Fly Fishing Report 3/2/2024
Welcome to my Eastern Sierra fly fishing report for the Owens River beginning of March. We have had some decent storms and weather moving through bringing much needed snow and rain to the valley. All of this weather is welcomed and will help us sustain a nice healthy summer of fly fishing. We have had some stellar days this last month, particularly on the Lower Owens. Still some nice fish being caught from Bishop to Mammoth and if your willing to put in the time and effort there are still some trophy trout opportunities on the Upper Owens.
We are gearing up for spring welcoming the warmer months ahead. Im personally excited for longer sustained hatches, stillwater days boating and float tubing, and casting black ants for Goldens in the backcountry. We have new permits for new water this year which will open is up to a variety of fly fishing options, especially during the warmest months of the year. Some of the extended guiding locations include, Bishop Creek, North Lake, Rock Creek and Lakes, Convict Lake/Creek, Hot Creek, and Mammoth Lakes Basin. We also have day trips into the backcountry on horseback in partnership with McGee Creek Pack Station.
We are booked up for our Spring Fly Fishing Clinic (April 13th/14th). We are excited to spend two full days on the Owens River working on foundational skills and having a blast. Our goal for our clinics is that each angler participating walks away with knowledge and confidence to approach the stream and find success in their future fly fishing endeavors. We will host another clinic this fall, dates to be announced soon! If you would like to get on the waitlist for our 2024 Spring Clinic, please email us here and we will add you.
We still have availability for our premier Golden Trout Pack Trip this summer. Join us for a week long excursion deep into the Eastern Sierra backcountry for some of the most beautiful and pure strains of Golden Trout on the planet. This is an all inclusive 6 night, 7 day trip with an experienced crew and two professional fly fishing guides along the way. For the full trip Itinerary, pricing, and breakdown CLICK HERE. Give me a call (858) 759 9820 to discuss more in detail. You wont wont to miss out on this epic fly fishing excursion.
The state freshwater fish of California, the Native Golden Trout.
It’s been amazing getting to know a lot of folks through this fishing report and newsletter, I hope it helps you find success on the water. We do our best to provide the most accurate and honest fly fishing reports out there. Give us a call to book a guided fly fishing trip for your or a small group today. All levels of experience are welcomed and all gear is provided. See you on the river! -Luke Kinney, Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Guide
Email; goldentroutguiding@gmail.com
Phone; (858) 750-9820
Spring on the Upper Owens, a special place!
Luke Kinney is an Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Guide.
Beyond The River
Golden Trout Guiding Co. is partnered with local indigenous led non-profit Sacred Rok. Sacred Rok is committed to empowering and educating the youth through the outdoor experience. We believe the outdoors should be enjoyed by all walks of life and levels of income. Click here for more info or to donate!
Now Booking Crowley Lake!
Considered one of the states best still water trophy trout fisheries Crowley Lake is a fly fishing paradise. Big Rainbows, Browns, and Cutthroat Trout with the most epic backdrop of any lake around. Great for beginners and families. My boat seats 2 anglers.
Fly Fishing Report
Bishop Canal; The Bishop Canal is starting to fish a little better but flows are still low and water is still clear. We have been seeing hatches of Blue Wing Olive mayflies and Caddis midday down near bishop which has trout rising to a well presented dry fly. If you time it well you can score a few nice ones on the canal, it’s a great place to get a quick session in. If you want to try nymphing the canal I would recommend either Euro Nymphing or using a lightweight yarn indicator. With the flows this low and clear casting a bright bobber will indeed spook fish. Keep that presentation minimal, like a dry dropper, or a few midges under the yarn. I like going to fish the canal mid day around 1pm and walking around with a single dry fly looking for risers. the canal is a fantastic place to work on your cast and is easily accessible for those with limited mobility. You can also try you luck with some smaller streamers like a mini wolly bugger (Size 12) olive or black. Keep those nymphs on the smaller size 16-20, mini prince nymph, copper john, small baetis nymphs, perdigons, and hare’s ears nymphs are all great fly choices. As far as dries I’m a big fan of the classic Elk Hair Caddis (size 18) you could also try Parachute Adams (size 16-20) or Blue Wing Olive (size 16-20). The bishop canal is a great place to stop by on your way home for that “Last Cast” before heading home. Good luck out there!
Lower Owens- The Lower Owens is currently flowing at 125 CFS which is perfect for walking and wading the river, water is 44 degrees. With these medium flows more water and bends become accessible and you can find yourself getting into some productive fly fishing. We have seen some quality hatches of Blue Wing Olive Mayflies, and small Caddis during midday (11am-3pm). The period before the hatch as the insects become adults has been incredible for nymphing with trout going out of their way to take we well presented fly. Fishing emerger style patterns as the hatch starts picking up is a great options either under the Indicator or on the Euro Nymphing set up. Nymphs like the Duracell (size 16-18) Hares Ears (size 16-18) Caddis Emerger (size 16-18) perdigon (size 16-18) are all good fly choices. Look for those well oxygenated pools and riffles where trout can actively feed and you might find yourself going one after another. When we hit a good spot we are averaging 5-10 fish per spot. We have had consistent double digit days on the Lower this last month with trout ranging from 6-20 inches. Most of the trout you will get into are wild browns with a few rainbows in the mix, and some bigger ones at that! I have seen bigger browns and rainbows this season on the Lower than in prior years. I speculate that last seasons big water year moved fish around and got em feeding well as the flows finally stabilized, but thats all speculation and it’s great to see! The deep and slow pools are holding some nice fish but those faster runs are where the action has been. Not a bad idea to carry two rods with you if your spending the day on Lower Owens as these hatches of adults can be quick and fleeting. I usually carry my nymphing rod and my dry fly rod so I can target those rising trout with no delay. Recommended dry flies as of late, Blue Wing Olive (size 16-20), Olive Foam Caddis (size 16-18), Parachute Adams (size 16-18), Elk Hair Caddis (size 18), Purple Haze (size 16-18). We will have to see how long we get these perfect flows as DWP will likely increase flow rate going into spring making way for our melt off. As of now its pretty much as good as it gets and a great time to fish the Lower Owens. This is my backyard river and I love guiding new and experienced anglers on the Lower Owens, reach out to line up a guided trip for you or a small group today!
Book the Lower Owens
Angler Adam with a beautiful 18” wild brown trout! Check out that blue hue on its cheek. Epic fish and last cast of the day!
Angler Sam wanted to learn how to dial in his Euro Nymphing technique and had a banner day! He landed by far one of the best rainbows Ive ever seen on the Lower. Upper Owens gets a lot of hype, and for good reason but the Lower is a sleeper.
Another beautiful rainbow trout caught on the Lower Owens!
Central Gorge- The central gorge is great for fly fishing right now, Id say we have about a month before the nettle takes over the river bank and makes getting to the water a total pain. Flows are low enough to work some harder to reach areas. Water has been extremely clear, well see what it looks like after this storm moving through. The central gorge is a Euro Nymphing and pocket water paradise great for the exploratory angler. There are a few access points to get into the central gorge, and from there you can branch off and explore more water. Mostly rock climbers down there but It brings me joy to see more fly fishers moving through the canyon! Use caution while navigating the central gorge, getting to the river can be tricky with steep goat trails and loose rock. Having a guide to take you into the canyon is recommended especially when going solo. Fish range from 8-20 inches, you might be surprised by some of the fish you spook as you work the stream! I like fishing my 10ft 4W working behind boulders, tight run’s, and underneath the trees. Catching fish can be a challenge but getting them to the net is a whole different story with all of the potential obstacles in the stream. Trout are less picky in the central gorge so using your standard nymphs will get the job done, can’t beat the Duracell (size 16-18) down there. The central gorge is also a great place to fish dry flies, just plan on losing some flies as the banks are tight and overgrown. Blue Wing Olive (size 16-20) and Elk Hair Caddis (size 16-18) will get the job done. If you haven’t fished the central gorge we would to take you down there and show you around, it’s a perfect half day adventure and chances of seeing other angers is slim. Reach out to line up a guided trip in the canyon.
Book The Central Gorge
Casting some dry flies from a highpoint looking to fool some fish!
Upper Owens- The Upper Owens is flowing around 70-75 CFS with some runoff affecting the river making flows slightly higher and off color. The fly fishing on the Upper Owens is decent at best with trophy trout spread out throughout the system. Being at higher elevations and directly affected by melt the Upper Owens can get blown out more frequently. It usually takes a few days to a week for things to stabilize. With the right weight, presentation, and patience you can still find yourself getting into those bigger lake run trout. The Upper this time of year is quality over quantity, so don’t expect double digit days. The trophy rainbow spawn will eventually start easing out heading into spring when the trophy cutthroat will begin making their way into the river usually late April/May. I’ve been exclusively fishing big streamers on the Upper Owens in my free time, as I love swinging flies and getting big takes on the retrieve. Nymphing with weight will also get you into some fish, sometimes using multiple split shot to get those flies deep enough. Take your time if you find yourself in some fishy water, people generally move to another spot too quickly and it might take 30 mins to get hooked up. Look for those deep bends and cast away! Plenty of tiny juvenile trout in the system and CDFW stocked near the bridge in late fall in efforts to increase spawning efforts and trout population. We have some snow moving in near Crowley and Mammoth Lakes, the road access is limited, hiking in is the smartest and safest call. Remember the road freezes in the morning and is fairly easy to drive but by the afternoon your in 2 ft. of sticky mud, I’ve seen all makes and models of 4x4 rigs stuck out there. Outside of some slower fishing the Upper Owens is gorgeous this time of year and your chance of catching a big fish are still there! Fly recommendations for the Upper Owens as of late, Perdigon (size 16-18), Squirmy Worm (size 12) pink, Egg Patterns, Duracell (size 16-18), Large Prince Nymph (size 12), Flashback Pheasant Tail (size 14-16), Bead Head Hare’s Ears (size 16-18). There are some rising fish if you feel like fishing dries, mostly small fish rising and every once and a while a trophy will hit the surface. Small Caddis (size 18) or Blue Wing Olive (size 18). Waiting for the Upper to turn on again, we will keep you all posted! Reach out to book a guided trip on the Upper Owens.
Book the Upper Owens
Angler Jacob putting it all together after a full day hunting down a trophy trout!
Cant beat the views on the Upper Owens!
Thanks for stopping by for my Eastern Sierra Fly Fishing Report for early March. I hope everyone is getting excited for the warmer months ahead. Keep doing your snow dances as it will only add up to an epic summer season! If you have any questions on the report or would to see anything added dont be shy to reach out. We are all a community of anglers on and off the water and we were all beginners at one point! Lend a helping hand to your fellow angler, you might just makes that person’s whole trip. Cheers and tight lines!
-Luke Kinney, Owner and Guide.
