Lower Owens River Brown Trout in a net moments before releasing.

Lower Owens River Fly Fishing Report : Bishop, CA – 11.4.19

November 4, 2019
, , Fishing Reports

The Lower Owens has fell from a super boisterous 700cfs (cubic feet/second) down to 450 cfs in the last few days! This has been a long awaited event for the few Fly Fisherman that know what the Lower Owens River holds for them this coming fall and winter. I was able to sneak out and get a preview of the current fish status in one of the holes that fishes well at high flows. And he result is that the average size was impressive after these amazing flow rates. The fight is intense and surprising for a trout of their size. The beauty of the Brown and Rainbow Trout in the Lower Owens does not quite have an equal. We always speak of how its hard to find more beautiful Brown Trout than right here in Bishop in the Lower Owens River. Rising trout were noted, but not consistent with time or location. There is definitely enough top water action to warrant some dry fly attempts with a Caddis or Mayfly pattern. Nymphing revealed some very hungry fish on the usual suspects; PT soft hackle variants, Caddis worms and Midge Larvae. Stay tuned and watch the flows on the top on this site to plan your trip to the Eastern Sierra to visit the Lower Owens River.

Large Brown trout held up taken by a fly fisherman on the Upper Owens River near Mammoth Lakes California

Upper Owens River Fly Fishing Report : Mammoth Lakes, CA – 10.28.19

October 29, 2019
, , , Fishing Reports

Big and beautiful trophy trout are reason ambitious anglers travel across the globe. We are fortunate enough to have this opportunity right here in the Eastern Sierra while Fly Fishing on the Upper Owens River! Each missed strike could be a lost opportunity to latch onto the trout of a lifetime. The moment you hook into one of these bruisers they instantly demonstrate the weight and power they possess sending your senses crazy and a feeling overwhelms you that you cannot forget and you want more! The Upper Owens River is flowing at a clear and steady rate of 111 cfs below the confluence of Hot Creek. Above Hot Creek the Fly Angler can expect to find gin-clear flows around 100cfs give or take a few. The Mountains around the Upper Owens have been dusted by a touch of snow last night showing us Winter is on her way. For those of us that know we have been anxiously awaiting this time of year to see what this years infamous run of jumbo sized trout consists of. So far it has not let us down! For patterns to offer to these large trophies one can fish Streamers, SJ worm variations, Jig Flies, PT variations, and other attractor patterns can be successful. Smaller yet great fish are rising to small mayflies in the warmer parts of the day. These rising fish are up to 15″. We have seen, on rare occasions, the larger trout rise to dry flies.

Upper Owens River Rainbow near Mammoth Lakes CA held up by a happy Fly Angler
Hard Work pays off on the Upper Owens with a great reward of an unforgettable Rainbow Trout
beautiful Lower Owens Brown trout held by one hand above a net over the water

Lower Owens River Fly Fishing Report : Bishop, CA – 10.28.19

October 28, 2019
, Fishing Reports

The Lower Owens River Fly Fishing is about to make a big change as the Lower Owens lets go and drops it very high flow rate within the next week or two. The Brown Trout of the Lower Owens have been enjoying a greatly enhanced flow level for the last couple of months which allows them to move freely while eating large amounts of food thus adding to their body mass… Bigtime! Stay tuned as this rivers flow recedes and reveals some of the most beautiful and quality trout a fly angler can find in the very near future.

Beautiful yellow Brown Trout in Hand on the East Walker RIver

East Walker River Fly Fishing : Bridgeport, CA – 10.24.19

October 24, 2019
, , , , Fishing Reports

The East Walker is running at a steady flow of around 140cfs. This is a great flow for fishing except the East Walker is still pumping out a green algae colour from the algae bloom of Bridgeport reservoir from weeks past. East Walker River Fishing has been tough, however the fish are still in there if a fly fisherman finds him or herself passing by the banks of the East Walker just outside of Bridgeport, CA. The same patterns used in years past still hold true. SJ worm variants, Soft Hackles of all sorts, Green Caddis Worms, Light coloured Midge patterns with decent ribbing, and PT patterns just to name a few. Streamers and Mice? of course! Any Fly Fisherman who wants to put in the time with these larger patterns on the East Walker has a good chance of receiving what he is looking for. Look for the algae to be gone soon as temperatures across the Eastern Sierra cool down as November approaches.

rainbow trout llaying in the water on the Upper Owens near Mammoth Lakes California

Upper Owens River Fly Fishing Report : Mammoth Lakes, CA – 10.7.19

October 7, 2019
, , , , , , , Fishing Reports

The Upper Owens has undergone a few changes since my last report. Weather has changed in the direction of winter, dropping the temperatures around the Mammoth Lakes area extending down to the grassy plains of the Upper Owens River. Hoppers can still be seen, but numbers are diminishing during the coldness of the nights. However, after eating the leggy creatures for a solid few months it seems that they still hold some residual memory of the big insects. The Upper Owens trout will still come up and eat a hopper for the time being, during the warmer parts of the day. Some of the anticipated big boys coming out of the lake have been spotted in the deeper holes of the river. We will have to see what this year holds as these this spectacular run of fish swims up the Upper Owens from Crowley Lake from now and forward. Stay tuned!

Rushing waters of the Lower Owens October 2019

Lower Owens River Fly Fishing Report : Bishop, CA – 10.3.19

October 3, 2019
, Fishing Reports

Just down from the town of Mammoth Lakes, CA the banks of the Lower Owens river are still overflowing and water surges down its path at around 700cfs. This is way too much cubic feet per second of water to enter, and it is actually a sight to behold. The Lower Owens is hardly containing the water in its banks. The good news for the Trout of the Lower Owens is that this huge flow volume brings that level of food with it as well. When the river recedes to its normal level, and fly fisherman are able to enter, we will see the benefits in the mass of the fish. Lizards and small mammals are in trouble as the trout leave the river bed to roam the newly flooded areas for a real satisfying protein snack. (its a cool thought!)

Lower Owens River Brown Trout

Lower Owens River Fishing Report – 9.16.19

September 16, 2019
, Fishing Reports

The Lower Owens River has been raised to a crazy rate of 700+ cfs. This is pretty much a high flow rate that can not be fished for the moment. This can only last so long and we will be the first on the Lower Owens as soon as it drops. The good news is that this magnitude of water of water volume for the Lower Owens brings an incredible amount of food to the fish in there. When the water does come down us Fly Anglers reap the benefits!

Two Anglers on the Upper Owens River near Mammoth Lakes CA

Upper Owens River Fly Fishing Report – Mammoth Lakes CA : 9.16.19

September 16, 2019
, , , Fishing Reports

Hopper movement is still happening on the Upper Owens within the famous Mammoth caldera just below the town of Mammoth Lakes. Flows are moderate and clear, or slightly tinted depending on where you access the river. The entire system has been turned on to the Hopper protein snacks entering the water. Rarely to they enter the water and live for more than a couple of bends without being consumed by predators below. From below the Browns Campground and up to the border fence the action has been pretty much nonstop on hoppers, nymphs, and streamers ! The only thing that could inhibit the grasshopper action too soon is if we have a few cold freezes. But those cold Autumn nights also bring in the Crowley fish. this should last a while longer as the Big Trout enter the river from the lake…

California Fish Guide Trip Bishop

Crowley Lake Fly Fishing Report : Mammoth Lakes, CA – 9.3.19

September 3, 2019
, , , , Fishing Reports

Typically, in the west, we see some of the biggest fish come out to feed before winter conditions arrive. That means the next two months on Crowley Lake! Already the amazing fishery nestled in between the mountains of Long Valley, just below Mammoth Lakes, has shown us some amazing Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, and Lahonton Cutthroats just these past couple of weeks. McGee bay and the north end of the Lake are where the action has mostly been happening. 10-20′ of water has typically been where the fish have been found throughout this season. Typical patterns have been taking fish; Chironomids, Perch Fry, streamers ect… Look for the fish to move around and spread out as the overall water temperature of Lake starts to cool down and fish are able to head out and seek out some food. Call the shop for more information and to get in on this amazing fall fishery in out brand new Mako 19′ CPX!

Fishing Bishop CA

Upper Owens River Fly Fishing Report : Mammoth Lakes, CA – 8.14.19

August 15, 2019
, , , Fishing Reports

Hoppers! I really do not need to say anything else on this report! The grassy fields of the Upper Owens River near Mammoth Lakes, Ca have been full of the leaping insects and the resident Trout have been taking full advantage of the situation, no doubt putting on some serious yearly mass for the seasons ahead. All sections of the river have been fishing well. Flows are clear and cool and very manageable. Normal bug activity is also noted in seams and foam lines. Nymphing various attractor nymphs as usual is very effective. Crowds have been here and there but usually one can find a place to call their own for the time they are there.

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