Lower Owens River Fly Fishing Report – Bishop, CA : 2.29.16

Fly anglers on the Lower Owens River are experiencing some great dry fly action this last week! Around noon a strong hatch of BWO’s come off and trout respond savagely in most areas. Upon arriving to the river in the morning one can observe a  midge feed  happening in various slow moving foam lined holes up and down the river. These are a great challenge to trick with a very small Dry Midge pattern in #20-24 on 6 or 7x .  Nymphing always brings success and can be done at any time of the day.  Various Mayfly, Midge, and Caddis patterns are being eaten. The Beatis emerger patterns sunk down seem to bring the most success. These patterns include; Split Case Baetis, Bubbleback Emergers, RS2’s, Cased Baetis, and Robo PT’s ect.  Fish these is #16-20. We are looking forward to more dry fly action as weather evens out and other species of insects start hatching .

 

 

 

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Hot Creek Fly Fishing Report – Mammoth Lakes CA : 2.29.16

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Hot Creek Rainbow

Hot Creek has shown us improvement recently. Way less pressure has allowed this small gem of a creek to make a small comeback. Small bugs and short drifts are what this place continues to be about. Fish Small Midge dries and Emergers of various patterns in #18-22,  Small Baetis and Caddis Worms both under the water and on top in similar sizes will also get you into fish. The top water action appears to be spotty yet happens!

 

 

 

 

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Mammoth Lakes Fly Fishing Report – Upper Owens River : 2.29.16

The Upper Owens River is still doing what it does best this time of year.. that is delivering big fish to a small bunch of fly anglers!  Flows are the same and water clarity of slightly off as it has been for a while now. Like I have said before this semi clear water actually gives a little cover to the large predators of the river.  Down low and up high the fish are spread throughout the river system. Water is a skosh more clear around halfway up between the bridge and the Arcularius  Ranch fenced boundry.  Time of day does not seem to matter as much as the day itself. Access is good with only a few muddy puddles remaining. There are some patches of snow where the sun doesn’t shine much. We will see what happens as the seemingly springtime weather rolls in and gets fish moving around.

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Georgous Upper Owens Cuttbow with Andrew T.

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STM Guide doing what he does best

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Lower Owens River Fly Fishing Report : Bishop CA – 2.11.16

The Lower Owens River, as usual, continues to be the place to be for wild trout that will readily eat well placed nymphs,  streamers, and dry flies consistency.  Flows are low and clarity is great.  Wading is easy and casual right now.  In various parts of the river BWO dries are coming off and getting eaten in foam lines, riffles, pools, and seams during the warmer hours of the day.  The skilled Nymph fisherman always has success here.  Reading the water is crucial for success.  Fish are highly selective in what they eat.  Caddis and Midge Larvae,  BWO Emergers and Nymphs.  These are fished in sizes #16-20. Mayfly adults come off around noon or the warmest moments of the days.  Fish various adult Baetis patterns when this happens; thorax BWO, natural BWO’s,  para BWO’s ect.  Fish these in #16-18 and sometimes #20. This hatch shoukd get better as this warm trend continues this February. 

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Father gets a Brown on Lower Owens

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Son gets some Lower Owens action

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Owens River hoover fish. Sucker

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Owens River Drift Trip

Upper Owens River Fly Fishing Report : Mammoth Lakes CA – 2.12.16

The Upper Owens River near Mammoth Lakes continues to show us what a precious jewel of a river it is! Fat and  beautiful full finned Trout are being hooked and easily releasing themselves from most rookie Anglers lines that happen to hook into them. Unless you play a big game of give and take with these big guys they will take everything from you quickly while giving an exilirating experience that makes you want more.  They continue to hold in every deep and dark run,  riffle,  channel, and deep bend in the river.  Some days it’s possible to hook various fish in this category while other days they seem to ignore all offerings, then after 100 casts… Boom! Fish pretty much the same patterns as mentioned in my last report;  SJ worms,  Copper Jons,  Soft Hackles,  Prince Nymphs, Pheasant Tails and the like.  Fish these all in larger than usual sizes.  SJ worms can be 6-10. Nymphs can be  #10-14 usually.  Egg patterns are also a good pattern to put in the Upper Owens box this time of year. 

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Mammoth Lakes Fly Fishing winter Trout

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Mammoth lakes and Upper Owens River

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Mammoth Lakes was good to Jacob G. from Orvis this past weekend

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Jess S. of TU meets another Upper Owens River Bow.