large brown trout held above the water of the Upper Owens.

Lower Owens Fishing Report : Bishop, CA – 12.14.22

Bishops dream stream, the Lower Owens River continues to be the go-to river for the traditional fly fisherman here in the Eastern Sierra of Californa. Continuing to flow at its low winter rate of around 80-90 cubic feet per second the Lower Owens water is very clear and at its most accessible point of the year which makes it very easy to enter and wade. Water temperatures are around 40 degrees and fish are feeding well! The Mayfly hatch continues to happen more or less around noon causing extreme elation to the dedicated fly fisherman. This hatch of BWO insects can vary depending on the weather that each day presents. The hatch can prompt trout of the Lower Owens to rise throughout the entire river or only in certain bends or slow foam lines. River access is good and the banks of the river have dried up nicely after the rain this past weekend. Crowds have been minimal and upon choosing the right spots we have the river to ourselves most days. Nymphing correctly with or without and indicator (euro style) can be very successful when time is allocated properly in the correct parts of the Lower Owens River. Mayflies and Midges seem to be the majority of whats on the feed list for the wild fish of the Lower O. Fish these patterns in nymph form before the hatch and switch over when you see trout breaking the surface for the adult mayflies. Sizes #14 -#18 will cover most situation for both the mayflies and midges at this time.

Call the STM Fly Shop in Bishop, California at 760-873-0010 or text 661-364-6981 to book a guided tour or for more information

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Two anglers stand on the banks of the upper owens river near mammoth lakes california

Upper Owens River Fly Fishing Report : Mammoth Lakes, CA – 5.10.22

The Upper Owens is going through its seasonal changing as the days warm up while the grass greens up and the flowers boom. Flowing just below Mammoth Lakes, California, the Upper Owens is always a fishery to keep in mind when visiting the Eastern Sierra of California. The majority of the larger winter specimens have returned to the lake for the season. You can now find them by fishing Crowley lake. As for now there is a few Cutthroat that have moved up the river. These fish can bee seen paired up in shallow water. DO NOT FISH TO THESE SPAWNERS! There is no sport in it. If you fish it, try for the predatory fish that can be found in the deeper holes and runs a riffles. Nymphs and Streamers are pretty much the game here. Attractor patterns, Midges, PTs, and Peridons have been doing the job here. Some fish eggs and SJ worms with success as well. Random dry fly action can be found throughout the system. We hope the Hopper season is going to be wide open this year as the fish of the Upper Owens put on substantial weight eating these terrestrial snacks.