Lower 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 91 cfs as of 1/21

Fishing Conditions and Hatches:  Fair-Good

The last couple of nights have been much colder and the fishing has slowed down. Hopefully with the warming up that's going on things will pick back up. From the middle of December until mid-late January the days are short, water is cold, and the hatches are almost nonexistent. If you're looking for dry fly options keep moving, further upstream towards the dam has been better, cloudy is better.

Remember the colder the night before the further upstream you should start. Flows are now down to winter levels, making for easier wading and being able to reach more areas. Mornings it's midges, later in the morning a few caddis and BWO. The BWO hatches are getting more sporadic but the nymphing is still going strong. Subsurface midge larva and case caddis are working well also. The BWO hatch should start to pick up around the end of the month. Like Hot Creek try to mix in some bigger nymphs.

For near future consideration: The bigger Stonefly nymphs are getting active and should start emerging in the next couple of weeks. We are also seeing a lot of the Grannom Caddis cases (the square sided case) which usually hatch for a couple of weeks somewhere between the middle of March and early April. This hatch only lasts for a couple of weeks but is very intense. This can be an incredible hatch that has not been very good for a couple of years but signs are this will be a good year. One thing about this hatch, it is extremely localized. I have talked to other guides who have been on the river at the same time only 4 or 5 bends apart and one has a great day and the other one sees nothing.

Recommended Flies

DRIES: Extended Body BWO #18-22 | Hi-Vis BWO #18-22 | Large dry with #22-26 midge emergers and adults | Stimulator #12-16 | Elk Hair Caddis #14-20 behind the Stimulator, lots of skating

NYMPH:  Pheasant Tail #14-22 | Hares Ear #16-22 | Zebra Midge #18-22 | Olive Hot Spot Jig #18 | B/H Prince #10-14 | Chamois Caddis #14-18 | Bottom Roller Phsyco Rhyco #10-14 | Uncased Caddis Green #14-16 | Juju Baetis #18-20 | Glass Bead Micro May Olive # 20-24

STREAMERS: Wooly Bugger Olive & Black #10-12 | Mini Sculpin Olive & Black #10-12

More Reports


The Trout Fitter Reports
for Thursday, January 21st, 2021
Hot Creek: Hot Creek Fishing Report
Owens River - Section 3 - Upper (above Crowley): Upper Owens River Report
East Walker River (CA): East Walker River Report
The Trout Fitter Reports
for Friday, January 15th, 2021
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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