Lake fishing 🎣 to most Fly Anglers (including me) can sound boring when compared to standing in the flowing waters.  One Lake that can change this misconception is our very own Lake Crowley!  The payoff of fly fishing a lake is Big Fish. Crowley has them in three beautiful species;  Large and fat Rainbows,  Browns, and Lahonton Cutthroat are roaming the lake looking to eat your Fly as we speak.  Fall drives big fish to eat and store food as they prepare for the winter ahead.  From the North end to Hilton we have been having very memorable days recently.  Fish a variety of color combinations to unlock the right one.  Start with the basics and take it from there! 

Posted by STM Fly Fishing – Bishop CA

The Upper Owens River is just starting to show us what it had in store for us this winter.  Temps are cooling and weeds are dying making the Fly Anglers Drift that much more enjoyable.  Soon we should see good numbers of large Lake fish running up the clear waters of the Upper Owens River.  As for now we are catching the usual mixture of wild and previously stocked Trout that have survived and become somewhat wild.  Try the usual Caddis/Baetis/Midge Attractor patterns.  Green Caddis Worms and variations of the PT and Hares Ear 👂  in sizes #14-18. This pic I am posting is from last season and is what we expect very soon. 

Posted by STM Fly Fishing – Bishop CA

Cooler Temps are starting to grace the Eastern Sierra recently.  Night Temps are now crisp and comfortable.  Add this all up with Fall on its way and we have great autumn fishing conditions!  The Lower Owens River is now flowing at a perfect flow of 218cfs. Some Midge action is noted on the surface with fish eating Midges, Caddis and MayFlies under and on the surface in certain areas.  As usual the Lower Owens provides us with an unbelievable opportunity right here in your backyard!

Posted by STM Fly Fishing – Bishop CA

The Lower Owens River is flowing clear and cool thanks to a healthy flow of 300-350 cfs.  This healthy flow rate for this time of year keeps the river running cool and clear. This keeps the weeds down and the Wild brown trout of the Lower Owens River very happy.
Fish it in your usual areas and of course, look for slower moving water and foam seams (foam is home) Waders are still not needed as wet wading is the most comfortable way to spend your day in Bishop.  Some consistent Dry Fly action can be found in the early morning and late evening hours.  Some PMD action still exists,  and caddis are out.  Fish most of these patterns in sizes #16-18. Nymphing will take fish all day long when plopped in front of the wild and selective fish of the Lower Owens.  Samples of Fly selections we are using include; Green Caddis Worms, Electric Rock Worm and Diving Caddis #16-18,  Midge patterns – Larvae and Emergers #18-20.  May Fly Nymphs and Emergers #16-20. The Lower Owens River of the Eastern Sierra  continues to be the place to fish if you want beautiful flowing water full-of wild trout. 

Posted by STM Fly Fishing – Bishop CA

If you want to catch a big Trout right now in the Eastern Sierra let’s go fishing in Crowley Lake!  From North to South ends we have been landing very large Lahonton Cutthroat,  Rainbows, and Brown Trout.  The key is fishing the right areas and knowing when to move on to the next area.  Set your drag and kick up your 5x to 4 & 3x to hold on to these fish.  The same patterns as my last Crowley report hold true.  Some fish are being caught on perch fry, but not as many as previous years.  This should continue for possibly another month as the cooler weather seems to be pushing the larger specimens around the lage to stock up for winter months. 

Posted by STM Fly Fishing – Bishop CA

The Upper Owens River is of course low and slow..  Grass is green and the valley is lush. The river has its fair share of weeds.  Especially from Crowley up to the bridge.  Simply fish it above the bridge to avoid most of the weeds the higher you go. Fishing with Hoppers and Beatles right now  is a lot of fun as you can cover a lot of water and get a lot of casting in. Fish are not that big up there right now and you will find a mixture of both stocked and wild trout. Throughout the system you will find isolated pods of fish rising to Caddis and MayFlies. Fish the usual Attractor nymphs such as Green Caddis Worms,  Various PT patterns,  lightning bugs and similar patterns.  All in sizes #14-18.

Posted by STM Fly Fishing – Bishop CA

As far as Lakes go Crowley Lake has been the jewel of the Sierra this summer!  Consistency showing us some of the best fish the Eastern Sierra has to offer.  Ever caught a Lahonton Cutthroat?  Crowley is the place to go for a Crowley slam!  We are constantly getting Browns, Rainbows, and Lahonton Cutthroat in single outing.  Most of the usual spots have been producing well from McGee Bay to the North Arm.  The usual suspects for Fly patterns are still holding strong in sizes #12-16 (for example Chironomids in Silver/Gold/Red on Black)
Come see us for an amazing time on this fertile fishery.

Posted by STM Fly Fishing – Bishop CA

The Lower Owens River flows were recently kicked up to a healthy quick flowing cool flow.  That being said the water continues to run clear and refreshing with many visible fishable foam lines.  Fish have been coming out healthy and happy and seem to be  very well fed.  Definitely find the fish in the slower speeds of water.  The patterns basically rain the same.  RS2’S,  Bubbleback Emergers,  CDC case Emergers all in #16-20 midges and green Caddis Worms are also used when nymphing.  For the surface patterns make sure to have small and large Caddis and Midge patterns  #16-20. Find rising Trout in early morning and late evening. 

Posted by STM Fly Fishing – Bishop CA

The Eastern Sierra fish factory of Crowley Lake has been giving us some great specimens this summer!! Lahonton Cutthroat, Fat Brown Trout, and Rainbows have all equally been willing to eat the fly Anglers offerings when placed a short distance of the Chironomid infested bottom of Crowley Lake.  From 8-15 feet of water and along the weed beds, fly fisherman have been loving the fish of Crowley Lake.  Chironomid patterns in sizes #12-14 in the standard. Red on Black, Copper on Black, Black on Cream and various other similar patterns. Dont be afraid to try new styles and colours and keep your eye on that indicator!!!

Posted by STM Fly Fishing – Bishop CA