California Fishing Reports ยท Eastern Sierra Region
Below Bridgeport Reservoir, the East Walker is famous for huge browns in a short, rocky tailwater just below the dam.
Looking for the latest East Walker River report? This page is updated by the AvidMax fly shop team with live flows, current conditions, hatches and the flies working now on the East Walker River โ Bridgeport.
Current flows
Wind forecast
East Walker River fishing report
Updated November 7, 2026.
The gauge near Bridgeport reads around 20 cfs, a low winter release, and the water is clear.
Low water concentrates the fish. Fish small midges and scuds in the deeper slots, and strip streamers early and late.
Load your fly box
Before you head to Bridgeport, bring: Zebra Midge #18-20, Kaufmann', s Scud #14-16, Woolly Bugger #4-8, Pheasant Tail Nymph #16-18, Parachute Adams #18-20, RS2 Emerger #18-22, JuJu Baetis #18-22, Black Beauty #20-24, Egg #14-16.
Flies working right now
The flies above that we have in stock right now.
East Walker River details
| Access | Access below Bridgeport Dam along State Highway 182 toward the Nevada line. |
|---|---|
| Elevation | About 6,400 ft |
| Nearest town | Bridgeport, California |
| Best season | Year-round |
| Fish | Large brown and rainbow trout |
| Regulations | Special trout rules apply. Check the California Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations for the current rules. A California sport fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older. |
| Leaders and tippet | 9 ft leaders, 4X to 6X tippet |
| Camping | Bridgeport-area campgrounds |
| Kids | Partly. |
| Good to know | Low releases make fish wary. Approach carefully. |
Fishing by season
Winter
Cold. Midges.
Spring
Rising releases and BWOs.
Summer
Caddis and mayflies.
Fall
Big browns and streamers.
How to get there
Take US-395 to Bridgeport, then State Highway 182 north below the dam.