Beautiful yellow Brown Trout in Hand on the East Walker RIver

East Walker River Fly Fishing : Bridgeport, CA – 10.24.19

October 24, 2019
, , , , Fishing Reports

The East Walker is running at a steady flow of around 140cfs. This is a great flow for fishing except the East Walker is still pumping out a green algae colour from the algae bloom of Bridgeport reservoir from weeks past. East Walker River Fishing has been tough, however the fish are still in there if a fly fisherman finds him or herself passing by the banks of the East Walker just outside of Bridgeport, CA. The same patterns used in years past still hold true. SJ worm variants, Soft Hackles of all sorts, Green Caddis Worms, Light coloured Midge patterns with decent ribbing, and PT patterns just to name a few. Streamers and Mice? of course! Any Fly Fisherman who wants to put in the time with these larger patterns on the East Walker has a good chance of receiving what he is looking for. Look for the algae to be gone soon as temperatures across the Eastern Sierra cool down as November approaches.

rainbow trout llaying in the water on the Upper Owens near Mammoth Lakes California

Upper Owens River Fly Fishing Report : Mammoth Lakes, CA – 10.7.19

October 7, 2019
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The Upper Owens has undergone a few changes since my last report. Weather has changed in the direction of winter, dropping the temperatures around the Mammoth Lakes area extending down to the grassy plains of the Upper Owens River. Hoppers can still be seen, but numbers are diminishing during the coldness of the nights. However, after eating the leggy creatures for a solid few months it seems that they still hold some residual memory of the big insects. The Upper Owens trout will still come up and eat a hopper for the time being, during the warmer parts of the day. Some of the anticipated big boys coming out of the lake have been spotted in the deeper holes of the river. We will have to see what this year holds as these this spectacular run of fish swims up the Upper Owens from Crowley Lake from now and forward. Stay tuned!

Two Anglers on the Upper Owens River near Mammoth Lakes CA

Upper Owens River Fly Fishing Report – Mammoth Lakes CA : 9.16.19

September 16, 2019
, , , Fishing Reports

Hopper movement is still happening on the Upper Owens within the famous Mammoth caldera just below the town of Mammoth Lakes. Flows are moderate and clear, or slightly tinted depending on where you access the river. The entire system has been turned on to the Hopper protein snacks entering the water. Rarely to they enter the water and live for more than a couple of bends without being consumed by predators below. From below the Browns Campground and up to the border fence the action has been pretty much nonstop on hoppers, nymphs, and streamers ! The only thing that could inhibit the grasshopper action too soon is if we have a few cold freezes. But those cold Autumn nights also bring in the Crowley fish. this should last a while longer as the Big Trout enter the river from the lake…

Fishing Bishop CA

Upper Owens River Fly Fishing Report : Mammoth Lakes, CA – 8.14.19

August 15, 2019
, , , Fishing Reports

Hoppers! I really do not need to say anything else on this report! The grassy fields of the Upper Owens River near Mammoth Lakes, Ca have been full of the leaping insects and the resident Trout have been taking full advantage of the situation, no doubt putting on some serious yearly mass for the seasons ahead. All sections of the river have been fishing well. Flows are clear and cool and very manageable. Normal bug activity is also noted in seams and foam lines. Nymphing various attractor nymphs as usual is very effective. Crowds have been here and there but usually one can find a place to call their own for the time they are there.

brown trout skin and tail with vibrant red spots on the upper owens river

Upper Owens River Fly Fishing Report : Mammoth Lakes, CA – 6.24.19

June 24, 2019
, , , Fishing Reports

The Upper Owens has been the recipient of the pending runoff recently. Above Hot Creek flows are lower and water has more clarity. Hot Creek appears to be dumping in around 140cfs of the total 260cfs flow. So above this confluence can be the best choice if water comes up any higher on these systems. Fish are found in the same places as before. Drop-offs, foam lines, dark bottomless holes , ect. Fish attractor patterns at these flows. Large bugs have been spotted around the Upper Owens River system so do not be afraid to go bigger on the sizes chosen. Medium Sized to Smaller Streamers tugged and passed through the right waters will prompt a strike from a fish as well. The size of the fish has returned to somewhat normal when compared to the winter population we find in the Upper Owens, but there is always some of the big ones that do not return to Crowley and give us a big summer surprise when hooked!

Upper Owens River

Upper Owens River Fly Fishing Report : Mammoth Lakes CA – 4.17.19

April 17, 2019
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The Upper Owens River seasonal large Trout continue to haunt its darkest areas is full post spawn mode. Making them back in to aquatic bug eaters! The river remains in about the same condition as my last report although, either good or bad, we have seen clearer water conditions due to the lack of precipitation these last couple of weeks. Fish continue to haunt the deepest and darkest portions of the Upper. Cast out similar patterns as mentioned in my previous few reports. With Mammoth in the distance and the snow almost gone on Long Valley Floor, you could say the Upper Owens is pretty close to paradise for most of us. It will be interesting to see what is going to occur in the next few weeks as it warms up and cool water flows heavier from up high…..

Mammoth Lakes CA

Upper Owens River Fly Fishing Report : Mammoth Lakes, CA – 4.5.19

April 6, 2019
, , , Fishing Reports

The unbelievable Upper Owens River courses through an meadow and cuts a paradise into the grassy fields of the Mammoth caldera. Not only is she heaven on Earth to experience, she provides a home to some truly trophy trout throughout the colder months of the year here in the Eastern side of the Sierra between Bishop and Mammoth Lakes, CA. These fish are now in post spawn mode and their diet has somewhat changed over to well presented aquatic bugs, and streamers. Flows continue to run low and the Trout have Spread throughout the entire system, it only takes the discerning angler to place his fly in a spot that will bring it by some of the aforementioned trout. Of course, some days we find the finned beasts more willing and aggressive than others… overall fishing have been great on the Upper Owens the last month! Large Tung Jig patterns, Caddis worms, and Purple lightning bugs are only a few things we have been casting out with great success! Stay tuned for more reports as this river goes off in the next month of two. Contact the shop for a guided Fly Fishing Trip to put you right on top of the Trout of a lifetime! 760-873-0010

A very satisfied customer on the Upper Owens River – STM Fly Fishing
Fly Fishing Report Bishop

Lower Owens River Fly Fishing Report : Bishop, CA – 4.6.19

April 6, 2019
, , Fishing Reports

The Lower Owens River is now seeing the impact of the massive amount of precipitation the Eastern Sierra saw over the last few months. Flows are above 500 Cfs leaving only a few areas open to the possibility of catching a wild Brown Trout on a fly. Water is clear, andnutrient rich.. This event is always good for the size and vitality of the trout on the larger scale for time to come.

Mammoth Lake

Upper Owens River Fly Fishing Report : Mammoth Lakes, CA – 3.5.19

March 5, 2019
, , , Fishing Reports

Big fish still here? YES! The Upper Owens River near Mammoth lakes California is still steadily producing some of the largest fish a Fly Fisherman can find in small running water. Flows are up a little after some of the precipitation we received over the last couple of weeks, and we are preparing to receive more possibly over the next couple of days. The fishing has remained consistent and unchanged since my last report with some snow melt making for slightly better access. Right now you need to have a snowmobile, snow shoes, or just walk up the river until you find a place in the Upper Owens that could possibly hold the trout of a lifetime!

Upper Owens River Fly Fishing Report : Mammoth Lakes, CA – 1.31.19

January 31, 2019
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The Upper Owens has been continuing its legacy of giving us BIG Trout all winter long! Recently some rather handsome fish have been coming out of her deepest and darkest runs and holes. By the picture you can see the amount of snow is not at a level where it inhibits driving to the river from the pavement at Benton Crossing Bridge. However, we did fire up the snowmobiles up the other day to be ready for the big snow that could possibly blanket the banks of the Upper Owens in the near future. At this point nobody can really predict if we will actually really need them this year. The 4×4 vehicle may be sufficient. Streamers and Attractor style nymphs are still on the menu as the big fish must eat! SJ worms variations, Copper Bobs and Jons, PT’s and Princes are just a few of the patterns lost on the bottom of the Upper Owens while trying to seduce an oversized trout. Flows continue to be low are very fishable. Its time to come and fish the Upper Owens River 2019.. You’ll regret it if you don’t!

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