Kern River Fly Fisher Sharon R. gets Double Digits on Lower Owens - Winter 2012

The long awaited dry fly action is finally here with fish responding heavily to millions of midges over the water! For the last two days we have been fishing the Lower Owens without putting on a nymph! Fish are vigoursly eating midges and will take Griffiths Gnats, Tricos, Thorax BWO’s and various other midge and very small mayfly patters. Fish most all these in sizes #20-22. When the hatch quits nymphing small BWO and Midge emergers will get you into fish consistently. CDC BWO Emerger #18-20, PT’s #18 -20 and most sorts of midge emergers #18-20 will consistently take fish under the water. Trouts metabolism operates on a lower frequency in the winter, you will find trout in the slower foam lined water. Look for this action to go on for the next month or two!

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Eastern Sierra Winter Fly Fishing 2012

The Upper Owens has still been showing us Steelhead looking winter trout to most all who put their time in. Spread throughout the entire upper river system these fish are wild and willing to take. Once hooked they pull hard and dart for the dark bank even if it is 70′ away! Be prepared to run!The only momentary setback was the quick two feet of snow that was dumped and is now almost gone. Caution is advised when crossing possible snowy/muddy areas, even in 4-wheel drive. Sometimes walking a few more minutes in necessary. These fill finned trout can be caught on a variety of Attractor patternes including Nymphs and Midges. Variations of the Pheasant Tail (Trigger Nymphs, Emergers, Robos ect.) in sizes #16-18. Standard and Wire San Juans #16-18, and various streamer patterns dead drifted and stripped will take these world class fish. This is too close to home not to miss out on!!

Solitude and Snow with Big Fish - Winter 2012

Typical Wild East Walker Brown Trout - February 2012

In spite of its low flows the East Walker is fishing very well. Fish are fat and hungry for small midges and some baetis. Streamer fishing has not been exceptionally great, although, if you stick with it all day you will see some large fish responding to your tugged bug throughout the day. A mid morning Baetis hatch will bring up some of the mid-sized and small trout providing action throughout the day. #18-20 Thorax BWO’s, Extended Bodies and Etha with BWO’s will all take fish on the surface.  As stated before in the fishery the very large fish are going to be taken on nymphs or streamers. Miracle Nymphs #18-20, Grey Biot Midges #18-20, T-Midge Poly Wings in Pearl and Olive #18-20, and WD-40’s in various colours are also a good bug to have in the East Walker Box.

Jason G. with a Steelhead looking Rainbow Trout - January 2012

The Upper Owens is still giving anglers a fly fishing experience very similar to steelheading on smaller meadow creeks. From the bridge up and being concentrated in certain areas, anglers searching hard and fishing correctly will usually hook up on one of these 20″-25″ fish. Very hard to land, one needs to be creative in your fighting style with these fish as they will run hard down to stuff themselves under the closest undercut. Attractor numphs are the ticket here. SJ Worms #12-14, Egg patterns, Purple Princes #14-18, Robo PT’s #16-18 and other various Pheasant Tail patterns with a little additional ribbing or sparkle all in #16-18. The Ticket Czech Nymph and the Frenchy Czech Nymph have all been getting big fish attention as well, fish these is sizes #14-16…Some days we have been seeing nobody else on the water in most areas.  Enjoy this winter fishery while it lasts!

Alex H. Fools a great Lower Owens Bow with a #18 nymph

The Lower Owens is flowing at an incredible fishy flow of  199cfs-  increased dry fly activity is noted in some areas. Nymphing is getting most of the numbers also with Baetis and Midge larvae patterns. Find the spots where the fish are is the best advice I could give most anglers that I see having trouble fishing the Lower Owens. All the river has fish in it, especially in the wild trout section, take each bend apart piece by piece to fish it correctly. Good old Pheasant Tails #16-20, Sparkle Trigger and CDC emerger BWO nymphs #18-20 and Split Case patterns in the same sizes are some choices to present to brown trout. Midge patterns to be fished in the Lower Owens range from light to dark in color, recently we have been finding success with our lighter color midges in larvae and emerger form. When fish are on the top they will be eating a #16-20 Blue Winged Olive (BWO). Go for the more exact representations of the insect. Anatomically correct split tails and tapered bodies will fool more of the larger spookier trout concealed in the Lower Owens river. Look for a healthy BWO hatch to start here any day. Once these hatches start they usually come off at near the exact time each day. Stay tuned for some great fishing on the LO!

Jon W. lands a beautiful copper- yellow Brown Trout @ the East Walker

The East Walker flows low and slow and fishes well throughout the winter. At 26 cfs the water is its normal color which conceals the fish from the anglers and river predators allowing them to roam more freely. Small midges and various mayfly patterns have been taking fish in the winter. Tiger and Zebra Midges in non classic colors #18-20, Biot Midges Grey #18, Miracle Nymphs #18, Thorax Biot Baetis #18-20 and T-Midge emergers and Flashbang Midges in 18’s are just a few patterns to take fish.. Don’t forget to put a good attractor nymph up top or run a Baetis-Midge rig. Look for the golden yellow browns in your net here!