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Here’s your Eastern Sierra Fishing Report 11-29-23. Thanksgiving week was very pleasant, and the weather turned to the cooler side on Turkey Day. A slight chance of snow is in the future for the coming weekend, with the possibility of 1-3″ along the Mammoth Crest and a dusting down to valley floors. Fishing on the Upper Owens has been decent with some nice rainbows and browns in the mix. The section from the bridge down to Crowley Lake is now closed to fishing. Hot Creek continues to fish well in both sections. The flows on the Lower Owens are at 600 cfs below Bishop Creek. Take caution when fishing around here due to serious undercutting of certain banks. The LADWP has gated off a portion of the river between Line St. and Warm Springs Rd. where vehicle access is prohibited. Fishing pressure should begin to lighten up now until we get closer to Christmas break. Speaking of the holidays, we have gift certificates for guide trips available. Give us a call at 760-935-4250 or email us at sierradriftersgs@gmail.com to purchase one.

We are saddened by the news about one of Sierra Drifters original guides, Brad McClain. Brad was one of the first guides with SD and had guided many clients to some memorable days on the water. He was a positive force when it came to fly fishing and life in general and Tom Loe gave him the nickname “Mothra” which was derived from his early days on the oars in the drift boat. He will be missed by many, and I was glad to have know him during my early years of guiding and would see him occasionally after that out on Crowley Lake. He is survived by his wife and two children.

Brad alongside Strider the Golden Retriever in the drift boat.

Brad guiding the “Good Ol’ Days” on Crowley Lake from his Skeeter bay boat.

Upper Owens River flows are 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. There isn’t much for snow in the forecast yet, so access should remain good for some time. 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. Egg patterns are now getting some looks as the spawn season nears. Access to both areas is good. #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 hit the near 600 cfs mark and are not slated to decrease until at least mid-January or maybe later. This will minimize and eliminate wading possibilities for some time. Once the river settles, we will continue to drift boat the river. The fish we have been catching prior to the increase have ranged from 8 – 21″ in length.

Thanks for reading our Eastern Sierra Fishing Report 11-29-23.

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

Haley fished with Devin and got this nice rainbow trout on the Upper Owens River.

Haley with another nice rainbow trout while fishing with Devin.

Dylan fished with Devin and got this great rainbow trout from the Upper Owens River.

Jacob scored this bright and colorful rainbow trout fishing with Two Bug Doug on the Upper Owens River.

Kevin fished with Two Bug Doug for this colorful rainbow trout on the Upper Owens River.

Neil fished with Two Bug Doug and caught this awesome nice rainbow trout on the Upper Owens River.

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

Neil with another nice Upper Owens rainbow trout.

And Neil with another nice rainbow trout.

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

Jeff displays a hefty rainbow trout.

Jeff again with another beautiful rainbow trout.

Drew scored this big time rainbow trout while fishing with Doug Dolan on the Upper Owens

John got into some good ones like this rainbow trout while fishing with Two Bug Doug on the Upper Owens River.

Drew with a bright shiny brown trout from the Lower Owens River.

Greg displays a beautiful rainbow trout while fishing with Doug Dolan on the Upper Owens River.

Sam fished with Two Bug Doug on the Upper Owens River and got this stellar rainbow trout.

Greg with another nice rainbow trout.

Colby nailed some nice ones like this rainbow trout fishing with Doug Dolan on the Upper Owens River.

Thanks for reading our Eastern Sierra Fishing Report 11-6-23.