wild brown trout is held up in front of an agler on the Lower Owens River outside of Bishop, CA

Lower Owens River Fly Fishing Report : Bishop, CA – 5.12.22

The Lower Owens River, just outside of Bishop, California is flowing at a healthy rate of around 175 cubic feet a second of wadable river as of May 12. This is a much needed flow rate of water that brings vital food and life to the wild brown and bainbow coloured residents of the Lower Owens river system. Hatches of Mayflies and Caddis have been happening sporadically throughout the last month, basically following the waves of cold and hot weather the Eastern Sierras have been experiencing. Out when its warm, and down as the cooler weather hits. Right now we are coming out of a nice cold spell and looking forward to the warmer weather forecasted this weekend. Nymphs and streamers have been taking fish everyday while the hatches are held up during the colder and windy weather. Peridons, Jig flies, Midges, and the like have been taking fish consistently. Fish these patterns in sizes #14-20. Come in to the shop to see some of the patterns we tie up and use locally. As the warmer weather rolls in we expect to see topwater action with; Stoneflies, Caddis, and Mayflies.

upper owens river

Upper Owens River Fly Fishing Report : Mammoth Lakes, CA – 11.11.20

The Upper Owens just below Mammoth Lakes California has the Meat! Flows are low and clear as usual for this time of year making for some spooky quarry. Cold weather hit hard this last week pushing some more fish towards the north and upstream. Days are clear and the smoke is completely gone while Mammoth Mountain can be seen in the distance covered in snow. Fish the deepest and darkest areas of the Upper Owens. Time appropriation is crucial as these fish are more characteristic of Steelhead than Rainbow Trout. A few Brown Trout are also coming up with the mix of Rainbows and are a pleasure to catch. Stay tuned for many more updates on this amazing fishery throughout the winter.

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Call or text 661.34.6981 for more info.

Eastern Sierra Fishing

Eastern Sierra Fishing Update. Smoke status – 9.17.20

A fair amount of Fly Anglers have been calling the shop and asking what is actually open for fishing due to the temporary closures and the smoke. For the last couple of days we have seen A good amount of smoke settled in that has not moved much and seems to be lingering in the valley, it’s not awful but annoying. We expect it to move around any day now. It is a nuisance but not a fishing game-changer, you cannot see the mountains but the fishing is still unaffected and very good with the filtered sun.
All the usual Fisheries are open except for the ones in the closed national forest. We still have:

  • Lower Owens River
    -Upper Owens River
    -Crowley Lake,
    -Pleasant Valley Reservoir and mid river
    -The Gorge
    -East Walker
  • Bishop Creek
    So yes, there is smoke, but if you really want to get out and fish it is not stopping you! We have been running scheduled guided trips as normal. Give the shop a call for more info 760-873-0010 or text 661 364 6981.
  • Check us out on Instagram for more amazing photos and up to date content @stm_fly_fishing
  • Sierra Trout Magnet Fly Shop and Guide Service on Facebook
red beard holds a nice rainbow trout above the water of the Lower Owens River near Bishop, CA

Lower Owens River Fly Fishing : Bishop CA – 2.26.20

The Lower Owens, continues to flow, right outside of Bishop California, at a perfect rate of 15Ocfs. This promotes very healthy fly fishing conditions making the entire system accessible and fishable. Nymphs, of course, and even some streamers have been absolutely killing it since my last report. More and more dry flies are being seen on top of the water every day. Fish have been looking up frequently, feeding heavily in some areas, and not surfacing at at all in others. As the new weather rolls in we will see more and more waves of insects coming off the surface of the water. Which will drive the surface activity heating up to an unforgettable climax of dry fly action. Mayflies, Caddis, Stoneflies, and Midges are all playing a vital part in the protein requirements of the Brown and Rainbow Trout of the Lower Owens. Now is time to get up here!

Lower Owens River Fly Fishing Report : Bishop, CA – 1.31.19

BWO hatch is on!! The event that many of us have been waiting for! A little past high noon a thick Baetis hatch comes off in a rather large size of #16. The fish have recently started responding and looking up to these top-water protein snacks. Blue Duns #16-18, Hendricksons #16-18, and Baetis Zingers in similar sizes are a few of the patterns popular with the fish we cast to them. Before this day changing event the nymphing has also been very successful, making for an amazing day. Use the same bugs as listed in previous reports; Caddis, Mafly, and Midges tied in nymph stages. Soft Hackles, PT’s, Bubbleback Emergers, Caddis Worms, and various Midge Emergers will get you fish when placed in the troutiest water such as; foam lines, large deep pools with evident seams, well defined drop offs and deep riffles.

Fishing Owens River Bishop

Bishop Fly Fishing: Lower Owens River – 8.23.12

The Lower Owens got turned way up to a high flow of 525 CFS. There are a few places on the river with some decent foam lines that the fly angler can nymph deep and extract some nice brown trout. We have been throwing streamers to the opposite bank and tugging them back with some great results in very certain areas. The last couple hours of the day the caddis hatch comes off with good action in the deeper pools. We will have to see how long the department of water and power keeps us at these very high water levels, there’s not enough water up there to maintain them very long that is for sure.. Flies are : larger and heavier Streamers #4-8, Bubble Back Emergers # 16-20, Sparkle Trigger Nymphs #14-20, Robo PT’s #16-20, and at night Elk Hair Caddis and other Caddis patterns # 16-20 will take fish.

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