The Lower Owens is as good as it can be

Owens River - CA


by The Trout Fitter Staff
3-24-2012
Website

Water Conditions:
Excellent notice how the flow report hasn't changed by even a tenth of a CFS in weeks. The gauge is stuck. The actual flow is really about 125cfs as of 3/24. The LADWP has yet to increse the flows as they work on their equipment at the power stations. The latest is 25 cfs a day increase starting first of the week going just to 200 cfs so if that plays out it could remain stellar. Warmer and longer days have brought water temps up consirderably and fish are moving into faster water. Wading and drifting are still good now so strike while the iron is hot.

Fishing Conditions and Hatches:
Midge clusters showing up as early as 9am, so start with small midge pattrens sub-surface or go with Griffth's Gnat up top. Mid morning go to dries when they start in on the Caddis on the surface and it is as good as it can be. Stupid hatches begin around noon as the Caddis start to come off big time. To get your "one of the many" noticed try a surface emerger in the film. Midday you are best to go back subsurface as the surface is a blanket of real ones and why take yours when there are 25 others within 6 feet of it. Later, like 2 pm, the hathes slow down and the second round of feeding gets going.

Recommended Flies:

NYMPH:

Kyle's Superflash PT #18-20, Micromayfly Olive #18, Micromayfly Brown #18, Headlight Yellow Sally #18, BH Flashback Pheasant Tail #16-18, Zebra Midge #18-22, Medallion Midge #20, Fox's Caddis Poopah Tan #18, San Juan Worm, Real Midge 20(Dry or wet)

DRIES:
Griffith's Gnat, Brook's Sprout Trico #22-24, Upright Organza Spinner #22-24, Elk Hair Caddis Tan #14-20, CDC Baetis DUN #18-20, Parachute Caddis Grey #18-20, Parachute Adams #18-20, Renegade #20, Brooks Sprout PMD #18-22, Brook's Sprout Baetis #18-22, Bear's HiVis Parachute 18-20

STREAMERS:
Pop's Bugger, Olive Doc's Twin Lake Special, Flashabou Buggers