Upper Owens Fly Fishing Report : Mammoth Lakes, CA – 12.18.23

December 18, 2023
, , , , , Fishing Reports

Just down the hill from Mammoth Lakes, CA, the notorious meadow stream of the Upper Owens, flowing through the long valley caldera is doing what it does best; supplying fly anglers will very large sized fish. Water is flowing well and very clear above and below the Hot Creek confluence. The very large Crowley Lake trout have made their way up the river and can now be found throughout the entire system in decent numbers. Fishing the deepest and darkest places, as well as riffles and deep runs could possibly produce an unforgettable experience with a trout of a lifetime. Access has been open and traction is good. Although, right now we are getting some precipitation so we will update this in the next couple of days. The large trout of the Upper Owens like to eat many different patterns; usually something along the line of steelhead patterns, attractor nymphs, and even micro mayfly patterns. We find ourselves trying out more patterns than usual on the Upper Owens, changing out flies often. Crowds can be anywhere from nobody to slightly annoying. There really is no rhyme or reason or a way to predict how many people turn out for the day. The storm hitting today could possibly move these big guys around or even better, bring more in! Stay tuned!

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

@stm_fly_fishing on instagram to see more photos of amazing Owens River trout.

www.sierratroutmagnet.com

large rainbow held above flowing waters

Upper Owens River Fly Fishing Report : Mammoth Lakes, CA – 10.10.23

October 10, 2023
, , , , , Fishing Reports

The Upper Owens River just below the famous town of Mammoth Lakes, CA has dropped to a very fish worthy flow of around 75 cubic feet per second. Remember, the Upper Owens river has turned to hooks without barbs of any sort below and above the bridge. With the great flows above and below hot creek we have seen some improved fishing in the obvious deeper and darker trout holding areas. Some small localized Mayfly hatches can be found here and there throughout the river system. Trout rising to these top-water treats make for some good distractions on a slower day, although these fish are usually the smaller inhabitants of the river. We haven’t seen a huge influx of the larger Crowley lake residents head up the river yet. We also have not seen any heavy storms or changes in weather yet that is worthy of driving these fish up the Upper Owens yet either. Temperatures are close to freezing at night so only a few terrestrial insects (hoppers) are seen here and there. Water below the Hot Creek confluence is very clear most days but can be affected by changes in Hot Creek conditions. Above the confluence is a clear river as usual for this time of year. Start with basic patterns here for the rising fish #16-20 (quills, parachutes, Adams) and a combination of attractor nymphs, spawning colored patterns, and various mayfly and midge patterns.

Call or text the STM Fly Shop in Bishop, CA for more details or a guided fly fishing trip. 760.873.0010

www.sierratroutmagnet.com

@stm_fly_fishing on instagram

Upper Owens River fly fishing !

Upper Owens River Fly Fishing : Mammoth Lakes CA – 9.22.23

September 22, 2023
, , , , , , , Fishing Reports

The Upper Owens River fly fishing report is getting better and better as flows are now down to a manageable 75 cubic feet a second. Below the Hot Creek confluence we are looking more at around 100 cubic feet a second. Water is clearing up nicely and as usual, above Hot Creek one can find some clearer and lower water conditions depending on the weather and recent storm activity.

Hatches are coming off here and there with Caddis and Baetis (Blue Winged Olive) patterns being the staple dries in the Upper Owens River box. These are usually isolated events at this point, nevertheless its always worthwhile to be ready for some surface activity.

As the nights get cooler with the onset of fall water temps lowering we will see the large trout we all dream of making their way up from Crowley Lake. Streamers of all sorts will be a very good option at this point and are actually not fished enough on the Upper Owens, as most fly anglers opt for spawning style patterns fished below an indicator that the fish see often.

Not extremely flashy but solid Wooly Buggers, Rabbit strip style streamers, Sculpins, and Zonker patterns are all styles of streamers that will take fish on this piece of water. As for nymphs we will be fishing various types of San Juan Worms, Peridons, Pheasant Tails, Prince nymphs, and various patterns we tie here in the shop.

We always are happily anticipating this time of year as its hard to find a river this small with such large fish anywhere in the realm of trout fishing. We are definitely extremely lucky to have this quality fishery right here in the Eastern Sierra just over 30 minutes from the STM Fly Shop.

Crowley lake Fly Fishing angler holds a large fish over the boat on Crowley Lake

Crowley Lake Fly Fishing Report : Mammoth, California – 5.25.23

May 25, 2023
, , , , , , , , , , Fishing Reports

Crowley Lake fly fishing report for the famous Crowley Lake, just down the hill from Mammoth, CA has started off its season doing what it does best ; producing large and hard fighting trout! Browns, rainbows, and cutthroat are all on the menu on Crowley lake. Water elevation is still on the lower side as the LADWP is planning on massive runoff once temperatures sustain the 90’s to 100 degree zone. The trout have been pretty spread out from Hilton by to Six bays while fishing depths have been between 10-20′ deep. Of course , moving around the lake is key to finding a batch of will fish to make a successful day, on the other hand we have dropped anchor and not had to move all day whilst landing a variety of trout all day long. All sorts of flies have been bringing fish to the net, some larger sizes, and some smaller. Balanced leeches, buggers, and chironomids is sizes #12-16 have been successful for the start of the 2023 season.

Call the STM Fly Shop at 760-873-0010 or text 661-364-6981 for more details or to book a guided tour for individuals or groups.

www.sierratroutmagnet.com

Mammoth Lake Fishing

Upper Owens River Fly Fishing Report : Mammoth Lakes, CA – 5.23.23

May 23, 2023
, , , , , , , , , , , , Fishing Reports

The Upper Owens River fly fishing report has changed a good amount since last time. Between here and Mammoth Lakes the snow has melted and created sloppy, and muddy conditions which have taken over the area as expected. Be very careful if you drive in there for an exploratory fishing trip. Flows are high, as in around 100cfs of semi dirty water. As usual the confluence below Hot Creek gives us the dirtier water as Hot Creek spews in sediment and mud from the field is crosses to arrive at the Upper O. The famed cutthroat trout seem to have not have entered the Upper Owens system quite yet. There is still some large lingering rainbows here in there that are either staying for a while or on their way back to Crowley lake. www.sierratroutmagnet.com

Give us a call @760-873-0010 or text 661-364-6981 for more info or to book a private guided trip for individuals or groups .

www.sierratroutmagnet.com

Large Rainbow Trout held over the cold water on a snowy landscape near mammoth lakes california on the upper owens river

Upper Owens Fly Fishing Report : Mammoth Lakes, CA – 2.8.23

February 10, 2023
, , , , , , , , , , , , Fishing Reports

Upper Owens fly fishing report for Mammoth Lakes California. The Upper Owens is not far from the year around resort town of Mammoth Lakes, CA. Meandering through Long Valley Caldera, void of trees or shrubbery, the Upper Owens is worth it based on it amazing scenery alone. As you can imagine, after all the snow Mammoth Lakes received the banks of the Upper Owens river are snow covered with some deep drifts over its vast meadows.

Access, for the moment is limited to; cross country skies, snow shoes, and snowmobiles. The last round of storms has pushed a fresh run of very fresh and large trout up from the famous Crowley Lake. This indeed places it worthwhile for any angler to navigate her snowy banks in search of the trout of a lifetime from a smaller river. Its no secret the fish are found in the deepest and darkest of places of the curves, riffles and runs of the Upper O.

A good variety of flies can be fished down to these beasts from large San Juan Worms to smaller Midge patterns, Rubber Legs to Pheasant tails and Soft hackles and a little of everything in between. Sometimes a bright colored bead or a hint of flashy spawning colors can help induce a strike on slower days. Streamers fished down and deep disappearing down into dark waters can provoke an unforgettable hook-up. We mostly utilize darker colors for tugging our streamers. Streamer fishing with a fly rod ends up being a lot more work and requires patience and precise casting along with an understanding of what your presentation is doing while down in the water. But the payoff of the strong tug is a heart stopping experience!

Bishop fly fishing guide

Upper Owens River Fly Fishing Report : Mammoth Lakes, CA – 1.8.23

January 8, 2023
, , , , , , , , Fishing Reports

The Upper Owens flows through Long Valley caldera right below the famous resort town of Mammoth Lakes, California. This time of year it can show those anglers that are so fortunate to arrive on her snowy banks the fly fishing experience of a lifetime! To make a long story short, a number of storms have hit the Long Valley and Upper Owens areas the last couple of weeks, with the storms happening it gives the big trout a signal to head up the Upper Owens up and out of Crowley Lake. This makes the snowy journey for the angler arriving to the Upper Owens more worthwhile than the previous month, thus making a great start to the fishing season of 2023! The only downside to this is the amount of snow can make access a bit tricky. Access is limited to snow shoes and snowmobiles, or the angler that is willing to post-hole his way up the river in the deep snow. Of course, these fish come up to spawn future generations of our beloved creatures so we make sure not to ever cast to any fish that are obviously sitting over a spawning red in shallow water. Find your quarry in the deepest and darkest parts of the river system, these are the ones that are fair game and ready to eat a fly! Below the bridge is closed, so make sure you head upstream with the proper flies to have success on the Upper O. Give us a call as we have the means to get you upstream to show the experience of a lifetime on this unique fishery. As long as not too much snow falls!

Give us a call at our Bishop Fly Shop location at 760-873-0010 or text 661-364-6981 for more details or to book fly fishing adventure. We can accommodate small groups or personal fly fishing adventures. Give us a call!

www.sierratroutmagnet.com

@stm_fly_fishing on instagram

Large Rainbow held by tail on the Upper Owens river near Mammoth Lakes California

Upper Owens Fly Fishing Report : Mammoth Lakes, CA – 4.19.21

April 19, 2021
, , , , , Fishing Reports

The Upper Owens River flowing just below Mammoth Lakes is flowing at around 50-60cfs of very low and cool sierra water. Crowds have been anywhere from annoying to nobody depending on the day and time you choose, sometimes we are surprised either way. Water is a bit off colour below Hot Creek confluence and stained a bit above at this time. Random attacks of violence on bugs can been seen by fish of all sizes, this is very hard to predict for casting and presenting while these fish seem not to hit the same area consistently. Big fish are still in the system and are usually staying down deep and out of sight. The Upper Owens is in a transition phase as temperatures are warming up for springtime allowing the fish to return to Crowley Lake to spend another summer eating protein and adding mass to their bodies. A population of large fish are still residing in the deepest and darkest holes of the river. We look forward to the late spring and summer Hopper fishing that we have enjoyed these last few years and hope to see enough moisture via rainfall to sustain this all summer. Fish attractor patterns with some more realistic impressions down below. Streamers you ask? Yes, always!

Check out @stm_fly_fishing on instagram to see recent catches

Call or text the Fly Shop at 661-364-6981

large trout head in a rubber net with a wooden frame

Upper Owens River Fly Fishing Report : Mammoth Lakes, CA – 4.7.2021

April 7, 2021
, , , , , , , , , Fishing Reports

Flowing just outside of Mammoth Lakes, CA, The Upper Owens river remains one of the most beautiful fly fishing destinations in the country. Water is low and a bit more clear above the Hot Creek confluence, with the water having a small off colour haze below the creeks main entry point. Temperatures in the valley have ramped up here this last week, which leads us to think of the soon to come runoff which will bring the river up to a faster flowing status. This can be good or bad for the fishing. Yet, always good for the fish. Right now the large fish are still throughout the entire system and have now had some time in these deeper holes, runs, and riffles. These large and wise Crowley Trout have now seen relentless flies passed in front of them. Now, you need not only to find and fool the trout, you must do it better than all fisherman before you that tried their skills on these legendary fish. Attractor nymphs, Jig-Nymphs, Non- traditional SJ worms, and small midges and mayflies will give you a good shot at these fish. Some random bug attacks on the surface do take place. But do not get to excited about it! There is no rhyme or reason to why or when they decide to come up, but it sure is exciting! A well versed streamer fisherman can also have a great day on this water. A long leader with a heavy fly or a sink tip will fish best in this smaller river. We look for a different run of fish to enter this spring as some leave back to Crowley Lake.

Call or text the STM Fly Shop @ 661 364 6981 for more details or to book a guided fly fishing trip

@stm_fly_fishing on Instagram and Facebook

Eastern Sierra Fishing

Eastern Sierra Fishing Update. Smoke status – 9.17.20

September 17, 2020
, , , , , , , , Fishing Reports

A fair amount of Fly Anglers have been calling the shop and asking what is actually open for fishing due to the temporary closures and the smoke. For the last couple of days we have seen A good amount of smoke settled in that has not moved much and seems to be lingering in the valley, it’s not awful but annoying. We expect it to move around any day now. It is a nuisance but not a fishing game-changer, you cannot see the mountains but the fishing is still unaffected and very good with the filtered sun.
All the usual Fisheries are open except for the ones in the closed national forest. We still have:

  • Lower Owens River
    -Upper Owens River
    -Crowley Lake,
    -Pleasant Valley Reservoir and mid river
    -The Gorge
    -East Walker
  • Bishop Creek
    So yes, there is smoke, but if you really want to get out and fish it is not stopping you! We have been running scheduled guided trips as normal. Give the shop a call for more info 760-873-0010 or text 661 364 6981.
  • Check us out on Instagram for more amazing photos and up to date content @stm_fly_fishing
  • Sierra Trout Magnet Fly Shop and Guide Service on Facebook
1 2