Fishing Season: Year round

Hot Creek - CA

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

57

Jim Elias's Tip of the Week

Time to go outside the box. Try some different techniques than you're used to. No fish rising? Sure, try a dry fly, you never know. Always nymphing? Maybe tie on a big hopper and slap it in all the water you can't fish under the bobber...

Directions open in app

Map of Hot Creek

Water Flow Data

5-Day Outlook as of 12/7/23

Seasonably cold with daytime temperatures in the mid 50s most of the week with some wind in the forecast but nothing crazy. Water temperatures are holding in the 50s.

Techniques & Tips as of 12/7/23

Dry/Hopper Dropper or Euro Nymphing if the wind isn't blowing.

Local Species Available Year round

  • Fish Icon

    Trout - Rainbow

  • Fish Icon

    Brown

Jim Elias's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Flashback Scud Wet Hare's Ear N/A 16
Bead Head American Pheasant Tail N/A 18-20
Vernille San Juan Worm Red 16
WD-40 Black 18-20
CDC PMD Emerger Yellow 16
Micromayfly Black 18
CDC Sulphur Emerger N/A 16
Rojo Midge N/A 20
Drowned Trico Spinner Black 20-22
T-Midge Black 20-22

Flashback Scud Wet Hare's Ear

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Item #0472

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Jim Elias's Recommended Gear

Description: About Hot Creek

INTERPRETIVE SITE ABOVE HOT CREEK RANCH AND THE CANYON SECTION BELOW THE RANCH AND AFTER THE CATTLE GUARDS.

Nearest Airport:

Mammoth -Yosemite Airport (MMH)

Hatches:

Hatches have been decent, but the fish are super picky. Saw lots of Tricos mid morning but when I pumped a fish I only found mayfly nymphs and caddis larva... Lots of what looked like PEDs hatching in the mid afternoon before the wind came up. Bottom line is there are better places to fish right now and I haven't been taking clients down here.

Best Time to Fish:

Mid morning to late afternoon.

Best Stretch:

Canyon section is usually less crowded with more open water to fish.

Best Access:

Hot Creek Hatchery Road