EAST WALKER RIVER
5/17/26: The river is currently running at 167 cfs and has been up and down a little this week. Check our flows page for the latest conditions. Fishing has been good most days with the caddis really starting to take center stage. Fish are still on the lookout for midges and small BWO's as well. We're not seeing much in the way of surface activity so keep those flies down where the trout are. Euro style and indicator presentations are getting the most grabs. Fishing pressure is expected to be heavy this weekend so it might just be a good time to buy a Nevada license and explore the miles and miles of river across the border.
RECOMMENDED FLIES: Thread Frenchie 16-20, Perdigons 16-20, Blowtorch 14-18, Duracell 14-18, G.T.I. 12-16, WD's 18-22, Blindside Midge 18-22, Blood Midge 16-20, Trout Crack 18-20, Black Beauty 18-20, JuJu Midge 18-24, San Juan Worm 10-12, Squirmy Wormy 10-12, Lil' Bit 18-20, Poxyback Baetis 18-20, Juju Baetis 18-22, Slim Shady 18-22, Micro Mayfly 18-20, Barr's BWO Emerger 18-20, P.T.'s 16-20, Pearl Caddis 14-18, Graphic Caddis 14-18, Fox's Poopah 14-18, Nori's Caddis 16-18, Z Wing Caddis 14-18, Nitro Caddis 14-18, Para Adams 16-20, Sparkle Dun 16-20, BWO Thorax Dun 16-20, Missing Link 14-18, E/C Caddis 14-18, Mini Chubby 14-16, Foam Beetle 12-16, Bionic Ant 10-12, Baby Gonga 8, Sculpzilla 8-10, Zuddler 6-8, Baby Fat Minnow 6-8.
HOT CREEK
5/17/26: Fishing on the creek continues to be good as long as you don't mind catching smaller fish. We're seeing hatches of midges, BWO's and caddis daily with the best action happening mid morning through mid day and again in the evening. Water clarity is good and the weeds aren't bad yet. Fishing a buoyant dry with a nymph or two suspended underneath allows you to cover most of the water. You can also run an indicator for some of the deeper slots. As always, please avoid wading in this unique and fragile stream environment.
RECOMMENDED FLIES: Thread Frenchie 16-20, Perdigons 16-20, BP Weiss Nymph 18-20, Blindside Midge 18-22, Blindside Midge 18-22, JuJu Midge 18-24, Lil' Bit 18-20, Micro Mayfly 18-20, Slim Shady 18-20, Barr's BWO Emerger 18-20, Shop Vac 16-18, Graphic Caddis 16-18, Pearl Caddis 16-18, Z Wing Caddis 16-18, WD's 20-22, Brassie 18-22, Para Adams 18-20, BWO Thorax Dun 18-20, BWO Sparkle Dun 18-20, Missing Link 16-20, E/C Caddis 16-20, Para Caddis 16-20, Bionic Ant 10-12, Foam Beetle 12-16.
SAN JOAQUIN RIVER
5/17/26: The road is closed. Road work will continue for another summer so expect similar restrictions to access as last year.
RECOMMENDED FLIES: Gold Ribbed Hares Ear 16-20, Prince Nymph 16-20, Pheasant Tail 16-20, Copper John 16-20, Micro Mayfly 16-20, Stimulator 14-18, Elk Hair Caddis 16-18, Yellow Humpy 16-20, Royal Wulff 16-20, Stubby Chubby 14-16, Para Hopper 10-14, Para Adams 12-16.
UPPER OWENS
5/17/26: Fishing has been decent for the cutties but most of them are spawning or post spawn. Insect activity has been minimal which always seems weird considering the spring creek nature of the river. Fishing pressure has been high and should be even higher with the holiday weekend approaching.
RECOMMENDED FLIES: Zebra Midge 18-20, Disco Midge 18-20, Deep Blue Poison Tung 18-22, Blindside Midge 18-22, Shopt Vac 16-18, Lil' Bit 16-20, Micro Mayfly 18-20, Juju Baetis 18-20, Pheasant Tail 18-20, Darth Baetis 18-20, Mop 10-12, Slush Egg 12-16, Glo Bug 14-18, San Juan Worm 10-12, Squirmy Wormy 10-12, Para Adams 18-20, Sparkle Dun 18-20, Missing Link 18-20, Sprout Midge 18-22, Mole Fly 18-20, SITS Midge 18-22, Griffith's Gnat 16-20, Zuddler 6-8, Home Invader 6-8, Gonga 6-8, Mini Dungeon 8.
LOWER OWENS
5/17/26: The river is now up over 300 cfs and the fishing is a bit tougher. You can still get some action but you will be stuck to fishing from the bank or tight to it. Attempting to cross the river at these flows is not recommended. Most fish are focused on nymphs and emergers so keep those flies down deep where the trout can get to them without spending much energy.
RECOMMENDED FLIES: Perdigons 16-20, Frenchie 16-20, Duracell 14-18, Sexy Walt 14-18, G.T.I. Caddis 12-16, Mop 10-12, Zebra Midge 18-22, Blindside Midge 18-22, Lil' Bit 18-20, JuJu Midge 18-24, Rainbow Warrior 18-22, Disco Midge 18-22, Micro Mayfly 18-20, Juju Baetis 18-20, Jedi Master Baetis 18-20, Slim Shady 18-20, Fox's Poopah 16-20, Sparkle Pupa 16-20, Nitro Caddis 16-18, Poxyback Stone 10-12, Poxyback Little Yellow Stone 14-16, Sprout Midge 18-22, Griffith's Gnat 16-22, Mole Fly 18-20, Timmy 18-20, BWO CDC Emerger 18-20, Sparkle Dun 18-20, Para Adams 18-20, BWO Thorax Dun 18-20, E/C Caddis 16-20, Missing Link 16-20, Parachute Caddis 16-20.
