Fly Fishing Report 3/21/2025
Golden Trout Guiding Co. LLC Est. 2021
Welcome
What’s up everyone! Welcome to my Eastern Sierra Fly Fishing Report and newsletter for the end of March and early April. We got a lot of great stuff going on and the fly fishing has been epic. Opening day for general trout season is Saturday April 26th and then it is GO TIME. We have had some late season storms bringing us closer to our average snowpack levels which will absolutely set us up for a better spring and summer season.
We are currently booking for the rest of summer and our calendar is filling up, especially on the weekends. We still have plenty of availability and now is a good time to plan ahead and block off some days for yourself or your crew to come up and enjoy the Eastern Sierra. This year we will also have some gorgeous and affordable lodging opportunities in Crowley Lake when you come to stay!
-Luke Kinney
Call (858) 750 9820
Email goldentroutguiding@gmail.com
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Our Spring Fly Fishing Clinic is just around the corner (April 12th & 13th) and we are excited to kick this season off with a whole new crew of participants! We have 1 spot left as of now. Reach out to reserve it. Join us for two full days of immersive learning from classroom to river setting you up for a summer of success on the water. Learn from myself and our head guide and nymphing specialist Rob Hrabik.
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Our 2025 Golden Trout Back Country Excursion is well underway and getting booked up. We have only 2 spots left as of now! Last year we kicked off this week long trip into the heart of the Golden Trout Wilderness and we are excited to get back again. Wake up to a trickling small stream and a fresh cup of coffee waiting for you as the hardest choice of your day will be which dry fly to choose from while you fish for California’s most prized native trout. We are excited to hit the trail this year with everyone. In Partnership with Eastern Sierra Sport Fishing, Rock Creek Pack Station, Cottonwood Pack Station.
Sign Up to Book 2025 Golden Trout Trip
In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, Rock Creek Pack Station, LLC and Golden Trout Guiding Co. does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Golden Trout Guiding Co. is operating under permit from USDA Forest Service under Rock Creek Pack Station Station’s Special Use Permit on the Inyo National Forest.
New Zealand 2026
We are excited to host an amazing fly fishing experience and trip package in one of the most epic fly fishing destinations on the planet with some of the finest local guides. There are 8 positions total and we only have 4 left as of now. If you have ever gone down the New Zealand rabbit hole it is sure hard to crawl out of. Sight fishing for trophy Brown and Rainbow trout in gin clear water in a tropical setting with the opportunity to catch a lifetime fish. New Zealand as far as i’m concerned is the mecca of technical fly fishing, involving a good to perfect cast, matching the hatch, and knowing when and where to be. Join myself and two world class fly fishing guides Simon Chu, and Charles Smith for a week long all inclusive trip package hunting down the worlds finest trophy trout.
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Guides Charles (left) and Simon (right) with a New Zealand Brown, caught on a dry. Not much better than that!
Fly Fishing Report
Lower Owens River- The Lower Owens River is currently flowing at 100 CFS. This flow is perfect for spring fly fishing adventures allowing the angler to get tucked into hard to reach areas along the river. It’s wise to keep an eye on flows as we head into April. LADWP will increase flows as we head into spring and typically by the end of April/May the Lower will be high and mighty. Usually it’s still fishable by then but as far as accessibility while wading, it becomes limited and not recommended. anything over 250 CFS is dangerous to attempt wading even if it looks mellow. So, now is the time. This months report on the Lower Owens will be quite simple, it’s really good! Haha, nymphing in the morning has been productive and then leading into the mid day caddis hatch where wild browns are rising to well placed adults (dry flies). Sub-surface action including streamers has been fantastic and the trout switch to wanting that top water bite around 1pm. One thing I like to think about and share with clients while guiding is when walking into a fly shop or ordering flies online there are so many types of flies and variations it can be overwhelming! A good thing to keep in mind is that for most rivers including our region in California there are really three main insects that we are fishing and that the flies in those fly shops are imitating. Those main three are Caddis, Mayfly, and Midge. Within those three bugs the fly variations could fill up a warehouse as far as size, color, stage of life, nymph or adult ect… Its helps to feel less overwhelmed when you can Identify those three species, and what stage of life that insect might be in while fishing. Knowledge is power and being able to match the hatch while heading into the warmer season is key to success. During winter we find ourselves fishing nymphs off the bottom as the water is cold and the fish are conserving energy, holding position as the conveyor belt of food passes them by. As spring and summer roll around the trout will start to actively feed, sometimes leaving their position to swim across the river and rise to a well presented dry fly, it’s the best! The Lower Owens is in that particular stage of life right now being able to read the stream and the fish behavior will help improve your success and experience throughout the day. When fishing nymphs in the morning the trout tend to be in the seams, the faster pocket water, or in the deeper pools. Recommended nymphs for this month are Perdigon (16-18), Bead Head Hare’s Ears (16-18), Flashback Pheasant Tail (14-18), Duracell in Olive or Purple (16-18), Egan’s GTI Caddis (16-18), Bead Head Caddis Pupa (16). I’ve noticed the buggier nymphs are doing better mid morning as the hatch picks up leading into emerger patterns and eventually to the adults. Dry fly recommendations for this time of month, Elk Hair Caddis (14-16), March Brown Caddis (14-16), Olive Foam Caddis (14-16), Parachute Adams (16-18). When fishing the Lower Owens I recommend working upstream especially as the mid day hatch picks up being able to target those rising trout from below and presenting a better drift and cast. As the trout key into those adults and move to feeding on top water they start to move into the slower shallower water at the tail end of pools or on the edge of the bank where picking up a spent caddis is easy. MOVE SLOW and watch the water, you might be blasting through a nice fish without even knowing it because it doesn’t look like typical holding water. Trout feeding on adults feed in water where you would usually pass up while nymphing, especially on those flat long runs. This is my favorite time of year on the Lower Owens and the one short window on the Eastern Sierra, others then some choice days on the Upper or East Walker, where dry fly fishing is going off. Have fun out there and reach out to book a guided trip! I love helping folks get on fish and teaching them not only how but why its working.
First time fly angler Lisa Hennessy had a banner day on the Lower Owens last week, landing fish both on the nymph and dry fly.
Casting dry flies on the Lower Owens can be tough, I like to stand center stream which give me the distance to cast over the water and upstream towards my target.
Lifetime angler and fly fishing enthusiast Brian Tennant with a beautiful colored up wild brown trout. He found the right spot and started picking em off, one after the other.
Bishop Creek/ Rock Creek- We are moving into the time of year where our higher elevation creeks and streams will be the spots to fly fish! I have permits for both Bishop Creek and Rock Creek this season and I look forward to fishing for those beautiful brook, rainbow, brown, and occasional monster stocker at elevation. Right now the road and snow levels are still melting away but I will keep you posted on conditions as we move into spring/summer. Bishop Creek is fishable all year and has some accessibility, especially down lower. Rock Creek opens with general trout season April 26th. If you love to fish small streams in a beautiful alpine setting I highly recommend booking a trip this summer to one of these amazing fisheries.
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Getting off the beaten path on one of our beautiful creeks up high in elevation! Can’t wait for some of this action. Summer 24’
Crowley Lake- Crowley Lake season is about to begin! I have been furiously tying up my Crowley Flies and box for this coming season and getting excited for one of California’s best still water trophy trout fisheries. Crowley lake will opens with general trout season (April 26th) and will run strong into the month of October. Crowley Lake is a fantastic place to learn how to fly fish, in particular play bigger fish and use your rod and reel. Crowley is great for all levels of experience and most ages Id say from about 13+ when it comes to fly fishing. This is my 4th season on Crowley and every year I fall more in love with it, the variety of trout species, the quality of fish, figuring out what they want to eat and enjoying the most scenic view of mammoth lakes and the eastern sierra any body of water has to offer. Still water fly fishing is an awesome skill to learn and know as we move into the summer as a lot of our water includes lakes. Learning how to fish lakes, where trout feed on a lake, sinking lines, streamers, midges, and the beauty that our lakes hold is unparalleled. From boating on Crowley Lake to Float Tubing the many higher elevation lakes we have permits for it all. I am already booking for Crowley Lake going into summer! Reach out to grab a date for you and a friend today. My boat holds two anglers comfortably.
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My friend and passionate angler Emily with here first brown trout on the Fly! That was a great day, she caught all 3 trout species on the lake. Brown, Rainbow and Cutthroat.
Perfect Cutthroat trout caught and safely released by my long term friend and client Brandon. That day was silly 30+ fish to the net. Not all days are created equal.
Matt Waver, old pal and fly fishing bum fighting a monster rainbow who’s trying to break him off under the boat! Check out this view, so good.
Upper Owens River- The Upper Owens is currently flowing around 90+ CFS which is great for this river this time of year. Expect the flows to increase as we head into spring and the melt starts up. Right now the water is slightly off color after this recent storm and the road is MUDDY. Be very careful trying to get out deep on the Upper Owens right now as chances of getting stuck are high. As we move into spring and summer the road will quickly dry and the river will become accessible. As far as fishing the Upper Owens is descent with some days being better then others. There are still a few trophy trout in the system but few and far in between and you gotta cover water to hook up with them. Plenty of juvenile trout willing to take a mid day dry fly, small blue wing olive (18-20), or parachute adams (18) are a great choice as of now. The Upper Owens is exposed to a few factors, a serious amount of angling pressure and every bit of weather the eastern sierra has to throw at us. That being said I’ve been spending most if not all of my time guiding and fishing the Lower Owens, getting in what I can down there while its Primo. The Upper Owens during spring is a blast but can be fickle as the trophy rainbows move back into the lake and we await the trophy cutthroat to move into the system. The inbetween stage usually during the month of April is hit and miss. The key to the Upper Owens is covering water and taking your time between spots, really fishing every inch of that river possible. The Upper Owens has its moments and days where catching quantity of fish happens, buts its rare. Its a quality river, mostly small to tiny fish, mixed in with those 20+ inch trout that get your heart pounding when they hit the line. Scenically the Upper Owens is one of the most beautiful stretches of water on the Eastern Sierra, and the word is out. I compare the Upper to the Truckee River as both are tough fisheries and require time and patience to do well. Having a guide on this river is extremely helpful and will increase your chances of having a productive day. My favorite time to fish the Upper is just past peak spring and fall when the Browns make their way up from Crowley and the crowds slow down after the summer. The Upper is still well worth fishing and a great way to spend the day. Some recommended nymphs for the Upper Owens as of now, Flashback Pheasant Tail (14-18), Czech Nymphs in various colors (16-18), Rainbow Warrior (16-18), Gold Bead Head Hare’s Ears (16-18) Squirmy Worm (10-12) Smaller Baetis Nymphs (18-20). Fishing streamers under the cutbanks and in the deeper pools is also a great way to cover water and mix things up on the Upper Owens. Have fun out there and enjoy the beauty, make sure you communicate with other anglers and make room for everyone looking to fish.
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Beautiful chromer caught and safely released on the Upper Owens! Hard hitting fish.
Hot Creek- Keep an eye on Hot Creek as we head into spring! Flows are directly affected by the spring run-off and if we get a good melt hot creek can start fishing really well. I love fishing hot creek at peak melt as it allows more water for nymphing, more area for those trout to move, and more food for them to start feeding heavily. Right now the current CFS is 7 which is low, if it gets to the 12-20 CFS range we are in the money. Anyone who has spent some time fishing Hot Creek knows how fickle it can be, not to mention how pressured it gets. All that being said when the hatch is good and you dial in what they want to eat you can have an exceptional day. Right now running a dry dropper mid day is the call either at the interpretive site or down in the canyon section. Look for those breaks between the weed beds and get s solid cast to the other side of the river. PLEASE DONT WADE IN HOT CREEK, the reason why this fishery is so healthy is because of the level of care and attention it receives. We don’t want to destroy any of the redds or introduce foreign life to our precious HC. It sounds like the Hot creek mine is unfortunately being proposed once again… this would destroy that fishery and not only affect HC but the Upper Owens and the entire caldera basin. I will do my best to keep everyone posted on the progress of this campaign. Fishing small streamers and mini leeches is also a great way to fish Hot Creek and cover some water, especially when those flows come up! I have permits to guide Hot Creek again this summer starting april 6th! Reach out to book at day with me. I love this river.
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The melt has begun! Spring is a great time to get a day in Hot Creek. Be prepared for crowds.
East Walker River- Opening Day for the East Walker River is April 26th! Flows are looking pretty good right now around 76 CFS coming down from 100 CFS as of last week. The higher the flows the better it will be. I will keep you posted on the EW as we get closer to opening day. Reach out to book a date on the EW, they are already filling up as I will be booking small blocks and only during spring before it warms up. Full Days Only.
Solid EW Browns are on the ticket. It’s almost time!
Thanks for stopping by for my Eastern Sierra Fly Fishing Report. I hope you all find it helpful and are getting ready and excited for our summer season. We have such a variety of waters to choose from here, we are truly blessed. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions on the recent report or would like to see anything added. Fly fishing is a lifetime endeavor and a passion, it is a privilege to be able to share it with others.
-Luke Kinney
A beautiful New Zealand Brown! It’s a blessing to be able to take my passion and guiding around the globe. God provides a way and all things.
2 Corinthians 5:17 “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
