I have been very pleased with how the MO has fished this summer. The lower than usual release rates have made river conditions excellent. With the air temps beginning to cool some in the Owens Valley fishing has become more consistent and the trout are feeding into the mid-day periods now. We are targeting on imitating the numerous chubs and sucker fry that are holding in the softer water along the banks with streamers like Loebergs, punk perch, and Spruce-A- Bu's. My go to fly for the last two weeks has been the light hackled Loeberg used with a heavy sinking tip. 300 cfs is the current release; however I suspect this will drop well before the typical reduction in November. Water clarity/temps are excellent & there is strong Trico mayfly emergence, sedge caddis & midge activity. The wild trout section is very fishable at this release, you will have sections that are difficult to cross and navigate unless you are a very strong (and tall) wader. Nymphing with a couple BB or AB shot will get you down to the fish. Use flashback/poxyback PT's with or without beads, Assassin bird's nest- both light & dark, broken back tigers & zebras, and crystal olive caddis larva patterns #14-20. #16 elk caddis imitations fished in the lower light periods will get surface looks.

A footnote: The "Middle Owens" is the section of river emanating from below the dam at Pleasant Valley Reservoir just north of Bishop & terminating at Tinemaha Reservoir near Big Pine. It was designated the Lower Owens before the re-watering project that put flow back into the old channel that flows into Owens Lake-called the LORP project, hence the re-labeling of the Lower Owens.

Photos:
Pictured Above: Marky spanked this nice bow on a recent drift with us. Very nice my friend.
Photo #1: Numbers of chunky rainbows have been coming to net on our drifts down the MO. Ben showing one of his here
Photo #2: Matt making a strong effort to make sure you see all the color on one of his many rainbows
Photo #3: Spin vs. fly. It was a hard fought battle with Art taking the early lead getting into fish like this.
Photo #4: After the loss of Art's secret lure spoons, Scott forged ahead in the afternoon using Loebergs. Fun times guys, thanks.
Photo #5: Mark V. with one of two dozen he schooled on a recent drift. The bows are getting some really nice paint jobs now.