Fly Fishing the East Walker River

The East Walker below Bridgeport Reservoir is one of the Eastern Sierra's best-kept secrets: a cold, clear tailwater that produces wild trophy brown and rainbow trout in a high-desert sagebrush canyon. Midge and BWO presentations dominate much of the year, but summer brings hoppers along the grassy banks and the evening hatch on the Miracle Mile can be exceptional.

5 shops nearby
tailwater
Open year-round
California
5 key hatches

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The best time to fly fish the East Walker River is Open year-round. Key hatches include Midges, Blue, Little Brown Stonefly / Little Black Stonefly, March Brown. 5 fly shops near the East Walker River can outfit your trip.

Fly shops near the East Walker River

Shops and guides that fish the East Walker River. See all 47 California shops →

5 fly shops shown

Species on this water

Trout

Nearby towns

Mammoth Lakes South Lake Tahoe Bishop

Rivers nearby

Truckee River Owyhee River Provo River Weber River

Hatches & seasons

When & what to fish on the East Walker River

River typetailwater

Best seasonOpen year-round; fall through spring for technical tailwater fishing; summer for hopper-dropper and terrestrials; flows vary widely (15–1,000 cfs)

AccessFrom Bridgeport, CA take Highway 182 toward Hawthorne, NV. The river runs along Hwy 182 with numerous turnouts providing easy access along most of the fishable length. The 'Miracle Mile' (the first mile below Bridgeport Reservoir) has deep pools and long flats holding the biggest fish, including evening dry-fly fishing during hatches. Access is generally excellent.

Key hatches

Midges (year-round, dominant winter–spring)
Blue-winged Olive / Baetis (fall–spring)
Little Brown Stonefly / Little Black Stonefly (late winter–spring)
March Brown (spring)
Caddis — Little Black (spring); Hoppers / Terrestrials (summer–fall)

From The Fly Bench

Tie the flies that work on the East Walker River

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Gear up

Gear up on the East Walker River

Everything you need before the next trip — rods, lines, leaders, and fly-tying materials.

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The flies that work on the East Walker River

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Updated June 2026