beautiful brown trout held above the flowing water of the Owens River

Lower Owens Fly Fishing Report : Bishop, CA – 8.25.24

August 25, 2024
, , Fishing Reports

The Lower Owens is now flowing at a very high rate right outside of Bishop, CA. Yes, the LADWP decided to crank up the river overnight instead of incrementing the flows little by little . At these flows the river will have very few places to fish even though the water is very clear and coming out of pleasant valley reservoir. We do not expect this to last for long as cool nights are on the way to freeze the runoff up in the high elevation sierras. Bugs are there and things are healthy. We anxiously wait for the fabulous Lower Owens to return to its fish worthy flows in order for us fly anglers are able to again sample the beautiful wild trout she contains.

Brown Trout on the Lower Owens River

Lower Owens River Fly Fishing Report : Bishop, CA – 7.31.24

July 31, 2024
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It’s the beginning!! Just outside of Bishop the fabulous Lower Owens River has been dropped to a beautiful summer flow of around 300 cfs which is a very nice seasonal level to maintain cool sierra waters throughout the summer. At this flow the Lower Owens is still considered somewhat high, yet very wadable for an amazing summertime fly fishing experience. The Lower Owens, the jewel of a river of the Eastern Sierra, will be showing us some amazing trout this season and year.

The combination of the over the top water year last year combined with the healthy flows of 2024 will have the river spewing out nutritious biomass helping to feed our lovely trout a variety of larvae and nymphs forcing them to grow much larger. Dry fly action is noted in various parts of the river where the floating adult mayflies and caddis collect. Fish the usual Mayfly and Caddis patterns normally on 5x tippet in this situation.

Fish the appropriate attractor and imitation nymphs in the summertime as well. The Fly Angler can now fish some bigger patterns as we have larger caddis and stoneflies moving about the system. Soft hackles, Peridons, Pheasant Tail variations and patterns, Caddis Worms and large Midges are the patterns to present with either an indicator or high sticking euro style. Streamers can be attempted at any time in the Lower Owens system. As fishing goes, the trout can be madly aggressive for the streamers or give them little attention in the form of a follow and swipe at your fly. For best results throw your streamer to the opposite bank, toss in a mend upstream, mend up giving the fly time to sink while starting to retrieve when the line has straitened out and the fly had a few seconds to sink.

We expect this to be an amazing fishery from now until our next high water cycle next year as summer rolls on and cool water flows.

Give us a call up in Bishop at the STM Fly Shop for more details or to book a guided tour. 760-873-0010

Lower Owens River Fly Fishing Report : Bishop CA – 7.1.24

July 1, 2024
, , , Fishing Reports

Just outside of Bishop, California, the Lower Owens River is now flowing at a high rate of around 500 cubic feet a second as of now. Water is clear and clear and absolutely delightful to the inhabitants of the nutrient rich river. The trout will undoubtedly benefit from this high volume of highly oxygenated Sierra water delivering the brown and rainbow trout their food. At this point we look to see the flows coming on down in the very near future. As for now the river does indeed form a few spots where the fly angler can access some amazing fish. If you attempt this be very careful as these flows will take you to the next bend before you know it. Attractor patterns of all sorts have been serving us well on the Lower Owens in all popular nymphs. Streamers can be used in the correct scenario at these healthy early summer flow rates. Some dry fly activity is noted as there are Yellow Sallies around. The Lower Owens will undoubtedly show us some amazing fishing when her flows have subsided to a more normal rate.

Call or text the STM Fly Shop in Bishop, CA at 760-873-0010 for more details on the amazing fisheries of the Eastern Sierra or to book a guided trip for individuals and groups.

Lower Owens river rainbow trout caught on a fly

Lower Owens Fly Fishing Report : Bishop, CA – 6.12.24

June 12, 2024
, , , Fishing Reports

The Bishop jewel, the Lower Owens River, flowing just outside of Bishop, CA has experienced massive flows recently but is now down to around a fishier flow of around 330 Cubic Feet/second (cfs). We are hearing a rumor that it may be this way for a decent while as repairs are needed far downstream. Of course the fish are taking advantage of this situation and using the lower pressures and flows to explore and become eating machines. We have noted more caddis activity in the area. Aggressive trout have been leaping and chasing caddis adults randomly in the river with some bends and back eddies more active then others. Most of the usual flies will lead to success on the Lower Owens currently. Peridons, Pheasant-Tails, Caddis Worms, Midges and other various attractor flies will find their way into a fishes mouth. Adult versions of Caddis, Mayflies and a few Midges are a good idea to have in the box as well in case of that top water activity beginning to happen right in front of you.

Call or text the STM Fly Shop in Bishop, CA at 760-873-0010 for more details or to book a guided trip.

trout hooked near Mammoth lakes CA on the upper Owens river

Upper Owens River Fly Fishing Report : Mammoth Lakes CA – 6.10.24

June 10, 2024
, , , Fishing Reports

The fly fishing report on the Upper Owens River has been very consistent. Flowing in between Mammoth Lakes and Bishop CA, this river is always a pleasure to visit. We did have a decent run of cutthroat trout recently, but they are now hard to find and are being replaced by Brown and Rainbow Trout entering the system. Flows are still within fly fishing limits and out trips have been going very well on the Upper O. Expect to fish a mixture of dry flies, nymphs, and streamers if you wish. The bigger fish, of course, will be caught under the waters surface. Small hatches of Mayflies and Caddis can randomly be seen here in there in pretty much all parts of the river. Standard patterns will do the trick here. Flashy attractor nymphs are also ideal to have in the fly box. Peridons, Pheasant Tails variations, Hares ears, and all sorts of Midges will do trick. Fish these in sizes #14-18 for the best chance at success. Dry flies patterns can be : Elk Hair Caddis or similar, Adams, BWO patterns, and various attractors will do the trick. Fish these in sizes #14-18 as well. Streamers can be anything you feel like throwing into the deeper and darker holes. Stay tuned for hopper season to hopefully come shortly!

Call or text the STM Fly Shop in Bishop CA, at 760-873-0010 for more information or to book a guided trip.

rainbow trout of the lower owens river

Lower Owens River Fly Fishing Report : Bishop CA – 5.1.24

May 1, 2024
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The fly fishing report for the Bishop area including the Lower Owens River is experiencing its stage spring time runoff as of this last weekend. Flows have been pumped up rather quickly to a high stage of 471 feet per second. Water is running almost clear and fast! This is absolutely normal throughout the west as May and June can be typically considered high water months throughout the west and is considered very healthy for the Owens river system. Spots can still be found to fish for the experienced Lower Owens angler. Before that we were enjoying the fruits of the astronomical water year we experienced last year with healthy, wild, and very large trout! With the snow pack lower than an average year, we believe this amount of runoff should not last long. Of course, that could all change if storms continue to roll through dropping precipitation in the mountains of California.

Call or text the STM Fly Shop in Bishop California at 760-873-0010 for more information or to book a guided trip.

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www.sierratroutmagnet.com

Lower Owens Fly Fishing Report : Bishop, CA – 3.12.24

March 12, 2024
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The Bishop fly fishing report for the Lower Owens River is nothing but great news! Flows are at absolute prime levels for wading and accessing the river while still retaining enough flow volume to let the wild trout move about the river freely.

Hatches have been tempting us here and there and have been mayflies. Look for this to happen mid-morning to around 12:30. Although not a river wide event one corner can be alive with trout actively eating on the surface with the next corner not seeing any surface activity. Fish classic mayfly patterns in sizes #16 through #18.

As usual the nymphing has been absolutely great. Fishing with an indicator or Euro Style is your option for a great day of wild trout to your net. Most may fly nymph imitations will work when presented correctly. It is the job of the fly angler to figure out how deep to get the Flies and how quickly and how long to appropriate one’s time in certain areas are the keys to success. Our favorite nymphs have been all sorts of paradons, Frenchies, pheasant tail patterns, some caddis worms, and a variety of midges. We have been fishing in sizes #14 through #18.

Call or text the STM Fly Shop in Bishop at 760.873.0010 for more details or to book a guided tour.

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Upper Owens River rainbow trout on a fly rod

Upper Owens Fly Fishing Report – Mammoth Lakes, CA – 2.12.24

February 12, 2024
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The Upper Owens River, just below the town of Mammoth Lakes, CA has received a small blanket of snow which has drifted in a few lower areas but not made a significant impact on accessibility. Patches of grass and sagebrush remain, showing above the recent snowfall. In the morning the landscape is frozen solid and entry is relatively easy as most vehicles with ground clearance will have no problems. It looks like we have some above freezing temps on the way during the day which will make for slippery and gooey conditions as anglers advance on their afternoon departure from the banks of the Upper Owens.

The trout appear to be advancing up the river in better numbers recently. We have been finding a thriving and healthy population of very large trout this early February. They appear to be spread throughout the river system nicely. Appropriate your fishing time in the correct holding water, which will usually be the deepest and darkest parts of the river. This can also be a narrow section of the river where the banks tighten up to a darker slot of running water.

Flies can be a variety of spawning patterns or larger and smaller sized attractor nymphs in sizes #10-18. These can include; various San Juan Worm patterns, Pheasant Tail variations, Soft Hackles, Peridons and Midge patterns just to name a few. Most of the fish we see rising are very small trout trying to sneak in a quick bite, this is not why we come to the Upper Owens River. Streamers can also be a good choice to have along on a second rod. Fish the long seams and undercut banks to create a response. In a river this size this can be done with a sinking or floating fly line setup.

Overall the river is in great condition; with a very healthy big fish population and enough of a cloudy tint to hide us from the fish in this wide open area above and below the main Hot Creek confluence.

Call or text the STM Fly Shop at 760-873-0010 for more details on this dynamic fishery or to book a guided tour for a worthy fish!

www.sierratroutmagnet.com

@stm_fly_fishing on instagram

Lower Owens River Fly Fishing Report : Bishop, CA – 2.2.24

February 2, 2024
, , , Fishing Reports

The Lower Owens fly fishing report has taken a turn for the better! Running at 150 cubic feet a second just outside of Bishop, CA this jewel of a stream is ready for all those who have been waiting for contact with some amazing wild trout.

Extremely easy wading compared to many other streams the bottom is very friendly to cautious wading anglers. Brushy? Yes it can be. This is all negated when you enter the riverbed and make your way along the river from shallow edge to shallow edge. As will all dynamic moving water ways you can get into trouble when not reading the river correctly as you make your way along either bank.

With the warmer weather temperatures, declining full moon, and a small storm on the horizon we have been seeing some mayfly activity on the water. Not a river-wide event yet we have been seeing risers in the usual foamy runs and holes where the fish prefer to stick their noses above the water. We sure expect to see these hatches progress into full on dry fly days as we transfer into February and March.

Attractor nymphs such as Peridons in various colors in #14-20 have continued to be the local stars of the river. Soft Hackles, Pheasant Tail variations and Caddis Worms have all been taking fish. Euro Nymphing and Indicator nymphing have both been effective methods of extracting trout from the Lower Owens River.

Call or Text the STM Fly Shop in Bishop, CA at

Upper Owens Fly Fishing Report : Mammoth Lakes, CA – 12.18.23

December 18, 2023
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Just down the hill from Mammoth Lakes, CA, the notorious meadow stream of the Upper Owens, flowing through the long valley caldera is doing what it does best; supplying fly anglers will very large sized fish. Water is flowing well and very clear above and below the Hot Creek confluence. The very large Crowley Lake trout have made their way up the river and can now be found throughout the entire system in decent numbers. Fishing the deepest and darkest places, as well as riffles and deep runs could possibly produce an unforgettable experience with a trout of a lifetime. Access has been open and traction is good. Although, right now we are getting some precipitation so we will update this in the next couple of days. The large trout of the Upper Owens like to eat many different patterns; usually something along the line of steelhead patterns, attractor nymphs, and even micro mayfly patterns. We find ourselves trying out more patterns than usual on the Upper Owens, changing out flies often. Crowds can be anywhere from nobody to slightly annoying. There really is no rhyme or reason or a way to predict how many people turn out for the day. The storm hitting today could possibly move these big guys around or even better, bring more in! Stay tuned!

Call or text the STM Fly Shop in Bishop, CA for more details or to book a guided trip. 760-873-0010

@stm_fly_fishing on instagram to see more photos of amazing Owens River trout.

www.sierratroutmagnet.com

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