Here’s your Eastern Sierra Fishing Report for 9-8-25. September is here and the fishing has been great. Afternoon thundershowers last week brought some much needed moisture, with lightning shows, and some impressive rumblings of thunder. We are drying out this week with some afternoon winds, and a cool down is in store ahead, with temperatures in Mammoth and Crowley around the mid to low 60’s for the highs, with Mammoth even seeing high 50’s. Down around Bishop, we’ll see temps for the daytime get into the 80’s and high 70’s. Crowley Lake continues to be the star of the fishing show, with fish being caught all over the lakes in primary depths of 5 – 15′ now. The weed beds and the flats are holding fish of all sizes and species. The Upper Owens River is running at 64 cfs, with clear water above the Hot Creek confluence. You have to be super stealthy when fishing here. Dry dropper rigs are typically the best set up now. Hot Creek is also running low with prominent weed lines. Seek out the undercuts and open weed spots for best results, also with a dry dropper rig or straight dry fly. The Lower Owens River is now holding at 277 cfs. It’s getting to that fishable level now from shore, but wading or crossing can still be a challenge. It is with a heavy heart that I write this report and bring news of the passing of one of our former guides, Chris Basso. Chris guided for Sierra Drifters since the early years. He could always be seen out on Crowley Lake fishing from his Champion bay boat. Those that had the pleasure of knowing him, got to experience a great human being who loved to engage with others and when he made friends with you, he would always be there if you needed him. Chris was the kind of person that would never let too much time pass before reaching out to a friend he had not heard from in awhile. He was quick to offer up advice, great at listening to others, and his love for fishing not only showed with the clients he guided, but with others that he made friends with. He would frequently invite his friends or people he got to know to come out on his boat, whether it were people in the community of Crowley Lake that had never been out on a boat on the lake before or others that he wanted to take out fishing. This also extended into his career in the film industry. He had quite a few co-workers that were taken under his wing and introduced to the art of fly fishing by him. He was not only generous with his time, but he would always offer up financial assistance to those in need or frequently send his friends gifts at random. He was one of the most thoughtful and generous people I knew. He was a great friend and had an excellent work ethic. He was an innovator in the fly fishing industry when it came to fly fishing patterns and an outside the box thinker when it came to fishing techniques. Chris will be missed dearly by me and many others. R.I.P my friend!
Lakes: Sierra Fishing Report
Crowley Lake is still fishing great. Fish are all over the lake, and if you can find weeds, there’s a good probability you’ll find fish. Callibaetis mayflies are hot now, so patterns like our Light and Dark assassins are putting the hurt on these fish. Midges are working better in the open mud areas away from the weeds. Magic depth has been from 5 – 15′. Some days the fish are tight to the bottom, some days they are a couple feet off, and other days they are all over the water column. Varying your depth and flies will keep you on the fish right now.
Mammoth Lakes Basin area lakes have been fishing well pulling streamers from a float tube. Lots of fish have been planted here recently so pressure is heavy from other anglers. The Twin Lakes have been fairly consistent with most fish being found around the inlets, larger streamers are working well now with nymphs fished close the bottom in deeper zones getting takes.
Creeks: Sierra Fishing Report
Hot Creek flows are have really dropped low in the canyon section and the Interpretive Site. There’s a decent caddis hatch coming off in the evenings, and the fish are taking advantage of the situation. The last hour has been good. In the mornings midges and mayflies have been working on the surface with smaller nymphs and even the occasional well placed hopper getting some of the large fish to rise.
Rivers: Sierra Fishing Report
Upper Owens River flows have come down to 64 cfs and fishing is decent for smaller hatchery sized trout. Water is very clear above the confluences so stealth is the key. Try dry dropper setups here for easy casting and efficient drifts. Don’t overlook the undercut banks as larger trout love to take up residence here. The stocking continues downstream of the Benton Crossing Bridge every 2 weeks.
Thanks for reading our Eastern Sierra Fishing Report 9-7-25.
Chris Basso doing what he loved most.
Chris putting smiles on peoples faces.
Chris assisting with the hold of a massive rainbow on Jurassic Pond.
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