Jason G. with a Steelhead looking Rainbow Trout - January 2012

The Upper Owens is still giving anglers a fly fishing experience very similar to steelheading on smaller meadow creeks. From the bridge up and being concentrated in certain areas, anglers searching hard and fishing correctly will usually hook up on one of these 20″-25″ fish. Very hard to land, one needs to be creative in your fighting style with these fish as they will run hard down to stuff themselves under the closest undercut. Attractor numphs are the ticket here. SJ Worms #12-14, Egg patterns, Purple Princes #14-18, Robo PT’s #16-18 and other various Pheasant Tail patterns with a little additional ribbing or sparkle all in #16-18. The Ticket Czech Nymph and the Frenchy Czech Nymph have all been getting big fish attention as well, fish these is sizes #14-16…Some days we have been seeing nobody else on the water in most areas.  Enjoy this winter fishery while it lasts!

Alex H. Fools a great Lower Owens Bow with a #18 nymph

The Lower Owens is flowing at an incredible fishy flow of  199cfs-  increased dry fly activity is noted in some areas. Nymphing is getting most of the numbers also with Baetis and Midge larvae patterns. Find the spots where the fish are is the best advice I could give most anglers that I see having trouble fishing the Lower Owens. All the river has fish in it, especially in the wild trout section, take each bend apart piece by piece to fish it correctly. Good old Pheasant Tails #16-20, Sparkle Trigger and CDC emerger BWO nymphs #18-20 and Split Case patterns in the same sizes are some choices to present to brown trout. Midge patterns to be fished in the Lower Owens range from light to dark in color, recently we have been finding success with our lighter color midges in larvae and emerger form. When fish are on the top they will be eating a #16-20 Blue Winged Olive (BWO). Go for the more exact representations of the insect. Anatomically correct split tails and tapered bodies will fool more of the larger spookier trout concealed in the Lower Owens river. Look for a healthy BWO hatch to start here any day. Once these hatches start they usually come off at near the exact time each day. Stay tuned for some great fishing on the LO!

Jon W. lands a beautiful copper- yellow Brown Trout @ the East Walker

The East Walker flows low and slow and fishes well throughout the winter. At 26 cfs the water is its normal color which conceals the fish from the anglers and river predators allowing them to roam more freely. Small midges and various mayfly patterns have been taking fish in the winter. Tiger and Zebra Midges in non classic colors #18-20, Biot Midges Grey #18, Miracle Nymphs #18, Thorax Biot Baetis #18-20 and T-Midge emergers and Flashbang Midges in 18’s are just a few patterns to take fish.. Don’t forget to put a good attractor nymph up top or run a Baetis-Midge rig. Look for the golden yellow browns in your net here!

Fly Fishing Lower Owens River December 2011

The Lower Owens is sticking to a great flow of 104cfs. This allows any angler to move about the river freely. Nymphing has been great here with good numbers to hand. A few more rainbow trout have been coming to hand this December with some great specimens.  The usual suspects for flies are still working; PT’s, SuperFlash Pheasant Tails, Sparkle Trigger Nymphs, CDC BWO emergers, Ticket Czech nymphs, and Zebra, Tiger and all sorts of Poly wing emerging midges all is sizes #18-20.. Sometimes you can get away with a #16 PT variation on the top fly of your nymph rig.  Stay tuned for some clockwork BWO and dry fly

Beautiful East Walker Brown Trout - Winter 2011

The East Walker continues to produce some large and beautiful brown trout. Flow continue to be low and fish are on midge larvae! Flash Bangs, Miracle Nymphs, T-Midge emergers, Poly Wing Emergers, Biot Midges and Disco Midges all in sizes #18-20 have been on the menu here. Few people show up to fish with almost nobody fishing below the bridge. Stay tuned for good things to come out of the East Walker this season.

I was releasing one Brown and on the next cast a client caught another!!

Water is down to 115cfs~!!~ and fishing great!  Fly Fisherman have been coming in the shop with large grins and happy conversation after spending a few hours on this wild river. Browns are coming out as beautiful as they have been with the occasional rainbow in the mix. Fish the same bugs as suggested in my last report for success.  Read the water here well as the fish are definitely holding in certain areas more than others. Pheasant Tails ‘s of all sorts in #16-20 are really doing the trick with certain patterns outdoing others. Robo PT’s, Thorax BWO emergers, Trigger Nymphs, and Killer Baetis or BTS nymphs are some of the patterns we have had success with in the last few weeks.  Also, try a midge emerger of some sort on the setup, emerging midge patterns have been outfishing standard midge patters recently.. T-Midges, Tube Midges, and Serenstupidies are some examples..Fish these in #18-20.

Nice East Walker Brown caught in Wintertime 2011

East Walker is very low and fishing well.  Fish are hungry and eager to take small midge larvae, bait fish, and other protein forms this fertile river system offers. Traffic is low and fishing below the Miracle Mile has been very successful. Poly Wing Emergers #18-20, Biot Midges #18-20, Miracle Midges #18, WD-40’s #16-20 and Serenstupities #18 are just a few patterns to try. Ultimate Perch Fry and Son of Crazy Dad #10-12 are also patterns we have had success on in the last week.  This will continue to fish well all winter with less traffic as the snow and colder weather come in. We have had a few crushes on the mouse and streamers recently which should be in every fly anglers East Walker Box.