Some minor snow storms in the forecast for the coming days with the possibility of a light amount of snow coming with them. We dodged what was shaping up to be a major wind event in Long Valley where winds gusts on ridge tops were primed for 130 mph. Luckily, it never happened. Temperatures will drop back down to more seasonable winter levels. It’s going to get cold the next few nights into the weekend, which will get the more fish moving around on the Upper Owens River. Look for the peak of the trout feeding activity to start later in the day on Hot Creek as these colder temperatures will delay most of the aquatic insect hatches. All roads are still very accessible and should remain that way going into next week.
The Lower Owens River in Bishop is remaining steady with chunky rainbow and brown trout showing up and flows that have stabilized around 90 cfs. Most of the fish have been in shallower water but will start to move into the deeper pools with the approaching colder weather. There have been some solid BWO hatches in the afternoons and the bite window for dry fly fishing can last 30 mins some days and 1.5 hours the next. Smaller streamer patterns like our #16 Punk Perch Dark and Light have been great flies prior to and during this hatch. Around those times in the mornings and evenings an assortment of Loebergs, #14 Agent Orange, and Spruce-a-Bu Dark and Light have been doing the trick.
Ryan fished with Two Bug Doug and had a great day on the drift boat. He got this standout rainbow trout.
The Upper Owens River has been continuing to produce large rainbow and brown trout and the roads are completely dry. Covering some ground may be required as we have seen a surge in angling pressure with the warmer weather recently. This should change with winter weather on the way. We are getting a decent mix of males and females all in the 19 – 24″ range and in the weight class of 3 – 6 lbs. These fish are strong and healthier than ever this year and are spread out around the river. We have large fish moving into the river out of Crowley Lake daily, and the cold nights are keeping them on the move. Egg patterns and #14-16 nymphs like Flashback Pheasant Tails and Dark Assassins are the ticket. More fish will begin to move into the river as the weather gets colder. If you would like to be guided to some of these awesome fish click here.
Trevor fished with Doug Rodricks and got some nice ones like this solid rainbow trout.
Stephen made a bonzai run up for the morning with Doug Rodricks and worked hard to land this nice rainbow trout.
Cody fished with Doug Rodricks for this fat rainbow trout that ate an egg pattern.
15 year old Paulson fished with Doug Dolan and scored this awesome and bright rainbow trout.
Trevor with another jumbo rainbow trout.
Jesse fished with Doug Rodricks and hit a perfect hook set on this rainbow trout.
Jake went fishing with Two Bug Doug and got this large rainbow trout.
Seth Cline got Danny out and they got into some nice ones like this awesome female rainbow trout.
Two Bug Doug guided Kurt to this healthy and colored up rainbow trout.
Kurt with another nice rainbow trout.
Danny with another strong rainbow trout.
The best part of catching these fish is watching them swim away.
Danny hooked up to another rainbow trout while fishing with Seth.
Mike Greene had a great day with Two Bug Doug and displays a beautiful rainbow trout from the early morning.
Mike with another excellent rainbow trout.
John and his son John Jr. fished with Two Bug Doug and got some nice rainbow trout like this one.
Here’s 12 year old John Jr. with a wonderful rainbow trout. It was his first time fly fishing.
And another awesome rainbow for young John.
Scott Beyer fished with Two Bug Doug and managed this extra jumbo rainbow trout.
The East Walker River is running at low flows for winter at 20 cfs. Fish the deepest water you can find if you get over there for maximum success. Egg patterns and smaller nymphs work great for this time of year.