The last few days around noon a great BWO hatch has come off in the Wild Trout Barbless area of the Lower Owens River.  In the foam lines and riffles of this quality water expect to find weary Trout gently plucking #18-20 Baetis dunns off the surface.  I will keep updating as much as possible.  This is one of the best Fly fishing experiences we have here.  Especially when done with a 2-3wt or bamboo…

The Lower Owens River is flowing low and clear with lots of hungry wild trout ready to eat only the best placed flies. Wading is extremely easy and enjoyable.  Hatches continue to come off but as usual they are isolated in only certain areas that change throughout the week.  A buddy can have dry Fly action just around the bend while you were fishing nymphs and only saw a couple risers.  The main hatches are Baetis and some Midge action.  Fish emerging midges and Baetis patterns in #16-20.  We should be seeing more consistent dry Fly action very soon on this beautiful river. 

The Lower Owens River dropped to a low flow of around 100 cfs recently.  This makes for clear water and spooky fish.  The system is running clean and healthy.  Choose your approach and stalk holes wisely or you will only see fish darting away from you.  Sporadic Dry Fly activity can be found throughout the quality water section..  Small mayflies,  Caddis and Midges are on the menu.  Fishing a small-medium sized streamer correctly will also give you success.  Stay tuned for more action as dry Fly season rolls in.  

The Lower is up to 200 cfs and fishing great.  Baetis hatches can be found  throughout the day on certain days providing some great action for the dry Fly enthusiast.  Some large Caddis are noted popping around the water and are randomly eaten by the opportunistic Trout.  Water is clear and many consider this the prime flow rate of the Lower Owens River for extracting it’s wild fish.  Refer to my last report for Fly patterns to use. 

The Upper Owens River continues to be super low yet clear and cool!  Very few large specimens have made their way up the river at this time..  This is due to the Indian summer we just experienced,  as well as low flows not pushing a good column out into the lake triggering the Trout instincts to swim upstream this time of year.  Stay tuned here for updates on this. If I have not updated,  nothing has changed.  The pic below is what’s coming!

Finally some good flow rates!! The Lower Owens is sweeter than before as flows have stabilized at a perfect and clear 200cfs. All sizes of Trout are being caught and released.  Dry Fly action is definitely happening in various pools and slow foam lines.  Mostly mayflies around size #18-20 are noted and being fished.  Nymphs around this size in emerging patterns and Soft Hackles are also taking fish under the surface.  Look to catch fish here all day long if you can adapt to what’s happening.. *

Beauty of a brown from the Lower Owens

Fly fishing the Lower Owens near Bishop CA

Lower Owens Browns by Ben Blankenhorn