Here’s you Eastern Sierra Fishing Report 2-6-23. We got hit with another shot of snow, dropping a foot on the Upper Owens River and and up to 24″ on Mammoth Mountain bringing their total snowfall for the season to 400″. Access to the Upper Owens River and Hot Creek will be by foot from here through the rest of the winter. Looks like the potential for more storms coming and going through the President’s weekend are in the cards. Forecasts are still a bit of a coin toss for how much snow each system will be produce. The sub-zero temperatures we experienced last week will be subsiding as we get a warm up this week with the chance of more snow set for the weekend. Fishing has been very good on the Upper Owens River for large rainbow trout along the cut banks and the deeper pools. Fish seem to me moving locations frequently. Hot Creek is really starting to pick up with good midge hatches and the BWO’s are starting to build in the afternoons during the milder weather periods. The fish here have received lttle pressure this winter. The Lower Owens drift boat sections are also fishing well and the river may be seeing an increase soon as Crowley Lake begins to take on more water, but in the meantime the Wild Trout section is also doing well. Check out each area we fish in more detail below.
Upper Owens River has really picked up again with fish in the usual locations. We are now also seeing some medium sized fish that have pushed into the river along with some other larger models. Not every area is holding fish currently and they seem to be on the move more with the changing conditions like sub zero freezes, wind, storms, etc. The snowmobiles are giving us access to the entire river without having to worry about walking in knee deep snow. The fish are ranging from 20 – 24″ in length and are in pristine shape. Flies that are best currently are #14 – 16 Level Crystal Leech, #14 – 16 Dark Assassin, #14 – 16 Hare’s Ear Gray, Tungsten Squirmy Worm in all colors, SD Crawler Red, #14 San Juan Worm, # 14 Flashback Pheasant Tail, and Rubber Legs. Purchase these patterns.
Hot Creek You will have to walk in to access both the Interpretive Site and the canyon sections. Mornings have been icy cold, so 6am starts are not necessary here. Remember that smaller dry flies that we tend to fish in the winter months are usually small patterns which require a good dry fly floatant to keep your presentations looking real to the fish. You can purchase our line of High and Dry floatants here. We find this brand to be some of the best we have used. Flies to use: Egg patterns, 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 gauging station is not working again. It is showing 3267 cfs as of report time, but this is incorrect. Last recorded flows were at 140 cfs. The river has come down and settled in with the end of the storms. Water clarity is coming back daily and some BWO mayflies have been emerging daily in the afternoons. The Wild Trout Section is taking some time for the fish to settle in, but the drift boat sections have been fishing well for brown and rainbow trout.
Pyramid Lake has been fishing well this month. Most of the fish are being caught in 5 to 10′ of water. A combination of stripping streamers and indicator fishing has been the most productive. Smaller midges fished under the indicator in the #16 – 18 range have been best.
Eagle Lake has been picking up some snow and rain, and we are happy to be returning here for guided boat trips this June. We are now taking bookings for May 31st – July 1st. Check out our Eagle Lake page for more information. For some moving picture action of Eagle Lake take a look at our videos.
Thanks for reading our Eastern Sierra Fishing Report 1-26-23.
Jeff fished with Hans and bagged this beast of a cutthroat trout on Pyramid Lake.
Seth guided Cody to some real hefty rainbow trout like this one.
Seth guided Dan to some trophy rainbow trout on the Upper Owens River.
Cody with another nice rainbow trout.
Mark fished with Seth and got this nice rainbow trout.
Brad with a gigantic rainbow trout while fishing with Seth.
Dave got some big rainbow trout with Seth like this one.
Dave with another nice one.
And another nice one for Dave.
Joe displays a colorful rainbow trout from the Upper Owens River while fishing with Seth.
Joe with another hefty rainbow trout.
Armen fished with Seth and displays this nice rainbow trout.
Aaron got into some quality rainbow trout while fishing with Doug R.
Jeff had a fun day with Doug R. on the Upper Owens River and got this nice rainbow trout.
Jeff fished with Doug R. and got this giant rainbow trout.
Mark was guided by Hans and landed this hog of a cutthroat trout on Pyramid Lake.
Jeff with another awesome rainbow trout.
Mike fished with Doug R and scored a nice rainbow trout.
James fished with Two Bug Doug for this nice rainbow trout.
Two Bug guided Tyler to this hefty rainbow trout.
Steve fished with Jay Preston for this nice rainbow trout.
Jay Preston guided Eric to this hefty rainbow trout.
Thanks for reading our Eastern Sierra Fishing Report 2-6-23.