Upper Owens River Updates

Owens River - CA


by The Trout Fitter Staff
8-8-2024
Website

Flows and Water Conditions: Good

Clarity: So-so below Hot Creek, but good above

CFS: 75

Fishing Report and Conditions: Good - Very Good

Something to be aware of - They are starting to put cows inside the fences. This is a normal occurrence, as grazing (historically done by Deer and Antelope) is an important part of the ecosystem. They move the cows every week or so, so it can affect water clarity and the amount of drifting weeds - Be on the lookout. The drifting slime weed problem is clearing up quickly, so fishing below the Hot Creek confluences has become more pleasant.

The crowds are growing and the dry fly action has slowed, but that doesn’t mean you have to dredge the bottom either. Hopper-droppers are working well with small #20-24 mayfly nymphs. The migratory Browns and stocked Rainbows are now spread throughout the public water.

Caddis migration starts around 7. The Trico emergence is less consistent now, starting around 9 AM. Craneflies are now emerging mid-morning. We are also seeing minnows and fry hanging out in the drowned grass on the inside of the river bends. Evenings are good for male Tricos, Caddis hatches, and Caddis egg-laying.

Flies:

  • Dries: Spider Variant Trico #20-22 | Parachute Caddis #16-22 | Spent Partridge Caddis #16-22 | Parachute Kicking Hopper #10-14 | Assorted Foam Hoppers #8-12 for Hopper Dropper Rigs
  • Nymphs: Tungsten Psycho May PMD #14-16 | Drowned Trico Spinner #18-22 | Bead Head Flashback Pheasant Tail #14-22 | Guides Choice #14-18 | Translucent Pupa Olive or Tan #16-18 | Chamois Caddis #16-20 | Spring Creek Hopper #12-16 | San Juan Worm 
  • Streamers: Keslars H/B/G Olive | Punk Perch #16 |




More Reports

The Trout Fitter Reports
for Thursday, July 25th

Crowley Lake: The Perch fry are officially on the menu!
Owens River - Section 3 - Upper (above Crowley): Upper Owens River Updates
Owens River - Lower: Cooling Weather and Drop in Flows at Owens
Hot Creek: Caddis Migration and Trico Emergence
Walker River: Less Crowds But Higher Water Temperatures at East Walker
San Joaquin River-Middle Fork: Promising and worth exploring