The Upper Owens River surroundings are now green and lush with wildflowers scattered along its landscape.  Yes, unbelievable large large and spectacular Trout are continuing to swim in the he waters of the Upper Owens River.  Majority of them being Lahontons.  Be very care not to fish for spawning fish obviously on a nest.  There are plenty in the usual haunts such as deeper holes and dark bends with eating on their mind.  Classic Attractor patterns and streamers will take these fish.  SJ worms, ham and eggs,  princes,  big soft hackles and the like will get attention here.  Experiencing this is a precious unique thing to experience,  I’m sure every savvy Fly angler will treat it that way. 

Bigger fish are out on the Lower Owens

Young June lands her first fish ever!

Yellow Sallies! The Lower Owens River is up an at a very healthy flow of 311 cfs of cool, and clear running Sierra water. Fish are super active and the larger fish have finally become less weary due to the volume of the river and are showing themselves to the experienced fly angler. A mayfly hatch still comes off around noon with good response from the wild fish of the river. It does seem to be more spotty and less predictable at the moment. But, that makes it all the better when happened upon. Nymphing has been very productive in many more parts of the river we would not of been fishing until this new level of river hit us.  Yellow Sallies are out and a few Squallas have been seen around the rive. For the last week the majority of our guiding has been with large Stimulators and Baetis patterns. Dry Fly Fishing all day long!! For the Nymph setup use the same things suggested in previous reports but mix it up with some Yellow Sallie and Stone Fly type nymphs.

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