Upper Owens River Report

Owens River - Section 3 - Upper (above Crowley) - Eastern Sierra, CA (Mono County)


by Doug Busey
8-11-2022
Website

Mainly fishing the Longears area and it has improved a bit versus a few weeks ago but still not what it has been this time of year compared to two or three years ago primarily because of lower water levels. The flow has been at about 50cfs since late April and I’m used to seeing it at 70 to 80. That being said we have been getting a decent amount of fish up to 12” each trip out and there’s definitely more but smaller fish lately. Seems like more Browns above the corrals with more Rainbows below. Keeping things simple as always the best bet has been fishing an EC Caddis downstream like a wet fly and covering up to a mile of water. Have not seen but a handful of grasshoppers each day when in past years you’d kick up hundreds while walking through the grass this time of year. Little worrisome as it may be a slow hopper season with few big fish moving up from Lake Crowley.

Nevertheless, have been having some success chucking terrestrials like Amazon Ants, Chernobyl Ants, and a stonefly pattern named Trina’s Dog Puke. Had to try some just because of the name and it turns out nabbed one of my biggest Browns ever a couple years ago on one. We’ll see how things unfold there as Fall approaches and whether or not LADWP increases the flow.


Good luck on your next fishing adventure. If you have a question. a report in our local fishing area or have a photo of your catch, send it to [email protected]. Hope to see you on the waters. Good fishin' and tight lines.