Water Conditions: Good

Flows are 73 cfs as of 11/5

The stretch of river above Benton Crossing Road is artificial, barbless, catch and release only. Below the bridge is artificial barbless and closes 11/15.

The flows are up because DWP is running about 20 cfs through the tunnel from Grant Lake. The reason why the flows in the Owens don't go up and down much is that it is common for Deadman Creek to go underground up above 395 during drought years.

The water gets dirtier and has more debris the further downstream you go.

Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Fair-Good

Due to the amount of snow we received the parking is out at Benton Crossing Road. Parking is very limited so try to park in a way to maximize space and don't block the main road.The fall pattern is upon us, crowded on the weekends and generally  pretty empty midweek. There now seems to be more lake fish above the bridge and they tend to be concentrated in certain spots. Water temperatures have dropped to the point that the smaller fish aren't very active early and it might be best to start fishing below Hot Creek in the morning. If you want to fish dries and size isn't a concern break out the 2 weight and have fun with the 4-10 inchers. This week will probably be the end of Trico's meaning that the last of the mayflies are the BWO. There are sporadic mayfly and caddis mid morning to mid afternoon but that will soon end. Midges will be around all winter but caddis and mayflies will disappear soon until late winter/ early spring

It's good to remember that there aren't a lot of "resident" fish in the Upper Owens, it's basically a nursery for Crowley Lake and as they get bigger most of them will move down to the lake. The fish that haven't gone to the lake yet tend to be pickier because it's their natural environment. So much for the temperature gage, it lost its funding and has been shut down. Scratch that, it may be shut down but it's still functional. There was a temperature gage on Hot Creek right above the Owens River Road bridge. Right now, the water temperature ranges between the low 80s and high 90s.  If you're not familiar with it, to get to the upper most branch of Hot Creek, go through the first drive through gate on the main road and immediately turn left. The confluence is between the first and second walk-thru gates.

Recommended Flies

DRIES: Griffiths Gnat #20-24 | Para Adams #20-24 | CDC Transition Midge #20-24 | Tan Stimulators #14-16 | Beck's Sulphur Emerger #16-20 |  Z Wing Real Midge #22-26 | Para Extended Body Baetis # 18-22

NYMPHS:  Zebra Midge #16-22 | Copper John #14-16 | B/H Pheasant tail #14-18 | Tung Stud Black #20 | Split Case PMD #14-16 | Bling Midge #22-24 | Tungsten Olive Mic Drop #16-18 | San Juan worms assorted colors | Birds Nest Natural #16-20

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

EURO Streamers: GD UV P/Jig White #12 | Kaslar M/G/S Olive #12