Anjanette C. and John D. at the net with a great Lower Owens Wild Brown

The Lower Owens has been turned up and then back down since my last report. Going up to a very driftable flow of 325 cfs it is now down to 275cfs and almost guaranteed to fall from there. Fish have been on the prowl and hungry the entire time. Some really nice sized fish are coming out of the Lower Owens this year. Bugs are abundant and the river bottom is very healthy. The entire system seems to be in great shape this year.  Some dry fly top water action is being found on certain parts of the river.  These are usually Blue Winged Olives and they are a favorite food of the wild brown trout that reside in the Lower Owens. Try a Throax BWO in sizes #18-20, etha wing (cut wing) BWO’s, Para BWO and Classic BWO patterns all in #18-20 will get fish as they are surfacing to adult baetis. On the underwater side try; Robo PT’s #16-20, Sparkle Trigger #16-20, Crystal PT, #18-20, Bubble Back Emergers and Half Back emergers in #18-20, Poly wing emergers, and Zebra and Tigers Midges in greens, browns and creams seem to do the best  in sizes #18-20. Look for flows to drop even more around ThanksGiving time.