Owens River - Lower Fish Report for 5-31-2022
Changes are upon us
Owens River - Lower - Bishop, CA (Inyo County)
by The Trout Fitter Staff
5-31-2022
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Water Conditions: Good
Flows are at 171 cfs as of 5/31
Up high is a little bit off color, a little bit more coming out of Horton creek but water levels are ideal. Water temperatures are inching up into the low 60's
The water quality is getting worse down low, probably best to stay above the Cement Plant.
Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Good
Changes are upon us. This is the time to key on the riffles, ankle to knee deep. If you think a run is to shallow or fast it's probably just right. We seem to be transitioning into a more summer like pattern hatch wise. BWOs ( # 22 ) are still coming off around 1 pm but they have been joined by the PMDs( #16-20 ) which are rapidly becoming the dominate hatch so mayfly patterns #16-22 are working between12 and 3.The Little yellow Sallies have started emerging right along with the PMDs. Also making a very early appearance are the Trico mayflies, not a heavy hatch but a reason to be on the river by 7am. I saw very few Tricos this morning but the fish were eating the drowned spinners after 10 am.That of course includes midges all day long and craneflies after 9 am. I haven't heard anything about the evenings but if the Tricos and caddis are out there's plenty of food available so I'll give it a shot now that the wind is quieting down.
Those nice deep holes are pretty much empty except for the big backwaters, the fish seem to be holding there and feeding on midges. It's not just the water temperature that dictates fish activity. So far the water has remained clear but keep in mind that after rain or snow melt the river can be dirty below the Petroglyph parking (#9) from Horton Creek. If you're down below and it's dirty just move upstream until you find clean water. The old winter rule still applies, the colder the night before the further upstream you should start.
DRIES: Extended Body BWO #16-20 | Hi-Vis BWO #18-20 | Parachute Adams #16-20 | 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
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
STREAMERS: Wooly Bugger Olive & Black #10-12 | Mini Sculpin Olive & Black #10-12
More Reports
The Trout Fitter Reports
for Tuesday, May 31st, 2022Hot Creek: And now the runoff is here
Owens River - Section 3 - Upper (above Crowley): Upper Owens River Report
The Trout Fitter Reports
for Friday, May 20th, 2022Hot Creek: Hatches are remaining unchanged, at least for a couple of weeks until runoff starts
Owens River - Section 3 - Upper (above Crowley): The dreaded early season green slime weed migration is going on
Owens River - Lower: The colder the night before the further upstream you should start
East Walker River (CA): The flows have come up enough to make it worth a shot
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