Welcome to my fly fishing report for the end of July! It has been a very busy month guiding for me and enjoying the summer and I finally got time to sit down and write this report. I hope everyone is having a great summer season so far, it is flying by. Its been a blast guiding and fly fishing all over the Eastern Sierra, from Crowley Lake to the East Walker fly fishing has been very good as of late. We are getting ready to get into my absolute favorite time of year on the Eastern Sierra which is fall and I am already booking trips. I have plenty of availability going into November, but if your looking to get after some Trophy Brown Trout this fall I would recommend reaching out sooner than later.

We currently have only 4 spots left for our 2024 Fall Fly Fishing Clinic, which is the highlight of my entire season. This year we will be focusing on Euro Nymphing and Streamer Fishing, two techniques as we move into our colder season that are key to productive days on the water. Our clinics our two full days of immersive learning with the main goal being that each angler walks away feeling confident to approach the stream and rig for any and all occasions. Give me a call or email to chat more or reserve a spot today!

Lastly we will be leaving for our week long golden trout excursion at the end of this month so I will be in the back country for a week. Jan 28th-August 3rd. We booked up solid for this trip and I’m fired up to get after some of the purest strain of Goldens around. If you reach out in that time frame I will get back to you ASAP.

Enjoy the fly fishing report and stay cool out there. I love teaching new and experienced anglers, reach out to line up something excellent. We got options for everybody! Tight Lines.

-Luke Kinney, Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Guide.

Call- (858) 750 9820

Email- goldentroutguiding@gmail.com

Our 2024 Fall Fly Fishing Clinic is open to registration. We have 4 spots left! Join us for an incredible weekend.

Head Guide Rob Hrabik and Angler Dean from our 2023 Fall Fly Fishing Clinic with a buttered up Brown Trout.

Fly Fishing Report

Lower Owens; The Lower Owens is fishable but warm. The flows have come to around 350 CFS, still too high to safely walk and wade but soon enough it will be go time on the Lower. The Lower Owens is one of the most underrated rivers in CA and during fall and winter can turn into a true fly fishing paradise. Last fall and winter the Lower was the place to be, with amazing top water action early fall, and incredible nymphing throughout the winter. I will start guiding on the Lower Owens as soon as things cool down and flows come down a little more. Late September/October is usually when I start getting on the Lower Owens again. Plenty of Wild Brown Trout from 10-20 inches in volume lay ahead for the season. Counting down the days! To reserve a fall or winter trip on the Lower Owens give me a call. This is my backyard stream and know it intimately.

Book ahead for the Lower Owens

Bishop Creek/Rock Creek; Bishop Creek and Rock Creek have been fishing very well as of this last month with both top water action and nymphing being productive. Flows have completely stabilized post spring melt and there are plenty of insects keeping the trout actively feeding all day. With these warmer temperatures we are experiencing in the Owens Valley, getting up higher in elevation has been a great way to beat the heat and get in some fun fly fishing. At this point I am wet wading and exploring new sections of both of these creeks and getting into some nice fish, with a mix of wild and stocked trout. Most of the fish on these creeks are in the 6-12 inch range but there are some bigger ones if you stay patient and work the area well. The biggest challenge on these smaller streams is not spooking the fish and casting into tighter zones. I always tell people if you can fish these creeks well, especially when fishing a light set up like a single dry or dry dropper you can fish anywhere on the Eastern Sierra. The trout may be on the smaller end, but foolin em, not being seen, playing them under branches and structure only add the excitement of getting them to the net. As far as flies Im either fishing a single dry or a dry dropper, some recommended flies right now (Black Ant 16-20) (Parachute Adams 14-18) (Olive Foam Caddis 16) (Grey Drake 14-16) (Stimulator 14-16) are all great dry flies. Running a small nymph off of the hook shank as your “dropper” is an excellent way to give the trout a few options for feeding while on your drift. Remember while fishing a dry-dropper to appropriately size your dry fly to your nymph size, you wanna make sure your dry floats that nymph well. A go-to set up for most anglers this time of year is a (Stimulator 12-14) to a (Black Zebra Midge 18). Can’t go wrong with that set up! I really love fishing these creeks in August and September as crowds slow down, and the top water goes nuts. If you are a dry fly purist or wanting to learn the foundational skills of fly fishing I highly recommend booking a trip on Bishop or Rock Creek before summer ends this year! We got time.

Book Bishop/Rock Creek

New Fly Angler Dave working a tight section for some rising rainbow trout on Rock Creek.

Angler Wendy Caravel with a solid brook trout on Bishop Creek.

Angler Terry with a big fish for a small stream on Rock Creek! Caught while Euro Nymphing.

Anglers Sarah and Laura from Australia learning how to get it done on Bishop Creek!

Crowley Lake- Crowley Lake has turned ON in a big way this last month. Fish have moved into shallow water and numbers and size are being put on board every day. It is the time to be still water fly fishing on Crowley. Trout are feeding anywhere from 6-14ft. of water and some days the bobber is going down almost every cast. Being in the right spot of the bay is crucial so getting there early, posting up and getting after it is key. I have been busy guiding on the river but the few trips I had on Crowley Last week were off the charts, with close to 30 fish to the net in a half day, it has been a long time since we have seen consistent numbers like that. Trout are feeding on midges and at this point they don’t seem to be too picky but anything with a white bead head is a good call and in the size range from 16-18. (Albino Barron 16) (Blood Midge 16-18) (Copper Tiger 16) are all good midges. Small perch fry patterns and leeches are also starting to produce. I like running a midge off the bottom and a perch fry pattern about 2 feet above that especially while working off of the weed beds where larger trout are ambushing those baitfish. Having a fish finder and a guide is very helpful as we know the channels well, you might be just out of the target zone and the boat or kayak in front of you is having the best day of their lives and you aren’t getting touched. Location. location, location! Rainbows, Browns, and Cutthroat trout from 14-20+ inches are being caught daily. It has been GOOD like really GOOD. Hopefully it keeps up going into August, reach out to line up a still water day on Crowley Lake. My boat holds two anglers comfortably and we get on em. Fun for all levels of experience with the best view of the high sierras in town.

BOOK CROWLEY LAKE

Angler Mathew with a stacked Cutthroat Trout! Not bad for first cutty and now personal best fish.

Angler Julie with her first Cutthroat Trout on the fly!

Angler Brandon put on a show with a solid double digit day and a few absolute monster trout!

Upper Owens River- The Upper Owens River is currently flowing at 75 CFS above the Hot Creek Confluence and around 95 CFS below which is perfect for this time of year and for the hottest season as well providing good flows and oxygen to those residential trout in the system. The fishing has improved on the Upper Owens with plenty of fun sized fish to be had as well as some large residential trout. We have caught some beautiful brown trout out of the Upper in the last month, mostly while Euro Nymphing the banks and pocket water, as well as some rainbows and the occasional cutthroat. Euro Nymphing AKA tight lining is my prefered way to target trout on the Upper but there have been fish rising for a well presented dry fly. Hoppers are starting to show up! Is this the year heading into september when we see a prolific hopper hatch, I sure hope sure cause we are due. If the Hopper Hatch goes off you know that’s what we’ll be doing! Looking back I think the 2018/19 season was the last time the Upper Owens went hopper crazy, and it was GOOD. Nothing beats throwing big foam dry flies to more than willing trout and watching them just explode on the fly. Water is getting warm so starting early in the morning is a great call right now. I like to carry two rods with me while fishing the Upper Owens… one with a dry fly set up and the other with a Nymphing set up as hatches can be quick and by the time you switch up your rig it’s over. Im seeing small caddis, baetis, midges and hoppers on the river right now and it just feels healthy, which is so awesome to see. Recommended dry flies (Para Hopper 12-14) (Parachute Adams 16) (Blue Wing Olive 16-18) (Pale Morning Dun 14-16) (Sparkle Dun 14-16) (Olive Foam Caddis 16-18) and the (Stimulator 12-14) are all good top water options for the Upper Owens as of late. For nymphs (Perdigon 16-18) (Frenchie 16-18) (FlashBack Pheasant Tail 16-18) (Hares Ears 16-18) and the (Duracell 16-18) are all good subsurface fly choices. If you want to fish some streamers on the Upper thats always a great way to spend the day and cover some water. I like fishing a (mini jig leech 12-14) with just a little added weight (split shot) about 12 inches from the fly to cover some of those deeper bends and holes that getting a deep drift through is impossible. Fall on the Upper Owens is the time to chase the big browns around and then winter will be here and time for those big bows! YES

Book the Upper Owens

Upper Owens at sunset with my good buddy Marshal!

Emily working on her cast while fishing dry flies on the Upper Owens

Mammoth Lakes Basin- Float tubing the many lakes of the mammoth lakes basin has been super fun! There is plenty of good water to get on right now. Most of the fish in there are stocked with a few wild trout mixed in, but it’s always a good time on the float tube not to mention a beautiful setting. Trout are rising mid day, but are pretty picky on the lakes. Fishing smaller mayfly patterns and caddis are a great way to get them to rise to a dry fly. I think the best way is to keep it simple and fish a couple tasty looking nymphs under a strike indicator (bobber). There are many types of strike indicators but when fishing water that isn’t too deep I like fishing the white airlock indicators (medium). They are easy to use and adjust, which helps when you are looking for drop offs or breaks between the weed beds. Hot Spot Pheasant Tail Nymphs (16-18), Copper John (16-18), Perdigon’s (16-18) and pretty much most nymphs with a bead head will get the job done out there. Look for the parts of the lakes that have a steep drop off or a break in the weeds, that is a great place for fish to hold. Stripping streamers or trolling a streamer is a great way to fish the lakes basin, and a good way to cover water and get into some of the bigger rainbows out there. Your classic black or olive Wolly Bugger (8-12) is my go to lakes basin fly. Keeping it simple with streamers is so much fun, and keeps you active and involved the whole time, plus streamer takes are the best! I recommend trying out Lower Twin lake, as the depth is perfect for nymphing and there are always plenty of fish and great views of the mammoth crest from the lake. I would love to get out on the float tubes with you or a small group, especially if your staying in mammoth and want to have a fun day out on the water.

Book Mammoth Lakes Basin

Angler Kelsea with a beautiful rainbow her first time float tubing. Such a fun day!

Taking in the view! Float tubing is one of my favorite ways to enjoy being on the water.

East Walker River- The East Walker river has been excellent. Water temps are getting warm though so I’ve been doing early half day sessions for now getting off the water around noon. Look for those well oxygenated pools, as trout will be actively feeding in those zones. The fish on the East Walker see a lot of flies throughout this time of year so be prepared to switch up patterns and try new things. Euro Nymphing and tight lining the East Walker is one of the best ways to cover water, as well as fishing under the indicator. Fish will be holding behind boulders, on the seams, and in the soft water near the banks. Be careful to blow up good water by getting in to wade right away. I have seen some of our best fish this season caught in the soft water closer to the bank. I like to work the East Walker like a grid while Euro Nymphing, covering every inch of water from one side to the other. Brown Trout are particularly fickle so take your time while working the EW, it might be 30 or 40 cast in the same zone before getting a fish to take that fly. I often see anglers move too quickly on that river, don’t get me wrong that is a good strategy, but those bigger trophy trout are in there and you need to put that time in to get them to eat. There is a fair amount of hoppers on the East Walker as well as small caddis, so running a dry dropper during the morning hatch has been productive and lots of fun. Some recommended nymphs right now, (Prince Nymph 14-18) (Rubber Legs 12) (Perdigon 16-18) (Duracell, Olive 16-18) (Midges 16-18) (Pheasant Tail Nymphs 14-18) are all solid flies. Don’t be afraid to fish with bigger nymphs as those trout will feed on them, depending on what section of the river you are fishing. The East Walker has a unique way of fishing very different depending on your area, having a guide up there with knowledge of the river will increase your chances of having an average or slow day to an excellent and productive day. The flows on the East Walker are up again at 280 CFS which is excellent heading into fall. I have a feeling if the flows stay high when things cool down we are looking at a fantastic season of fly fishing on this river until closing day. I love the East Walker and it’s a great place to hook up with some amazing fish and spend the day learning new skills. Reach out to line up a guided trip!

Book the East Walker

Angler Brennan with a beautiful wild brown caught while nymphing under the indicator on the EW.

Angler Mike wanted to dial in his Euro Nymphing Technique so that’s what we did! We worked a 400 yard stretch over 4 hrs and managed to hook up with plenty of nice fish.

Thanks for stopping by for my Eastern Sierra Fly Fishing Report! I hope you all find it useful and get inspired to get out on the water. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions on the report. We are all a community of anglers so lets share the water and the stoke. Wishing you all a productive and fun summer chasing trout.

-Luke Kinney