Flow Rates and Water Conditions

Water Conditions: Good?

Flows are 52 cfs as of 4/22

 The stretch of river above Benton Crossing Road is artificial, barbless, catch and release only. Below the bridge is artificial barbless and closes 11/15. The reason for the drop in flows is due to DWP shutting off the flows through the tunnel from Grant Lake. With runoff picking up it's a matter of time before Deadmans Creek will start reaching Big Springs and the flows will start coming up.

Fishing Conditions and Hatches

BENTON CROSSING ROAD IS NOW OPEN TO BROWN"S CAMPGROUND WITH SOME PARKING AT THE TURNOFF UPSTREAM! There is still 1-3 feet of snow on the road heading upstream.

 Now that the road is open I should be able to get an update on fishing in the next couple of days. Right now there is some parking at the turnoff upstream. Looking upstream the banks are a mess with lots of standing water on the snow.

It's good to remember that there aren't a lot of "resident" fish in the Upper Owens, it's basically a nursery for Crowley Lake and as they get bigger most of them will move down to the lake. The fish that haven't gone to the lake yet tend to be pickier because it's their natural environment. So much for the temperature gage, it lost its funding and has been shut down. Scratch that, it may be shut down but it's still functional. There was a temperature gage on Hot Creek right above the Owens River Road bridge. Right now, the water temperature ranges between the low 80s and high 90s.  If you're not familiar with it, to get to the upper most branch of Hot Creek, go through the first drive through gate on the main road and immediately turn left. The confluence is between the first and second walk-thru gates.

Recommended Flies

DRIES: Griffiths Gnat #20-24 | CDC Transition Midge #20-24 |  Z Wing Real Midge #22-26 

NYMPHS:  Zebra Midge #16-22 | Copper John #14-16 | B/H Pheasant tail #14-18 | Bling Midge #22-24 | San Juan worms assorted colors | Birds Nest Natural #16-20 | Prince Nymph #12-18 | Egg Patterns #12-16 | Western Coachman #12-16 | Pheasant Tail #12-16 combo flash and or bead

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

EURO Streamers: GD UV P/Jig White #12 | Kaslar M/G/S Olive #12