Fishing Season: Year round

Hot Creek - CA

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

57

The Trout Fly's Tip of the Week

Cover every inch of water, You might be surprised by where fish are holding. Be Aware of COVID-19 restrictions.

Directions open in app

Map of Hot Creek

5-Day Outlook as of 9/10/21

Warm and Dry

Techniques & Tips as of 9/10/21

Dries & Nymphing

Current Conditions as of 9/10/21

Warm and Dry

Local Species Available Year round

  • Fish Icon

    Trout - Rainbow

  • Fish Icon

    Brown

The Trout Fly's Recommended Fly Patterns

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

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Blue Wing Olive Parachute N/A 16-18
Hopper N/A 10-14
Bead Head Hare's Ear Flashback N/A 16-18
Zebra Midge N/A 16-20
hunchback crystal baetis N/A 20-22
Tungsten Psycho N/A 16-20
hogans S&M Olive 16-20

Blue Wing Olive Parachute

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Item #0924

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The Trout Fly'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:

Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Fair to Good Hot Creek in the canyon is now closed with only the Interpretive site open. Anybody who fishes there has a good mental image of what the crowds could be like, and it's not a pretty picture. Seriously, please show respect to other anglers and don't overcrowd. Best to drive by and if there aren't more than a few cars head on down, lots of cars, head on down....to the Owens. There is a silver lining to the extremely low flows in Mammoth Creek, with less warm water joining the spring water, water temperatures are staying cold a little longer. The water is getting warmer so it's probably best to fish the first 1/2 of the day and then give it a rest. The best thing you can do is carry a thermometer as temperatures fluctuate more than you would think. This time of year there are few new wrinkles but that should change in the next month with Tricos and caddis fading and BWOs, Craneflies and October Caddis showing up. Caddis, Midges and Tricos (7-10 am) but the PMDs are done, replaced by the Tiny BWO and a gray mayfly (probably a Baetis) late morning until the middle of the afternoon. These fish have been hammered so not only good drifts but flies that imitate the right stage(nymph, emerger, adult,dun, spinner or spent are important. The dry fly fishing is pretty slow, nymphing has been more consistent with the exception of terrestrials, hoppers and ant patterns alone or with a dropper are working well. AND the weed beds are very thick, hence the comment about short drifts. I tell my clients that a 4 second drift is average and finish with an aggressive pickup, you will hook fish you never knew existed.

Best Time to Fish:

Mid Day

Best Stretch:

Canyon Section

Best Access:

All three parking lots.