Some recent caddis Where do you go to catch some of the most painted up and wildest trout around ? The Lower Owens River continues to flow at usual winter flow rates with clear and cool water.  These conditions are perfect for us fly angers to take full advantage of the conditions! The usual Midge, Baetis top water feeding action has been continuing to happen during the mid morning to mid afternoon depending on the section of the Owens once chooses to fish. Once again, reading the water is crucial for success.  Fish are highly selective in what they eat.  Caddis and Midge Larvae,  BWO Emergers and Nymphs.  These are fished in sizes #16-20. Mayfly adults come off around noon or the warmest moments of the days.  Fish various adult Baetis patterns when this happens; thorax BWO, natural BWO’s,  para BWO’s ect.  Fish these in #16-18 and sometimes #20.

Beautiful Upper Owens river winter Trout

In the shadow of the mighty Mammoth Mountain big fish are inhabiting the awesome system of the Upper Owens River.  Again, the deepest pools, riffles, runs, and dropouts hold these amazing fish of a lifetime out of a smaller river system such as this one.  These big fish are being taken on everything from San Juan Worms to smaller Midges and Green Caddis patterns, egg patterns and streamers. Flashy nymphs in larger than normal sizes will also get you some attention. Fish Streamers deep and slow, we have taken them on lighter and darker colours of streamers. One interesting fly the Marvel Bugger has been getting attention recently as well. Fish heavy tippet and take your time here.

Hot Creek Brown Caught on Small Nymph #22

The unique flowing system of Hot Creek seems to be starting to possibly show us a slow comeback. Hatches come out of Baetis, Midges, and Caddis here and there throughout the day . Still weedy with lots of channels to choose from this is a accuracy game.  Fish small patterns here that imitate the above mentioned flies. The T-Midge, Cased Baetis and Small Caddis Emergers is sized #18-22 are your best bet on Hot Creek.  Small Thorax Baetis in #18-22, Dry Midges patterns in #20-24 , and small Hot Creek Caddis in the same sizes are all good patterns to have during a Hot Creek visit.

Fly anglers on the Lower Owens River are experiencing some great dry fly action this last week! Around noon a strong hatch of BWO’s come off and trout respond savagely in most areas. Upon arriving to the river in the morning one can observe a  midge feed  happening in various slow moving foam lined holes up and down the river. These are a great challenge to trick with a very small Dry Midge pattern in #20-24 on 6 or 7x .  Nymphing always brings success and can be done at any time of the day.  Various Mayfly, Midge, and Caddis patterns are being eaten. The Beatis emerger patterns sunk down seem to bring the most success. These patterns include; Split Case Baetis, Bubbleback Emergers, RS2’s, Cased Baetis, and Robo PT’s ect.  Fish these is #16-20. We are looking forward to more dry fly action as weather evens out and other species of insects start hatching .

Hot Creek Rainbow

Hot Creek has shown us improvement recently. Way less pressure has allowed this small gem of a creek to make a small comeback. Small bugs and short drifts are what this place continues to be about. Fish Small Midge dries and Emergers of various patterns in #18-22,  Small Baetis and Caddis Worms both under the water and on top in similar sizes will also get you into fish. The top water action appears to be spotty yet happens!

The Upper Owens River is still doing what it does best this time of year.. that is delivering big fish to a small bunch of fly anglers!  Flows are the same and water clarity of slightly off as it has been for a while now. Like I have said before this semi clear water actually gives a little cover to the large predators of the river.  Down low and up high the fish are spread throughout the river system. Water is a skosh more clear around halfway up between the bridge and the Arcularius  Ranch fenced boundry.  Time of day does not seem to matter as much as the day itself. Access is good with only a few muddy puddles remaining. There are some patches of snow where the sun doesn’t shine much. We will see what happens as the seemingly springtime weather rolls in and gets fish moving around.

Georgous Upper Owens Cuttbow with Andrew T.

STM Guide doing what he does best

The Lower Owens River, as usual, continues to be the place to be for wild trout that will readily eat well placed nymphs,  streamers, and dry flies consistency.  Flows are low and clarity is great.  Wading is easy and casual right now.  In various parts of the river BWO dries are coming off and getting eaten in foam lines, riffles, pools, and seams during the warmer hours of the day.  The skilled Nymph fisherman always has success here.  Reading the water is crucial for success.  Fish are highly selective in what they eat.  Caddis and Midge Larvae,  BWO Emergers and Nymphs.  These are fished in sizes #16-20. Mayfly adults come off around noon or the warmest moments of the days.  Fish various adult Baetis patterns when this happens; thorax BWO, natural BWO’s,  para BWO’s ect.  Fish these in #16-18 and sometimes #20. This hatch shoukd get better as this warm trend continues this February. 

Father gets a Brown on Lower Owens

Son gets some Lower Owens action

Owens River hoover fish. Sucker

Owens River Drift Trip

The Upper Owens River near Mammoth Lakes continues to show us what a precious jewel of a river it is! Fat and  beautiful full finned Trout are being hooked and easily releasing themselves from most rookie Anglers lines that happen to hook into them. Unless you play a big game of give and take with these big guys they will take everything from you quickly while giving an exilirating experience that makes you want more.  They continue to hold in every deep and dark run,  riffle,  channel, and deep bend in the river.  Some days it’s possible to hook various fish in this category while other days they seem to ignore all offerings, then after 100 casts… Boom! Fish pretty much the same patterns as mentioned in my last report;  SJ worms,  Copper Jons,  Soft Hackles,  Prince Nymphs, Pheasant Tails and the like.  Fish these all in larger than usual sizes.  SJ worms can be 6-10. Nymphs can be  #10-14 usually.  Egg patterns are also a good pattern to put in the Upper Owens box this time of year. 

Mammoth Lakes Fly Fishing winter Trout

Mammoth lakes and Upper Owens River

Mammoth Lakes was good to Jacob G. from Orvis this past weekend

Jess S. of TU meets another Upper Owens River Bow.

The Upper Owens River is a local small spring Creek that kicks out world class sized fish. When hooked you will have a torpedo that tailwalks on water,  dives into the opposite undercut bank,  and jumps and pulls almost to the point of being very difficult to land.  The river seems to be full of these quality fish in every deep run and riffle.  Various types of Nymph patterns will take these fish.  SJ worms,  Copper Jons,  Pheasant Tails,  Hares Ears,  Soft Hackles ect..  Fish these patterns in larger sizes.  #8’s for some and around #10-14 for the nymphs.  This seems to be getting better and better as time rolls on this season.  A few Browns are coming out along with the Rainbows and Cutt Bows.  Don’t be afraid to pull a streamer at any time.  Think big here too and don’t use light Tippett when you do? Stayed tuned for many more large specimens to be taken out of this amazing river system.