Troutfitter Fish Report

June 7 2026

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Crowley Lake

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Fishing Report & Conditions: 

As is normal, water clarity is as good as it gets.

Attention, if you haven’t noticed, access to the western parts of the lake have been blocked off at the Whitmore road, I haven’t heard any time frame. This is a decision by DWP to protect these areas during the high water levels.

Finally some good news, the north end picked up today! Small black midges until 9:30 or so…important info….Callibaetis 9:30-11 and then back to small dark midges again. 

The cold and stormy weather definitely hurt the fishing and even though the weather has improved the fishing has remained slow. June is normally a slow month fishing wise but this year June has started slower than usual. The fish seem to be moving around a lot and following no discernable pattern . As is usual in the early season most of the fish are in deeper water, 20’ to 35’ but they are starting to move shallower (17-25) and into the weeds that are starting to grow. Dropoffs and any changes in bottom structure can be critical to holding fish, you will find fish close to shore along the steeper shoreline but those fish will move out midday. Most of the pressure has been on the  north side of Sandy back into McGee as far as the weather tower but that has slowed down considerably. Alligator/ Leyton has also been decent but the fish seem to be moving up into the north end. Crooked creek as well as the Hilton bay area are slow. Don’t be afraid to wander away from the fleet, everybody seems to gather in particular spots but there are concentrations of fish all over the place. It’s all about midges this time of year with grey and black being the most popular but we are starting to see bigger( #12-14) red midges. We are also starting to see the beginnings of the Callibaetis emergence so it shouldn’t be too long before they become an important mid to late morning choice. Also early season is a good time to super size one of your midges ( think Pyramid Lake size), the fish aren’t as picky early season. Something to keep an eye out for, the Tui Chub are early spawners and as we get further into May keep an eye out for fish chasing the fry, especially early in the day. 

Flies

 

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Upper Owens River

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Fishing Report & Conditions:Fair-Good

The snow is gone from most of the roads but watch out for a few mudholes. UPDATE: IRRIGATION HAS BEGUN SO ANYTHING UPSTREAM OF THE FIRST DRIVE THROUGH GATE COULD BE HAZARDOUS. THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE THE MAIN ROAD!

  The flows coming out of Grant Lake are up to 56 cfs. The spawning Rainbows are headed back to the lake and the Cutthroats that are still up there are pretty beat up. Having said that, for the sake of the fishery do not wade in the tailouts and only fish the bigger fish in the deep holes.  Not a lot of hatches going on outside of the ever present midges, the BWO’s and Caddis hatches are pretty weak. There’s also some Tricos early to mid morning but it’s a little early to get excited about that. The usual egg and worm patterns are still working but the fish are turning more and more to midge patterns. It’s still important to avoid wading and stay in water waist deep if possible, so as to avoid trampling the eggs. If size is not important you can pick up some 6”-8” browns on dry flies. 

 

Flies

 

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Hot Creek

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Fishing Report & Conditions: Good

The flows are dropping and the weeds are growing.

Early season the midge hatch has been the most consistent but on warmer days we’re seeing sporadic BWO and the caddis hatch is definitely improving. 8:30-10 is sporadic midge, Trico (early for them) and caddis, 11-1:30 lots of caddis and some mayflies as the Baetis hatch is fading and the PMD hatch is picking up. 6-8pm is caddis action which can be heavy. The surface bite is picking up as well. If you’re not seeing hatches don’t forget the scuds or throw some streamer patterns.

Two guide tips: 1) When casting, if you’re looking at the weed beds, you will hit them, so look at the clear lanes. 2) Your drifts should average 4 seconds or less followed by a smooth but aggressive backcast around your downstream shoulder - You will be amazed by the number of hookups you didn’t even know were there.

Flies

 

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East Walker River

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Fishing Report & Conditions: 

Good news/bad news. Good news is the hatches have picked up big time with a ton of small Mayfly nymphs as well as lots of midges,mayflies and caddis coming off. Bad news is the fishing has still been slow but showing signs of picking up. Water temperatures are starting out in the low 50’s and getting into the mid 50’s by early afternoon. Don’t expect to get more than a couple of fish in a hole, it’s best to keep moving. Maybe things will improve as the water warms up. 

I got a good report today, especially if you like to fish dries. BIG Chernobyl Ants #4-6 fished in more turbulent runs, it’s a good idea to run a beadhead nymph 18”-24” below it. 

Flies

 

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Lower Owens River

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Fishing Report & Conditions:  Improving

 I’m not getting any reports from the lower Owens, everybody has been moving up to higher elevations with the summer temperatures climbing. With the increase in flows, they’ve come up over 400cfs in the last week, the dry fly action has slowed and the nymphing has become less consistent. One thing I’ve noticed this time of year is people stopping for lunch in the middle of the day. Just remember the trout really appreciate your leaving them alone while they too are enjoying their midday meal.

 

Flies

 

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San Joaquin River (Middle-Fork)

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Fishing Report & Conditions: Too Skinny

It really is too low but if you go cover a lot of water looking for the deeper pools.

Local Small Streams

Fishing Report & Conditions: 

The smaller streams are getting a little dirty and the flows are up but fishing is decent including some surface activity o #14-16 mayfly patterns.

The smaller streams still have fishable flows, especially Bishop, Rock and Lee Vining creek. Don’t forget Mammoth Creek if you need a quick fix. It’s been fishing well, dry/dropper with a stimulator and small buggy bead head nymphs should bring plenty of action.  

 . My opinion is that the McGee delayed opening is one of the better rule changes I’ve seen in a long time. 

Flies

 

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