Fly Fishing the 395 Corridor: Where to Start

Highway 395 runs up the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada past some of the best trout water in the western United States, and the choice can be paralysing if you have never fished it. This is a plain guide to the six waters worth planning around, what each one actually asks of you, and which to pick depending on what you want out of the trip.

Crowley Lake

A big rich reservoir that grows fat rainbows, browns and cutthroat on an almost endless midge supply. It is stillwater fishing, usually from a boat or float tube, hanging buzzers under an indicator. If you want the best chance of a genuinely big fish and you do not mind a slower, more patient style, this is the one. Best from spring through autumn, with September and October particularly good as the water cools.

Hot Creek

A small spring creek with an extraordinary density of trout and an equally extraordinary density of anglers. It is barbless, catch and release, fly fishing only, and it is technical. Small flies, fine tippet, thick weed beds and fish that have seen everything. Come here if you want to be tested. Do not come here expecting easy fishing.

The Upper Owens

A meadow stream winding through Long Valley below Mammoth. In summer it is full of willing small browns and is genuinely fun, forgiving water for someone learning. In autumn, big fish run up out of Crowley and it becomes a completely different river. Probably the best all round choice for a first trip, because it rewards you either way.

The Lower Owens

The wild trout section near Bishop, down in the valley. Lower elevation means it fishes well in the shoulder seasons when the high country is cold, and it can be excellent in winter. It is heavily flow dependent, so check before you go, because releases can put it well out of wading range. Warm and buggy in high summer.

The East Walker

A tailwater below Bridgeport Reservoir at the northern end of the corridor, and the place to go if you want a large brown trout more than you want a lot of fish. You will walk, you will nymph, and you may go a while between takes. When it happens it tends to be worth it. Check flows and water temperature before committing to the drive.

Bridgeport Reservoir and Twin Lakes

More stillwater at the north end, and both hold seriously large fish. Bridgeport fishes best up in the inlet channels where the moving water comes in. Twin Lakes has a long standing reputation for trophy browns, especially in autumn. Worth building a trip around if the big fish is the point.

So which one

First trip and you want to catch fish: the Upper Owens. First trip and you want one big one: Crowley, or the East Walker if you would rather be on a river. You want to be challenged: Hot Creek. You are coming in the shoulder season or winter: the Lower Owens. You are coming in autumn with a boat: Bridgeport or Twin Lakes.

Two things everyone should bring

A thermometer, because these waters warm up in summer and knowing when to stop is part of fishing them responsibly. And layers, because the Eastern Sierra can be 40 degrees at dawn and 90 by lunchtime in the same day.

We publish a report every week covering all of these waters with current flows, hatches and what is working, which is the fastest way to know what you are walking into. Every fly we sell is tied for these waters specifically, and you can browse the full range here. Planning a first trip and not sure where to point the car? Email 395flyco@gmail.com with your dates and we will tell you honestly where we would go.