Lower Owens River: Good

The flows are beginning to be bumped up as the snow piles on the Sierra's crest. They are currently at 130cfs give or take and if history repeats itself on winters such as this you can anticipate significant flow increases earlier than normal on the Lower Owens this spring.

We have had a mix of weather down in the Owens Valley equatorial tropics (banana belt this winter) with the holes between the storm fronts being pleasant and mild. The roads along the river will be challenging as there was six inches of snow on the valley floor recently. Check it out before you drive off the improved dirt roads lest you find yourself mud wrestling with your vehicle!

Recent drift boat trips that have not cancelled due to weather and road closures have proved to be well worth the effort. The big fish are on the chew and the baetis hatch is providing some excellent dry fly opportunities each afternoon. Look for some excellent reports in the near future as the weather pattern warms next week. I expect some awesome fishing soon, and if you are into trophy sized rainbows the next few weeks will be your best chance.

The midges are blooming in full force and they have been so thick at times that a cluster pattern like a Griffith's Knat #22 will get takes on top late in the afternoon. Nymphing is best with PT's, WD 40's, birds nest in natural and brown, and of course the ever deadly crystal zebra and tiger midges. Look for the BWO's #16/18 around 1:30/3:30 pm. If you had only two hours to fish, this should be your huckleberry.

The dip and strip method of fishing streamers has been the downfall of many large fish this week on the Lower Owens and Pleasant Valley Reservoir. The fly de'jour is the Spruce-A-Bu. Use the light "Kelley Bundy" version if it is bright, change to the dark hackled "Mary Ann" model when the sun is low, or if it gets cloudy.

GUIDE TIP: Bright day bright fly color-dark day dark fly color. Huhhh??? You will achieve better contrast using this science making your imitations stand out due to the nature of the way the visible light spectrum penetrates the water column.

The incredible Linkcredibles are once again at the top of our fish report, and as some you that follow this report regularly may have already guessed, Chris Linkletter from San Pedro CA has the largest fish this season for one of our guided drift boat trips. "Iron Chris" put the wood (I should say Sage graphite), to an exceptional 25 inch rainbow recently. We needed the drift boats heater going in the morning to keep Chris from becoming hypothermic! Her hubby Scott got big fish honors with a 23 inch rainbow caught on a Spruce-A-Bu at Pleasant Valley Reservoir fishing solo! Check out the pic of this beast on our website for sure. Click on www.sierradrifters.com/fish.html

Veteran Sierra Drifter Jeff Menius had a score to settle with a certain fish (and other Drifter fisherman). Hoist the flag for another two footer for a drift boat trip! Jeff's day was made very early on in the morning, with the icing on the cake coming later in the afternoon for him and first time fly fisher Mike Young, the duo landing over twenty more chunky rainbows and browns.

We have guides open for drift trips in February and March. Come and get em'!!!