Hoppers Everywhere!

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

Photo Credit: Jim Elias

by Jim Elias
7-1-2020
Website

Upper Owens 7/1/2020 Flows at 65cfs  Above the Hot Creek confluence 

Rod Size:  #5-#6 Weights

Tippet Size: 3-4X  

Dry Flies: Baby Boy Hopper #12, Yellow Panty Hopper Dropper #10-12, Chernobyl Ant #10-12, Elk Hair Caddis #16-18 Kaufman Stimulator #14-16

Nymphs: Bottom Roller Green #14, Nori's Caddis Pupa Olive #16, Cased Caddis #16-18, San Juan Worm Red, San Juan Worm Pink, Zebra Midge #16-18, Deep Six Caddis Pupa Olive #16, Copper John Red #14-16, Psycho Prince #14, Prince Nymph #14-16, Fox's Caddis Poopah Olive #16, Midge Worm Red

Streamers:  Black and Olive Buggers, Larger trout imitations and perch patterns. 

 

Things start off a little slow in the mornings but pick up around 10:30. Especially if the wind comes up early, the hoppers get blown in the river and the fish just get into a feeding frenzy. Before that, run caddis on top or under the indicator. But from 11am on, small foam hoppers work well, just make sure you're running at least 4x tippet, mainly because if your hopper gets blown in the grass you won't break it off. That, and we saw some monsters in there yesterday. Unfortunately we blew a few shots at one that was well over 20". Lots of average fish in the 14-16" range. They are very particular about the drift of your hopper, so you'll have to run a bunch of drifts before one of them makes a mistake and grabs your foam one by accident! Feel free to run a small caddis pupa dropper below for some additional grabs. 


Fish Mammoth Guides Services is located in Mammoth Lakes, CA (Mono County). Fishing Guide, Jim Elias, can take you fishing on Crowley Lake, Upper Owens, Lower Owens and East Walker River. To book your guided fishing trip with Jim Elias please all him at (760) 582-2195 and for more information please visit his WEBSITE..




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