Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Fair

Tough fishing has returned with the low flows but try to look at the weed beds as added hiding places for the trout. Speaking of hiding , as soon as the sun goes of the water in the evening the trout come out to feed, not sure if that would apply to cloud cover.Tricos, small caddis and midges in the morning, the PMDs are fading fast and are being replaced by the Tiny BWO. These guys are hatching midday and are tiny, #22-26.The evening Hatches are male Tricos and micro caddis, the caddis are #24-28 but #20-22 are working. 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.