The Lower Owens River is now fishing as well as it does anytime of the year! BWO dry Fly surface action is the name of the game right now!! Around noon a solid, almost River wide Baetis hatch goes off with the average size being #18. Some #16’s also work perfectly depending on the pattern.  Water is low and clear and the fish are settled into their comfortable holds.  With the clear and low water wading is very easy and comfortable.  Check out my video I’ll post after this of wild Browns frenzied on the surface gorging themselves on dry flies!!

The Upper Owens River continues to flow around the same velocity as my last reports. Clarity is similar and temperature is up a few degrees into the fifties.  Large Trout are still coming to hand. Most days are dreamy and sun filled on the Upper Owens this February.  Actual numbers of fish seem to be up with smaller residents also trying their luck on eating well placed flies.  Throughout the system in the deepest and obvious big fish lies the tenacious Angler will bright a unlikely large Rainbow Trout to hand.  The same Fly  patterns hold…  It seems as if we are also using a wider variety of flies as spring draws in.  SJ worms are still always on the menu, lots of green Caddis,  soft hackles, and small stones all in #10-18 are bringing the 4+lbers to the net!

Had some amazing fun this weekend with a gentleman of a popular saltwater fly fishing guide Jeff Priest.  On this day we started at 4:30 am and we were extracting  Calico and Sand Bass by 4:50! The tug is strong and fish pull hard for cover of the rocks… Great day over the water and good company with fish to top it off.

The Lower Owens has pretty much been fishing great! Water is low and clear and the Wild fish are fully at home in the low water environment.  Some Dry Fly action is definitely happening through the river system all throughout the day.  The 12 o’clock hatch still happens but not nearly as consistent.  Overall there is More dry Fly activity since my last report throughout the entire River system.  Various Baetis patterns; Bubbleback Emergers,  CDC case Emergers all in #16-20, Caddis Worms #14-16, and various Midge patterns are all taking fish all day.  Look for more dry Fly action here in the next few weeks and months. 

The Upper Owens has experienced some slow days and some fair days. For the most part has been pretty consistent I’m showing us it’s potential by giving up large winter Trout to the experienced Fly angler.  The fish continue to be throughout the system,  of course the big and dark slow holes usually hold the big fish.  These trout seem to eat pretty consistently throughout the day into the early afternoon.  Don’t expect a bunch of fish here,  expect to catch the fish of a season or the  fish of a. lifetime for some! Fish the usual patterns and don’t be afraid to be creative and try something out of the box. SJ Worms,  Copper Johns in various sizes, Princes,  Soft hackles, Ect. 

The Upper Owens River has been frozen a week or so back,  it is now back to normal flows and colour for this time of year!  A little slippery here and there access is still virtually unlimited.  As you knew I was going to say very LARGE specimens continue to roam this system making for some absolute excitement.  These fish are perfect and at the prime of their lives.  Every time I see one I’m amazed at the absolute perfect fins and amazing colour!  Extract these world class Trout with various Attractor and classic patterns in sizes ranges from #8 to #16. Big numbers of fish are for the Lower Owens River Fly Fisherman.  Go to the Upper Owens to hook not numbers but Big Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout! 

Posted by STM Fly Fishing – Bishop CA