East Walker Fly Fishing Report : Bridgeport, CA – 6.14.24

June 14, 2024
, , , Fishing Reports

The fabulous East Walker River Fly Fishing Report has been very positive since its recent opening. Flowing just outside of Bridgeport, CA, this big fish water is doing what its known for. Showing fly anglers some unstoppable and amazing trout on the end of their line with the possibility of a trout of a lifetime! Flows have been turned up recently to the tune of just over 300cfs. This is a necessary flow for the East Walker during this hot wave we are experiencing as the River temperatures will be subdued with a flow of fast and fresh Sierra water. The famous Miracle Mile has been full of over sized rainbow and brown trout these last few weeks. The East Walker experiences a lot of fishing pressure from the Bishop and Mammoth side as well as the Reno and Tahoe areas. Trout here are not easy to take, they require precision and sometimes require undersized flies for the size and weight of fish she contains. Crowds can be a bit annoying at times but clear out after noon usually. Fish various types of San Juan worms, Midges of all sorts and colors, caddis pupae and mayflies as well. Pods of rising fish can be found as well. These are usually eating active adult caddis on the water.

Call or text the STM Fly Shop @ 760-873-0010 for more details or to book a guided tour.

www.sierratroutmagnet.com

rainbow trout of the lower owens river

Lower Owens River Fly Fishing Report : Bishop CA – 5.1.24

May 1, 2024
, , , , , , , Fishing Reports

The fly fishing report for the Bishop area including the Lower Owens River is experiencing its stage spring time runoff as of this last weekend. Flows have been pumped up rather quickly to a high stage of 471 feet per second. Water is running almost clear and fast! This is absolutely normal throughout the west as May and June can be typically considered high water months throughout the west and is considered very healthy for the Owens river system. Spots can still be found to fish for the experienced Lower Owens angler. Before that we were enjoying the fruits of the astronomical water year we experienced last year with healthy, wild, and very large trout! With the snow pack lower than an average year, we believe this amount of runoff should not last long. Of course, that could all change if storms continue to roll through dropping precipitation in the mountains of California.

Call or text the STM Fly Shop in Bishop California at 760-873-0010 for more information or to book a guided trip.

@stm_fly_fishing on instagram

www.sierratroutmagnet.com

Lower Owens Fly Fishing Report : Bishop, CA – 3.12.24

March 12, 2024
, , , , Fishing Reports

The Bishop fly fishing report for the Lower Owens River is nothing but great news! Flows are at absolute prime levels for wading and accessing the river while still retaining enough flow volume to let the wild trout move about the river freely.

Hatches have been tempting us here and there and have been mayflies. Look for this to happen mid-morning to around 12:30. Although not a river wide event one corner can be alive with trout actively eating on the surface with the next corner not seeing any surface activity. Fish classic mayfly patterns in sizes #16 through #18.

As usual the nymphing has been absolutely great. Fishing with an indicator or Euro Style is your option for a great day of wild trout to your net. Most may fly nymph imitations will work when presented correctly. It is the job of the fly angler to figure out how deep to get the Flies and how quickly and how long to appropriate one’s time in certain areas are the keys to success. Our favorite nymphs have been all sorts of paradons, Frenchies, pheasant tail patterns, some caddis worms, and a variety of midges. We have been fishing in sizes #14 through #18.

Call or text the STM Fly Shop in Bishop at 760.873.0010 for more details or to book a guided tour.

WWW.SIERRATROUTMAGNET.COM

Upper Owens River rainbow trout on a fly rod

Upper Owens Fly Fishing Report – Mammoth Lakes, CA – 2.12.24

February 12, 2024
, , , , Fishing Reports

The Upper Owens River, just below the town of Mammoth Lakes, CA has received a small blanket of snow which has drifted in a few lower areas but not made a significant impact on accessibility. Patches of grass and sagebrush remain, showing above the recent snowfall. In the morning the landscape is frozen solid and entry is relatively easy as most vehicles with ground clearance will have no problems. It looks like we have some above freezing temps on the way during the day which will make for slippery and gooey conditions as anglers advance on their afternoon departure from the banks of the Upper Owens.

The trout appear to be advancing up the river in better numbers recently. We have been finding a thriving and healthy population of very large trout this early February. They appear to be spread throughout the river system nicely. Appropriate your fishing time in the correct holding water, which will usually be the deepest and darkest parts of the river. This can also be a narrow section of the river where the banks tighten up to a darker slot of running water.

Flies can be a variety of spawning patterns or larger and smaller sized attractor nymphs in sizes #10-18. These can include; various San Juan Worm patterns, Pheasant Tail variations, Soft Hackles, Peridons and Midge patterns just to name a few. Most of the fish we see rising are very small trout trying to sneak in a quick bite, this is not why we come to the Upper Owens River. Streamers can also be a good choice to have along on a second rod. Fish the long seams and undercut banks to create a response. In a river this size this can be done with a sinking or floating fly line setup.

Overall the river is in great condition; with a very healthy big fish population and enough of a cloudy tint to hide us from the fish in this wide open area above and below the main Hot Creek confluence.

Call or text the STM Fly Shop at 760-873-0010 for more details on this dynamic fishery or to book a guided tour for a worthy fish!

www.sierratroutmagnet.com

@stm_fly_fishing on instagram

Upper Owens Fly Fishing Report : Mammoth Lakes, CA – 12.18.23

December 18, 2023
, , , , , Fishing Reports

Just down the hill from Mammoth Lakes, CA, the notorious meadow stream of the Upper Owens, flowing through the long valley caldera is doing what it does best; supplying fly anglers will very large sized fish. Water is flowing well and very clear above and below the Hot Creek confluence. The very large Crowley Lake trout have made their way up the river and can now be found throughout the entire system in decent numbers. Fishing the deepest and darkest places, as well as riffles and deep runs could possibly produce an unforgettable experience with a trout of a lifetime. Access has been open and traction is good. Although, right now we are getting some precipitation so we will update this in the next couple of days. The large trout of the Upper Owens like to eat many different patterns; usually something along the line of steelhead patterns, attractor nymphs, and even micro mayfly patterns. We find ourselves trying out more patterns than usual on the Upper Owens, changing out flies often. Crowds can be anywhere from nobody to slightly annoying. There really is no rhyme or reason or a way to predict how many people turn out for the day. The storm hitting today could possibly move these big guys around or even better, bring more in! Stay tuned!

Call or text the STM Fly Shop in Bishop, CA for more details or to book a guided trip. 760-873-0010

@stm_fly_fishing on instagram to see more photos of amazing Owens River trout.

www.sierratroutmagnet.com

Lower Owens Fly Fishing Report : Bishop CA – 12.18.23

December 18, 2023
, , , , Fishing Reports

The Bishop, CA Lower Owens fly fishing report was amazing in November until they raised the water to difficult fishing levels. Now, we are finally seeing some reduction in these unusual winter flows which we have not seen before due to the incredible surplus of water from the amazing winter we experienced last year. Flows are currently at 320 cubic feet per second and are poised to drop more very soon with a 50 cubic feet per second drop this morning . The Lower Owens has experienced very little pressure this year after the big rain in March that raised all water levels in California and took us out of our drought problems. This volume of water allowed the trout of the Lower Owens to grow to sizes we have not seen in a few years. Check out the shop instagram @stm_fly_fishing to see some recent impressive examples of recent trout from the river. As the sun warms the area in the mid-morning hours Mayflies can be seen floating on the water with some decent responses from the wild trout. This is not River wide and can be seen in one area with the bend around the corner not seeing any surface activity. As the river continues to reduce flows to more comfortable wading and fishing levels we could see one of the most amazing years to date on the Lower Owens River.

Call or text the STM Fly Shop in Bishop, California for more details or to book a guided tour. 760-873-0010

@stm_fly_fishing on instagram to see what the river and area offers

www.sierratroutmagnet.com

large rainbow held above flowing waters

Upper Owens River Fly Fishing Report : Mammoth Lakes, CA – 10.10.23

October 10, 2023
, , , , , Fishing Reports

The Upper Owens River just below the famous town of Mammoth Lakes, CA has dropped to a very fish worthy flow of around 75 cubic feet per second. Remember, the Upper Owens river has turned to hooks without barbs of any sort below and above the bridge. With the great flows above and below hot creek we have seen some improved fishing in the obvious deeper and darker trout holding areas. Some small localized Mayfly hatches can be found here and there throughout the river system. Trout rising to these top-water treats make for some good distractions on a slower day, although these fish are usually the smaller inhabitants of the river. We haven’t seen a huge influx of the larger Crowley lake residents head up the river yet. We also have not seen any heavy storms or changes in weather yet that is worthy of driving these fish up the Upper Owens yet either. Temperatures are close to freezing at night so only a few terrestrial insects (hoppers) are seen here and there. Water below the Hot Creek confluence is very clear most days but can be affected by changes in Hot Creek conditions. Above the confluence is a clear river as usual for this time of year. Start with basic patterns here for the rising fish #16-20 (quills, parachutes, Adams) and a combination of attractor nymphs, spawning colored patterns, and various mayfly and midge patterns.

Call or text the STM Fly Shop in Bishop, CA for more details or a guided fly fishing trip. 760.873.0010

www.sierratroutmagnet.com

@stm_fly_fishing on instagram

East Walker river fly fishing

East Walker Fly Fishing Report : Bridgeport, CA – 10.10.23

October 10, 2023
, , , , , , , Fishing Reports

The Bridgeport area East Walker River fishing report is finally worth taking a look at. Flows have settled down from 1000+ cubic feet per second discharge a few months ago to a new October 2023 flow of 207 cubic feet per second. Fishing on the East Walker has been picking up to a good status with the chance of a trophy trout still in the cards. These appropriate flows, along with recent solid fishing, and legendary river status, bring crowds of anglers from the Tahoe areas, as well as the usual traffic from the Mammoth and Bishop side. The East Walker can be crowded at times. The flows are ideal for the fish and angler alike. Adequate flows allow the fish to roam freely allowing them to thrive and consume the protein the East Walker is known to produce. Large streamers patterns are always on the true East Walker anglers mind; Crawdad patterns, Zonker type rabbit strip streamers, and Clouser Minnows are only a few suggestions. Small midge, caddis, and mayfly patterns will always take fish here when fished appropriately. Don’t be afraid of trying larger nymph patterns here as well! The East Walker has about one month left of being open. We could see some amazing fish coming from her Nevada destined waters in that time.

Call or text the STM Fly Shop in Bishop, CA at 760.873.0010 for more details or to book a guided trip on this amazing water.

www.sierratroutmagnet.com

@stm_fly_fishing on instagram

Lower Owens River Fly Fishing

Lower Owens River Fly Fishing Report : Bishop CA – 9.17.23

September 17, 2023
, , , , , , , Fishing Reports

The Owens fly fishing report on the Lower Owens River just outside the outdoor town has been shaping up very nicely. The high flows this summer have done no damage to the river leaving it in great condition with great fish numbers. The entire system seems to be fishing well even though the water was recently raised back up to around 400 CFS. We don’t look for this to last long as cooler temperatures are coming in the High Country to freeze everything up and subsequently drop the flows to a slightly more comfortable fishing level. More rainbows have been noted near the dam, as you go downriver you find yourself in complete wild brown trout territory with random rainbows coming to the net here and there. As always this river is extremely easy to access and wading is always a pleasure. As usual Dry Fly action is noted here and there but is not river wide or any specific time. Euro style high stick nymphing or good old indicator nymphing absolutely guarantees the extra experienced fly anglers wild fish on the end of the line. We look for this fishery to improve dramatically in a very short time. We will also reap the benefits of the amazing flows that nature granted us this year.

call or text the STM Fly Shop in Bishop at 760.873.0010 for more details or to book a guided tour for individuals or groups.

WWW.SIERRATROUTMAGNET.COM

@stm_fly_fishing on Instagram

Lower Owens River Fishing Report
Crowley lake Fly Fishing angler holds a large fish over the boat on Crowley Lake

Crowley Lake Fly Fishing Report : Mammoth, California – 5.25.23

May 25, 2023
, , , , , , , , , , Fishing Reports

Crowley Lake fly fishing report for the famous Crowley Lake, just down the hill from Mammoth, CA has started off its season doing what it does best ; producing large and hard fighting trout! Browns, rainbows, and cutthroat are all on the menu on Crowley lake. Water elevation is still on the lower side as the LADWP is planning on massive runoff once temperatures sustain the 90’s to 100 degree zone. The trout have been pretty spread out from Hilton by to Six bays while fishing depths have been between 10-20′ deep. Of course , moving around the lake is key to finding a batch of will fish to make a successful day, on the other hand we have dropped anchor and not had to move all day whilst landing a variety of trout all day long. All sorts of flies have been bringing fish to the net, some larger sizes, and some smaller. Balanced leeches, buggers, and chironomids is sizes #12-16 have been successful for the start of the 2023 season.

Call the STM Fly Shop at 760-873-0010 or text 661-364-6981 for more details or to book a guided tour for individuals or groups.

www.sierratroutmagnet.com

1 2 3