Water Conditions: Good, showing 46 cfs as of 5/20

Remember, these are the flows just below Highway 395 on Mammoth Creek.

Runoff has begun!

Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Fair-Good

And now the runoff is here. Flows have doubled in the last two days so hopefully the fish will feel a little safer and start coming out  from cover. Anyway it's scud, streamer and San Juan worm time at least to give them a try. When the wind does let up we're seeing the usual suspects. midges early with the surprising pre runoff appearance of Trico mayflies in the upper canyon to interpretive site.  BWO mayflies and caddis midday with caddis in the evening if the wind dies down. Fishing has been better early, BWO and Scuds followed by the BWO hatch starting earlier now, between 10:30 and 11. The BWOs are getting smaller, more in the #20-24 range. There seem to be more caddis in the upper canyon and more Baetis lower down but that could be more about when people are fishing in different sections.The canyon has been fishing well until early afternoon before slowing down, I've heard good reports about late afternoon but no specifics. The tough part in the canyon is that the hatches can be different day to day and also upstream versus downstream.

Since the caddis are now getting active try fishing a Pheasant Tail #16-20, either bead or non-bead. Not only does it cover the mayflies, but it also imitates the case caddis. And don't forget the ever-present midges.

I still tell my clients that a 4 second drift is average and finish with an aggressive pickup, you will hook fish you never knew existed.

I hate to have to pass this along but due to the number of Ospreys working Hot Creek the fishing has changed considerably. I don't think the fish population has dropped as much as the fish have seriously changed their habits, especially at the Interpretive Site. The fish are now holding under banks and weed beds so outside of the deeper holes your presentations have to be tight to coverage to have a chance. We're hoping that with the weed beds growing and the young leaving the nests the Ospreys will start spreading out and things will return to normal.

Recommended Flies

DRIES:  R.P. Emerger #22 | Parachute Adams # 16-20  | Mother Shucker #24 | CDC Baetis Dun #18-24 | Griffith's Gnat #20-24 | Stillborn Midge Black #20-22 | Hi-Vis Baetis #16-20 | Para Caddis #18-22 | Elk Hair Skaddis #18-22 | Spent Partridge Caddis #18-22 | Brooks Hot Creek Caddis #22 |

NYMPHS:  T Midge #24 | Zebra Midge #18-22  |Juju Baetis #16-20  | Medallion Midge #18-24 |  Buckskin #16-20  |  Barr's Emerger #16-22 | CDC Transition Midge #18-22 | Scuds grey or olive/grey #14-18 | Tailwater Sowbug Rainbow #16-18 |  Bling Midge Brown #24 | TB Millers+1LT #16-18 | Nori's Caddis #20-22

STREAMERS: Mini Sculpin Orange #6 | Slumpbuster Natural #10 | Hornburg #10-14   Mice