Fishing Report 11/17/20

Community of Crowley Lake and McGee Mountain with fresh snow capped mountains and clear skies  

Fall fishing is in full swing and we have been experiencing some great fishing for the month of November. Weather has been exceptionally mild for most days with warm sunny days and good insect hatches. There is some winter weather in the forecast for tomorrow and Wednesday with a decent amount of rain and some snowfall. This storm will not bring any significant lower elevation snow to the Upper Owens River, so drive in access will still be good. The general trout season has now officially ended, and our year around waters are now being fished with great success.

A fly fisherman fishing on Crowley lake in early November.

Crowley Lake in the fall.

A lady fly fisher holds a brown trout in spawning coloration from Crowley Lake in the fall.

Christy with a nice brown trout.

The Upper Owens River has been fishing well with migratory browns and rainbows in the river from Crowley Lake. We finished strong on Crowley Lake this season, and even got some shots in at the late season browns in the Whiskey Bay area from shore.A fly fisherman holding a rainbow trout during the fall spawn from the Upper Owens River.

Matt fished with Doug Dolan and scored this big rainbow trout.

A fly fisherman holding a rainbow trout during the fall spawn from the Upper Owens River.

Matt with another fine rainbow trout.

A fly fisherman holding a rainbow trout during the fall spawn from the Upper Owens River..

And another giant rainbow trout for Matt.

A fly fisherman holding a rainbow trout during the fall spawn from the Upper Owens River.

Otis fished with Doug Dolan and landed this monster rainbow trout.

A fly fisherman holding a rainbow trout during the fall spawn from the Upper Owens River.

Kevin holds a massive rainbow trout while fishing with Doug Dolan.

A fly fisherwoman dispays a large rainbow trout while standing in the Upper Owens River.

Michelle holds a beautiful rainbow trout. Seth Cline was her guide.

A smiling angler holding a brown trout in spawning colors from the Upper Owens River in the fall.

Jeff with a nice brown trout.

A young fly fisherman holds a brown trout in spawning colors in the fall from the Upper Owens River while his dad assists holding the net.

Drew was guided by Hans for this nice brown trout with his dad John assisting.

A fly fisherman holding a rainbow trout during the fall spawn from the Upper Owens River.

Marv with a nice rainbow trout.

A fly fisherman along with his son displaying a giant rainbow trout from the Upper Owens River.

Kelly fished with Hans and got this nice rainbow trout.

A fly fisherman along with his dad displaying a giant rainbow trout from the Upper Owens River.

Dane got a monster rainbow trout while fishing with Hans too.

A fly fisherman displaying a giant rainbow trout from the Upper Owens River.

Dane with another nice rainbow trout.

A fly fisherman holding a large brown trout in spawning colors in the fall while standing in the Upper Owens River.

Jake displays a fat brown trout in fall colors.

The fish in the river are moving around daily and looking and moving for these fish is a good strategy for getting hooked up. Egg patterns, Pheasant Tails, Leeches, San Juan Worms, Drifters Crawlers, and midges are accounting for most of our trophy catches. Looks like the remainder of the month and going into December this year will provide for some excellent fishing here.

The drift boat fishing on the Lower Owens River has also been coming to life. We have seen some great Blue Wing Olive hatches with rising trout in the afternoons.A fly fisherman holding a rainbow trout while standing in a drift boat on the Lower Owens River with a young male photographer in the background..

Jake displays a beautiful rainbow trout.

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Jake displays a beautiful rainbow trout.

The streamer fishing has been decent with a few better size fish in the mix. The flows are at 85 cfs on the river and the Wild Trout Section has also been fishing well with small nymphs and dry/dropper combos.

Hot Creek has also been producing well throughout the day in both the canyon section and the Interpretive Site. Most of the fish are pooled up in the deeper holes, but you will find a handful of trout sitting in the shallower riffle sections.A lady fly fisher is reeling in a trout during the fall on Hot Creek while her guide assists her.

Christy hooked up to a rainbow trout.

These fish have been feeding on tiny midges for most of the day, and start to notice the BWO’s around mid-day. If you get here during the right window for casting dry flies, you can have an hour or two of some “every cast” takes.

The East Walker River continues to remain at its winter flows of 20 cfs, so it is very low for fishing. This really limits the amount of area for fishing on the river during the winter months. Most of the fish will be holding up in the deepest stretches of water as we get closer to winter and the water starts to get cold. Egg patterns are great this time of year as the fish get ready for spawning. You can still get at some really nice fish this time of year.

Flies working on the Upper, Lower Owens River and Hot Creek:

SD Chironomidge #16, Para Midge #20, 22, Puff O’ Smoke #16, Broken Back Copper Tiger Midge #18, 20; Assassin Light #18; Assassin Dark #18; Crystal Hi-Vis Parachute Blue Wing Olive #18; Crystal Tiger Midge Long #18, 20; Crystal Midge Pupa Copper #18, 20; Gillie Chironomid Pupa Dark and Light #18, 20, 22,Otter Eggs (Flamingo, Tangerine Opaque, Dead Egg, Kiwi Silver Flash, Tangerine Silver Flash), Bead Head San Juan Worm Red And Brown #14, 16; Parallel Assassin Light #16, Parallel Assassin Dark #16; Loeberg Mallard Silver Badger; Spuce a Bu Dark and Light

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