Here’s your Eastern Sierra Fishing Report 2-16-24. February in the eastern sierra has given us a little snow. Some made it down to the Upper Owens River, but most of it stayed up at higher elevations. Roads are getting a little muddy on the warmer days with some snow still hanging around and making driving conditions into the river sketchy at times. I did get my truck stuck, not thinking the snow was that deep, but it was deceiving. Fishing has been good for mostly rainbows and the occasional large brown trout. The drift boat sections of the Lower Owens River have been fishing well and some great BWO hatches are taking place from around 12pm – 2pm. Streamers are accounting for most of the catches around the hatch times. Hot Creek has been fishing well with less pressure and a little snow on the ground. Some more snow this coming week will add to the snowpack for the coming spring season.
Upper Owens River flows have risen to 106 cfs. The fish are definitely spread out right now, but the higher water level has moved fish into areas that were previously too shallow for them. You may have to cover some water though as the fish seem to be moving every few days to weeks. The latest snowfall was not much on the river, but snowdrifts made it treacherous and deceiving while driving. Getting a vehicle stuck if you were not careful was not hard to do. 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 124 cfs and we are doing drift boat trips here regularly. Fishing has been very good through most of the drift boat sections. The BWO hatch has been coming off strong on most days typically around 12:30 to 2 pm. Most of the fish we are catching are in the deepest pools with a few along the deeper undercut banks. The softer and slower water has been drawing most of the fish to hold here. 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 2-16-24.
Jeff fished with Doug R. and bagged this huge rainbow trout on the Upper Owens River.
Dave fished with Doug R. and got this nice rainbow trout on the Lower Owens River.
Dave bested this nice rainbow trout while fishing with Doug R.
Bob fished with Doug R. and got this great rainbow trout from the Upper Owens River.
Dave with another awesome rainbow trout from the Upper Owens River.
Brian got some nice rainbows while fishing with Doug R.
Brian with a standout colored rainbow trout.
Brian with another rainbow trout from the Upper Owens River.
Robert scored an awesome colored up rainbow trout on the Lower Owens River while fishing with Doug R.
Greg displays a healthy rainbow trout while fishing with Doug R.
Greg got a great rainbow trout on the Upper Owens River.
Bill displays a hefty rainbow trout while fishing with Doug R.
Craig shows off a nice class rainbow trout from the Upper Owens River while fishing with Doug R.
John scored this big time rainbow trout while fishing with Doug R. on the Upper Owens.
Steve got into the big rainbow trout while fishing with Doug R.
George scored an awesome rainbow trout on the Upper Owens River with Doug R.
Justin displays a healthy rainbow trout while fishing with Two Bug Doug.
Jason got a great rainbow trout while fishing with Two Bug Doug.
Jason displays another hefty rainbow trout.
Oliver shows off a nice class rainbow trout from the Upper Owens River while fishing with Two Bug Doug.
Lars spanked this amazing brown trout while fishing with Doug Dolan on the Upper Owens.
Lars also scored this hell of a rainbow trout on the same trip with Two Bug Doug.
Thanks for reading our Eastern Sierra Fishing Report 2-16-24.