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. 

The Upper Owens River is flowing slightly off color since the last storm and continues producing very big winter Rainbows that are calling the river their home for the winter and early spring season! Most of these fish when hooked provide the blessed angler with aerial displays and big water displacement! These fish are eating a few different things from spawning coloured attractor patterns to midges.  A very well placed streamer can also provoke an aggressive eat from these georgous and healthy trout.  We hope these guys stay around a while and  continue to show us what they are made of! 

The Lower Owens flow rate has been recently raised slightly to provide a great fishing flow of around 110cfs. Baetis and Midge action is on the rise with a full day of dry Fly fishing yesterday! #20-22 midges and #16-20 Baetis are being eaten regularly in most larger holes of the Lower Owens River.  Some caddis have been seen hovering above the river recently as well!  Hatch time seems to be most of the day in certain parts of the river and all day long in others.  At any rate the larger fish of the Owens are starting to poke their heads above the water to feast on mature adult aquatic insects!

Upper Owens continues to go off! Amazing fishing with 18-24″ fish roaming the entire system and devouring any good source of protein their instincts deem worthy.  Attractor patterns #12-18 with a spawning hued theme along with correctly fished streamers will seduce these perfectly finned fish.  But watch out! Without proper fish playing skills these fish will have you telling the story of another big one that got away.

The Upper Owens is still flowing low and semi-clear and has been absolutely beautiful recently.  Above normal temps and windless days have been gracing the fly anglers who visit this unique spring fed river.  Above all the fish the Upper Owens River are absolutely world class right now.  Perfect full finned fish above 20″ are throughout the system and willing to eat the correct patterns.  Fish for these trout as if fishing for Steelhead.  Attractor patterns in spawning colours and flashy greens and coppers are just a few suggestions.  Landing these special large fish is as good as it gets in the US.  Stay tuned for much more to come!!

The Lower Owens River continues to flow low and clear at a rate of 80-85 cfs.  Fishing has been Absolutely Great! All sorts of perfectly coloured and pointy finned wild trout of all sizes have been landing on the net of some very happy anglers.  The river is very accessible at these flows making wading very easy.  Dry Fly action seems to be constant on very small Midges and Baetis  in certain areas of the river! Fish are taking all sorts of Baetis and Midge Emerger #18-20, Caddis Emergers and worms #16-18.  On the surface fish Small Midge dries and Baetis patterns #20-22.  Fish can be caught on streamers as usual fish your favorite bugger or muddler here to see some fine specimens of Lower O trout.  Stay Tuned for more dry fly action to come!