Although flows are down to a still high rate of 390 cfs the Bishop bound fly fisherman can still manage to catch fish most of the day on certain parts of the Lower Owens.  Dry fly action has been noted on most days which has been a mixture of small caddis and baetis. Fish seem to be responding to these flies on the surface in most slower foam lines and backwater eddies.  Nymphing these areas as well seems to be the best bet for the wild inhabitants of the Lower Owens. #16-18 RS2, #16-18 Sparkle Trigger, #14-16 The  Ticket Caddis Worm and Electric rock worm, #16-20  BWO Bubbleback emerger… For dries fish small elk hair caddis in #18-20 in olives and brown colours, Henrys Fork Caddis #18-20 and Hemingway Caddis #18-20.. For BWO’s use #16-20 Thorax BWOs, Ex. Bodies, and  Hi Vis patterns all in sizes #16-20.

Hot Creek, of course, is fishing great with great fish and a satisfying fishing experience being delivered as usual..  The gate is open and acess is back to usual status. From what we have seen and have been hearing Hot Creek is getting a lot of pressure. Nevertheless big fish are around and being caught. Mid-day fish are on the surface usually on Midges and Baetis. Fish BWO emerger and nymph patterns is sizes #18-22: Split Case Caddis, Bubble Back BWO, PT’s, WD-40’s, Soft Hackles in green and orange, and small caddis worms. For Dries try: Ext Body BWO’s #18-22, CDC BWO’s #18-20, #22 griffiths gnats,  Henry’s Fork Caddis  #10-20 and other variations of these suggested patterns will get you fish on Hot Creek when fished correctly..

Running at a very high level of 480+ cfs the Lower Owens is very difficult to fish for most and harder for some.  That being said there are some places to catch fish, especially when they are on the surface eating caddis that have continued to emerge during the DWP water release..There are a lot of places to fish from the bank ..  Only enter the river if you know exactly what you are doing.  There are only a handful of areas you can enter the water and nymph effectively on the Lower Owens at this moment… For dries, an Elk Hair Caddis #16-20 has been doing great..also Tent Wing Caddis patterns and larger CDC patterns are also getting attention in the same sizes. For nymphs try a Purple or standard Prince #16-20, Caddis Worm patterns #14-16(electric rock worm), Baetis Emerger Patterns #18-20 (bubble back emergers, sparkle trigger nymphs) and other various attractor nymphs. Look for foam and slower pieces on this fast running river if you dare 🙂 …..

The big news here is the fact that the river has been raised to 250 cfs.. This seems like a lot when coming up from 85 cfs but actually 250 cfs is a great flow to fish the Lower O. It is perfect for my drift trips and I will continue to drift it sucessfully up to 330cfs. Wading can be a bit tougher but very managable when making the correct wading decisions. Water is clear and foam lines are evident.  Yesterday at 250 CFS the river was on fire with BWO’s and Caddis both coming off together and getting eaten on the surface by hungry trout… Throax BWO’s in sizes #16-18, Etha Wing BWO’s in #’s 16-18, CDC BWO’s in #16-18 all will do the trick. Elk Hair Caddis in #18’s, Turkey Quill caddis in #18-20, Fertile Caddis, Hot Creek Caddis and Henrys Fork Caddis in sizes #18 will also take fish on the surface.  For  nymphs go to: Sparke Trigger BWO emerger #18-20, Split Case BWO #18-20, Bubble back emergers #16-20,  Robo and various PT patterns in #16-20, Electric Rock Worms #16-10, Cased Caddis #16, Scuds #18,  And lots of Soft Hackles (hares ear and peacock) in #’s 16-20 will take fish when presented properly.

Hot Creek is going to be accessable very soon as the snow begins to melt the berm created by the plow moving snow from the Hot Creek ranch entrance.  Spotty snow and wet ground will be with you most of the day as you fish Hot Creek.n Flows are still low and managable as the fish are responding to small BWO and Baetis patterns. Of course, they will usually always eat midges.  On overcast days some great topwater action has been happening with a major BWO feeding frenzy on the surface. For dries try: Throax BWO #18-20, Etha Wing BWO #18-22, Ex Body BWO #18-22, Split Wing Baetis #18-22 and other specialty BWO patterns in similar sizes. On the bottom try:  Half Back BWO emergers #18-22, Epoxy back BWO emergers #18-20, WD-40’s in most colors #18-20, Biot and Disco midges in reds and blacks in #’s 18-20 have all produced lately.

The Upper Owens is fishing better and better as springtime rolls around leaving the ground wet and more accessable each day. A variety of sizes of trout are in the Upper Owens right now. Some people are battling the hogs of the river while others seem to get into a steady catch of 13-16 inch trout. Flow is down and perfectly managable at 87cfs. Mayflies and Caddis are seen over the water with repsonse from the smaller trout. For the bigger fish one must nymph or strip streamers.  SJ worms #8-12, Robo PT’s, Flashback PT’s, and Trigger Nymphs and in #’s 16-20, Hares Ears #16-20, Tigers and Zebras #16-20, Poly wing emergers #18-20. Prince Nymphs and various copper Jons are also some flies to fool the trout of the upper Owens with.

The East Walker was fishing great with some really good sized trout coming out up until they let this much water out. At 800+ cfs the release at the dam is one scary sight!. Look for this to drop down to somewhat reasonable flows in the future (hopefully near) After feeding and fighting  the river at current flows we will see  how the trout fare when the river is back down to reasonable levels. I am predicting we will see some pumped up, ,meat fed, fat, and very strong trout!