Flow Rates and Water Conditions

Water Conditions: Good, showing 35 cfs as of 6/11

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

Runoff has begun!

Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Good

Runoff has already started to drop but high enough that the fish still feel safe. Keep going the scud, streamer and San Juan worm route but the food sources are varied so don't stick with any one pattern for to long. Midges early with the surprising pre runoff appearance of Trico mayflies in the upper canyon to interpretive site.  BWO mayflies and caddis midday, Little Yellow Sallies midday into the afternoon with caddis again in the evening if the wind dies down. The PMDs are starting to show up midday as well. Fishing has been better early, BWO nymphs 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 and the hatch is starting to wind down.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  |  Split Case PMD #16-18 | 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 |Copper Bead Micro Stone #14-18 | Tung Yellow Sallie #16-18

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