Match the hatch is very true when fishing Hot Creek at this time of year

Hot Creek - Mammoth Lakes, CA (Mono County)


by The Trout Fitter Staff
8-23-2012
Website

Water Conditions: Good flows at 17cfs as of 8/22. Water is very clear and low when compared to this time last year. Weeds everywhere. Only a few pockets of deeper water here and there.

Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Good use Tricos early. Catch the spinner fall around 7-8am. Some Baetis mixed in later in the morning. Lots of scuds in the weeds too. Fishing slows to a crawl by mid-day, but picks up in the later afternoon. Don't forget about some BWOs if it's overcast or it looks like it's about to rain. Plenty of Caddis, but they fish at this point have seen so many of them they're not as interested. Fish big hoppers on the far bank in the afternoons with a mayfly nymph dropper.

Recommended Flies:

DRIES:
CDC Trico #20-22. Parachute Caddis Grey #18, Profile Baetis #18-22 Brook's Hot Creek Caddis #18-20, Elk Hair Caddis Olive #20, Spent Partridge Caddis #18-20, Parachute Ostritch Caddis #18-20, Old School Caddis Emerger Olive #18-20, Parachute Kicking Hopper, Fat Albert #10-14, Streamside Hopper, Chernobyl Ant

NYMPHS: Scuds! Kyle's Superflash PT #22, Black Two-Bit Hooker #20, Grey Scud #16, Buck Skin Caddis #18, Nori's Caddis Pupa Geen #18, Anderson's Bird of Prey Tan #20, Fox's Caddis Poopah Green #18, Galatin's Sparkle Pupa #18, Brown Micromayfly #18-22, Pheasant Tail #18, Nitro Caddis Tan #18-20 Chartreuse Copper John #20

STREAMERS: #12 Bead Head Doc's Twin Lake Special Black

Guides Hint: Drag free drifts are essential to catching fish now. Nymph the shallow riffles without any weight for best results.