Eastern Sierra Fishing Report 1/24/24

A rising sun shining through the clouds of a snowstorm on the Upper Owens River in the eastern sierra.

Here’s your Eastern Sierra Fishing Report 1-24-24. The month of January is almost out of here. We did not get the snowfall that we wanted , but we still have the month of February to go. Light snowfall amounts have fallen in the high country, and it has been scant compared to last winters plethora of snow. All areas are drivable to access most of the open fishing areas. The Upper Owens River has been fishing well with good sized rainbows and the occasional brown trout in the mix. The Lower Owens is back to wadeable levels and the drift boat and wade fishing has been very good. Hot Creek has been decent on most days in both sections.



Upper Owens River flows still holding at 75 cfs. The section below the bridge is now closed to fishing. You can fish above the Benton Crossing Bridge. Most of the deeper pools and undercut banks are holding trout. You may have to cover some water though as the fish seem to be moving every few days to weeks. Snow has come and gone in light amounts here, but the roads are driveable. With just a few inches of snow falling with each storm, the sun tends to melt it quickly and return the roads to a soggy and muddy layer. Be careful driving in as the mud is slick and thick in some areas and it is still possible to get a vehicle stuck with this saturated ground. Best nymphs have been Pheasant Tails in sized #16 -18, Copper Johns, Bead Prince Nymphs, Hare’s Ears, SD Crawlers in Red, #16 San Juan Worms, and various midges in #14 -20..

Hot Creek is fishing very well in both sections. Snow has hit the ground here but driving conditions are still great. There is less pressure from other anglers here, so it’s a great place to get away from people at times and get after some nice fish. Water levels are low here and you’ll have to pick and choose your drift lanes in the canyon section. The fish are responding very well to small midges in the mornings and afternoons and the BWO mayflies have been showing up on the milder weather days. #18-22 Pheasant tails, midges, assassins, caddis pupa, and serendipity have been getting the job done. The canyon section will be less pressured then the Interpretive Site. 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.

Lower Owens River flows have come down to the 149 cfs mark and we are back to fishing here from the drift boats and guiding wade fishing trips in the wild trout section. Fishing has been very good through most of the wading sections. Most of the fish we are catching are in the deepest pools with a few along the deeper undercut banks. Streamer patterns from the drift boat have been working the best and then switching over to dry flies mid-day allows us to take advantage of the surface action. The fish we have been catching are ranging from 8 – 21″ in length between both areas.

Thanks for reading our Eastern Sierra Fishing Report 1-24-24.



A smiling fisherman holding a large rainbow trout on the Upper Owens River

Chris fished with Two Bug Doug and bagged this huge rainbow trout on the Upper Owens River.

A smiling fisherman holding a large rainbow trout on the Upper Owens River.

Jeff fished with Doug R. and got this nice rainbow trout on the Upper Owens River.

A smiling fisherman holding a large rainbow trout on the Upper Owens River.

Calvin bested this nice rainbow trout while fishing with Doug R.

A smiling fisherman holding a large rainbow trout on the Upper Owens River.

Jack fished with Two Bug Doug and got this great rainbow trout from the Upper Owens River.

A smiling fisherman holding a large rainbow trout on the Upper Owens River.

Kevin scored this bright and colorful rainbow trout fishing with Doug R. on the Upper Owens River.

A smiling fisherman holding a large rainbow trout on the Upper Owens River.

Kevin with another nice rainbow.

A smiling fisherman holding a large brown trout on the Upper Owens River.

Jack fished with Two Bug Doug for this thick and beautiful rainbow trout from the Upper Owens River.

A smiling fisherman holding a large rainbow trout on the Upper Owens River.

Chris fished with Doug Dolan and displays a magnificent rainbow trout from the Upper Owens River.

A smiling fisherman holding a large rainbow trout on the Upper Owens River.

Ben scored an awesome rainbow trout on the Upper Owens River with Doug R.

A smiling fisherman holding a large rainbow trout on the Upper Owens River.

John displays a healthy rainbow trout while fishing with Doug R.

A smiling fisherman holding a large rainbow trout on the Upper Owens River.

Rob got a great rainbow trout while fishing with Doug R.

A smiling fisherman holding a large rainbow trout on the Upper Owens River.

Peter displays a hefty rainbow trout while fishing with Doug R.

A smiling fisherman holding a large rainbow trout on the Upper Owens River.

Jeff shows off a nice class rainbow trout from the Upper Owens River while fishing with his Uncle Two Bug Doug.

A smiling fisherman holding a large rainbow trout on the Upper Owens River

Richard Jr. scored this big time rainbow trout while fishing with Doug Dolan on the Upper Owens.

A smiling fisherman holding a large rainbow trout on the Upper Owens River

Richard Sr. got into the big rainbow trout while fishing with Doug Dolan.

Thanks for reading our Eastern Sierra Fishing Report 1-24-24.



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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 11-29-23:

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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