Lower Owens Fishing Report

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

Photo Credit: Courtesy of The Troutfitter

by The Trout Fitter Staff
8-21-2020
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Flow Rates and Water Conditions

Water Conditions: Tough

Flows are at 650 cfs as of 8/20

Water temperature low 60s midday

Fishing Conditions and Hatches

I've fished it at 750cfs out of curiosity and I highly don't recommend it, this is water up over the banks dangerous, so if you don't wade you'll die from dehydration and if you wade you'll drown, take your pick.  Now there's a reason for no people, with the Gorge flush going on the river has almost doubled its flow. This should be done by early next week so we'll see what happens.

No thunderstorms in the forecast just sunny and hot, it will be interesting to see if there are any changes with the big flows coming through the gorge. Evenings, the evening dry fly action is excellent, the hard part is figuring out what they're eating out of the 4 or 5 insects available. Not a lot of reports but what we've gotten are still consistently good. Still fishing well and still no crowds. If you want to escape the crowds head down to the Lower Owens.

It's been getting hot down there but luckily the best fishing is early morning until mid morning.  If your wading you might stick around longer for the midday Mayflies and Little Yellow Sallies.  The Tricos are in full swing, female emergence starts about 7 and spinner fall around 9 with the male emergence in the evening. At first light the micro Caddis are coming off so you can start your day early. The best dry fly action is in the evening.

Recommended Flies

DRIES: Large dry with #22-26 midge emergers and adults | Hi Vis PMD #16-18 | Stimulator #12-16 | Spider Variant #18-20 | Elk Hair Caddis #14-20 behind the Stimulator, lots of skating

NYMPH:  Pheasant Tail #14-22 | Hares Ear #16-22 | Zebra Midge #18-22 | Olive Hot Spot Jig #18 |Micro Stone #14-16 | Jigged hares ear #12 | B/H Prince #10-14 | Drowned Trico #18-22

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




More Reports

The Trout Fitter Reports
for Friday, August 21st, 2020

Hot Creek: Hot Creek Fishing Report
San Joaquin River: San Joaquin River Fishing Report
Crowley Lake: Crowley Lake Fishing Report
Owens River - Section 3 - Upper (above Crowley): Upper Owens River Fishing Report

The Trout Fitter Reports
for Saturday, August 15th, 2020

Mammoth Lakes Basin: Mammoth Lakes Basin Fishing Report
Hot Creek: Hot Creek Fishing Report
San Joaquin River: San Joaquin River Fishing Report
Crowley Lake: Crowley Lake Fishing Report
Owens River - Section 3 - Upper (above Crowley): Upper Owens Fishing Report
Owens River - Lower: Lower Owens Fishing Report
East Walker River (CA): East Walker River Fishing Report