Flows are up another 20 cfs

Hot Creek - Mammoth Lakes, CA (Mono County)


by The Trout Fitter Staff
5-18-2024
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Flow Rates and Water Conditions

Water Conditions: Poor-Good, Showing 80 cfs as of 5/17

Flows are up another 20 cfs today, and water conditions are changing throughout the day. Water clarity this morning was 2 feet + but now?

Remember, these are the flows just below Highway 395 on Mammoth Creek.

Hot Creek is the least affected stream by big temperature drops due to being spring-fed.

Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Good-Very Good

All parking lots are open and the walk down into the canyon is clear.

The warmer temperatures have intensified runoff but it should slow back down starting tomorrow.

Fishing has been streaky day to day with A LOT of small fish, a good sign for the future.

There has been some good dry fly action. The Interpretive Site has had midges and BWOs from around 9-11, but with increased runoff, the hatches and surface action have tapered way off.  The canyon is like the Interpretive Site, but hatches occur an hour or so later and a lot more subsurface on mayfly nymphs, midges, and scuds. We had been seeing an increase in dry fly action in the canyon, but the increase in flows and dirty water will slow it down. With the water clarity dropping due to runoff, it's a good time to try Scuds, worms, and streamers.

I still tell my clients that a 4-second drift is average and to finish with an aggressive pickup - You will hook fish you never knew existed.

Recommended Flies

DRIES:  R.P. Emerger #22 | Mother Shucker #24 | Griffith's Gnat #20-24 | Stillborn Midge Black #20-22 | Miller's Caddis #16-18 | Spider Varient #18-20 | Brooks CDC Baetis #20-24 | Stimulators #8-10 | Hi-Vis Para BWO #16-18

NYMPHS:  T Midge #24 | Zebra Midge #18-22  | Buckskin Caddis #16-20  | Scuds #14-18 | Tailwater Sowbug Rainbow #16-18 |  Bling Midge Brown #24 | TB Millers+1LT #16-18 | B/H Pheasant Tail #16-20 | San Juan Worms #12-14 

STREAMERS: Take your pick





More Reports

The Trout Fitter Reports
for Wednesday, May 1st

Owens River - Section 3 - Upper (above Crowley): Upper Owens River Fishing Report
Owens River - Lower: Lower Owens River Report
East Walker River (CA): 265 cfs as of 5/1


4-12-2024
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