Lower Owens River Report

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


by The Trout Fitter Staff
6-23-2022
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Flow Rates and Water Conditions

Water Conditions: Good

Flows are at 227 cfs as of 6/18

Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Good-Very Good

This is the time to key on the riffles, ankle to knee deep. If you think a run is too 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, the hatch is getting stonger. a good reason to be on the river by 7am followed by the spinner fall after 10 am.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.

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.

Recommended Flies

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 | Headlight Yellow Sally #16-18

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

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 Thursday, June 23rd, 2022

Hot Creek: Runoff has already started to drop
Owens River - Section 3 - Upper (above Crowley): Upper Owens River Report

The Trout Fitter Reports
for Friday, June 10th, 2022

Owens River - Section 3 - Upper (above Crowley): Upper Owens River Report
Owens River - Lower: Up high is a little bit off color
East Walker River (CA): The flows are up near normal, for now