Looks like a nice warm up for this week and no snow in the forecast through the planned opening of Mammoth Mountain for skiing and snowboarding on November 9th. The fall colors have been spectacular this year and you will find varying phases of the aspen trees at different elevations. Some trees have dropped their leaves, while others are still displaying full fall colors. Water levels are flowing at a nice level this fall; as was expected with the massive snowpack we had this season. October is a great month to fish here, with the lower number of anglers and mild weather. Some anglers prefer to fish at this time of year for the shot at hooking into that trophy brown, rainbow, or cutthroat trout that are feeding heavily, as they prepare for the coming winter. The East Walker River is running at a perfect fall level and most areas of the river are giving up fish. The Upper Owens River has the usual suspects starting to move in for the fall spawn as the big rainbows begin to stage up at the mouth out of Crowley. Hot Creek has been fun but it is getting technical with perfect dry fly drifts. Water is extremely clear so the fish have all the time in the world to inspect your offering. Crowley Lake continues to fish well with some days producing better than others. Good quality fish and decent numbers can be had if you are on the right spot. The Lower Owens River still running high and may continue through the rest of the month.

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Sierra Drifters is a guide service based near Mammoth Lakes, CA. There is no retail shop to visit, but our time tested fly patterns are available to purchase at select locations and online here on our website. Click here to view our entire selection of flies.

Crowley Lake
It can get technical here in the fall for the indicator bite, and being able to read your sonar can become very important. Water temperatures and levels are perfect for this time, and we are seeing some good fall midge hatches taking place. There is some minor algae to contend with from time to time, and the wind direction will determine how clean the water is where you are fishing. Emerger patterns and larvae patterns have been best. You may want to mix it up with some baitfish and leech patterns when the bite slows. We have been getting into consistent action on good pods of fish. You will really need to locate the larger schools to keep the bite going.

Best Flies: Parallel Assassin Dark and Light – 16; Assassin Dark and Light – 16; Parallel Punk Perch Dark and Light – 14, 16; Broken Back Dark Zebra Midge- 16; Crystal Tiger Midge Long -18; Broken Back Copper Tiger Midge – 18; Crystal Copper Tiger Midge – 18; Crystal Midge Pupa Black – 20; Crystal Caddis Larva Olive Copper – 18; Punk Perch Dark and Light – 14, 16; Damsel Nymph Dark and Light; Flashback Pheasant Tail Tungsten Black Head – 14, 16, 18.

Middle Owens River/Wild Trout Section (Bishop Area)
Flows are raging here again as the flood gates have opened up. Best to look elsewhere as it can be an unsafe condition here if you go in.

Hot Creek
Hot Creek is fishing good if you have the right flies. Figuring out what the fish want here is all part of the fun. The dry fly fishing has been excellent on most days. Small flies are the norm here lately, so taking it down to size 22 or smaller is good idea. You will get lots of looks and inspections from the trout, and the majority will reject your fly. Dead drifting without drag is of utmost importance during this time of the season with the gin clear water.

Best Flies: Flashback PT’s #16-#20, Tricos Spinners #20-22, SD Crawlers in Red #14, Copper Tiger Midges #18-20, and #18 Assassin Dark, Tangerine Opaque, Kiwi Flash, and Apricot Flash Otter Eggs have been excellent.

Upper Owens River
The big rainbows are moving in. They are not present everywhere in the river, but certain locations are holding. Go small and stealthy to fool some of these pre-spawn fish. The water is very clear here during this time, so spotting and stalking or making your presence unknown is important.

Best Flies: Stimulator – 12, 14, 16; Crystal Copper Tiger Midge – 16,18; B100FB – 14, 16, 18, 20; Spruce a bu dark and light; Loeberg Mallard Silver; Loeberg Guinea Silver, Crystal Midge Pupa Black – 18; Crystal Chironomid Emerger Copper – 16, 18; Broken Back Copper Tiger Midge – 14,16,18, Kiwi Flash and Flamingo Otter Eggs.

East Walker River
Flows are at optimal levels for this time of year. There isn’t much in the forecast in the way of snow, but some cooler nights will punch things into gear around here. The algae bloom from Bridgeport Reservoir seeped into the river over the last few weeks, but the river is starting to clean up nicely. The further from the dam you get, the clearer the water gets.

Best Flies: B100FB – 18, 20; Crystal Copper Tiger Midge -16; Crystal Zebra Midge – 16, 18; Punk Perch Light and Dark – 14, 16; Parallel Punk Perch Light and Dark; Crystal Leech – 12, 14, 16; Agent Orange 12, 14, 16; Parallel Agent Orange – 14, Spruce-a-bu Dark and Light.