The Lower Owens is down to a low flow of 125cfs which is unusual for this time of year. The river is healthy and the foliage around the river is green and alive, this is a very different river if you have only fished it during the winter months when the flows are down like they are now. BubbleBack emergers #16-20, Sparkle Triggers #16-20, RS2’s #16-18, all sorts of green caddis worms and emergers #16-18. Some hopper action can be found throughout the day, but not to the extent of Hot Creek or the Upper Owens. During the caddis hatch at night fish small Fertile Caddis #18-20, Elk Hair Caddis #18-22, Small Adams and Baetis patterns #18-22 are also good to have along for the Lower Owens selection right now.

The East Walker has just been kicked up to 200cfs of flow. This will be good for the resident trout and help to keep the water temperatures cool. Fish have been active in the mornings and evenings, they still do continue to eat during the day in the deep pools and riffled water. Large Attractor patterns continue to get attention from trout of all sizes! We have had some large explosions on mouse and large foam patterns recently. Try Hopper Sandwiches #6-10, Fat Alberts #6-10, and other large leggy foam or natural patterns. Under the water fish continue to eat caddis, baetis and midges. The ticket in green #18-20, Crawling caddis #18, halfback emerger #18-20, CDC case BWO emerger #18-20..

The Upper Owens is flowing at a low cool rate of around 65cfs. Water clarity is 90% with colour changing above the confluence of Hot Creek. Fish are throughout the system with a few big fish in the biggest holes this time of year. A caddis hatch comes off sparsely throughout the day with responses from the smaller trout in this system, a larger specimen can be found eating these Caddis on the surface to the observant angler. Hoppers splatted along the banks and foam lines will get an aggravated response from trout of all sizes in the Upper Owens which makes for an exciting day. Smaller streamers and buggers fished down and in the shadows will also get attention as the first cast into that dark hole or cut bank is the most important when fishing streamers here. Try Sparkle Buggers #6-10, and Slumpbusters or other small streamers patterns in the #6-10 size range will work best. For hoppers use Yellow, tan or other bright and leggy hopper patterns in sizes #10-14. Nymphs to use are; Princes #14-18, Sparkle Triggers #16-18, Bright Green Caddis Worms #16-18, Soft Hackles #14-18, Red Copper Johns #14-18, Red Disco Midges #16-18 and other similar patterns like the ones mentioned here.

Hot Creek is low and slow and since it is a spring creek the water has remained cool. Weeds are up to the surface and birds are walking on them. In spite of the weeds and low water the trout still have to eat! A light nymph pattern can be thrown into some holes comfortably but can result in a lot of hang ups if not done properly. Throw a lot of Beetles #12-16, X stimis #14-16, Feth Hoppers #14-12, Fat Alberts #8-14 and other small hopper patterns will also work. For nymphs the CDC case BWO emerger #18-20, T Midge #18-20 and Hot Creek and Fertile Caddis fished wet or dry will take fish.

The Upper Owens Flows are down and fishing is decent-good… Each hole will indeed hold fish but pretty much all the HUGE specimens we were getting a couple of months ago daily have made an exodus from the river for now… If Crowley gets green and ugly real quick we could see new some rather large Sierra Trout coming up again to live and breathe the clean spring water of the Upper Owens. Attractor Nymphs are doing well in Reds and Purples with the usual patterns I mentioned in my last reports still working. Small, and this SJ worms, Green Caddis Worms and the like will take fish in #14-18. Streamers will always take fish here but the new news is you can throw a HOPPER pattern up against some of the banks and bends and get some great eats!

Hot Creek continues to produce great looking trout in numbers! Small Trico’s and caddis continue to come off during the day starting with the Trico’s and BWO’s is some areas. Look to fish small dries and larvae in the morning with larger patterns coming to play later in the day -Hoppers and Beetles! ! Fish are hitting hoppers and beetles and other small bug patterns now in Hot Creek and this makes for a great day of fun fly fishing. Water is lower  but with great dry fly action for weedless drifts. Fish the standard midge nymphs and emergers until you see or need some dry fly action. Move a lot until you find the right trout eat if you are throwing a terrestrial.  As always, fish are everywhere in Hot Creek. Nymphing will always take fish when done correctly with the right patterns.. Midge Poly Wing Emergers #18-22,  RS2’s #20, Caddis Pupa #18-20, Loop Wing BWO’s, Trico RS2’s #20-22 —  On top Traditional BWO #20-22, Thorax BWO & Thorax Tricos #20-22.