Lower Owens River Report

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


by The Trout Fitter Staff
9-2-2022
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Flow Rates and Water Conditions

Water Conditions: Good

Flows are at 177 cfs as of 8/22

Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Good

Not sure what the effect will be but DWP is doing a flush between 8/29 and 9/6 which could cool the water down below Pleasant Valley Reservoir. With daytime temperatures expected to be in the upper 90's to low 100's early and late makes sense. We are looking for a slight cool down through the weekend. Fishing has been good from 6-10 with Trico imitations and large caddis pupa patterns. There's virtualy no surface activity in the morning, I'll get out in the evening the next couple of days and see if it's better. If you think a run is too shallow or fast it's probably just right. EXCEPT early mornings, the fish will be in slower water feeding on Tricos.

The big hatch now is the Tiny BWO, they used to be considered part of the PMD family but have been reclassified to Baetis. These guys are tiny, #22-26 and the hatch starts around 10 building up around 12 and lasting until late afternoon. The Little yellow Sallies are fading. The Trico mayfly hatch is at full strength, males emerging in the evenings and females in the morning with egg laying starting 9-10. That of course includes midges all day long and craneflies after 9 am. Evenings are getting better, small pale #20 mayflies, Trico male emergence and caddis. I did get a report of Cicadas in a few stretches.

Recommended Flies

DRIES: Extended Body BWO #16-20 | Hi-Vis PMD #16-18  | Stillborn Midge #20-22  | Giffith's Gnat #22-24 |CDC Transition midge #20-22 | Slvrmn Stillborn Caddis #16-18 |Elk Hair Skaddis #16 | Tan Stimulator #14-16 | Headlight Yellow Sally #16-18 | CDC Baetis #22-24

NYMPH:  Pheasant Tail #14-18 | Caddis Cased #12 | Zebra Midge #18-22 | Olive Hot Spot Jig #18  | Bottom Roller Phsyco Rhyco #10-14 | Juju Baetis #16-20 | Pearl & Orange #16 | Tungsten Olive Mic Drop #16-18 | TB Millers +1 Lt #16-18  | Lexi Girdle Bug Tan/Black #6 | HDA Fav. Variant #1-16

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

Guides Hint: Lesson learned the hard way, don't ignore the fish rising in the shallow water on the inside of the bends. They're usually a lot bigger than you thought.



More Reports

The Trout Fitter Reports
for Friday, September 2nd, 2022

Hot Creek: Tough fishing has returned with the low flows
Owens River - Section 3 - Upper (above Crowley): Upper Owens River Report

The Trout Fitter Reports
for Friday, August 19th, 2022

Hot Creek: Tough fishing has returned with the low flows
Owens River - Section 3 - Upper (above Crowley): It's looking like this will be a slow year for hoppers
Owens River - Lower: The upcoming weather could have a big impact
East Walker River (CA): Flows had dropped down into the 70's but they're starting to inch back up