Lower Owens River Report

Owens River - Lower - Bishop, CA (Inyo County)

Photo Credit: Courtesy of The Troutfitter

by The Trout Fitter Staff
7-29-2021
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Flow Rates and Water Conditions

Water Conditions: Good

Flows are at 227 cfs as of  7/29

Fishing Conditions and Hatches:  Good-Very Good

This is the perfect place to be a responsible angler. You can tell people the reason you quit fishing at 11 was to protect the fish when the truth is that you're getting delirious from the heat.

You may have noticed that we've reached the time of year that the timing of the hatches and the bugs has become very stable and should stay that way into September. The hatches are decent, no big bugs coming off but lots of Midges, Tricos, Caddis and Tiny BWO. The only real downside is the heat but perfect for early starts and late finishes. The summer hatches maybe small but big nymphs (Pheasant Tail, Hares Ears and Prince Nymphs) #12-14 are still working. Key on the riffles and against the outside of the slow bends with terrestrials. The Trico and micro caddis start around 6 and the Trico spinner fall starts around 9 followed almost immediately by the Tiny BWO and Craneflies. Evenings are male Trico emergence, caddis, midges and then the Aquatic Moths that are flying rapidly back and forth just above the water.

Recommended Flies

DRIES: Extended Body BWO #18-22 | Hi-Vis BWO #18-22 | Large dry with #22-26 midge emergers and adults | Stimulator #8-12 | Para Caddis #16-22 | Spider Variant #20-22

NYMPH:  Pheasant Tail #12-18 | Hares Ear #14-18 | 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 | Caddistrophic Pupa #16-18 | Gold Bead Epoxy Stone #8-10 | Drowned Trico Spinner #18-22

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





More Reports

The Trout Fitter Reports
for Thursday, July 29th, 2021
Hot Creek: Hot Creek Fishing Report
San Joaquin River: San Joaquin River Report
Owens River - Section 3 - Upper (above Crowley): Upper Owens River Report

The Trout Fitter Reports
for Friday, July 23rd, 2021
Hot Creek: Hot Creek Fishing Report
San Joaquin River: Lowering flows and heavy pressure mean it's time to start hiking
Owens River - Section 3 - Upper (above Crowley): Fishing has been inconsistent, but the pressure is reasonable
Owens River - Lower: This is the perfect place to be a responsible angler
East Walker River (CA): East Walker Report