The Lower Owens River is now becoming the dry Fly fishery we all love it for this time of year! A solid Baetis hatch comes out right at lunchtime and fish gorge for a full hour.  This makes the day absolutely fulfilling when fished successfully.  Nymphing as usual is great throughout the day.  Some dry patterns are dropping down to size #20’s but mostly we are fishing #16-#18 sized patterns under the water and above.  RS2’S,  Caddis Worms and all sorts of emerging Mayfly patterns fished down in the right places with get you fish every time. 

Posted by STM Fly Fishing – Bishop CA

The Upper Owens is flowing low and clear and if you come upon a deep hole a horse of a Trout is near!  As my little rhyme implies  the horses have spread out thru the entire system and the weary and patient angler will be able to extract the possible Trout of a lifetime!  Hard to land these fish will test every bit of fish fighting experience the fly angler has!  Look for dark parts of the river and place your offering over and over to see what comes out to eat.  We are using basically similar patterns as my last Upper Owens River report.  Come on up and test your skills! 

Posted by STM Fly Fishing – Bishop CA

The premiere Wild Brown Trout fishery of California, the Lower Owens River is now fishing like we are used to seeing it in the fall and winter months!  Flows are low and clear!  Some mornings can be better than later in the afternoon but the persistent angler will always find a reward here!  Dry Fly action can be ravenous in some areas and has been happening right around lunchtime.  Refer to my posted video below!  Mayflies seem to be the main prey floating on top the water at this point.  Various Baetis patterns in sizes #16-20 have been taking fish of all sizes.  This should only get better as the hatch becomes Riverwide and predictable! 

Posted by STM Fly Fishing – Bishop CA

The Upper Owens River is flowing clear and low!  The water is absolutely gorgeous and the oversized fish are spooky.  Throughout the system very Large fish are collecting in various pools, deep runs and riffle laden drop offs.  One day they are out the next they are stuck next to the bank.  Fish for them with various solid proven patterns in greens,  Browns,  and pinks/orange.  Once hooked be ready to move the rod tip against the fish no matter which way he goes.  One of their tricks is to wedge themselves in any crevice on the deep shadowy banks.  Sometime you might even have to run to keep the advantage in your favour! 

Posted by STM Fly Fishing – Bishop CA

The Lower Owens River has been fishing great!  Larger fish appear or be on the prowl, and are consistently being taken.  Pods of rising fish can be found in flat foam seams throughout the day in certain parts of the vast Lower Owens system.  Fish for these guys with small Mayfly patterns trailed by a RS2 if you cut get them on the day alone .  Nymphs have seriously been taking some nice fish!  #16 BBack Emergers,  Caddis Worms,  and PT variants are picking up all sorts of hungry Browns and some Rainbows from the river.  Fishing is actually great all the way down to Collins and Warm Springs area which is south of town.  Stay tuned for many good reports to come from this river throughout the coming months. 

Posted by STM Fly Fishing – Bishop CA

Crowley Lake continues to fish awesome!  Boats have been pulled and docks and floating toilets gone.  Temperatures are cooling nicely at night yet still providing warm sunny weather conditions through the day. The fly angler still has many accesses along the banks of this awesome Lake. From the back side to Crooked Creek foot access and road access is available. This time of year one can pull various Streamers with the hopes of landing something you may think is bottom at first.  🙂  Fish the same midges we have been fishing most of the year. 

Posted by STM Fly Fishing – Bishop CA

The Upper Owens is flowing clear, low, and slow..  Things are starting to turn on as the winter conditions put fish of all sizes on the move!  Big beasts up from Crowley are starting to be found throughout the system.  The clear water just makes it a but more of a challenge but nevertheless the fishing is getting stellar on the Upper Owens River!  Fish are taking many well placed Attractor nymphs in #12-18.  It is good to have something of colour on the Nymph setup.  Streamers of various types and sizes, when well placed will also get rewarded with the tug of your life on the Upper Owens!  Stay tuned for many good reports to come off this river as we will be spending a lot of our time winter months hunting the weary and large Trout of this system. 

Posted by STM Fly Fishing – Bishop CA