Here’s your Eastern Sierra Fishing Report for 3-13-25. Just as the snow melted away from the last storm, it has returned again with another storm on the way going into the weekend and beginning of next week. March seems to be the month for “making up for a dry winter” as our biggest storms seem to be coming through now. With the sun angle higher than earlier in the winter most snow on the roads below 7000′ melts away quickly. We were sitting around 93% of normal for our snowpack, but after last night’s storm we have been bumped over the 100% mark and this number will increase after the weekend. The Upper Owens River is still kicking out some large fish. It has been a cycle of alternating mud, snow, and frozen ground in the morning when it comes to the dirt road conditions. Getting in is easy in the mornings and as the mud softens up later in the day, the ground becomes slippery and sticky. Hot Creek has really picked up over the last few weeks with some nice brown trout showing up. The afternoon hatches have been fun on the Upper and Lower Owens River as well as Hot Creek. Some smaller caddis are now starting to show, and the resident trout are taking advantage of the hatch. Flows on the Lower Owens River are hovering around the 75 cfs mark, so the river has come up a little in the past week or so. Fishing remains good down here and wading and drift boating conditions are great.
Rivers: Sierra Fishing Report
Upper Owens River fishing still remains decent here with some big fish still hanging out. Each new storm will move some fish around, so covering water can be necessary to find them. Areas that have been productive one day can change the next, as the fish seem to move frequently. Getting your presentation directly in front of the fish is important this time of year as they do not typically chase things down. Pheasant Tails in #14-16, egg patterns, midges, leeches, and worm patterns (all variations) have been working well. 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.
Lower Owens River flows have risen to 75 cfs from the past couple of weeks. Wading is a breeze at these levels and these lower flows help concentrate the fish. Small nymphs in the Wild Trout Section have been fooling fish throughout the river, and the afternoon mayfly hatch has been a blast. Streamers launched from the drift boat have been picking up a good mix of rainbows and browns anywhere from 10 – 18″. Water clarity has been very good and the higher up river you go, the clearer it will get. Access is good on the roads along the river but there are some fresh puddles left over from the recent rains. The Gorge has been a good option for numbers.
Creeks: Sierra Fishing Report
Hot Creek’s access by vehicle is still limited due to recent snow storms, but this time of year it should start melting off quickly. Fishing has recently turned the corner here, as the browns are starting to get a bit more active. The afternoon bug hatches have been a blast, as BWO and recently smaller #20 caddis flies are on the menu. 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.
Thanks for reading our Eastern Sierra Fishing Report 3-13-25.
Check out our recent client catches:
Calder fished with Two Bug Doug on the Upper Owens River and tied into this awesome rainbow trout.
Robbie got into some hefty rainbow trout while fishing with Doug R. on the Upper Owens River.
Calder with another amazing rainbow trout.
Michael tried his hand at fly fishing with Doug R. and scored some pretty nice rainbow trout on the Upper Owens River.
Ernie got into this large rainbow trout with Doug R. on the Upper Owens River.
Kelli fished with Two Bug Doug and smoked some really large rainbow trout on the Upper Owens River.
John had a fun morning hooking into some big rainbow trout while fishing with Two Bug Doug.
Greg also fished with Two Bug Doug and really put the hurt on some big rainbow trout.
John with another great rainbow trout on the Upper Owens River.
Greg with another monster of a rainbow trout.
Bob got into some fun rainbow trout on the Lower Owens with Doug R.
Bob and Dave also mixed it up with some rainbow trout from the Upper Owens River.
Bob with another solid rainbow trout.
Dave displaying a chunky rainbow trout.
And finally, Dave with a colorful Lower Owens rainbow trout from the drift boat.
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