Fly Fishing Report 9/18/2024
Golden Trout Guiding Co. LLC
Welcome to my Eastern Sierra fly fishing report for 9/18/2024. Fall conditions have moved in BIG TIME and fly fishing has been awesome as of the last couple weeks. We are starting to see some weather systems rolling in, and even had some snowfall above 8,000ft. These cold snaps are pushing those big browns upstream and changing the colors around the Eastern Sierra. This is my favorite season on the Eastern Sierra and seems to go by way to quick leading into winter.
The Eastern Sierra hosts some of the best fall/winter fly fishing opportunities in the state as the Lower Owens come into play. The Lower Owens rest at 4,000 ft elevation and flows typically come down starting Nov 1st. There might be 5ft of snow in mammoth, and your fishing dry flies in a sun hoodie on the Lower, it’s pretty awesome. Fall and winter are a great time to hunt for bigger fish, get away from crowds and tie some flies.
Our 2024 Fall Fly Fishing Clinic is completely booked for this year and we are looking forward to meeting everyone and spending two full day from the Classroom to the river. This year we will be primarily focusing on streamer fishing and euro nymphing. As the seasons change and things cool down fishing flies subsurface is a great way to target trout.
To book a private trip call (858) 750 9820 or email goldentroutguiding@gmail.com
Angler Wayne with a beautiful fall brown trout caught and a size 10 balanced leech.
Lower Owens River- The Lower Owens is currently flowing around 600 CFS. These high flows are rough for fly fishing and dangerous to even attempt to wade. Water temps have cooled down substantially so as flows come down I will be getting on the Lower Owens. Flows typically come down starting November 1st. I will start guiding on the Lower Owens once flows get below 300 CFS which is a good time so start wading but still with caution. Once flows drop to 200 CFS is when that river really starts becoming accessible and your able to get in and cover good areas. We patiently await those magic days on the Lower Owens. We are lucky to have such an amazing fall/winter river close at hand. Last year was incredible, hoping for another awesome season.
Bishop Creek/Rock Creek- This might be one of the last reports I do for Bishop Creek and Rock Creek as we move into winter. Both creeks are low, clear and spooky. Fly Fishing has slowed down substantially on these tributaries. We are already seeing weather patterns moving in bringing rain/snow above 8,000 ft and from here on out we can get more of that at any point. This time of year is challenging on these creeks as the creeks are typically at their lowest flows, they have had pressure all summer, and the water is gin clear. We will still have plenty of warmer days heading into the prime of fall so you can still have some productivity going on up there, but you’ll have to work hard for em. Fishing dry flies in those well oxygenated pools and seams working upstream is the best way right now. Getting on the water mid morning and allowing things to warm up and come to life is recommended. If you can see the fish, they can see you. Try getting in and working upstream, casting to those current breaks, slower pools and edges of the seams. Now is a great time to work on some technical casting, fish thinner tippet (6/7X) and work being stealthy. I’ve noticed fish will spook with a dropper under a dry, which means they are very spooky, so right now I recommend either running a single nymph or a single dry. Recommended dry flies for Bishop/Rock Creek, Blue Wing Olive (18), Elk Hair Caddis (16-18), Black Caddis (16-18), Black Ant (18-20). Recommended nymphs for the creeks.. Copper John (18), Small Baetis Nymph (18), CDC Soft Hackle Nymph (18), Mini Prince Nymph (18). Even though the bite has slowed down the fall colors are starting to pop off and it’s a BEAUTIFUL time to go fly fish our creeks. Have fun out there!
Crowley Lake- Crowley Lake continues to provide some awesome fly fishing this season, some days are better than others, and some days you're the hot boat! Which is always nice. Other days you might get only a few chances while the boat 100 yards away is absolutely smokin’ em. Location, timing, and presentation are all key to success on Crowley not to mention patience. Fish are spread out in a few different locations with fish ranging from 10-20+ inches being caught daily. I have had some incredible days on Crowley this year, as well as some slower days, but the lake has improved dramatically from last season. There is a new Non-Profit being formed as we speak called the Crowley Lake Fish Foundation which is super exciting. The primary focus of CFF is to raise money to enhance the fishery by stocking, conservation and raising awareness on catch and release ethics. We are hopeful for the future of Crowley Lake to make sure we protect and maintain the integrity and reputation for one of CA’s superior still water fisheries, more info and website to come! As far as fishing is concerned getting those midges and leeches close to the bottom is the best idea when covering water. Fish are feeding in shallower water from 6-18 ft depending on your location. Midges like the Albino Barron, Albino Wino, Blood Midge, Zebra Midge, Or Tiger Midge (14-16) are all good options to fool trout. Anything with a white bead head and a slim dark body seems to be the ticket. Slow stripping streamers and balanced leeches with an intermediate sinking line is also producing trout an a fun way to fish when the midge bite slows down. Hard to say when the best time of day to fish the lake is right now as the weather has been all over the place, could be first light could be 10am… patience and flies in the water catch fish. If you are marking fish, people are catching around you, stay put and be patient and you’ll get your shot! Only about a month left at Crowley so take advantage while you can.
Crowley Lake Chrome
Trophy cutthroat trout! Check out the head on this puppy.
Upper Owens- The Upper Owens has been turning on with these colder nights, fish are moving, and waking up to actively feed on nymphs and bigger flies like streamers. Fall is my favorite time to fly fish the Upper Owens, its just perfect to spend the day out there, pressure dies down to an extent, and you might have a shot at some big brown trout. The brown trout migration is in my opinion one of the hardest to fish as they tend to be more selective, hide well, and spread out unlike the cutthroats and rainbows. The Brown Trout are just starting to move into the system so covering water is key to linking up. Like any spawning season, stick to the deeper pools and the cut banks, please avoid actively spawning trout. I am a big fan of fishing streamers on the Upper Owens this time of year as well as Euro Nymphing. Streamer fishing allows you to cover water and zones that are nearly impossible to place a nymph. Fishing balanced leeches in olive or black (8-14) are my go to right now. Mini Sculpin if your feeling savage, or Woolly Buggers are all good options. Not gonna lie your classic gold bead head olive bugger might be the best streamer on the planet and any fly fishing guides favorite. Nymphing under an indicator (bobber) or Euro Nymphing is always a good way to approach the Upper Owens. Recommended subsurface flies right now, Perdigon (16-18), Purple Duracell (16-18), Hares Ears (16-18), Squirmy Worm (12) are all great options. Don’t get down on yourself if your not hooking up with those Browns right away or even at all, IT’S NOT EASY, and there is a certain amount of time and knowledge on that river that are required to make that happen. Sometimes the Upper Owens blesses you with a shot right away but in reality your gonna work hard to find those fish. There’s a nice mix of rainbows in the system as of now, some of some surprising quality! As far as dry fly fishing, its Trico Season. Trico’s are some of the smallest mayflies around but when fished well can lead you into some incredible days. Fishing tricos is like fishing ghost flies where you end up watching nothing and setting on everything as the flies themselves are tiny haha. It’s fun, but not for the faint of heart, and requires some faith “I think that’s where my fly is” kind of thing. To be honest I have just as much luck fishing small Blue Wing Olive patterns (18-20) which are more visible and close enough to a trico to fool the trout. Sometimes they won’t touch anything other then the Trico so having a few (20-22) in the box is a good idea. USE THE FORCE.
Cream of the crop trophy rainbow trout on the Upper Owens.
Nice Upper Owens Brown Trout.
Head guide Rob Hrabik with rainbow on the Upper Owens.
Mammoth Lakes Basin- The Mammoth Lakes Basin has slowed down but is still producing some nice fish on the float tube. With this cold weather moving in and some snow, early starts aren’t necessary. I’ve been getting on the water around 9am and fishing throughout the day, with a nice evening bite around 5pm seeing fish rise for small caddis and mayflies. Right now lake Mary and Lower Twin lake have been fishing the best from my experience and what I’m hearing from the tube community. Pretty stoked on the tube crew this year haha, good times. The lakes basin is mostly stockers and beautiful views, I love it. My go to set up is to work the drop off on a slow troll or strip with a two streamer set up. If the lake is shallow enough you can get away with a floating line to a fluorocarbon leader (6-8ft) and get those flies deep enough. For the deeper water an intermediate to fast sinking line is recommended. Most of my hook ups on the lakes are between 6-20 ft deep. Fishing under a break away indicator is working, but man it’s a lot of work sometimes on the tube. especially when adjusting depth or re-rigging. November 15 is closing day, get it in while you can!
Angler Tom, hooked up on a rainbow trout while trolling a black woolly bugger.
Thanks for stopping by and reading my Eastern Sierra Fly Fishing Report for the middle of September. I hope everyone is doing well and getting to spend some time on the water. Grateful for you all, and our community. Reach out if you have any questions or want to set up a guided trip. Let it hunt!
Proverbs 30: 7-9
"Two things I ask of you Lord before I die: keep falsehood and lies far away from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread."
