The fall season is rapidly approaching and the transition into shorter days and cooler temps equates to good things for fly fishers searching for hungry trout. The browns and fall spawn rainbows are staging at the river and creek inlets gorging on small perch fry, chubs, and larger nymphs in preparation for the rigors of their migration up unto the gravel beds for a prolonged period. Water levels are near record highs in the larger reservoirs, with the tailwaters (Lower Owens, East Walker, Rush Creek, and Bishop Creek) running well above historical release rates. Even the freestone creeks (Rock Creek, West Walker R., San Joaquin R., & McGee Creek) are flowing higher than usual due to the immense snowpack from last winter. You can expect very high release rates for the Lower Owens well into early/mid-winter. Unfortunately this will hamper wading this fishery immensely.

Crowley is exceptionally high and will need to lower substantially by next spring. The Upper Owens will also be unusually high for an extended period to lower Grant and Silver Lakes. The East Walker will begin to drop dramatically in the coming weeks as agricultural water demands decrease in Nevada. This is the one fishery that is in step with natural cycles regarding water flows, as opposed to the Lower Owens which is managed exclusively as a source of water and power generation.

The fall weather in the Sierra can be fickle. Look for freezing, to near freezing air temps in the mornings in the upper valleys and at elevations above 6000 feet, while the daytime temps are very pleasant and can reach the upper seventies most days. A stronger than normal Monsoon condition appears to be developing this fall so be prepared for afternoon T-storms and gusty south winds. If you see the cotton ball shaped clouds forming or developed over the mountain tops at sun-up you can bank on some afternoon rain especially in the upper elevations.