The Lower Owens River continues to flow at a healthy 200+-cfs.  Water is clear, and  temperatures are conducive to feeding Trout.  At these flows  fish are spread out and eager to eat and not stacked up on top of each other as much like during low winter flows. This makes them less spooky  allowing you to catch more out of any given run Most of the time. Some small PMDs have begun hatch early – mid morning inducing most Trout in their area to come up and partake the floating protein snacks above.  Small PMD and Baetis emerger designs fished with a caddis or Midge will take many fish under the water.  These flies range in sizes #16 – 20.  Guided trips here have been excellent for clients and Guide alike with good sized fish to the net, and some of the most beautiful fish and scenry we have ever seen. 

Crowley is fishing hot with most known areas producing fish in anywhere from 9 to 15 or more feet. The morning bite does not start super early so no reason to beat the sun up. The bite continue throughout the day unless the wind pops up forcing you off the lake. Recently wind has been relatively calm and not that bad. Fish the usual patterns of black and red combos, black and white copper combos, black and silver combos, and grey with black. Putting a white ice cream cone head on top of the Chironomid pattern is also worth having in the Crowley box. We have been having success with patterns in sizes number 12 thru 16.  We have been seeing Browns, Cutts, and Bows of all sizes at the end of our lines.  The one below is a Lahonton Cutthroat. 

Crowley Lake is fishing great!  The opening of the season is showing us fish fed well throughout the moderate winter.  Water is a deep green colour and the system is healthy.  Most of the main fish holes are letting go if their fish.  From Leighton Springs over to McGee and the shoreline in between anglers are extracting good amounts and sizes of Brown, Rainbow and some large Sacramento Perch. Fish in water from 9-16 feet deep.  The usual suspects for flies are doing the trick.  Copper/black, red/black,  red/red and silver/black in sizes #12-16. Set these guys a few inches to a foot or so of the bottom and don’t look away!

Since the writing of my last report the Lower Owens river has come up to a healthy flies of 200cfs. This really does not change much expect the fish are not quite so isolated and stacked in certain areas.  Some claim 200cfs is optimal for fisherman and Trout alike.  Wading is still a cinch as the flow is still relatively low.  Caddis are starting to make an appearance in the late evenings once again right in time with the re-occurring warm weather.  The same patterns still hold as my last report.  Some. Anglers have put their waders away and are wet wading only now.  Come and see what the Lower Owens has in store for you.  Our
guide trips run every day.  If you would like to experience the Lower Owens River with a professional to see what it’s capable of call us at the STM Fly Shop (760)873-0010

The Lower Owens River is flowing at a great rate of 140 cfs, fish are very active and weather is warm.  The days here are lengthening,  giving us more time in a day to take in the stark beauty of the Eastern Sierra and hopefully meet a few of her beautiful Trout. The warmer evenings seem to be reigniting the Caddis Hatch with fish starting to get back into the idea of topwater splashy caddis eats.  As usual, nymphing the Lower Owens all day long can produce great numbers of fish. The usual suspects; Baetis, Caddis and Midge Emergers are still doing the trick.  The fish seem to be focusing on the Baetis and Caddis more underneath the water at this time. Since both are hatching we recommend trying the emerging patterns in both Caddis and Baetis in sizes 16 through 20 for best success. Wet wading is now an option with great air and water Temps.  Some bugs are out but only briefly.  Streamers patterns have also been taking fish in most sections of the river when tossed under overhangs into shadowy deep and dark banks.  You might even get another unexpected game fish while doing this!

The Upper Owens River is still showing us what the Eastern Sierra is made of by letting us extract #18-24″  full finned trout on a regular basis this entire winter, and now into the spring! The fish continue to be spread throughout the system and fishing has been great on most days and spectacular on others. Fly Anglers are spoiled as they leave the Upper Owens realizing sometimes people travel halfway around the world to have fishing like this in a small river.  Attractor patterns reminiscent of salmon and steel-heading designs are definitely working well. I’m not going to say we have the only patterns in the shop that catch these fish or you have to have our patterns for success, but, we sure have some of the exact right stuff if you want to stop in for some advice.  Streamers sunk and stripped correctly without spooking the river will also get the streamer enthusiast giggly happy with a strip into five pounds of on-fire trout is a drug not easily found! Call the shop for more info or a guided fly trip up to some of our favorite water. Our guides are full time on the water guides and understand river etiquette.

The Lower Owens River continues to show us her vitality that springs forth from her nutrient rich waters which produce life promoting healthy algae and aquatic vegetation = mega tons of aquatic bugs = very high fish count per mile!  Most Anglers are extracting some great numbers and sizes of wild Brown and Rainbow Trout on Baetis, some Midges and Caddis! Trout are putting on weight and eating properly placed Fly patterns.  A good caddis emerger pattern in shades of green #16,  and split back and emerging  Baetis patterns in #18-20 will take most of your fish.  On top have a supply of Adult caddis and BWO type patterns.  Trout of the Lower Owens River can be highly selective so choose your patterns wisely!  Flows are perfect for wading and make for happy fish and angler alike.

Caddis! The River is up to around 110cfs and fishing has been absolutely great! Nymphing, streamers, and dry flies have all been taking some very nice Brown and Rainbow Trout on the Lower Owens River .  Wading is easy and the river accommodates all Wading abilities at these comfortable and fishable flows.  Caddis and Baetis come out together in the upper sections of Lower Owens River and in the lower sections the Baetis are more sparse with a stronger tone on the Caddis.  Caddis Emergers in greens and tans #14-18, and Baetis Emerger patterns in #16-20 will take fish all day long even during the hatch.  On top the Stalcup adult caddis is the King, as well as Elk hair Caddis, and Peacock Caddis #14-18 depending on the hatch.  Baetis patterns (thorax, parachute, cut-wing) in #16-20 are also a must for the Lower Owens box this time of year.  Stay tuned for much more to come!

Made the trip over to visit and fish the East Walker River near Bridgeport CA.  Water is low and clear and conditions are tough with the fish not having much breathing room to run when hooked or spooked.  That being said the Big Pigs that we associate with the  East Walker are still roaming it’s waters and making life hard on any fish smaller than they are. We hope this river gets a higher flow before we return to test it’s waters.