The East Walker is around 67 cfs as of the writing of this report and is fishing decent – good. The big fish are still around and being caught by a few. Water is a little more off colour than normal for this time of year as the summertime growth dies off of the river and reservoir and gets flushed downstream. Some days the river seems to have a lot of anglers and other days there is hardly anyone. Fish are being caught of a variety of streamers, Attractor nymphs, and midge larvae and emergers throughout the system. In just a short while the East Walker will clean up and become a dream fishery for the cold winter months. Pretty much the same patterns I mentioned in my last report are taking fish: Just a few patterns to try are Disco Midges #18-20, CDC Baetis and WD-40’s #18, Flash Bang Midges #18 and Biot Midges in similar sizes will do the trick. For Streamers we like (and the browns) bunny strip streamers patterns such as; Double Bunnies #2-6, Heavy Metal Sculpin #2-6, and other similar large streamers.

Crowley has been producing great fish every day we are on the lake! The LADWP continues to take water making for lower water conditions in Crowley. Most fish are found in 6-12 feet of water making it easier for tubers and still water midge fisherman to get our flies in front of the fish quicker. We have mostly been seeing Bows and Browns with some large specimens of each.. A few cutts have been caught but not as many as we were getting this summer. The north end of the lake seems to be the spot where most of the larger trout have been caught; Leighton Springs, Green Banks and near the mouth of the Upper Owens are good places to start for success if you are planning on coming to Crowley. On sinking lines (full sink type 3-6, or a 20-30ft sink tip type 4-6)  strip Small Perch Fry patterns #10-12 with various pauses and stripping movements. Matukas, light colored bugger and other streamer patterns will also get action. For still water Midging #12-16 patterns are taking a lot of fish. Ice Cream cone heads with Silver/Black, Red/Black, Red/Red, Silver/Red and Cppr and Gold on Black are all patterns to fish right now on Crowley. Get ready for a big tug here.. The tug is the Drug!!!

The Upper Owens continues to meander through the high green meadows below the Glass Mountains at a constant rate of around 65 cfs. Just a handful of larger fish have been seen moving up and we expect to see more in the near future! When these big guys roll in the fishing on the Upper turns into something in between trout fishing and Steelheading! As for now there are great catchable numbers of average sized trout for the fly fisherman to pursue.  Various patters of Green Caddis worms, some bright green in #16-18 have been one of our main successful patterns recently. Along with Midge emergers #16-18, Small SJ worms, Bubbleback Mayfly emergers and Robo Pheasant Tails  #16-20 and other similar patterns. Streamers have been doing great. Get your favorite streamer pattern down deep in the dark spots and you will get takes and see follows… hopefully my next Upper Owens report will have pics of extremely large trout! Stay tuned

The Lower Owens river has been coming down recently. The flows were down to 300 CFS, but today they have spikes back up to 350 CFS for the moment. In spite of this we have been drifting and wading the Lower Owens for the last week with great success. Foam lines are evident and bug activity is strong with Caddis, Mayflies, and Midges out in the mornings and evenings. Some top water activity can be found as usual in the evening hours. For fly patterns fish green caddis worms of all sorts #14-18, various styles of midge  emergers and Midge larvae. Emerging May Fly patterns such as bubble backs, and Poxy backs are also working #16-20. Fish your favorite streamer pattern down deep.  In the evening when you see trout rising on the surface can try various styles of small elk hair caddis #16-20, Ext Body and Thorax Mayflies #16-20 and small midge adult patterns throughout the day to pods of rising trout.

Crowley lake has continued to fish very well. Large fish are being extracted by midges and streamers. Although oMcGee Bay is not the place to go any more there are plenty of fish to be caught on the North and East ends of the lake.  Nymphing larger Chironomid patterns under an indicator in sizes #12-16 and colors ranging from red-black-copper and grey with a clear or white bead head has been getting clients into some of the best fish they have caught. Stripping small Perch fry imitations trailed by a Midge has also been successful recently. Use a Ultimate Perch, Matuka, or other perch imitation on a full sink or fast sinking head to get down to Crowley trout and hold on! As with most western fisheries we will be seeing larger trout on the move as we roll into the Autumn months.

The East Walker river is finally getting some cooler water temperatures as flows vary from day to day and they Autumn nights cool air moves in on Bridgeport. Streamers, nymphs and terrestrial insects are all getting action throughout the day on the East Walker.  As well as the standard patterns mentioned in previous reports.  Fish Midge poly wing Emergers or Flashbang style midges in sizes #18-20 and other similar patterns. Small Mayfly patterns (thorax, bubble back, poxy back) in #18-20, and small Green Caddis worms in like sizes have also been getting trout attention.  Watch for this river to become an incredible fishery as Fall rolls in forcing the brown trout to eat more for winter, and get aggressive because of the upcoming spawning season.

Hot Creek continues to fish well with not much change, water is still low and the terrestrial  bug action is winding down due to the cooler nights we are experiencing. A caddis hatch comes off throughout most of the river late evening a couple hours before dark.
Weeds are still abundant but the skilled fly fisherman can get past these as all the nice hot Creek fish are still in there. For flies try the same patterns mentioned in my last report for success. Make sure to use plenty of small green caddis worms and adults #18-22. Small Midge Emergers #18-22. And Beatles in hoppers during the hottest part of the day,  the terrestrial action will be ending soon. Some tricos have been present in the morning but only in certain parts of Hot Creek. Fish #20-22 Trico patterns when these are present.