Lee Vining Creek
creek in California
Lee Vining Creek is a popular spot with varying water types, from high-gradient mountain sections to more meandering valley flows, all with stunning views.
Conditions right now
No USGS gauge is linked to this water yet, so we can't chart flows.
Clear
- 01Clear, chilly fall weather with expected low flows on Lee Vining Creek.
- 02Solid fall hatches of Blue-Winged Olives, especially on warmer, overcast days.
- 03Look for October Caddis adults in the late afternoon and evening.
- 04Midges are a consistent food source throughout the day.
- 05Brown Trout may be exhibiting pre-spawn aggression, making streamers effective.
- 06Egg patterns are relevant if any early spawning activity is present.
Past reports week by week
8 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
October Caddis (Dry)
A significant late-season caddis hatch in Western freestone streams like Lee Vining Creek, enticing aggressive strikes.
Buy at AmazonTungsten Bead Pat's Rubber Legs
A large, weighted stonefly nymph that serves as an excellent general attractor and gets deep in the water column to fish in freestone creeks like Lee Vining.
Buy at AmazonFlashback Pheasant Tail Nymph
A versatile mayfly nymph imitation, effective year-round and particularly for active BWO nymphs subsurface in fall on Lee Vining Creek.
Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) Comparadun
Excellent for matching the prominent fall BWO hatches for selective rising trout on Lee Vining Creek, especially on overcast days.
Buy at AmazonGlo Bug
Crucial for fall fishing on Lee Vining Creek if any trout or salmon are in spawning mode, as resident trout will actively key on loose eggs.
Buy at AmazonZebra Midge
Midges are a primary and consistent food source year-round on Lee Vining Creek, becoming even more crucial as water temperatures drop in fall.
Buy at AmazonWoolly Bugger (Olive)
A reliable streamer pattern for imitating leeches and baitfish, effective for enticing aggressive brown and rainbow trout in colder fall waters of Lee Vining Creek.
Mahogany Dun
Late summer and fall often see hatches of Paraleptophlebia (Mahogany Duns) on freestone streams, offering dry fly opportunities on Lee Vining Creek.
Buy at AmazonWhere to fish and who to ask
Highway 395 Bridge (Lee Vining Creek)
A good entry point to the upper creek, offering more solitude and classic freestone pocket water.
Poole Plant Road (Lee Vining Creek)
This area near the old powerhouse offers good public access and varied water, often holding larger fish migrating from Mono Lake.
Town Section (Lee Vining Creek)
Accessible from town, this section offers a mix of small pools and riffles, popular for casual fishing.
Get Lee Vining Creek 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 Lee Vining Creek.
What flies work best on Lee Vining Creek?
Our top scored fly patterns for Lee Vining Creek right now are Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) Comparadun (80% confidence), Copper John (80% confidence), Mother's Day Caddis (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Lee Vining Creek?
Lee Vining Creek holds Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
What are current flow conditions on Lee Vining Creek?
Live USGS streamflow readings for Lee Vining Creek are charted in the sidebar of this page and updated automatically from the nearest gauge.
Is Lee Vining Creek fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Lee Vining Creek each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.