Eastern Sierra Fly Fishing 

The Upper Owens is in prime spring mode — clear water, deep pools, and plenty of action. The cutthroat are actively spawning, so we’re asking everyone to avoid fishing over redds and keep off shallow gravel beds. Let’s protect the future of the fishery.
 

🎯 Where to fish: Focus on deeper pools and undercut banks.
 

🪰 Top flies:

• Pheasant Tail #14–16

• Olive Quilldigon #18

• Pink San Juan Worm

• Egg patterns
   

Go deep, go slow — and get ready for a surprise bend in the rod.

Flows are up (~280 CFS), and the fish are loving it. The Wild Trout Section near Bishop is producing well, especially during the evening hatch. Dry fly action is picking up around dusk with fish rising to caddis and small mayflies.
 

🕓 Best time: Early morning or evening

🪰 Top patterns:

• Elk Hair Caddis #16–18

• CDC BWO #18

• Zebra Midge #20

• Flashback PT Nymph #16
   

Bring your dry fly box and a camera — the sunsets down here are unreal this time of year.

Selective trout, light tippets, and surgical drifts — Hot Creek is technical but rewarding. Fish are rising to BWO and caddis hatches throughout the day. The canyon section is fishing slightly better than the interpretive site due to lower pressure.
 

🪰 Top picks:

• RS2s #20

• Olive Caddis Emerger #18

• Parachute Adams #20

• Micro Scuds and Midges
   

This is the place to test your skills and earn every take.

Steady flows around 130 CFS are creating ideal conditions on the East Walker. The "miracle mile" is back in play with plenty of bug life and healthy browns and bows feeding deep.
 

🎣 Techniques: Indicator nymphing, Euro nymphing

🪰 Go-to flies:

• Pheasant Tails #16

• Midges #18–20

• Stonefly nymphs

• Leech patterns (black, olive)
   

Word is, a few anglers are connecting with big boys in the deeper runs below the dam.

Fishing is red-hot. Rainbows, browns, and even a few cutts are hitting midges hard at 12–20 feet. Indicator rigs are pulling double-digit numbers in certain zones.
 

🎯 Hot zones:

• Sandy Point

• Six Bays

• Alligator Point

• Hilton Bay
   

🪰 Fly box must-haves:

• Blood Midges #14–18

• Light Assassins #16

• Mud Candy #16

• Copper Tigers #16
   

Be ready for the perch to move through — you may need to adjust your depth to stay on the trout.

The DFW and the Twin Lakes Trout Foundation have done their jobs — and anglers are reaping the rewards. Trophy rainbows are everywhere, and trollers are bagging 6–10 lb browns on deep-running lures.
 

🎣 Best bets:

• Trolling Rapalas, Buoyants

• Soaking nightcrawlers near creek inlets

• Stripping streamers on full-sink lines
   

Great action, beautiful water, and that crisp mountain air — it doesn’t get much better.