Saturday, July 19, 2008

East Walker River Updated 7/19/08
The water coming out of the dam is 68 degrees. As the temps increase be sure to play fish as quickly as possible and fully revive any fish landed. Having said that, the river is still fishing well. Nymphs, dries, and streamers will all take fish. The miracle mile has been seeing a lot of pressure which is no suprise. Make sure your drifts are good and change flies to find the bug of the day. Recomended flies: Brassie 18-22, Midgeling 18, Disco Midge 18-20, W.D.'s 18-22, Buckskin 16-20, Fox's Poopah 16-20, Nori's Caddis 16-18, Bird's Nest 16-20, Hot Wired Prince 16-18, Elk Hair 14-20, E/C Caddis 16-20, Skittering Caddis 14-16, Spent Partridge Caddis 16-18, Chernobyl Ant 10-12, Parachute Hopper 8-12, Parachute Ant 16-18, Cone Head Zuddler 8-10, J.J. Specials 8, Hornberg 8-12.

West Walker River
The flows have dropped to perfect levels. From now until the end of the season this is a great option for beginners or those who don't mind catching 20-40 stockers. Try to fish any of the slower or deeper pockets and pools. Our standard rig for the river is a hopper/dropper combo. Any high floating attractor dry will do with a beadhead underneath. Recomended flies: Parachute Hopper 8-10, Chernobyl Ant 10-12, Rubberleg Stimulator 8-12, Hares Ear Trude 10-12, Copper John 14-16, Prince Nymph 14-16, Micro Mayfly 14-16, Zug Bug 14-16.

Hot Creek
The flows have come down to summertime levels. Weed beds have covered a lot of the creek but there is still great fishing to be had in the open slots. We are seeing a lot more fish in the 14-18 inch range which is how it should be. Both dries and nymphs are fooling these fish. The PMD's and Little Yellow Stones are starting to taper off but there are plenty of midges and caddis to take their place. We are just starting to see a few Tricos in the morning and a BWO is coming off mid day. Recomended flies: Cardinal Midge 18-22, Brassie 18-22 W.D.'s 18-22, Disco Midge 18-20, Micro Mayfly 18-20, Barr's Emerger PMD 16-18, Barr's Emerger BWO 18-20, Surface Emerger 18-20, Copper John 20-22, Z-Wing Caddis 16-20, Fox's Poopah 18-20, Buckskin 16-18, Pearl Caddis 18-20, Brooks Trico Nymph 20, Brooks Baetis Nymph 16-20, Parachute Caddis 16-20, X Caddis 16-20, CDC Caddis 18-20, Parachute Adams 18-22, Foam Beatle 14-18, Chernobyl Ant 14-16, Parachute Hopper 10-12.

Upper Owens River
This is about as good as it gets. Lots of fish, lots of bugs, and lots of people. This is another great place for the novice. There are plenty of stockers spread throughout the river with enough wild browns to keep things interesting. This is one of those rivers where you never know what you might connect with. There are definately some big fish lurking in some of those holes. You can use whatever technique you like right now. Recomended flies: Copper John 14-18, Bird's Nest 14-18, Prince Nymph 14-18, Pheasant Tail 16-20, Fox's Poopah 16-18, Micro Mayfly 16-20, Elk Hair Caddis 14-16, Yellow Stimulator 14-18, E/C Caddis 14-18, Parachute Hopper 10-12,
Wooly Bugger 10-12, Cone Head Zuddler 8-12, Hornberg 10-14, Matuka 10-14

San Joaquin River
Another great river that is in prime shape. There is no more spectacular place to fish for wild trout. What these fish lack in size, they make up for in numbers. Access the river through the campgrounds and hike a little to get away from the crowds and hatchery fish. There is no reason to fish anything other than a dry/dropper combo. Recomended flies: Copper John 14-18, Bird's Nest 14-18, Pheasant Tail 14-18, Prince Nymph 14-18, Gold Ribbed Hares Ear 12-18, Stimulator 12-16, Trude 12-16, Parachute Madam X 12-14, Humpy 12-14, Elk Hair Caddis 14-16, Parachute Hopper 10-12, Parachute Ant 12-16.

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