As predicted (no brainer to be honest) the flows have come way down here (240cfs) and the LO is the place to be for numbers as long as they hold below 300cfs.  I believe they will continue to trend lower especially if the forecast warming cycle develops.  This window of opportunity will remain for an extended period thanks to a decent snowpack in the southern Sierra, and above normal for the central region.  

East Walker: 

Finest kind.   Despite heavy pressure in the miracle   Fish midge patterns in the mornings and pay attention to the soft back eddies next to the current rips.  You will have some excellent opportunities to fish tiny midge adults and pick up the wily rascals that seldom bite nymphs due to pressure.  The sweet spot has been the baetis hatch (BWO’s) during the middle of the day.  The current generations are smaller than in early spring so use a quill or para post wing in the #18-20 range for an accurate profile of the naturals.  Keep them riding high with a coat of “dry shake” every ten casts, or if you get a grab or fish for sure.  Nymphing has been good using a San Juan Worm as an attractor #12-16.  A smaller midge or may fly nymph as the dropper is a good choice #16-22.  Take that “Under-Cator” off and fish the tandem rigs without an indicator.  You will get more grabs once you master this method.  You will also observe a decent early black stone fly emergence.  Camp out on a big dark pool and tie on a #6-8 black SF nymph pattern solo.  Keep it right on the bottom as the nymphs are benthic, very much the bottom dweller.  The insanely aggressive splashes you will see or hear this time of year are probably from one of the adult stones meeting its maker! 

Hot Creek: 

It has been a great spring here.  The BWO emergence continues to be the main attraction. However, we are actually doing very well in the mornings fishing midge adults #22 with a high vis para bwo #16-18 as the beacon, or spot fly.  The fish are spread out nicely due to better than normal flows for this time of year and even though it can be very crowded there is enough water to go around during the afternoon hatch.  The road is open to all the parking locations. 

Crowley Lake:

UPDATE:  Crowley has had its share of wind this spring and it has made fly fishing very tough.  The fish are holding in deep water and are feeding on daphnia and leeches.  Chironomid hatches are minimal at best but will explode soon with a significant warming trend.  Until then stick to midge larva patterns or tug streamers near the bottom @15 feet or more.  Sandy Pt., and the north arm are the best locations.

Bridgeport Reservoir: 

Pretty much the same story here for fly fishers, look for the fish to be holding deeper due to the colder surface water temps.  Streamers would be my first choice used with a full/fast sink.  Check out the area in front of the marina, and just north of the public launch ramp.  Bridgeport has a large population of Sacramento Perch. A Hornberg pattern or matuka is a good profile for this baitfish.  The guinea Loeberg and olive Punk Perch patterns have been designed with the Bridge and Crowley as specific areas to target.  This area is cleared for planting and should be very good this season especially in late June/July.  Although Jeffery at the marina is extremely “sheep” friendly-I would not approach him with a sales pitch to sell bird feeders or enviro safe granola bars at his establishment! 

Crowley Tributaries: 

The numbers are decent near the monument section of the Upper Owens, and there are more big fish moving upstream since my last report.  Try nymphing with zebra or copper tigers and FB PT’s #16-20.  If you don’t mind the smaller water, Big Springs is a fun place this time of year.  McGee has some big fish, but it is looking like a late migration here as well. SD’s Two Bug Doug said it was not worth another walk down here quite yet.  Hopefully the run-off will not begin before this migration occurs.  Hilton and Convict are also the same-a few big fish but low on volume.  If you are not opposed to fishing egg and worm patterns in these locations, make sure you have some.  Streamers will also entice the love struck critters in the right holes.  You will need a sinking tip on the UO, the other locations can be fished with your floating line.

THE SECTION FROM THE BENTON BRIDGE DOWNSTREAM TO THE FISHING MONUMENT WILL CONTINUE TO BE CLOSED UNTIL 5-29.  YOU MAY FISH DOWNSTREAM FROM THE MONUMENT TO CROWLEY BEGINNING 4-24.

PV Reservoir: 

This location has been well stocked and can be a real sleeper after the opener if you like to tube.  I would suggest you look here if you want more numbers and warmer weather for the next couple of weeks.  The upper lakes are frozen or really cold for fly fishers.  Still water nymphing along the drop-offs on the west side shore with the same rig you use on Crowley will produce here.  Hang those broken back gillies, zebras, or tigers below an Under-Cator in 10-13 feet and will get grabs.  Streamer fishing here will also spank the stockers as well as the wild browns near the inlet.  A moderate to heavy sink tip works best to get them down 10 feet or so.

The Gorge:

Good.  If you do not mind the rock hopping and are a decent caster with good 30 foot accuracy, this is your huckleberry for smaller wild browns and a place to get away from the opening crowds.  Dries can be fished all day beginning with midges and ending with caddis.  The Mays will emerge around lunchtime.  Hang a dropper bead head off a larger dry 2-3 feet in the deep holes and you can do well if the sun is straight overhead.

Steve N...Accurate upstream presentations can get you 50 fish a day!

Freestone Creeks: 

I know most of the popular ones have been cleared for planting and the conditions are very good except for a low snow level at this time.  We have not been guiding in these locations, nor have reliable info on these.  Will post it when I get the scoop. 

Alpine Lakes: 

Some will be locked in ice until late May early June, and the ones that are ice free still have very low water temps.  We will keep you posted as we get info.  Convict, Lundy, Lower Twin Bridgeport, June and Grant I know are ice free.  These lakes were planted last fall and have holdovers.

Adobe Pond: 

This place will be awesome this spring.  Get your dates early.  May & early June will be excellent.  We sight fish from a drift boat and have exclusive rights to guide this famous wild brown trout fishery. Click on the Adobe Ranch tab at the top of the site for more info.