A little snow here and there this past week has made it feel like winter again for a short period. We are experiencing some very warm weather the last couple of days but that will be changing shortly as winter returns this weekend. The following week is looking a bit unstable with the possibility of more snow. We will need some major storms this month to bring us to a normal snowpack for the winter season. The Upper Owens River is continuing to produce quality rainbow trout all over the river. Snow is disappearing quickly as the sun gets higher in the sky this time of year. Some spring spawners have now shown up in the river. Hot Creek can be very good during the early afternoon hatches and the Lower Owens River continues to fish well in all sections despite a recent wildfire that burned through the area. Crowley Lake has started to thaw with the help of recent winds, and much of the lake is now showing open water.
Hot Creek Snow is melting fast here at the Interpretive Site. A hike into the canyon can yield some excellent fishing. You will find fish in the deepest pools on the creek in the morning and as the sun gets higher they will move into shallower water to feed on midges and a sparse but building by the day BWO hatch. The best fishing has definitely been around this later period in the day. Egg imitations have also been getting a few fish below the surface, with a few smaller nymph patterns working as well. The BWO hatch will really start to build here in the coming weeks. Access continues to be walk in only in both areas.
The Upper Owens River will reach its peak of the rainbow trout run this month and with warmer weather ahead, we should see even more fish spreading out to different river sections. Don’t think driving in is safe yet. Snow on the ground is hard packed in the morning, but will soften up during the day and now mud starts to pose a problem. Any areas that look like a fish may be holding there can produce some quality trout right now. Egg patterns (all of our colors), #14-18 Light and Dark Assassins, #14 – 18 Flashback Pheasant Tails, #14 – 16 Parallel Flashback Pheasant Tails Gold and Dark Head,#14 – 16 Copper Tiger Midges, #16 -20 Tungsten Zebra Midge, Pink and Purple Squirmy Worms and San Juan Worms in Red and Brown are working well now. Dont’ be afraid to mix it up with some smaller bugs here and there. The big fish will take them.
Lower Owens River flows now down to 90 cfs. Some major BWO hatches down here are occurring between 11 – 12 pm as the weather warms up and we can expect these hatches to grow in size. The wild trout section continues to fish well, with many wild brown and rainbow trout making a showing. There have been some trico, PMD, and BWO hatches occurring late morning and the streamer bite has been really good. Smaller nymphs like #20-22 zebra midges and #18 light assassins have been the ticket in the Wild Trout section. Water is getting clear, so careful not to spook the fish with your fly line or presence.
Doug R. guided Bryan to some fun fishing on Hot Creek where the local browns were biting.
Devin guided Thai to some giant rainbow trout like this from the Upper Owens River.
Jared was guided by Two Bug Doug and got some colored up fish like this rainbow trout.
Will whacked some giant rainbow trout with Seth like this hefty model.
Bill also fished with Seth and scored this big rainbow trout.
Doug R guided Rod to some great rainbow trout on the Upper Owens River.
Seth guided James to some great wild brown trout on the Lower Owens River.
Two Bug guided Dylan to some monster rainbow trout similar to this one from the Upper Owens River.
Seth got Rick into some fun fishing on the Lower Owens River.
Josh fished with Doug Dolan to nail some behemoth rainbow trout.
Doug Dolan got Jeff into some real good rainbow trout like this one.
Tim hit some nice rainbow trout while fishing with Doug R.
Seth guided John to some awesome wild brown trout like this on the Lower Owens River.
Phil had so much fun he had to come back for more with Two Bug Doug and displays this sweet rainbow trout.
John is always on the report with large rainbow trout like this. He fished with Doug R.
Doug Dolan put Josh on some real stunning rainbow trout.
Check out the paint job on Steve’s rainbow trout while fishing with Two Bug Doug.
Kelly fished with Two Bug Doug for some monster rainbow trout.
Layne got into some beautiful rainbow trout while fishing with Seth.
Doug R. got Tom on some giants like this heavy rainbow trout.
Capt. Mike fished with Doug R on a cold and windy morning for some quality rainbow trout.
Jacob fished with Doug Dolan and whacked some nice rainbow trout.
Elijah is all smiles while fishing large rainbow trout with Two Bug Doug.
Brian whacked some good rainbow trout while fishing with Doug Dolan.
Aaron hit some huge rainbow trout while fishing with Two Bug Doug.
Mike and Joe were guided by Two Bug Doug for this double on rainbow trout.
Yuji fished with Seth Cline for some giant rainbow trout.
Wakako also got into the giant rainbow trout with Seth.
Bill got in on a last minute trip with Seth for some huge rainbow trout.
John hit this big rainbow trout with Two Bug Doug.
Two Bug Doug got Matt on the big rainbow trout like this one.
Seth guided Squire to some large rainbow trout like this.
Seth put Dave on the big rainbow trout like this.
Mike fished with Doug Dolan and got this monster rainbow trout.
Mike whacked some real bruisers on the Upper O fishing with Doug R.
Dani fished with Doug Dolan and got some good rainbow trout.
Jeff whacked some big rainbow trout on the Upper Owens with Doug R.
Dennis hit some massive rainbow trout on the Upper Owens with Seth.
George also got into the big rainbow trout while fishing with Seth.
Two Bug Doug put Peter on a lot of giant rainbow trout on this day from the Upper Owens River.
Mark fished with Seth for this heavy rainbow trout.
Rich fished with Doug Dolan and nailed some big rainbow trout.