two girls hold up a large rainbow trout on the lower owens river in summertime

Lower Owens River Fly Fishing Report : Bishop, CA – 7.2.22

July 2, 2022
, , , , , , , Fishing Reports

The Lower Owens, running strongly just outside of Bishop, has been pumped up to a very healthy flow of around 220cfs of cool sierra water. Clarity is slightly tea colored and perfect to give the wild trout and angler a little bit of extra cover from each other. Caddis, Yellow Sallies and Mayflies can be seen on certain days making for an exciting top-water experience. Wading, is a bit more difficult but easily doable when making the proper decisions while in the water . Nymphing has been the game early with the hope of some top-water action tempting us every day. Flashy patterns under the water have been attracting the fish to our hooks in these light runoff flow rates. Fish the flies I mentioned on top in their nymph and larvae forms under the water for success here. The Lower Owens River is a wild river consisting mostly of a variety of wild and savage fish in sizes ranging from 6″ – 18″. Down below town where the river becomes a bit more silty stocked trout are dumped in. Streamers are also getting some good attention when fished correctly. Do not try a sinking line in this small river to fish streamers appropriately, we use a long leader with a weighted streamer to fish across the various currents of the Lower Owens. Peridons, Stoneflies, and Mayfly patters both wet and dry are taking fish everyday out on the Lower Owens River.

Call the STM Fly Shop in Bishop, California, for more details or to book a guided tour. 760-873-0010

www.si

Caddis action on the Dry Fly

Lower Owens River Fly Fishing Report : Bishop, CA – 3.18.22

March 18, 2022
, , , , , , Fishing Reports

HATCHES ARE HAPPENING! Flowing just outside of Bishop, California the Lower Owens river continues its descent to lower elevations at a low winter flow of right around 90cfs. The big news here is hatches are happening! This weekend we had the good fortune of being on the water during a mayfly hatch up high and a thick caddis down low. The fish were ignoring them in some places and completely devouring them on the surface in other areas of the Lower. BWO patterns of most types were doing the damage on the surface. (Parachute BWO’s, Naturals, cut-wings ect.) Most in sizes #16-18. Before the hatch goes off in the morning hours the Euro and Indicator nymphing is very productive, making for an unforgettable day on the water. (Perdions, P. Tails, Soft hackles, spilt cases, ect.) all in sizes #14-20. Wind can be a factor some days but rarely lasts all day and usually dies off if one lasts through it. Out of the spot wind places can also be found deep in in the river corridor. This spring appears to be considering giving us an amazing dry fly season! Stay tuned and come up to Bishop to experience some amazing fishing for wild trout!

Contact the STM Fly Shop in Bishop for more details or to book a guided trip. 760-873-0010 or text at 661-364-6981.

www.sierratroutmagnet.com

@stm_fly_fishing on instagram

best trout fishing near mammoth lakes

Upper Owens River Fly Fishing Report : 1.23.21

January 23, 2021
, , , , , , , Fishing Reports

The Upper Owens River below Mammoth Lakes is at its prime time of the year! Water continues to flow clear and cold as the very large fish continue to inhabit the amazing holes, runs, and deep riffles of the Upper Owens this January. Small dustings of snow have been seen upon early arrival in the morning on the river which melts away as the sun rises leaving a completely changed landscape from just moments before. The fish have continued to infiltrate the river system with seemingly new members showing up on each visit. Fish the patterns that I have mentioned in my last post. Do not be afraid to try your own new patterns though, it just may be what these unbelievable fish want in that moment. Upon hooking up be ready for the possibility of a screaming run, just when you think they are done they give that last unexpected run leaving you without a fly and speechless all at the same time.

beautiful Lower Owens Brown trout held by one hand above a net over the water

Lower Owens River Fly Fishing Report : Bishop, CA – 10.15.20

October 15, 2020
, , , , , , , , , Fishing Reports

The infamous Fly Fishing in Lower Owens River just outside of Bishop, CA has began and is as good as we imagined! Flows are down to a perfect 180cfs of perfectly balanced, and nutrient rich sierra water. Trout are very abundant and are being found and caught in their usual hangouts. Weeds are not an issue and the entire river is accessible on foot by wading. Around 12:30 some small mayflies can be seen exiting the waters surface. In some of the slower, foam line areas surface action is noted. The entire river is fishing well from the dam to as far down as you would wish to go. Nymphs and streamers will take fish all day long. Stoneflies patterns are now a thing of this summer past. Fish Caddis, Mayflies, and Midges for success here on California’s premiere Wild Brown Trout River, The Lower Owens.

Fly Fishing Report

Lower Owens Fly Fishing Report : Bishop, CA 93514 – 3.5.19

March 5, 2019
, , , , , , , Fishing Reports

The Lower Owens extremely low Flows have come to an end as the flows spiked to a healthy 300cfs since our last report. This did’nt change the bug activity! The same flies are still taking the amazingly beautiful wild Brown and Rainbow Trout that the Lower Owens yields. Large Czech Nymph patterns, Jig Pheasant Tails, Deep sinking Caddis Worms and Midges, and various other patterns that imitate Baetis Nymphs, Rock Worms and Midge Larvae. On my you tube channel you can see these things in real life! Click below to see– >

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agudBPWUraQ

Hatches are still going off between 12:00 – 2:00pm in larger holes where the flies collect on the water and the trout have a concentrated amount of protein to consume. Be ready for some great fish to come out of the Lower Owens this year.

Beautiful Rainbow of the Lower Owens River – Bishop, CA

Lower Owens River Baetis Hatch is on! February 2019

January 31, 2019
, , , , , , , , Fishing Reports

(click report link for video)

The long-awaited Lower Owens River dry fly fishing is beginning at a great rate. Come to the Owens and fish size #14 through #18 Baetis patterns for the fly fishing you’ve all been waiting for!

Lower Owens River Fly Fishing Report : Bishop, CA – 1.31.19

January 31, 2019
, , , , , , , , Fishing Reports

BWO hatch is on!! The event that many of us have been waiting for! A little past high noon a thick Baetis hatch comes off in a rather large size of #16. The fish have recently started responding and looking up to these top-water protein snacks. Blue Duns #16-18, Hendricksons #16-18, and Baetis Zingers in similar sizes are a few of the patterns popular with the fish we cast to them. Before this day changing event the nymphing has also been very successful, making for an amazing day. Use the same bugs as listed in previous reports; Caddis, Mafly, and Midges tied in nymph stages. Soft Hackles, PT’s, Bubbleback Emergers, Caddis Worms, and various Midge Emergers will get you fish when placed in the troutiest water such as; foam lines, large deep pools with evident seams, well defined drop offs and deep riffles.