Lower Owens River Fish Report

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Nothing short of spectacular. I recently did three guided drifts that had a combined total to the net or hand of 227 trout for two anglers. It has been several years since I saw 100 to the net in a single day on a drift trip. Scott L. and Andy R. achieved this fly fishing trout milestone in regulation time in late February. The "dip and strip" with #6-8 Punk Perch patterns also fooled numerous fish over twenty inches. Check out the pics of Andy and the "Linkcredibles" by visiting our website Fish'N conditions page atwww.sierradrifters.com/fish.htm. We have drift boat guides available in March if you want to fish the most productive and secluded sections of the Lower Owens.

In addition to the fine streamer fishing occurring on the Lower Owens, you may also have the opportunity to fish on the surface with Blue Winged Olive mayflies, or baetis #16-18. The hatch peaks at 1:30pm but you may see the adults (they look like tiny sail boats) floating upright in the suds or foam as early as noon. This is the optimum time of year to fish baetis. BWO's have grayish colored upright wings and a prominent forked tail. After emerging they float helplessly and delicately downstream in the current as their wings dry just long enough to lift them off the water. They are extremely vulnerable at this time and the trout know it very well. The hatch is short and sweet, and one must be ready and located to take full advantage of the emergence. Position yourself at the base of an extended riffle or the tail-out of a large, slow moving pool with a riffle dumping into it. The trout lock and load on the BWO emergence this time of year so be prepared to toss some dries in the suds!

Nymphing with bead head pheasant tail patterns, especially those with some flash #16-18, birds nest in dark olive or brown preferably with some crystal flash built in will get you grabs most of the day in the wild trout section. Flows are 100cfs (give or take) at the PV Rez outlet as of late February which makes the wading safe and easy. We provide a real time link to the LADWP flows at the top of our fish'N conditions page of our web.

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Water Conditions: Clear for now , but record temps this weekend will kick off the big melt . Fishing Conditions and......

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for Friday, April 25th, 2008


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