Here’s you Eastern Sierra Fishing Report 3-3-23. The snow just keeps on coming as another storm is set to hit the area tomorrow. Last weekend’s storm, had everything from blizzard’s, to power outages, highway and road closure, avalanches, and motorists stranded on highways and county roads. Search and Rescue staff was kept very busy, as were Caltrans and the County working around the clock to keep roads clear. At this point in the season, we usually see a winding down of storms and start to see warmer temperatures, but looks like the winter or March Lion as weather forecasters are now calling it is here to stay a bit longer. Benton Crossing Road has been closed since last weekend, so Upper Owens River access has been non-existent. Hot Creek has been fishing well with extremely light fishing pressure. It’s a bit of a challenge getting into the canyon and Interpretive Site currently. The flows on the Lower Owens River have increased and should continue to rise as the winter goes on and we inch closer to spring. Prior to the storms the fishing on the Upper Owens has been excellent.
Upper Owens River was fishing really well before the storms shut down access. Benton Crossing Road should be opening sometime next week. We have been catching a lot of large rainbow trout as well as a few standout brown trout. Most of the usual holding areas have fish in them, and this year we are seeing a lot of movement from the fish. One day you will get into big numbers in certain areas and the next few days the fish will have moved to a new location. There are currently fish all over the river, so trying all areas is a good idea before moving on. 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 but the river is looking to be flowing around the 250 cfs mark currently and is off color. We expect the LADWP to increase flows at a steadier rate now as we move closer to spring. Fishing has been tougher down here and probably will be for the remainder of the season.
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 receiving more snow with each storm. It’s going to be a great year here as we return to guide in June. Pine Creek will be flowing once the weather warms a little and begin to start adding some much needed water here. Last season fished very well, and with more water this year we are expecting a great year. We are now taking bookings for May 31st – June 29th. 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 3-3-23.
Phil fished with Doug Dolan and bagged this beast of a rainbow trout.
Two Bug Doug guided Tom to some real hefty rainbow trout like this one.
Two Bug guided Matt to some trophy rainbow trout on the Upper Owens River.
Brandon was guided by Two Bug Doug to this nice rainbow trout.
Chad fished with Doug Dolan and got this nice rainbow trout.
Matt with a gigantic rainbow trout while fishing with Two Bug Doug.
Jeff got some big rainbow trout with Two Bug Doug like this one.
John got into some good rainbow trout like this one.
Bob fished with Doug Dolan and displays a large rainbow trout from the Upper Owens River.
Sonia displays a colorful brown trout from the Upper Owens River while fishing with Doug Dolan.
Bill with a hefty rainbow trout while fishing with Doug Dolan.
Alfred fished with Doug and displays this nice rainbow trout.
Mitch had a fun day with Doug Dolan on the Upper Owens River and got this nice rainbow trout.
Cory landed this hog of a rainbow trout.
Tommy got some nice rainbow trout like this one.
Randy and Jeff fished with Doug R and scored a pair of nice rainbow trout.
Jeff displays a nice rainbow trout.
Two Bug guided Tom to this hefty rainbow trout.
Mark fished with Two Bug Doug for this nice rainbow trout.
Mark with a big brown trout.
Cullen fished with Two Bug Doug for this nice rainbow trout.
Ernie landed this beautiful rainbow trout.
Randy always gets the big cutthroat trout like this one fishing with Hans on Pyramid Lake.
Jeff displays a hefty cutthroat trout while fishing with Hans on Pyramid Lake.
Randy, Bill and Jeff with a trio of nice cutthroat trout from Pyramid Lake.
Doug and Bill with some monster cutthroat trout from Pyramid Lake while fishing with Hans.
Thanks for reading our Eastern Sierra Fishing Report 3-3-23.