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 down to 53 cfs as of  5/6o

Temperatures have stabilized but the water is still cold and with the snowmelt the water is off color, especially below Hot Creek.

Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Fair-Good

The warm weather has caused the water to dirty up again above Hot Creek, dirtier below Hot Creek. The diversion from Grant Lake has been over for about a month so the fish have calmed down. The lake fish have been in the river long enough now that realistic patterns are working a lot better now. Yes, there are a few Cutthroats moving up but not many.

Not much new to report, a few Tricos early along with the midges in the morning. Small mayflies and caddis midday and then caddis in the afternoon.  The fishing has definitely slowed so a lot of the fishermen have moved on to greener pastures making it a lot more peaceful. That and the river below the bridge has opened with good but vague reports about good nymphing and slow on dry flies.

The fish are starting to move into the shallower faster water to feed so don't get hung up on just the slower deep pools. The bite is getting earlier now so beat the crowds and get the first grabs. There are some really big fish eating caddis on the surface but it's inconsistent and hard to time it. The resident fish have been keying into micro mayflies and midges, so we suggest trailing a midge or mayfly in the size 20-26 behind an attractor nymph to keep the action rolling between each lake fish. On some afternoons the dry fly fishing can be productive but be ready to throw size 18 through 22 dry flies. Streamer fishing has been OK.

Recommended Flies

DRIES: Griffiths Gnat #20-24 | Parachute Extended Body BWO #20-22 |Elk Hair Caddis #20-22 | Para Caddis #16-22 | Missing Link #16-20

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 | Jiggy Caddis #14-16

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

More Reports


The Trout Fitter Reports
for Friday, May 7th, 2021
Hot Creek: Hot Creek Fishing Report
Crowley Lake: Crowley Lake Fishing Report
Owens River - Lower: Lower Owens River Report
East Walker River (CA): East Walker River Report
The Trout Fitter Reports
for Friday, April 30th, 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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