: Lower Owens River Report

The Trout Fitter Reports
for Thursday, January 21st, 2021

Hot Creek: Hot Creek Fishing Report
Owens River - Section 3 - Upper (above Crowley): Upper Owens River Report
Owens River - Lower: Lower Owens River Report
East Walker River (CA): East Walker River Report