Fishing Season: Year round

Hot Creek - CA

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

70

Jim Elias's Tip of the Week

Your drift needs to be short right now. When I say shorter drifts, I mean it. Usually only 8-10ft of river at a time, sometimes less. Weeds are everywhere and you will catch nothing but weeds with longer drifts.

Directions open in app

Map of Hot Creek

5-Day Outlook as of 8/12/22

The fishing has definitely been improving with all the rain we got last week. The town of Mammoth Lakes got around 2 inches of precipitation, and much more higher up in the mountains. Flows on some river flows were as much as 10 times higher after heavy rain fell last week. Crowley has started to turn around, with water temps coming down bringing more productive hatches and active fish. Temps expected to be in the upper 70s to low 80s for the coming week. Monsoon moisture returns on Tuesday, hopefully bringing us even more rain with a chance at afternoon thunderstorms the rest of the week.

Techniques & Tips as of 8/12/22

Dry Dropper or Euro Nymphing if the wind isn't blowing. Otherwise a small piece of yarn will work best as your strike indicator.

Local Species Available Year round

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    Trout - Rainbow

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    Brown

Jim Elias's Recommended Fly Patterns

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

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Sulphur Emerger N/A 16-18
Bead Head Emerging Sparkle Caddis Pupa N/A 16-18
Bead Head American Pheasant Tail N/A 18
Flashback Scud Wet Hare's Ear N/A 18-20
Zebra Midge Black or Copper 18-20
WD-40 Black 18-20
RS2 Gray/Olive 18-20
Tunghead Hot Spot Pheasant Tail Jig N/A 16
Buck Skin Caddis Tan 18
T-Midge Black 20-22

Sulphur Emerger

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Item #12AK

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Jim Elias's Recommended Gear

Description: About Hot Creek

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

Nearest Airport:

Mammoth -Yosemite Airport (MMH)

Hatches:

Spent a few hours down here over the weekend when the flows were up. Water was clear, and temps were solid but there wasn't much hatching and the weeds are still out of control though. Saw some Caddis coming off mid-day, but only a handful of interested fish. Probably won't be headed down here again anytime soon honestly.

Best Time to Fish:

7-12

Best Stretch:

Canyon Section

Best Access:

All three parking lots.