upper owens river

Upper Owens River Fly Fishing Report : Mammoth Lakes, CA – 11.11.20

The Upper Owens just below Mammoth Lakes California has the Meat! Flows are low and clear as usual for this time of year making for some spooky quarry. Cold weather hit hard this last week pushing some more fish towards the north and upstream. Days are clear and the smoke is completely gone while Mammoth Mountain can be seen in the distance covered in snow. Fish the deepest and darkest areas of the Upper Owens. Time appropriation is crucial as these fish are more characteristic of Steelhead than Rainbow Trout. A few Brown Trout are also coming up with the mix of Rainbows and are a pleasure to catch. Stay tuned for many more updates on this amazing fishery throughout the winter.

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beautiful Lower Owens Brown trout held by one hand above a net over the water

Lower Owens River Fly Fishing Report : Bishop, CA – 10.15.20

The infamous Fly Fishing in Lower Owens River just outside of Bishop, CA has began and is as good as we imagined! Flows are down to a perfect 180cfs of perfectly balanced, and nutrient rich sierra water. Trout are very abundant and are being found and caught in their usual hangouts. Weeds are not an issue and the entire river is accessible on foot by wading. Around 12:30 some small mayflies can be seen exiting the waters surface. In some of the slower, foam line areas surface action is noted. The entire river is fishing well from the dam to as far down as you would wish to go. Nymphs and streamers will take fish all day long. Stoneflies patterns are now a thing of this summer past. Fish Caddis, Mayflies, and Midges for success here on California’s premiere Wild Brown Trout River, The Lower Owens.

fly fishing

Upper Owens River Fly Fishing Report : Mammoth Lakes, CA – 10.12.20

The Upper Owens River Fly Fishing is getting addicting as the river makes its seasonal change right below the town of Mammoth Lakes, CA. The entire river is full of Trout of all sizes and species. Rising fish are noted as well as some lunkers heading up and hanging out in the deeper water. Water flows are seasonally low and clear. Weeds are minimal and dying off with the cooler night temperatures preparing the landscape for the coming season. Attractor nymphs, streamers, and dry flies (for the smaller fish) can all be casted out and presented properly with success on the Upper Owens River this time of year. Stay tuned for weekly reports tracking the fishing on this amazing trout fishery.

fly fishing report

Upper Owens River Fly Fishing Report : Mammoth Lakes, CA – 10.4.20

The majestically formed bends of the Upper Owens River near Mammoth Lakes are absolutely filled with fish right now. The river is flowing around 70 cfs and is as clear as it gets. All deep holes hold a good population of fish thst can been seen upon peering down into the clear waters. Be careful though, fish you can see usually have already seen you! Hoppers are still being eaten during the warmer parts of the day! Before the hopper weather one can fish many of your favorite nymph and streamer patters through the riffles, bends, runs and deepest darkest holes of the Upper Owens for satisfying success.

Eastern Sierra Fishing

Eastern Sierra Fishing Update. Smoke status – 9.17.20

A fair amount of Fly Anglers have been calling the shop and asking what is actually open for fishing due to the temporary closures and the smoke. For the last couple of days we have seen A good amount of smoke settled in that has not moved much and seems to be lingering in the valley, it’s not awful but annoying. We expect it to move around any day now. It is a nuisance but not a fishing game-changer, you cannot see the mountains but the fishing is still unaffected and very good with the filtered sun.
All the usual Fisheries are open except for the ones in the closed national forest. We still have:

  • Lower Owens River
    -Upper Owens River
    -Crowley Lake,
    -Pleasant Valley Reservoir and mid river
    -The Gorge
    -East Walker
  • Bishop Creek
    So yes, there is smoke, but if you really want to get out and fish it is not stopping you! We have been running scheduled guided trips as normal. Give the shop a call for more info 760-873-0010 or text 661 364 6981.
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East Walker River

East Walker River Fly Fishing Report : Bridgeport, CA – 9.16.20

The East Walker River Fly Fishing continues to show us that it is indeed a big fish factory. Flows are around 70cfs more or less which is a very moderate and low flow for this system. Fish appear to be placed throughout the system and still in the usual spots where we usually find trout holding in a boisterous river such as the East Walker. As usual on the East Walker we fish a variety of large and small flies. SJ worms of different types, small micro mayflies, midges, and midge emergers seem to be the patterns that bring admirable fish to our hands. Streamers? Always! One must know the ropes when sticking to hucking the big patterns! Stay tuned as we see how the fabulous East Walker turns out this winter.

Check us out on Instagram for more amazing photos and up to date content @stm_fly_fishing

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Upper Owens River

Upper Owens River Fly Fishing Report : Mammoth Lakes, CA – 9.14.20

The legend of a fly fishing stream, flowing just below Mammoth Lakes, the Upper Owens River continues to fish with consistency throughout the entire system. All sizes of fish have been spotted, hooked, and caught. Streamers and nymphs in the cooler mornings, while continuing on with the terrestrials (hoppers) in the warmer afternoon seems to be the way to a satisfying experience in the Upper Owens River on these smokey days in the first part of September .

  • Check us out on Instagram for more amazing photos and up to date content @stm_fly_fishing
  • Sierra Trout Magnet Fly Shop and Guide Service on Facebook
Upper Owens River

Upper Owens River Fly Fishing Report : Mammoth Lakes, CA – 9.12.20

The Upper Owens River Fly Fishing near Mammoth Lakes, CA has changed a bit since the Canadian cold sweep earlier this week. The river still flows at a late summer subtle level. Water clarity is as usual always fishable, and water temps remain within healthy levels. The Hoppers are still there but they struggle to get moving until the sun warms them at a later time depending on the day. Before that anxiously awaited moment we end up going down under the water with all sorts of attractor nymphs and streamers. The entire river holds fish, read the water to appropriate your time wisely and spend it in the fishiest looking holding water. As we feel the cooler mornings rolling in we look forward to the fish of the Fall that come up river.

happy lady holds a good sized brown trout above the upper owens river

Upper Owens River Fly Fishing Report : Mammoth Lakes, California – 7.29.20

Hoppers! Do I really need to say anything else on this report!? The grassy fields of the Upper Owens River near Mammoth Lakes, California have been full of the leaping insects, and the resident Trout have been taking full advantage of the situation. No doubt putting on some serious yearly mass for the seasons ahead. Windy days? Yes! We love them! In this case many hoppers are blown into the water this making themselves available to feeding trout. All sections of the river have been fishing well. Flows are clear and cool and very manageable at around 65cfs. Normal bug activity is also noted in seams and foam lines. Nymphing various attractor nymphs as usual is very effective. Crowds have been here and there but usually one can find a place to call their own for the time they are on the edge of the unique Upper Owens River just down from Mammoth Lakes.

Angler Holds a fat Rainbow Trout above the Upper Owens River below Mammoth Lakes California

Upper Owens River Fly Fishing Report : Mammoth Lakes, California – 2.18.20

The Fly Fishing on the Upper Owens River just outside of Mammoth Lakes California is still happening for the oversized Trout! Flows are around 100cfs and steady, as they have been the last couple of months. Weather is moving away from the winter feeling and a warm spring has been tempting us in the Eastern Sierras, from the Bridgeport to Bishop area. The Trophy trout of the Upper Owens are spread out along the entire system. Not only confined to the deepest and darkest holes anymore we have been finding them in the usual trout hang-outs as well. Streamers, Nymphs, and Dries can help you get a trout into your hands this February on the Upper Owens River. Snow is almost non existent on the banks of the Upper Owens these days. Watch some spots in the afternoon though, some of the thawed clay ground can be slippery upon melting!

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