EAST WALKER RIVER
9/14/26: The river just bumped back up to 223 cfs today. The good news is it looks like we're finally out of the the woods as far as warm water temps go. The river has dropped into the low 60's in the morning, warming to mid 60's in the afternoon. The bad news is that fish numbers in the upper 2-3 miles of river below the dam are way down from historic levels. Luckily, the river downstream in NV continues to fish well and still has plenty of healthy browns and rainbows. Most action has come subsurface with both nymphs and streamers. Midges, Tricos, caddis and small BWO's are all on the menu. If you decide to give the river a shot, do yourself a favor and pick up a Nevada license and head down to either the Sceirine or Rosaschi ranches.
RECOMMENDED FLIES: Thread Frenchie 16-20, Perdigons 16-20, Blowtorch 14-18, Sexy Walt 14-18, Duracell 14-18, G.T.I. 12-16, Egans Poacher 8-10, Tim's Dead Drift Crawdad 10, WD's 18-22, Trout Crack 18-20, Black Beauty 18-20, JuJu Midge 18-24, Sunken Trico 18-20, Mercer's Poxyback Trico 18-20, San Juan Worm 10-12, Squirmy Wormy 10-12, Lil' Bit 20-22, Juju Baetis 20-22, Barr's BWO emerger 20-22, Micro Mayfly 18-20, P.T.'s 20-22, Pearl Caddis 14-18, Graphic Caddis 14-18, Fox's Poopah 14-18, Sparkle Pupae 14-18, Nori's Caddis 16-18, Z Wing Caddis 14-18, Nitro Caddis 14-18, Rubberlegs 8-10, Upright Organza Trico Spinner 18-20, Para Adams 16-20, Sparkle Dun 16-20, BWO Thorax Dun 16-20, Missing Link 14-18, E/C Caddis 14-18, Baby Gonga 8, Sculpzilla 8-10, Zuddler 6-8, Hornburg 6-8.
HOT CREEK
8/17/26: Fishing on the creek is tricky thanks to the heavy weed growth and low flows. We're mostly seeing hatches and spinner falls of Trico's along with a caddis emergence and egg laying activity early and late in the day. If you're into technical dry fly fishing this is your spot. During non hatch periods a well placed ant, beetle or hopper will also get a few grabs. Concentrate on making short and clean drifts along the banks, weed lanes and pockets and be ready. These fish won't hang onto your fly for long! As always, please avoid wading in this unique and fragile stream environment.
RECOMMENDED FLIES: W.D. 18-22, JuJu Midge 18-24, Zebra Midge 18-22, Lil' Bit 18-20, Slim Shady 18-20, Barr's BWO Emerger 18-20, Darth Baetis 18-22, Mercer's Poxyback Trico 18-20, Shop Vac 16-18, Graphic Caddis 16-18, Pearl Caddis 16-18, Z Wing Caddis 16-18, Fox's Poopah 18-20, Sunken Trico 20-22, Trico Compara Dun 18-20, Organza Trico Spinner 18-22, Para Adams 18-20, BWO Sparkle Dun 18-20, Missing Link 16-20, E/C Caddis 16-20, Para Caddis 16-20, Stubby Chubby 14-18, Bionic Ant 10-12, Foam Beetle 12-16, Morrish Hopper 10, Parachute Hopper 10.
SAN JOAQUIN RIVER
8/17/26: It's looking like the window for the best fishing on the middle fork is over for the season. Flows are low and it's getting pretty bony. If you decide to head down there, try fishing down low or up high and walk a good ways from the nearest trailhead.
RECOMMENDED FLIES: Gold Ribbed Hares Ear 12-20, Prince Nymph 16-20, Pheasant Tail 16-20, Copper John 16-20, Poxyback Stone 10-12, Micro Mayfly 16-20, Stimulator 14-18, Elk Hair Caddis 14-18, E/C caddis 14-18, Corn Fed Caddis 14-18, Missing Link 14-20, Yellow Humpy 14-20, Royal Wulff 14-20, Stubby Chubby 14-16, Para Hopper 10-14, Para Adams 12-20.
UPPER OWENS
8/21/26: The upper river is flowing low, clear and cool. The fishing has been decent for the smaller trout in the system and a bit tougher for the big ones. You will find plenty of fish eating Tricos and caddis in the mornings and evenings. During mid day, it's time to switch to terrestrials. We're finally seeing some hoppers along the river and the trout have definitely taken notice. If you want to target the larger fish you will probably have to go subsurface with nymphs or streamers and cover lots of water.
RECOMMENDED FLIES: Zebra Midge 18-20, Disco Midge 18-20, W.D. 18-22, Shop Vac 16-18, Psycho Prince 16-18, Hotwire Prince 16-18, Fox's Poopah 16-20, Sparkle Pupae 16-20, Nitro Caddis 16-18, Lil' Bit 16-20, Micro Mayfly 18-20, Juju Baetis 18-20, Mop 10-12, Slush Egg 12-16, Glo Bug 14-18, San Juan Worm 10-12, Squirmy Wormy 10-12, Para Hopper 12-14, Baby Boy Hopper 12-14, Morrish Hopper 12-14, Foam Beetle 10-14, Para Ant 14-18, Ant Acid 14-18, Para Adams 18-20, Sparkle Dun 18-20, Parachute Caddis 16-20, E/C Caddis 16-20, Missing Link 16-20, Organza Trico Spinner 18-22, Sunken Trico Spinner 20-22, Zuddler 6-8, Home Invader 6-8, Gonga 6-8, Mini Dungeon 8.
LOWER OWENS
8/17/26: The river has been running around 500 cfs. Flows this high make fishing and access dificult. We'll get back down there when the river drops later this fall.
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.
