The weather and the flows on the Upper Owens means that the fish are harder to find

Owens River - CA


by Tom Loe
3-20-2012
Website

The flows are down on the Upper Owens and combined with the cooler air temps most of the fish have migrated into the deeper pools. There is alot of "dead" water up here so you need to cover some ground to locate the pods of spring run rainbows moving up from Crowley. Nymphing with attractor patterns such as San Juan Worms and roe imitations will get looks in the morning. Switch to bird's nest or pheasant tails late morning to imitate the baetis (BWO) nymphs that are present here. At these low flows streamer fishing can be less productive and will spook fish in most runs if you "line" the fish during a cast. I saw a fair amount of mid-sized rainbows and browns recently and I believe another jag of fish have moved upstream since the storm.

Photo:
The main photo shows Gravy Dave Watzke with an Upper Owens snow bow caught on an Assassin bird's nest pattern.

"Tom, Best two days of fishing in my life. Glad they were with you! You are an amazing guide with great patience...grasshopper. You are a great friend and I can't express how much I appreciate the experiences you have provided. I spent the night setting right...or was it left? Have a great one buddy and thanks again. I think we'll see ya soon. Gravy"