Upper Owens River Report

The Trout Fitter Staff

Report Date:

http://www.thetroutfitter.com/fshreport.html

Flow Rates and Water Conditions

Water Conditions: Good

Flows are at 111 cfs as of 1/8

Water temperatures are dropping fast.

Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Fair-Good

OKAY IT'S TIME TO CLIMB UP ON THE SOAPBOX: DFG is no longer stocking fall spawning rainbows. Every fish laid in the dead grass, carried away from the water, held with a towel or squeezed is another fish that won't be spawning.

 The water is still a little off color and should continue with the expected warmer days ahead so the fish are a lot less spooky. Now that we are into January the fall/winter run rainbows are starting to head back to Crowley and the spring spawners should be headed upstream soon. You'll also find that fish have moved out of the bends into the pockets in the long straight sections. The fishing pressure has been heavy, especially on the weekends so the fish are getting well educated so you better get the drift and the pattern right. DWP is still running water through the tunnel. The lake fish are figuring out what there is to eat so don't be afraid to go really small and a little flash is a good idea. The fishing has been very inconsistent, one day good and the next day leaves you wondering where they all went. Hatches are still weak, midges being the dominate bug. Outside of the midges (#22-26) there is a scattering of small mayflies (#20-22) midday but they are very inconsistent. If you're into dry fly fishing look for any backwater, some of them will hold big fish feeding on the surface, but most of the rising fish are on the smaller side. Don't forget that the BWO spinnerfall is also midday so if you are not getting takes try a spinner pattern. If you want a real challenge forget the lake fish and key on the 6"-15" fish, prepare to be humbled.

Recommended Flies

DRIES: Stimulator #12-16 | Griffiths Gnat #20-24 | EC Caddis #16-18 | Parachute Extended Body BWO #20-22 |Elk Hair Caddis #20

NYMPHS:  Zebra Midge #16-22 | Prince Nymph #12-16 | Copper John #14-16 |Tungsten Jig Baetis #18-20 | Harrop's Surface Emerger #20-22 | Roza Pink Tag Jig #16d | Clearwater Emerger #18-20 | S&M Nymph #20-22 | Medalion Midge #20-24 |Bling Midge #22-24

STREAMERS: Shock Collar Leech #10 | Woolly Bugger White, Olive & Brown #6-14 | Punk Perch light or dark #10-16

More Reports


The Trout Fitter Reports
for Friday, January 8th, 2021
Hot Creek: Hot Creek Fishing Report
Owens River - Lower: Lower Owens River Report
East Walker River (CA): East Walker River Report
The Trout Fitter Reports
for Thursday, December 24th, 2020
Hot Creek: Hot Creek Fishing Report
Owens River - Section 3 - Upper (above Crowley): Upper Owens River Report
Owens River - Lower: Lower Owens River Report
East Walker River (CA): East Walker River Report


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