Hot Creek has been fair to good with the baetis hatch just beginning

Hot Creek - Mammoth Lakes, CA (Mono County)


by Tom Loe
2-2-2012
Website

The snow is really melting in the canyon where the sun hits. The walk in will have ice and snow so I suggest rubber soled wading boots and studs to keep your footing for the hike.

It has been fair to good on the warmer days with the baetis hatch just beginning to gel along with a strong showing of smaller midges during the high pressure periods. Water levels are great for this time of year, the warmer weather has some run-off at times from Mammoth creek and this is adding about double the amount we typically see during winter months. Dry/dropper nymph or emerger rigs are my favorite choice this time of year fishing the trenches in-between the weeds, or casting upstream into the larger pools and pocket water. Small crystal and broken back midges, scuds, and mayfly patterns are good choices for matching the hatch; but make sure you have a few SJ worms and some egg patterns as well. If it is cold or the barometer is dropping these will get you grabs when the fish are not co-operating.