Upper Owens River

Upper Owens River Fly Fishing Report : Mammoth Lakes, CA – 9.12.20

September 12, 2020
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The Upper Owens River Fly Fishing near Mammoth Lakes, CA has changed a bit since the Canadian cold sweep earlier this week. The river still flows at a late summer subtle level. Water clarity is as usual always fishable, and water temps remain within healthy levels. The Hoppers are still there but they struggle to get moving until the sun warms them at a later time depending on the day. Before that anxiously awaited moment we end up going down under the water with all sorts of attractor nymphs and streamers. The entire river holds fish, read the water to appropriate your time wisely and spend it in the fishiest looking holding water. As we feel the cooler mornings rolling in we look forward to the fish of the Fall that come up river.

happy lady holds a good sized brown trout above the upper owens river

Upper Owens River Fly Fishing Report : Mammoth Lakes, California – 7.29.20

July 29, 2020
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Hoppers! Do I really need to say anything else on this report!? The grassy fields of the Upper Owens River near Mammoth Lakes, California 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. Windy days? Yes! We love them! In this case many hoppers are blown into the water this making themselves available to feeding trout. All sections of the river have been fishing well. Flows are clear and cool and very manageable at around 65cfs. 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 on the edge of the unique Upper Owens River just down from Mammoth Lakes.

Angler Holds a fat Rainbow Trout above the Upper Owens River below Mammoth Lakes California

Upper Owens River Fly Fishing Report : Mammoth Lakes, California – 2.18.20

February 26, 2020
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The Fly Fishing on the Upper Owens River just outside of Mammoth Lakes California is still happening for the oversized Trout! Flows are around 100cfs and steady, as they have been the last couple of months. Weather is moving away from the winter feeling and a warm spring has been tempting us in the Eastern Sierras, from the Bridgeport to Bishop area. The Trophy trout of the Upper Owens are spread out along the entire system. Not only confined to the deepest and darkest holes anymore we have been finding them in the usual trout hang-outs as well. Streamers, Nymphs, and Dries can help you get a trout into your hands this February on the Upper Owens River. Snow is almost non existent on the banks of the Upper Owens these days. Watch some spots in the afternoon though, some of the thawed clay ground can be slippery upon melting!

Father and Son pose with a trout over the Upper Owens River near Mammoth Lakes California

Upper Owens River Fly Fishing Report : Mammoth Lakes CA – 1.13.20

January 13, 2020
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Up the grade, near Mammoth Lakes California, the fabulous fly fishing water of the Upper Owens river steadily flow along the Long Valley flat. Like stated in my our last report, and the report before that, very large Trout inhabit its sacred sierra waters these times of year! Predators! The hook-ups here have been nothing short of pure exhilaration with the average fish over 20″. The Upper Owens is closed below the Benton Crossing bridge. Yet above the bridge in pretty much every dark hole, deep run and riffle, and dark undercut banks, the vigilant and determined Fly Angler can hook himself up to an unforgettable trout. Crowds have been coming and going, mostly there has not been many people out there. Arriving early, even though it is cold, can sometimes make a big difference. Fish are widespread throughout the system. No place is better than the next necessarily, it is up to each fly fisherman to decide when and where to appropriate their time on each hole on the river. High Sticking, Indicator Nymphing, Euro, and possibly even Tenkara. Pick your craft and come let the Upper Owens just up the hill from Bishop California give you a shot at her trophy trout! Call the shop for more info @ (760)920-2747 or email david@sierratroutmagnet.com

Man holds a large brightly striped Rainbow Trout over the water
This is why we Fly Fish on the Upper Owens throughout the winter – 2020.
Very fat large Trout held above partly snowy ground on the Upper Owens River near Mammoth Lakes CA

Upper Owens River Fly Fishing Report : Mammoth Lakes, CA – 1.8.20

January 8, 2020
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Why travel the world for Trophy Trout? Right here in the Eastern Sierra on The Upper Owens River near Mammoth Lakes California the trophy trout are making dreams come true once again! Flows are low and perfectly clear. BIG fish are in Bigtime! From the bridge on up the massive trout has infiltrated the entire river. Snow access is not an issue. There is some show here and there but is not an issue. Some possible walking may be required to get to your favorite hole but nothing more than a few minutes. Look for the Trout in the usual places; undercuts, dark holes, and deep runs and riffles. Its all about finding out were to appropriate your time to different parts of the river to find success. Call the shop at 760-873-0010 for more info on how to get in on these amazing fish. text 661 364 6981 for a guided trip.

Large Rainbow trout held above the Upper owens River near Mammoth lakes California

Upper Owens Fly Fishing Report : Mammoth Lakes, CA – 12.16.19

December 16, 2019
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The Upper Owens River near Mammoth Lakes happens to have some Large fish swimming about its waters. For Fly Fisherman this is always great news and a much awaited time of year has arrived. The spring creek formation of the Upper Owens in the Long Valley Meadow created a perfect, yet unique fly fishing destination. No trees, only surrounded by a wall of mountains consisting of the Sierra range, the Whites, and the Glass mountains to the East and the Upper Owens below Mammoth Lakes runs through it all. The road is still open and snow machines are not necessary as of now. Snow has melted and walking in is a bit easier now. As far as the fishing goes the fish have now moved up from the Lake and spread throughout the system. This is great news currently its about choosing the correct water to fish once your arrive at your beat of river, since the fish have spread throughout the system you don’t need to worry about being in the correct section only to read the water correctly and appropriating your time accordingly. Have your drag set and let these fish run! Otherwise you’ll look around after he breaks you off, hoping your fishing partners did not see you make that rookie mistake and lose your trophy Trout! Attractor patterns are on the menu; SJ worm variants, PT variants, Soft Hackles, Robo PT’s, Coppers and the like are all on the menu. Of course, us guides here at the shop have some of our favorite patterns we tend to lean towards for constant success. Give the shop a call to get on the water with us or for more information. STM Fly Shop – 760.873.0010

Large Brown trout held up taken by a fly fisherman on the Upper Owens River near Mammoth Lakes California

Upper Owens River Fly Fishing Report : Mammoth Lakes, CA – 10.28.19

October 29, 2019
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Big and beautiful trophy trout are reason ambitious anglers travel across the globe. We are fortunate enough to have this opportunity right here in the Eastern Sierra while Fly Fishing on the Upper Owens River! Each missed strike could be a lost opportunity to latch onto the trout of a lifetime. The moment you hook into one of these bruisers they instantly demonstrate the weight and power they possess sending your senses crazy and a feeling overwhelms you that you cannot forget and you want more! The Upper Owens River is flowing at a clear and steady rate of 111 cfs below the confluence of Hot Creek. Above Hot Creek the Fly Angler can expect to find gin-clear flows around 100cfs give or take a few. The Mountains around the Upper Owens have been dusted by a touch of snow last night showing us Winter is on her way. For those of us that know we have been anxiously awaiting this time of year to see what this years infamous run of jumbo sized trout consists of. So far it has not let us down! For patterns to offer to these large trophies one can fish Streamers, SJ worm variations, Jig Flies, PT variations, and other attractor patterns can be successful. Smaller yet great fish are rising to small mayflies in the warmer parts of the day. These rising fish are up to 15″. We have seen, on rare occasions, the larger trout rise to dry flies.

Upper Owens River Rainbow near Mammoth Lakes CA held up by a happy Fly Angler
Hard Work pays off on the Upper Owens with a great reward of an unforgettable Rainbow Trout
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
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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.

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