Flushing flows are holding the Lower Owens River at around 370cfs at the time of this report. Originally scheduled until the 13th we surely should see them drop very soon back to around 200cfs levels to start. After the first few days of the flush the water cleared up enough to drop a fly or two into her clear, and fast flowing waters. Hatches are out in the morning with random attacks on the surface here and there. The fly angler who seeks only surface activity can hunt out a fish to two that is steadily slurping insects off the top. The ultra warm temperatures this summer made the riverside vegetation flourish this year, once in the water you find yourself in a trout anglers paradise. The trend of larger fish continues on as some amazing hookups have been thrilling anglers with the thrill of a large wild trout pulling in the strong current. The river is bug rich and hatches come off thick. Turning over rocks reveals an amazing amount of bio mass hiding under the cool flowing waters of the Lower Owens, Reading the water is key here as usual as we dip our nymphs down deep to pass them within sight of holding trout. Peridons, Midges, and lots of Caddis have been patterns replicating what is on the trout’s menu recently. As the water drops and nights turn cooler the Lower Owens will become a fly anglers paradise for those in search of the wild and beautiful Brown and Rainbow Trout she holds.

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The California jewel of a wild brown trout stream, the Lower Owens river, flowing just outside of Bishop, California is still in great condition! Yes,it is hot out, but the river has maintained a fishy and cool temperature of around the low 60’s with a perfect flow of 223 cfs. Euro nymphing, as well as the good old indicator have been very successful in hooking and extracting wild trout from the Lower O. Starting early and ending early is the key. Standing in the river without waders is divine as we are some of the most comfortable and cool people in Bishop while the heat sets in around us as the day warms up. Small pods of rising fish can be found in the morning and evening times throughout the system. Small Mayflies, Midges, and Caddis are on the menu during these times. Stomach samples have revealed some smaller specimens being eaten recently. Keep your dropper fly around a size #18-20 for now.

Call or text the STM Fly Shop in Bishop California @661 364 6981 for more details or to book a guided fishing trip.

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The Lower Owens River, flowing just outside Bishop, CA. could of possibly already seen its highest flows of the year at only 375cfs! Flows are now at a beautiful 300cfs of clear sierra water in its finest condition. Wading at these levels requires knowledge of the river and a little trust in your step. Overall wading is easy and very refreshing on these hot summer days. Trout are feeding randomly on the surface throughout the Owens River system throughout the day, but can be a stronger emergence in the cooler moments. A stomach pump yesterday once again proved small varieties of mayflies, caddis and midges are still on the menu for the wild trout of the river, Bigtime! Oh, and lets not forget some small stonefly adults and nymphs as well! The water is in the mid 50’s with flows very clear up high and a small stain in the water a few miles down below. Overall the river is in amazing condition! Give us a call or text @661 364 6981 for more details on this amazing fishery or to book a guided fly fishing trip!

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The Upper Owens River, right below Mammoth Lakes, California is flowing at a low flow of around 55cfs of cool sierra water. The fishing is spread out and generally very good throughout the river system, no one place is necessarily better than the other. The big fish we all get giggly over are now completely spread throughout the system, and a bit harder to catch, some up higher, some hiding for most of the day. These large slabs of meat get harder to catch as the water lowers and flows become skinnier, though not impossible. Large attractor patterns under the water have been taking these guys with success. The resident fish are spread throughout the system and can be taken on larger and smaller bug imitations. We have not seen the LHCs run into the river quite yet, and they might not this year in the number we have seen in the past. HOPPERS! This is what we are anxiously awaiting as the river comes alive and the fish put on good amounts of body mass for the season on the Hoppers alone.

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The Local area creeks are in great shape right now! Runoff has not brought water levels to unfishable status and remains very fish worthy. We are not exactly sure what runoff is going to do to us this year. It will depend on temperatures that melt the snow, and how much rain and storms arrive here in the next month. The fish are ready to eat at this time! Small dries, Nymphs and Streamers will take fish very successfully. Small single nymph rigs have been absolutely successful with some very aggressive attacks. Small streamers such as Wooly Buggers, Muddler Minnows, and the like will all take fish. C

Call the STM Fly Shop in Bishop, CA at 760 873 0010 or text 661 364 6981 for more details or to book a guided trip.

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The Lower Owens River, just north of Bishop, CA, has been steady flowing at around 270cfs of very fishy and nutrient rich sierra water. Conditions are perfect as fish are able to move about freely. That is not the only benefit, this volume of water delivers more biomass (trout food) to the Brown and Rainbow Trout of the Lower Owens river, allowing them to grow fatter and heavier! Stoneflies are being eaten, a fly angler can witness random attacks on the surface here and there of the adults, but mostly there is plenty of underwater consuming of the nymph variety. These have been around a size 12-14. Large caddis worms, midges and plenty of mayfly patterns have been producing some great fish as well. The river is faster than it was in winter at only 80cfs, but, at these flows the entire system is much more healthy. Wading is easy when reading the river correctly, lots of gravel bars, wadable banks, and shore fishing are all options right now. We will see how the warmer weather, storms, and runoff treat us this summer season!

Call the Bishop STM Fly Shop @ 760 873 0010 or send a text to 661 364 6981

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