The crowds are growing and the dry fly action has slowed

Owens River - Section 3 - Upper (above Crowley) - Eastern Sierra, CA (Mono County)


by The Trout Fitter Staff
8-22-2024
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Flows & Water Conditions- Good

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

CFS-74

Click Here For Upper Owens Flow Rates

Fishing Report & Conditions: 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 hatches are becoming more inconsistent - Big one day and disappearing the next. The only true changes in the hatches themselves? They are now about an hour later and Craneflies and Aquatic Moths are back. Craneflies appear midmorning and the moths appear early and late.


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. The Tiny BWO is getting more abundant, hatching midday hence the Hopper-Dropper rig. 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 | M/Pardi F/B Olive #18-20 | Weiss BP Light #18-20 | 
  • Streamers: Keslars H/B/G Olive | Punk Perch #16 |  Crostons MRS Natural #12 |




More Reports

The Trout Fitter Reports
for Thursday, August 15th
Owens River - Section 3 - Upper (above Crowley): Upper Owens River Report
Hot Creek: With the weed beds being as thick as they can get, hopper-droppers can be a good choice
East Walker River (CA): Crowds have decreased but the water temperatures are rising
Owens River - Lower: The flows just jumped from 300 CFS to 500 CFS in the span of 2 days
San Joaquin River-Middle Fork: Flows are on the skinny side and water temperatures are in the 60s

The Trout Fitter Reports
for Thursday, August 8th
Owens River: Upper Owens River Updates
Hot Creek: Hopper Fishing is Picking Up
East Walker River (CA): Fishing Could Pick Up Considerably
Owens River - Lower: It's a Grind to Find Fish
San Joaquin River-Middle Fork: Improved Fishing and a Good Mixture of Hatches