Eastern Sierra Fishing Report 10/14/24

A view of tall mountains from Crowley Lake in the eastern sierra in California in October.

Here’s your Eastern Sierra Fishing Report 10-14-24. Just like that, we are going into fall weather. Cold nights have been the norm the last couple of weeks, but daytime temperatures have been a pleasant 71 – 75 degrees. Crowds have been light for the most part, but weekends are still seeing a bump in the fishing population. There is a cold front on the way by Thursday which will bring colder high temps going into the weekend in the 40’s and 50’s. We will then see temperatures climb up some again going into next week. Crowley Lake has continued to kick out some quality fish, but the fish are starting to spread out and move around again. The hot action at Layton Springs has slowed down, and other areas are now producing better action. Fish are still hanging in the 6 – 12′ range in most areas. Hot Creek is still fishing ok, and the colder weather approaching will get these fish into pre-spawn or fall feeding mode. The Upper Owens River has a few big fish now moving in, and the next round of weather will definitely get more to move in. It has been crowded above the bridge and very light pressure below. We have started drifting the Lower Owens River. I’ll have a report on this area after this week. Flows are running around 455 cfs.

Upper Owens River a few more trophy rainbows and browns have made their way into the river. The deeper pools are holding some now and we should see even more with the coming cold front. Smaller rainbows and browns are still feeding in most of the pools and undercut banks. San Juan Worms, 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.

Hot Creek hatches have thinned some, but the fish are hitting small caddis and midges in the mornings followed by the trico hatch. 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.

Lower Owens River flows have come down to 455 cfs. We will be starting to drift the river this week. This section will be updated as we fish it. Conditions on the river look good, and the month of October is typically solid for good catching. The Wild Trout section is still difficult for fly fishing at these flows, but the drift boat sections are in prime condition.

Crowley Lake is still fishing well on most days. The transition to fall with the colder nights has triggered the fish to start moving around more. Search for them in some of the less pressured areas this time of year to find better concentrations. Midge hatches have been pretty solid but this will slow down with the coming cold front. Midges are still working well along with both colors of Assassins. We will be booking trips here until the final day for launching a boat which is October 27th. Punk Perch Light and Dark ( Parallel and Standard ), Assassins Dark ( Parallel and Standard ), Blood Midges, SD Chironomidge, Puff O’ Smoke, and Copper Tiger and Copper Zebra are good bets right now.

Thanks for reading our Eastern Sierra Fishing Report 10-14-24.

Check out our recent client catches:

A fly fishermen holding a large rainbow trout in a boat on Crowley Lake in the Eastern Sierra.

A fly fishermen holding a large brown trout in a boat on Crowley Lake in the Eastern Sierra.

A fly fishermen holding a large cutthroat trout in a boat on Crowley Lake in the Eastern Sierra.

A fly fishermen holding a large rainbow trout in a boat on Crowley Lake in the Eastern Sierra.

A fly fishermen holding a large rainbow trout in a boat on Crowley Lake in the Eastern Sierra.

A fly fishermen holding a large rainbow trout in a boat on Crowley Lake in the Eastern Sierra.

A fly fisherman holding a rainbow trout on the East Walker River in Bridgeport, CA.

A fly fisherman holding a rainbow trout on the East Walker River in Bridgeport, CA.

A fly fishermen holding a large rainbow trout in a boat on Crowley Lake in the Eastern Sierra.

A fly fishermen holding a large cutthroat trout in a boat on Crowley Lake in the Eastern Sierra.

A fly fishermen holding a large rainbow trout in a boat on Crowley Lake in the Eastern Sierra.

A couple of fly fishermen holding 2 large rainbow trout in a boat on Crowley Lake in the Eastern Sierra.

A fly fishermen holding a large rainbow trout in a boat on Crowley Lake in the Eastern Sierra.

A fly fishermen holding a large rainbow trout in a boat on Crowley Lake in the Eastern Sierra.

A couple of fly fishermen holding a large rainbow and large brown trout in a boat on Crowley Lake.

A fly fishermen holding a large cutthroat trout in a boat on Crowley Lake in the Eastern Sierra.

A fly fishermen holding a large rainbow trout in a boat on Crowley Lake in the Eastern Sierra.

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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 10-14-24:

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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