Here’s your Eastern Sierra Fishing Report for 1-28-25. We got a little shot of snow last weekend. This helped add a little more to the weak snowpack we currently have. A minor storm is forecasted for this weekend, with light amounts of precipitation expected and some gusty winds. The Upper Owens River remains accessible by vehicle. Fish are still spread out all over the river. Hot Creek has continued its decent bite and the afternoon BWO hatches are keeping things interesting. The Lower Owens River flows are creeping up slowly and now at 80cfs. Still great levels for wade fishing the Wild Trout area and drift boating the other sections. Smaller nymphs and streamers are doing the trick here. The Gorge has also been producing good numbers of wild trout with dry dropper setups.
Rivers: Sierra Fishing Report
Upper Owens River has not changed much other than a light dusting of snow on the ground from last weekend’s storm. Water clarity is still partly cloudy, but fish are holding tight to the banks and in the pools. They are still spread out quite a bit, so covering ground is required. A smaller push of new fish have moved in along with the larger models. Fish are ranging from 18 – 23″ and are mostly rainbow trout. SD Crawlers, Squirmy Worms, midges, Copper John’s, Dark and Light Assassins, and Pheasant Tails are getting fish. Keep the nymphs in the #16 – 20 range. In the dry fly area, go with our Hi-Viz BWO’s #18 -20, Elk Caddis #16 -20, Stimulator #16 – 18, and Griffith’s Gnat #20.
Lower Owens River flows have bumped up to 80 cfs. This makes for great conditions for wading and drift boating. Small nymphs in the Wild Trout Section have been fooling fish throughout the river, and the afternoon mayfly hatch has been a blast. Streamers launched from the drift boat have been picking up a good mix of rainbows and browns anywhere from 10 – 18″. Water clarity has been very good and the higher up river you go, the clearer it will get. Access is good on the roads along the river as most of the puddles and mud have dried up. The Gorge has been a good option for numbers.
Creeks: Sierra Fishing Report
Hot Creek’s Small midges like Griffith’s Gnats fished on top are getting a lot of interest in the mornings. Egg patterns are doing well and fooling browns and rainbows. Later in the day switching to a dry dropper with a small mayfly #20 and a zebra midge #20 can get you into fish. Hit the areas between the weeds where fish can take shelter but still have access to slip out and take a fly with little effort. SJ worms #14 – 16, #18 Blood Midge, #18 – 20 Tungsten Zebra, #20 Bead Prince Nymph Tungsten, Broken Black and Blue Midge, #18 -20 Crystal Caddis Larva Green Black, #18 – 20 Crystal Copper Zebra Midge, #18 Flashback Hare’s Ear, #22 -24 Griffith’s Gnat, #20 Serendipity Black.
Thanks for reading our Eastern Sierra Fishing Report 1-21-25.
Check out our recent client catches:
Scott fished with Two Bug Doug on the Upper Owens River and tied into this nice rainbow trout.
Scott with another nice one from the Upper Owens.
John got into some hefty rainbow trout while fishing with Doug R. on the Upper Owens River.
Jeff had a fun morning hooking into some big rainbow trout while fishing with Doug R.
Bill and Jeff fished with Two Bug Doug on the Upper Owens River and tied into this nice rainbow trout.
Len got into some large rainbow trout with Two Bug Doug on the Upper Owens River.
Bill also fished with Two Bug Doug and smoked some really large rainbow trout on the Upper Owens River.
Pat had a fun morning hooking into some big rainbow trout while fishing with Doug R.
Gabriel fished with Doug R. and got into some great rainbow trout on the Upper Owens River.
David got into some solid rainbow trout on the Upper Owens with Doug R.
Check out this awesome, colorful and toothy rainbow trout that Richard caught while fishing with Two Bug Doug.
Kelly fished with Doug R. and nailed this fine rainbow trout on the Upper Owens River.
Stephen fished with Doug Dolan for a fun day catching large rainbow trout on the Upper Owens River.
Stephen displays another nice rainbow trout on the Upper Owens River.
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