Welcome to my Eastern Sierra fly fishing report for early November. We have had an awesome fall season thus far! The fishing has been hit and miss on the Owens but there is still plenty of quality action to get after, and should be improving as we head into early winter. We are gearing up for our winter fly fishing season here on the Eastern Sierra, and it’s by far the best time to fish our local rivers and lower elevation streams. Check the weather before coming this way as our winter storms are starting up. I hope you enjoy this most recent report feel free to reach out to line up a guided trip or if you have any questions on the report itself!
-Luke Kinney
*** I will be travelling to New Zealand from (Nov 15th-Jan 1st), and will be blogging about that trip while I’m there! Stay tuned for some epic tales from the far south.
CALL (858) 750 9820
Email- goldentroutguiding@gmail.com
Programs and Highlights
2026 Fall Euro Nymphing Clinic- We just wrapped our 2026 Fall Fly Fishing Clinic was was primarily based around Euro Nymphing. Tight line nymphing is a fantastic way to fish our local rivers here on the Eastern Sierra, in particular during fall and winter when the hatches slow down and fish are primarily feeding closer to the bottom. We had a full group of 9 anglers and 3 guides, making the most of our time together from morning classroom presentations to time practicing first hand on the river. The bite on the Upper Owens was slow but everyone in the group still managed to catch fish throughout the weekend using the techniques we learned over the weekend. We host one clinic during the spring and one during the fall, and they are the highlight of our guide season! It’s one thing to go out with a guide and have them hand you a rod already rigged and ready, tell you where to cast, and bam your hooked up. It’s another thing to learn for yourself, how to rig, how to read the stream, how to get it done… the job of a good guide is to empower each angler to learn the necessary skills to go out and do it on their own. We also talk in length about proper catch and release ethics as well as being a good steward of the land/sharing space on the river. Thanks to everyone who came out this fall, lifelong friendships were made and there are many adventures ahead.
Our spring Clinic will be (March 13th & 14th) on the Lower Owens and will be focused on top water fly fishing and casting. More info on the upcoming spring clinic HERE we have 8 positions total and only 2 left as of 10/30/2026.
2027 SPRING DRY FLY CLINIC
Fly FIshing Report
Lower Owens River- The Lower Owens has dropped down to 175/180 CFS which is prime flows for getting into the harder to reach spots of the Lower! Still use caution while wading the river as its just becoming accessible. Right now nymphing either under the indicator or tight lining is the way to get into fish. There is very little surface action but if you are looking to fish dry flies, your window is going to be 9am-1pm when its warmest and the bugs have a change to hatch. Fishing two flies under a nymph rig has been my go too. This time of year I like to fish a buggier nymph as my top fly and a more general attractor pattern like a perdigon as my point fly (closest to the bottom). Some recommended nymphs going into november… Perdigon (16-18) of various sizes and colors, FB Pheasant Tail (14-18), Dark Bead Head Hare’s Ears (14-18), Rainbow Warrior (16-18). If you feel like stripping some smaller streamers through the deeper pools that will also lead you into some potentially nice hookups. Some recommended streamers for the Lower Owens… Mini Leech (14-16), Wooly Bugger “Black or Olive” (10-14), Micro Changer (10-12). When fishing streamers I like to fish a partial or full sinking line depending on flows and depth. If you fish a floating line make sure you are adding split shot to get the depth you are targeting while retrieving your fly. The Lower Owens has plenty of water to fish, from pleasant valley campground area to big pine, think outside the box, get off the beaten path and you will most likely be rewarded for it. Look for the more oxygenated water and runs, actively feeding trout will hang out on the seams of the foamline, great place to get bites. The slower pools are also producing but the trout will be pickier as they have more time to inspect the fly. Water temps are mid 50’s perfect for trout and a healthy river! Get out there and have a great time! I am currently booking now through march on the Lower Owens. I have limited availability so reach out sooner the later if you are looking to grab a date.
BOOK THE LOWER OWENS
Fishing a double nymph rig under the indicator on a beautiful fall day!
83 Year Old Mary Jo came out to enjoy a fall day on the Lower Owens. Mary and her late husband shared the Joy of fly fishing together most of their adult life.
A proper fall brown in its full fall uniform!
Central Gorge- The Central Gorge has been fishing well! This is a good time of year to explore the central gorge and a fantastic place to fish all styles from dries to nymphs. The central gorge is a massive 13 miles stretch of canyon that splits between Crowley Lake and Pleasant Valley Reservoir. The central gorge requires some fitness and hiking ability and is not recommended for those with serious knee or hip issues, as rock scrambling and loose terrain is part of the game down there. There are certain areas more accessible than others, but a majority of the canyon takes some solid adventure hiking to reach. That being said if you are the adventurous type and like to get tucked in the central is a great place to get away from Crowds. The Central Gorge is one of the few places on the Eastern Sierra where dry flies can work year around, especially during the warmest points of the day when the sun is at its highest. Running a single dry fly like a Parachute Adams (16-20) Blue Wing Olive (16-20) Small Stimulator (16-18) are all good options. You can also run a dry dropper set up, which works very well in the central gorge. Small nymphs like Copper John (18-20) Pheasant Tail (18-20) Small Baetis Nymph (18-20) will all work! The central gorge is also the perfect place to hone in on your tight lining skills as the bottom is full of boulders, ledges and drop offs of which only a tight line can handle that well. Fishing under an indicator will absolutely work but you will limit your depth and presentation greatly if trying to cover water well. The Central Gorge fishes best now until december, and will slow down during the colder months, but fishes well all winter, picking back up again into march! Now is the time to go adventure into the Gorge and find some wild browns and rainbows. Most of the fish down there are fun sized 8-10 inches with the occasional 14 inch+. If you are looking for a guide for the Central Gorge I would be happy to show you around, I love fishing the Canyon.
BOOK THE CENTRAL GORGE
Exploring the Central Gorge.
Euro Nymphing a tight run tucked into the canyon! So epic.
The Central Gorge has some of the most beautiful browns on the Eastern Sierra. Perfect fish!
Hot Creek- Hot Creek is trickling at 7 CFS which is low. This is one of the more challenging times to fish Hot Creek as far as low flows and bug life. There are still some nice fish to be caught with the right flies and the presentation. The interpretive site has a bit more water but still pretty low and nymphing by either tight lining or under a very small bobber can get some fish to the net. This is probably the most pressured area to fish hot creek and on the Eastern Sierra so know that most days until winter you will be fishing with others. If you decide to go into the canyon section, be prepared for high weed beds and lower flows so strategically fishing a nymph rig or a dry dropper is a wise call. As far as fishing top water on the warmer days, the smaller the better when it comes to dry flies Parachute Adams (20-22) Blue Wing Olive (20-22) Trico (20-22) and Caddis (18-20) are all viable options. If you are running a dry dropper you can size up that dry fly to support a suspended micro nymph. Smaller nymphs like… Copper John (18-20) Pheasant Tail Nymph (18-20) Darth Baetis (18-20) Zebra MIdge (18-22) are all good choices for the canyon. Hot Creek canyon is always a beautiful endeavor and a lovely walk and way to spend the day. Please keep out of the water to avoid spawning beds or spreading foreign insects. Have fun out there! Spring is my favorite to fish and guide Hot Creek when flows are highest and bugs are hatching to book a spring trip with me this coming year reach out.
BOOK HOT CREEK FOR SPRING 27
Spring melt out in Hot Creek is the best time to fish it (March-May)
Upper Owens- The Upper Owens is flowing at around 100 CFS below the Hot Creek Confluence and 70 CFS above which is fairly low and could use seeing some more water. These recent storms moving through will help bring up some flows and hopefully trigger some fish to move upstream in the system as well. The Upper Owens has good access at this point but use caution as we head into winter when snow and rain storms start to effect the roads integrity. It is very easy to get stuck out there and there are very few people willing to go out and rescue you, not to mention they will charge premium for a river car rescue. Main point, if it looks sketchy park your car and hike in! It’s a beautiful hike and there is plenty of water to fish. I have to say this every year, but at the same time there are always people getting stuck out there. As far as fishing goes the Upper Owens is off to a slow start for our trophy trout season thus far. There are some residential trophy trout in the system but we have not seen many new fish moving into the system, although with these winter storms they could be moving new fish up as we speak. Every winter season various in spawning activity so it’s hard to gage what type of winter season we will see thus far, for example last season was by far one of the best years for migrating trout, this year is already sup-par compared. Hopefully we will see a flux in new fish as we head into the colder months of winter, some years later is better… (Jan-March). The Upper Owens has also become one of the most if not most popular river in CA currently, so the amount of crowds and pressure are to be taken into account. Once the snow comes in (hopefully) will start to decrease access and pressure, and give the chance for more migrating trout to make it upstream as well as a needed break from anglers. I will be traveling and giving this river a rest until I return in Jan where hopefully we will be snowshoeing in, my favorite time to fish it. As far as flies and what’s currently working… small nymphs, streamers, and some junk food patterns will lead you into fish. Outside of fly selection not being seen and a serious level of stealth is required to fool those fish especially the big ones. There are use to seeing flies and anglers so first step is to go unseen before your cast! There are still plenty of smaller juvenile trout to fish for on both dry flies or a dry dropper rig mid morning into mid day. Small dry flies like Parachute Adams (18-20) Purple Haze (18-20) Dark Caddis (18-20) BWO (18-22) and Trico (20-22) are good options. When fishing dry flies on the Upper Owens I recommend making your leader length a bit longer than usual 12-14 ft to 5X.. allowing for a better drift and stealthier presentation. Both Euro Nymphing and fishing under an indicator are the ways to hunt down the bigger fish in the deeper bends and holes. The Upper Owens is a beautiful stretch of river and always a beautiful way to spend the day, the beauty and possibilities for a larger fish are no secret, be prepared for crowds. I’m currently booking trophy hunts on the Upper Owens with very limited availability from Jan-March with Jan almost fully booked. I’m only doing 1-2 days a week this winter so reach out if you want a trip.
BOOK THE UPPER OWENS (JAN-MARCH)
Fall Brown Trout on the Upper Owens. Marcus from our fall fly fishing clinic getting his first fish on the Fly Rod. Not Bad!!
East Walker River- The East Walker River is currently flowing at 20 CFS… which is unfortunately way to low to fish ethically or responsibly. We had a good run this fall where it was 100+ and we got into some incredible fishing. The river will be closing for the winter season on the 15th and unless the flows come up above 80 CFS we are calling it for the year. I have been booked on the East Walker for opening week (April 24th-May 1st) every year! If you want to do the opener on the East Walker with me, reach out ASAP. Praying for a BIG winter and BIG HIGH FLOWS this coming spring.
BOOK EAST WALKER FOR OPENING WEEK 27’
A nice fall rainbow on the EW as fat as they come. Excited for spring 27’ to get back on the EW.
Thanks for stopping by for my Eastern Sierra Fly Fishing Report. I appreciate all the years of continued support, business and friendship. There have been times and still continue to be times in my life where I am overwhelmed by life itself and the many challenges. Running to the river can help patch some of those holes in our hearts but only God can fill it with true love. God loves you and his name is Jesus Christ, ask and you shall receive. No matter what you are struggling with, what you have done or haven’t done, Jesus will meet you where you are.
-Luke Kinney, Owner G.T.G.C
1 John 4:16 - So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.
