Flow Rates and Water Conditions

Water Conditions: Poor At Best

There is Gorge access to the middle and upper power plants but the flows are double the average. Below PVR there is now limited access as far as the Chalk Bluff Road but the campground is closed as well as all access down below the campground to the cement plant.There's virtually no access above the cement plant and even downstream most of the dirt roads are blocked off. LADWP is trying to make room for this record snowpack, especially considering that the snowpack from the Rock Creek drainage all the way to Lone Pine is even further above average than the drainages to the north. LADWP is starting to release water out onto the Owens Valley floor which in the future will be very beneficial but for right now be very careful where you drive. 

Simple way to describe the Lower Owens, it's a mess.

Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Poor

ALERT Sorry about the delay but I can't wade, I can't even drive right now so I'm having to find other guides to take me out and explore. The hatches have been very weak, midges just about the only ones coming off. I did get a report that there's an okay baetis hatch down towards Warm Springs Road in the early afternoon. Yesterday at 2 pm the water temperature at Line Street Bridge was 46. If you are coming up be very careful, respect the closures and be happily surprised if you catch a fish. At least until things quiet down.

DRIES: Stillborn Midge #20-22  | Giffith's Gnat #22-24 |CDC Transition midge #20-22 | No Mercy Midge #18-24 | Boroff F/Homie #20, 24 | Para CDC Baetis #16-22 | Para Adams #14-22 | Stimulators #8-10

NYMPH:  Pheasant Tail #14-20 | Hares Ear #16-20 |Caddis Cased #12 | Zebra Midge #18-22 |Weiss BP light or dark #18-20 | Bottom Roller Phsyco Rhyco #10-14 | Pearl & Orange #16 |Chamois caddis #16-20 | TB Millers +1 Lt #16-18  | Lexi Girdle Bug Tan/Black #6 | HDA Fav. Variant #12-16

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.