Upper Owens River Report

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

Photo Credit: Courtesy of The Troutfitter

by The Trout Fitter Staff
3-26-2021
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Flow Rates and Water Conditions

Water Conditions: Good

Flows are down to 61 cfs as of  3/25

Temperatures have stabilized but the water is still cold and with the snowmelt the water is off color, especially below Hot Creek.

Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Fair-Good

The water has cleared up, still slightly dirty below Hot Creek. The diversion from Grant Lake is over and the flows are almost half of what they were a week ago. If you want to be successful it's time to get a lot stealthier. The lake fish have been in the river long enough now that realistic patterns are working a lot better now. The spring spawners tend to spawn much higher up than some of the other strains so the number of fish in the public section is dropping. The spring spawners are now spread throughout the system so don't expect to find large numbers in any one spot. The fish are starting to move into the shallower faster water to feed so don't get hung up on just the slower deep pools.

The resident fish have been keying into micro mayflies and midges, so we suggest trailing a midge or mayfly in the size 20-26 behind an attractor nymph to keep the action rolling between each lake fish. Midday there are scattered mayfly and caddis hatches.

On some afternoons the dry fly fishing can be productive but be ready to throw size 18 through 22 dry flies behind a #12-14. Streamer fishing has been OK. If you do decide to bring your streamer stick out on the water keep in mind that the cold water temperatures have caused the fish to remain sluggish. Slower is better in regard to streamer fishing right now.

Recommended Flies

DRIES: Griffiths Gnat #20-24 | Parachute Extended Body BWO #20-22 |Elk Hair Caddis #20

NYMPHS:  Zebra Midge #16-22 | Prince Nymph #12-16 | Copper John #14-16 |Tungsten Jig Baetis #18-20 | Harrop's Surface Emerger #20-22 | Roza Pink Tag Jig #16d | Clearwater Emerger #18-20 | S&M Nymph #20-22 | Medalion Midge #20-24 |Bling Midge #22-24

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




More Reports

Hot Creek Fishing Report
Hot Creek

3-26-2021
Flow Rates and Water Conditions Water Conditions: Fair, showing 6 cfs as of 3/25 The flow gauge on Mammoth Creek is not...... Read More

The Trout Fitter Reports
for Friday, March 19th, 2021

Hot Creek: Hot Creek Fishing Report
Owens River - Section 3 - Upper (above Crowley): Upper Owens River Report
Owens River - Lower: Lower Owens River Report
East Walker River (CA): East Walker River Report