The Upper Owens has finally come to fulfill is reputation as a prime trout stream as we are finding many large brown and rainbows moving up the Upper O from the fish factory of Crowley Lake below. More rainbows are being caught as the larger browns in the system are showing themselves less frequently. Lots of trout are being caught all around with varous nymphs, dries and streamers working; SJ worms and bright midges are taking many fish as well as UV midges #18-20, Disco Midges #18-20, T-Midge Emergers #18-20 are all taking fish as well as well-ribbed zebras and tigers of the same sizes. Some hopper action is starting to angles that like to cover a lot of water as they fish. Some caddis are working as well; BH Ascending Caddis #14-18 and other sparkle pupas should also be in the Upper O anglers Fly Box. Buggers and Rabbit Streamers off all sorts are also catching fish. You can fish these off a floating of sinking line depending on your style. The Upper O will continue to get better as well roll on through summer into fall. Stay tuned for Pics.

The upper Owens is steadily fishing better and better as the early summer progresses. Flows have not gone out of control and water remains clear, especially above the Hot Creek confluence. Hoppers are setting up to be a major food source for the trout of the Upper Owens this summer and fall. With the numbers of hoppers I have seen in some of the fields around the Upper O recently it is a good indicator that the trout will put on some poundage this year feasting on these large terrestrials. Spotty hatches of caddis and baetis can be found here and there pleasing the dry fly angler, but nothing too consistent. Nymphing consistently takes fish here: Purple Princes #14-18, Robo PT’s #16-18, Bright Midge patterns such as; UV pearl midges, Disco midges, T-Midge Emergers and serendipities and in sizes #16-20 will take fish. A handful of anglers are getting into some big fish on streamers and nymphs.

The Lower O has reached a high year clear flow of 450cfs..Finding areas to fish at this flow is tough, but fish are hungry and water can be accessed and efficently fished in certain spots if you know the curves of the Lower O well. Caddis are making an appearance as well as a few baetis here and there. Caddis emergers and pupa fished deep in the right water will produce fish in sizes #16-18. Stallcups ascending caddis is a great choice to imitate these caddis. Midge emergers in grey and black #18 are also taking fish. Robo PT’s, Bubbleback emergers, and Sparkle Trigger nymphs in #’s 16-20 are also taking fish. Come evening caddis roll off and rising fish can be found eating in the slower runs and holding water.

Bishop Creek is high and clear. Water is cool and fish are eating all sorts of attractor patterns as well as some stoneflies. The forks of Bishop Creek out of Northlake and Southlake are clear and fishable. Fish can been seen in most pools in the creeks where holding water can be found. The inlets also have good fish populations in Northlake and Southlake and Sabrina as well. Various stonefly patterns will work here: Whitlocks red squirrel, rubber leg stone nymphs, prince nymphs and Pheasants tails all in sizes #12-16 are taking fish. Many other attractors can be used as well. For dries use; Royal Wulffs, Stimulators, Parachute Adams, Para Hoppers and Coachmens all in sizes #14-18. Streamers such as wooly buggers, Muddler Minnows, Rabbit and Squirrel patterns, and various other patterns are always a good choice for big fish in the Bishop Creek/Lake system. Fish these in sizes #6-12.