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. 

The Lower Owens River has remained low and clear.  Some days an amazing Baetis come off in size #16.  These look like little sailboats on the water and the fish respond very well.  Anatomically correct patterns fished in the correct sizes will provide the angler with amazing dry Fly action if this is encountered.  Nymphing remains the same.  We have been using a few more Midge Larvae and Midge Emerger patterns recently in #’s 18-22. Black with silver rib is effective as well as other darker variations.  Days are getting longer and warmer..  This action should pick up as winter slowly makes its way to spring. 

The Lower Owens River Fly Fishing continues to constantly produce fine looking wild fish.  Flows are low and clear,  and somebody is always hungry.  Baetis and Midges ares still in the menu  as well as the occasional Caddis.  Fish the appropriate patterns for these aquatic insects.  During the warmer parts of the day Baetis (BWO’s) come off and parts of the river come alive with surface activity.  Read the water correctly for success as its low and clear with spooky wild trout. 

The Upper Owens River continues to produce some amazing fish! Water is still low and clear in some areas thus making for some possible sight fishing.  Off colour water is also founds below some of the small streams that enter.  However, large specimens are still found throughout the entire River system.  Some days are busy and some days people don’t arrive until around 11am. Fish the appropriate larger Attractor patterns and include something with a bit of spawning colour on the Nymph setup.  Copper Jons, Soft Hackles,  Prince Nymphs and large Pheasant Tails are all taking fish.  Streamers can work if fished relentlessly through the correct water..  Though it seems as they will only move for them at the warmest point of the day. 

Last minute gift decisions??  What about a certificate for a guided trip to get your special Fly angler some quality time in the water.  This certificate does not expire. Call the shop for a special deal!