Upper Owens River Report -- updated 7-27

Owens River - CA


by Tom Loe
7-31-2013
Website

Very good conditions overall here, although you will have issues with weeds and off colored water at times when the cattle wade in the Hot Creek tribs. Very strong caddis activity with some smaller mayflies showing late mornings. There are more small browns around than I have seen in a few years, and a few cutty's still holding in the deeper pools. Flows are great currently, and I hope they will hold for the summer but would not bank on it. Regular DFW plantings in the campground section downstream from the bridge. I like Assassins and flashback PT's in the #16 & 18 range for nymphing. Small dark bodied caddis adults #18 will get looks before it gets too warm. Try a dry/dropper bead head nymph under a #16 Stimulator for a fun & effective method to fool the wild fish. A few skeeters around so have your bug juice ready on the calm mornings.

Photo's:
Pictured Above:
Long time Sierra Drifter KJ with a nice Upper Owens brownie caught on an Assassin pattern.
Photo #1: Carol and Bob had a great day on the Upper Owens with this nice brown getting fooled on an Assassin pattern.
Photo #2: Art did well on numbers while nymphing on the UO.
Photo #3: Sawyer whacked them for his first time fly fishing on the Upper Owens.
Photo #4: Evan did well for his first fly fish'n wade trip on the Upper Owens.