Eastern Sierra Fishing Report 6/25/26

Here’s your Eastern Sierra Fishing Report for 6-25-26. Warmer weather with afternoon breezes has been the norm the last few weeks. An unusually late cold front is set to move through during the weekend with a slim possibility of precipitation but definitely some windy days. Crowley Lake has been fishing on the ok side in deep water. Some days are more productive than others and depending on your location on the lake you may experience light to heavy algae. The Upper Owens River has been decent for smaller resident fish and some mid-grade rainbow, cutthroat and brown trout. Hot Creek has been giving up some great dry fly action with caddis and tricos. The East Walker is still holding at at a good flow rate and some larger model fish are showing up. The Lower Owens River flows are up to 417 cfs now which makes wading extremely limited. Air temps are also in the 90’s here during the day. The basin lakes in Mammoth and June Lake are fishing well pulling streamers deep and a great way to escape the heat of the day.

Creeks: Sierra Fishing Report

Hot Creek Pretty hot topwater bite on tricos in the mornings here. Caddis are also picking off a few fish. The canyon section is getting heavy on the weeds, so dry fly fishing is best when they are popping. The Interpretive Site has been getting a lot of fishing pressure, so sometimes evenings can be better to fish to avoid the crowds.

Rivers: Sierra Fishing Report

Upper Owens River Fish all the fishy looking spots here to find the fish. Many fingerlings are feeding on dry flies and midges. Some larger fish are holding in undercutts and deeper water. #18 Flashback PT’s, #18 Green Copper John’s, and #16-18 midge patterns are getting takes.

Lower Owens River flows are around 416 cfs, so wading isn’t really an option here anymore, it’s been warm air temps down here and you can expect scorching temperatures except for a slight cool down this weekend as highs will drop into the 80’s. Best times to fish here now are early and late in the day to avoid the heat and get into the better fishing window.

East Walker River is still kicking out some large browns and rainbows. You have to cover some ground to find them, but most of the fish you hook here will be big. Flows are ideal currently at 180 cfs, but we should start seeing a jump soon with Bridgeport Res being so full.

Crowley Lake Hit and miss days in deep water 27 – 40′. Steady morning bites have been giving way to a tapered off or a slower pick in the afternoons and fish are on the move so picking up and changing locations can help. Great quality rainbows showing up daily now in the catches. Mostly midges fished inches to 1 foot and a half off the bottom. Email us or call or text for the latest hot flies. Algae can be prolific at times or hardly noticeable. Flies are picking up algae towards the bottom as the old bloom starts to die off and sink. Sharp jerks on the fly line every so often will help keep the leader and flies clean.

Bridgeport Reservoir is very full this year. Pretty slow fishing right now as the fish have really scattered. Fishing should start to shine here as the fish move into the creek and river channels.

A fly fisherman holding a large rainbow trout on the Upper Owens River near Mammoth Lakes, CA

Two Bug Doug guided Courtney to this healthy rainbow trout.

A fly fisherman holding a large rainbow trout on the Upper Owens River near Mammoth Lakes, CA

A fly fisherman holding a large rainbow trout on the Hot Creek River near Mammoth Lakes, CA

A fly fisherman holding a large rainbow trout on the Upper Owens River near Mammoth Lakes, CA

Buck fished with Two Bug Doug and got this large rainbow trout.

A fly fisherman holding a large rainbow trout on the Upper Owens River near Mammoth Lakes, CA

A fly fisherman holding a large rainbow trout on the Upper Owens River near Mammoth Lakes, CA

A fly fisherman holding a large rainbow trout on the Upper Owens River near Mammoth Lakes, CA

A fly fisherman holding a large rainbow trout on the Upper Owens River near Mammoth Lakes, CA

A fly fisherman holding a large rainbow trout on the Upper Owens River near Mammoth Lakes, CA

A fly fisherman holding a large rainbow trout on the Upper Owens River near Mammoth Lakes, CA

Two bug guided Doug to some nice brown trout like this one.

A fly fisherman holding a rainbow trout on the Lower Owens River near Bishop, CA

A fly fisherman holding a large brown trout on the Lower Owens River near Bishop, CA

Joal fished with Two Bug Doug and got this awesome rainbow trout.

A fly fisherman holding a large rainbow trout on the Upper Owens River near Mammoth Lakes, CA

Ryan fished with Two Bug Doug and got this big rainbow trout.

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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 6-25-26

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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