The Lower is up to 200 cfs and fishing great. Baetis hatches can be found throughout the day on certain days providing some great action for the dry Fly enthusiast. Some large Caddis are noted popping around the water and are randomly eaten by the opportunistic Trout. Water is clear and many consider this the prime flow rate of the Lower Owens River for extracting it’s wild fish. Refer to my last report for Fly patterns to use.
The Lower Owens River was down to 150 cfs of clear fishy flow and now back up to around 200 cfs once again. Both these flow rates are extremely fishy and make for a very healthy river system.
The Upper Owens River continues to be super low yet clear and cool! Very few large specimens have made their way up the river at this time.. This is due to the Indian summer we just experienced, as well as low flows not pushing a good column out into the lake triggering the Trout instincts to swim upstream this time of year. Stay tuned here for updates on this. If I have not updated, nothing has changed. The pic below is what’s coming!
Finally some good flow rates!! The Lower Owens is sweeter than before as flows have stabilized at a perfect and clear 200cfs. All sizes of Trout are being caught and released. Dry Fly action is definitely happening in various pools and slow foam lines. Mostly mayflies around size #18-20 are noted and being fished. Nymphs around this size in emerging patterns and Soft Hackles are also taking fish under the surface. Look to catch fish here all day long if you can adapt to what’s happening.. *
Beauty of a brown from the Lower Owens
Fly fishing the Lower Owens near Bishop CA
Lower Owens Browns by Ben Blankenhorn
Lots of relatively little fish in… We are still waiting for the big lakers to make their appearance… Check back in one week for this.. The pic is a sample from last year
From Mammoth Lakes CA down in the valley Bishop Creek is a georgous cascading stream that always supports good number of wild and stocked Trout.. Wild and weary bookies and Browns live here as well as the stocked Rainbow trout… Fish the south fork and main stem from Sabrina Lake on this system. Classic Attractor dries, buggers, and light Nymph systems will all take fish. Sometimes you fish behind bait fisherman and end up taking a good amount of wild fish that refused their more artificial offerings.
Crowley continues to kick out big fish! McGee, Sandy point and a few other areas are very popular right now. Careful when hooking these fast and powerful fish, If you touch the reel while they are running you will lose them instantly!! The normal 6-12″ from the bottom is still the best placement for your flies. The same flies hold as last report! Stay tuned for some great fall fishing here on Crowley. Call us for a guided trip on our 19′ Lowe boat with a 115 horse.
Just down the road from Mammoth Lakes CA the Lower Owens River meanders thru the Owens Valley which actually received rain yesterday!! Fish were rising sporadically to very small mayflies and generally acting a bit skiddish with the onset of this storm system. Attractor nymphs with small Mayfly patterns below took fish consistently. Wind picked up in the afternoon to accompany the rain.
Crowley Lake Fly Fishing has been great to guide with some real pounds of fish showing their power and angler evading abilities once hooked. From the North Arm to McGee Bay the fishing has been solid while fishing on average about 12-20 feet of water. The algae bloom is starting to show but not inhibiting fishing. Perch fry and a large Chironomid pattern are certainly doing the trick. Anglers in tubes, or efficient streamer fisherman that can strip perch fry along weed beds are extracting good numbers as well. Usually our patterns are #10-14 here in Crowley. Stay tuned for more Big fish as fall rolls in..
Bishop fly fishing has taken a turn for the unusual! The local bullfrogs are taking stimulators, para Caddis, Crickets , Hoppers, and any Ant and Beetle patterns. 🙂 look for the swamps and throw that Fly in there and don’t strip… Jitter
