Here’s your Eastern Sierra Fishing Report for 2-13-25. Just like that, winter has decided to hit the region in full force. The largest snow storm of the season has arrived and as of this report, feet of snow has hit the ground with more throughout the day and into Friday. This will be depositing some snow on the Upper Owens River, so driving in may not be possible. The river has continued to produce some excellent grade fish in the rainbow trout category. The fish still seem to be spread out through the river. Hot Creek’s access will be affected by the current storm, so driving in will no longer be an option. Fishing has been good throughout the day, and the BWO hatch has been the highlight in the afternoons. The Lower Owens River flows have increased to 193 cfs, so wading may get tricky in some areas. Great flows for drift boating. Fishing has been very consistent here with smaller nymphs and dry flies.

Rivers: Sierra Fishing Report

Upper Owens River the largest storm of the season has hit and with it comes quite a bit of snow. Driving in may become risky or nearly impossible without getting stuck after the storm passes later on Friday. The larger trout are still spread throughout the river. We will be deploying snowmobiles if needed to get after the fish now. 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 193 cfs. Wading may get a little tough in some areas, but as of now, the flows are still good for most spots along the river. 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 drive in access will now be a thing of the past. The current storm is dropping feet of snow over the next couple days. 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 2-13-25.

Check out our recent client catches:

Erlend fished with Two Bug Doug on the Upper Owens River and tied into this nice rainbow trout.

Benedikte also fished with Two Bug Doug and got this monster rainbow trout on the Upper Owens River.

Kevin got into some hefty rainbow trout while fishing with Doug R. on the Upper Owens River.

Kevin with another monster rainbow trout.

Dan fished with Two Bug Doug on the Upper Owens River and tied into this nice rainbow trout.

Tyler got into some large rainbow trout with Two Bug Doug on the Upper Owens River.

Joe fished with Doug R. and smoked some really large rainbow trout on the Upper Owens River.

Anthony had a fun morning hooking into some big rainbow trout while fishing with Two Bug Doug.

Kevin with another great rainbow trout.

Chad got into some solid rainbow trout on the Upper Owens with Doug R.

Check out this awesome, colorful and toothy rainbow trout that Blake caught while fishing with Two Bug Doug.

Joe with another nice rainbow trout.

Chad shows off another nice Upper Owens River rainbow trout.

Jeff got out before the big storm with Doug R. for some quality rainbow trout.

Jeff displays another nice rainbow trout from the Upper Owens River.

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Here are our flies which are working on the Upper Owens, Lower Owens River, East Walker River and Hot Creek in addition to the above patterns listed in our Eastern Sierra Fishing Report 2-13-25:

SD Chironomidge #16, Para Midge #20, 22, Puff O’ Smoke #16, Broken Back Copper Tiger Midge #18, 20; Assassin Light #18; Assassin Dark #18; Crystal Hi-Vis Parachute Blue Wing Olive #18; Crystal Tiger Midge Long #18, 20; Crystal Midge Pupa Copper #18, 20; Gillie Chironomid Pupa Dark and Light #18, 20, 22,Otter Eggs in all colors, Bead Head San Juan Worm Red and Brown #14, 16; Squirmy Worm Tungsten purple, pink, and red; Parallel Assassin Light #14-16, Parallel Assassin Dark #16; Loeberg Mallard Silver Badger; Spruce a Bu Dark and Light

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