Upper Owens fishing is slowing down

Owens River - CA


by Tom Loe
3-1-2012
Website

It be slowing down here for sure folks. Some of the larger hens we are catching have dropped their load and although they still look beautiful, they have lost that rotund look that spawning hens have. The big numbers of smaller browns and rainbows that held over while Crowley had ice on it are returning to the lake as well so don't expect a huge numbers day here although there are still decent numbers of Kamloops and Eagle Lake rainbows & cutts beginning to migrate up from Crowley for the spring run.

Patience in the deeper pools & runs will get you some nice fish while nymphing with SJ worms, roe patterns, birds nest and pheasant tails #14-18. Streamers will also work this time of year used with a light sinking tip line. You can cover more water this way and hit some areas that would be difficult to fish while nymphing. Sections like tail outs off an oxbow are shallow, however will hold big fish near the undercuts. Tough to nymph here without spooking the trout, perfect to swing a streamer or soft hackle in front of them.

The access was getting good until this last series of storms, so be careful when driving off the main dirt roads down to the walk thru's along the river. Mucho muddy after it thaws!

The main pohoto shows another former SDFF Prez, Jon Hee with a long "spawned out" rainbow hen he got on the Upper Owens with us recently. "Thanks for a great time! I know the fishing was a little slow but I learned a lot from you and caught my personal best trout! Regards, Jon"

Other Upper Owens photos:

Photo # 1: Art Prangley had a huge day on the Upper Owens with an incredible flurry of bigs coming in the late afternoon. "Tom, Thanks. It was a great day...strike sideways...important lesson. Have a good weekend. Best, Art"
Photo # 2: Michael Biggins got a "bigg'N". Check out the choppers on this buck!Michael Biggins got a "bigg'N".
Photo # 3: Mark Kaupp back in the report, he spanked them recently on the Upper Owens