Here’s your Eastern Sierra Fishing Report for 8-19-26. A couple of days of rain brought some much needed water to the area, with thunder, lightning and even a power outage. We are beginning to warm up again in the mid 80’s in Long Valley after a brief cooldown over the past week. With all food sources available to the fish at Crowley Lake, it has been nothing but larger fish making a showing, with an occasional smaller one in the mix. The Upper Owens River is giving up some hatchery trout currently, with morning and evenings good for dry fly fishing. Hot Creek is running on the low side with prominent weeds. The Lower Owens River is flowing at 500 cfs and weather is hot down there. The Mammoth Lakes Basin lakes and June Lake Loop lakes are fun right now for float tubers pulling streamers deep. East Walker River flows holding around 150 cfs. Fish are spread out but the quality is there.
Creeks: Sierra Fishing Report
Hot Creek Midges are dominating the morning bite. Caddis are also picking off a few fish. The canyon section is getting heavy on the weeds, so dry fly fishing is best when they are popping. The Interpretive Site has been getting a lot of fishing pressure, so sometimes evenings can be better to fish to avoid the crowds.
Rivers: Sierra Fishing Report
Upper Owens River Fish all the fishy looking spots here to find the fish. Many fingerlings are feeding on dry flies and midges. Some larger fish are holding in undercutts and deeper water and have been hooked recently. #18 Flashback PT’s, #18 Green Copper John’s, and #16-18 midge patterns are getting takes.
Lower Owens River flows are around 500 cfs, so wading isn’t really an option here anymore, it’s been scorching hot air temps down here with not much cooling in sight which is typical for Bishop. Best times to fish here now are early and late in the day to avoid the heat and get into the better fishing window. Or better to seek out more productive water this time of year.
East Walker River is flowing at 150 cfs which is great for the fish this summer. Covering a lot of water is still the best attack plan, but there are more fish towards the dam now with the warmer air and water temperatures.
Crowley Lake fish are everywhere. If you see weeds, there are typically fish around them. Surface activity can be very good stripping damselfly nymphs and streamers. Midge, Assassins, and Perch Fry under the indicator are hot flies right now. Fish are being caught in as shallow as 3.5′ of water now. Be ready for aggressive takes from the rainbows and consistent numbers and size. #16-20 SD Chironomidge, Tiger Midge both Copper and Dark bead head, Zebra Midges short and long, Mud Candy, Blood Midge, Assassins #16-18 both parallel and regular in both light and dark, and Punk Perch light and dark in #16 are all hot patterns right now. Grab them online.
