Hot Creek is fishing similar to summer with small midge & baetis patterns subsurface working best

Hot Creek - Mammoth Lakes, CA (Mono County)


by The Trout Fitter Staff
2-23-2012
Website

Water Conditions:
Great the flows constant at 21-22 cfs as of 2/12. The road to the canyon section is clear, but the gate is still locked. From there it's some 300 yards to walk to the first parking lot. No snow on the road to the interpretive section either.

Fishing Conditions and Hatches:
Good to excellent. NOT MUCH CHANGE FROM LAST WEEK EXCEPT BIGGER HATCHES WITH OVERCAST SKIES IN FORECAST BY LATE IN THE WEEKEND. Some caddis coming off with the really warm days as well. The fish aren't keyed on them, but it just goes to show how warm it's been the last couple of days. For the canyon section, it is fishing similar to summer with smaller midges and baetis patterns subsurface all day and moderate to strong hatches midday. Once the water temp comes up about two degrees the food bell rings and it's downright good for 3-4 hours daily.

Recommended Flies:

DRIES:

CDC Baetis DUN #20-22, Extended Body BWO #20-22, Brook's Sprout Baetis #20-22, CDC Emerger Baetis #20-22, Stalcup Emerger Parachute Midge #22, CDC Emerging Midge 22-24, Real Midge 24 (dry or wet)

NYMPHS:
Flashwing WD 40 #20-22, Craven's JuJu Baetis #20-22, Stocker's BH Lightning Bug Black #20, Copper Zebra #22, Yankee Buzzer #22, Micracle Nymph #20, BH FB Pheasant Tail #16-#20, #22-24 Black Beauty, #22 Furimsky's Epoxy Midge, WD Flashy Black #22, #16 Hare's Ear midday, Barr's Flashback 18-20, Tungsten Psycho #20-22

STREAMERS:
#12 Bead Head Doc's Twin Lake Special Black/Brown/Olive, Burnt Orange Marabou Leech