Pine Creek (Owens Valley)
creek in California
Pine Creek, flowing out of Pine Creek Canyon, is a fantastic option for anglers seeking wild trout in a dramatic setting. It's a brushy, intimate stream requiring accurate casting and careful wading, with fish that are often wary but aggressive when presented properly.
What's working on Pine Creek
- 01Cooler fall temperatures setting stage for excellent fishing.
- 02Robust mayfly hatches and emergences, especially Blue-Winged Olives.
- 03Active caddis, including the large October Caddis hatch.
- 04Consistent midge activity with larva and pupa in water column.
- 05Trout (Brown and Rainbow) actively feeding in preparation for winter.
- 06Focus on deeper runs, current seams, and undercut banks.
- 07Use longer leaders and lighter tippet for delicate dry fly presentations.
What to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
October Caddis
Fall is prime time for October Caddis hatches, a significant food source for trout in Pine Creek.
Flashback Hare's Ear Nymph
A classic and versatile searching nymph, effective for imitating a wide range of subsurface insects in Pine Creek's currents during the fall.
Blue-Winged Olive Comparadun
Blue-Winged Olives are actively hatching in the fall, especially on overcast days, making this low-profile dry fly excellent for selective trout in Pine Creek.
Pheasant Tail Nymph
An indispensable nymph pattern, perfect for imitating the numerous mayfly nymphs, including Baetis, that are active in Pine Creek in the fall.
Buy at AmazonPMD (Pale Morning Duns)
Pale Morning Duns are actively hatching in fall, providing a key food source for opportunistic feeders in Pine Creek.
Zebra Midge
Midges are a primary and consistent food source in fall, effective as a subsurface searching pattern in Pine Creek.
Buy at AmazonWoolly Bugger (Olive)
Aggressive trout, especially larger browns and rainbows, will actively chase streamers imitating leeches and baitfish in Pine Creek's cooler fall water.
Where to fish and who to ask
Horton Creek Campground Area
Offers access further up the canyon, requiring more hiking.
Near Pine Creek Pack Station
Entry point to trails that follow the creek deeper into the canyon.
Pine Creek Road (Lower Access)
Good access to the lower, more accessible sections of the creek.
Fly shops within 40 miles
Sierra Trout Magnet Fly Shop
Get Pine Creek (Owens Valley) reports by email
Save this water and we'll email you a weekly summary of conditions, hatches and what's working.
California season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Read before you go
Winter Fly Fishing: Essential Cold Weather Tips & Tactics
Master winter fly fishing with proven cold weather strategies, gear selection, and tactics for catching trout when temperatures drop.
Fly Line Types Guide: WF, DT, Running & Shooting Heads
Master fly line selection with our comprehensive guide to weight forward, double taper, running lines, and shooting heads for every fishing situation.
Fly Fishing Pack vs Vest: Which Setup Is Right for You?
Compare fly fishing packs and vests to find the perfect gear setup for your angling style and fishing conditions.
Best Fly Fishing Sunglasses: Lens Color & Polarization Guide
Master lens color selection and polarization technology for superior vision and fish detection on the water.
Fly Fishing Nets – Rubber vs. Nylon & Why It Matters for Fish
The net you choose dramatically impacts fish survival. Here's why rubber nets are superior to nylon for catch-and-release success.
Best Budget Fly Fishing Combo Setups for Beginners
Expert guide to affordable fly fishing combos that won't break the bank but deliver quality performance for new anglers.
Quick answers
Common questions about Pine Creek (Owens Valley).
What flies work best on Pine Creek (Owens Valley)?
Our top scored fly patterns for Pine Creek (Owens Valley) right now are October Caddis (80% confidence), Flashback Hare's Ear Nymph (80% confidence), Blue-Winged Olive Comparadun (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Pine Creek (Owens Valley)?
Pine Creek (Owens Valley) holds Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
Is Pine Creek (Owens Valley) fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Pine Creek (Owens Valley) each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.