As I write these last two reports I am sitting in the airport in Atlanta awaiting my next flight to Santiago! The shop will be open as usual and my guides will continue to handle the guided trips… the next report you will see will be from South America! Stay tuned
The Upper Owens continues to reminder us of why we love too fish the Easterly Sierra! Flowing at 65cfs at the moment the Big Steelhead reminiscent fish are still moving around the river and being caught in the holding areas. These pointy finned critters are large and powerful! Be prepared to use your big fish handling skills when connecting to one of the these guys… once again these guys love bright and flashy patterns. Try Bright green Caddis Worms #14-16, SJ worms in larger sizes in purples, pinks, and shades of red. Oversized Midge emergers and Copper Jon patterns are also on the menu. These are suggested fly patterns we have been having success with. Other similar patterns will work . This fishery is a gem and not many people have been up there. Snow is virtually gone and access is good. Pics are very recent (as always)
The East Walker remained at a very low winter flow rate for quite some time. It is on its way up however to 110 cfs at the moment.. we will see how long this lasts and hope it does indeed hold these flows and even come up .. April and May is the start of the prime fishing on the Walker w.Stay tuned as we will be on this water in the next few months for a majority of our trips.
The Lower Owens was moved up to another great flow rate of 150cfs just a couple of days ago . Fishing has been great with some nice average sized fish coming out every day. A Baetis hatch can be seen once again in certian areas but has not arrived to be river wide. When it does occur very nice sized fish can be seen rising to these juicy bugs. Nymphing has been steady and reliable with Caddis and Mayfly imitations getting most of the attention. Midge emergers also have their place right now during certain times and places in the river. One idea is to fish all sorts of green/brown caddis worms with a BWO/midge behind on your nymph rigs. We have had a lot of success fishing different patterns in this combination. RS2’s, Bubble Backs and CDC Baetis patterns all in #18-20… #16-18 Caddis Worms in various patterns and shades of green/brown.. Poly winged Midge Emergers in dark colors #18-20 are all good choices on the bottom. Stay tuned for the dry flies to ramp up the action..
Lower Owens Wild Brown
Not big but beautiful.. Lower Owens River Trout
Hot Creek gate remains closed but most vehicles can arrive to the gate and walk the rest of the way in. Mid-day continues to produce th best fishing with Baetis and Midge patterns continuing to be the bugs the fish are seeing. Fish the usual suspects here with T-Midge Emergers, Red Head Tigers and other midge variations in, #18-22. Thorax Baetis, Loop Wing BWO’s and Baetis emerges in #18-22 will get you Hot Creek Trout down under. For dries fish the usual Midge dries and Mayfly dries in the same sizes as the nymphs. The rising trout are not river wide bfut confined to certain areas. ..walk the river to find heads up…!
The Upper Owens continues to be reminiscent of a small, high elevation steelheading destination! New fish continue to move in and change locations to keep anglers on their toes. But, the payoff for finding them is a Trout you will not forget, or possibly the Trout of your life! From the bridge to the top, these fish are found in the best runs and deepest holes. Fish for these beasts almost as if you are fishing Steelhead. Fish patterns in #14-18.. Ticket Czech Nymph #14-16, Various egg patterns, Triggers and Streamers of various sorts will get you into these full finned – chromed Bows! Stop by the shop for more details
The Lower Owens is still at its best! Flows are perfect at a steady 125cfs and fish are active on nymphs and dries alike. Throughout the system one can find various pockets of rising fish where random attacks of violence occur on midges and BWO’s. Flies remain the same with Midge, Baetis and Caddis emergers and larvae/nymph patterns. Mix it up with a Green Caddis worm/ Midge Combo or Caddis/Baetis. Fish these patterns in sizes #16 for caddis and #18-22 for Baetis and Midges.
The East Walker continues to flow at low winter flow rates with hungry trout about. Not much has really changed from my last report except for there is actually less snow making it easier to get around and park. Streamers, SJ’s and various midge patterns of lighter color in #18-20 will still take fish here. This fishery will really take off as we enter the spring time weather and flows increase..
The Lower Owens is down to a very fishable flow of around 100cfs.. Fish are active and feeding.. The hatch has been slowed down for the time being with this colder weather streak but they are vigorously eating nymphs under the waters surface on the river bottom. With that said one can still find pockets of rising trout throughout the Lower Owens in certain holding water. This fishery will only get better as this cold weather system leaves this area. For bugs to toss out try ; #18-20 Baetis Nymphs ( Split back Baetis, CDC BBack Emergers and the like) #18-20 Midge Emergers and Miracle Nymphs, Free Living Caddis worms and Cased Caddis patterns in #14-20. The Lower O is California’s premiere winter wild Brown Trout Fishery that every fly angler should get to know!!
The Upper Owens did indeed receive its share of Crowley Lake beasts this year. Coming up a little later this year than usual they are in the entire river system from the bridge up. Hard to hook and land just one of these fish will truly make your day! A walk up stream through some snow will increase your chances of success in this system. There has been some heavy duty 4×4 and vehicles with chains that have been driving it.. even since the last snow. Fish for these trout as if they were steelies… SJ worm patterns, eggs and various other attractors will take these fish. Green caddis worms, and Copper Jons in #14-16 are also suggestions for the Upper Owens at this time. A well placed streamer fished correctly in the dark and deeper holes has also been bringing up some great predatory fish. This is a special time for this river that all anglers that know the Upper Owens look forward to!!
