Carnivore of the Upper Owens

Out on the Upper Owens River the fly fishing has been very entertaining the last few days.  Just down from Mammoth Lakes the Upper Owens meanders through one of the most beautiful sierra meadows you will ever see.  Flows are down to around 100cfs, low and clear …(the flows are visible on the upper black bar on all the pages on this website).  Fishing has been a mix of deep nymphing, some dry fly action for smaller trout, and an occasional toss of some sort of a streamer pattern. Small Caddis and Mayflies make up most of the diet on the surface while the nymph stages of those insects are on the menu down below.  This is the turning point time of year where the Crowley lake beasts make their way up the Upper Owens River making it possible for any angler to catch a world class trout right here in the Eastern Sierra.  SJ Worms, Pheastant Tails, Robo PT’s and Tungsten Jigs are some successful nymph patterns at the moment. Elk Hair Caddis and similar patterns with a good mix of Baetis top-water patterns are good bugs to have in the quiver for when you find those foam risers.