Golden Trout Guiding Co. Eastern Sierra Fly Fishing Report – January 9
Welcome to the Eastern Sierra Fly Fishing Report for the Owens River. To get on our automatic bi-monthly newsletter email us with the message “newsletter” and you will be added! We are getting blasted with winter storms and precipitation. Inyo and Mono County are currently well above our average amount for snow and rain which means for now we need to hunker down, but we are looking at a very healthy spring ahead. It has been at least five years since we have had proper snow pack and spring flows, this is very exciting! We are hosting our Spring Fly Fishing Clinic 2023 March 25th and 26th and you wont want to miss it. We Currently Have 5 positions left for the clinic, reach out to secure your spot today! We are also booking guided trips Jan-April. We will fill up quickly for private guided trips for March and April, I recommend reaching out and securing a date sooner the later. Wishing everyone a smooth transition into 2023.
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Lower Owens River; The Lower Owens is currently at its Lowest CFS it will most likely see for the rest of the year. Between 40-90 CFS. The rain has helped bring up the water levels and at this point the river is not blown out, but it is muddier and more full of vegetation as these storms pass through. We have had breaks between large storms allowing us to get out and fly fish and the fishing has actually been getting better. The two days we had of sun between this storm provided some top water BWO action around 11am lasting on and off until 3pm, with some consistent feeders coming up for the adult mayflies. Nymphing has been the name of the game! Ive been Euro Nymphing longer runs and pocket water and then moving over to the indicator rig later in the morning/afternoon on the bigger bends and tail-waters of the Wild Trout Section. I have been averaging around 6-10 fish per half day, and most of these fish have been on the quality end for the Lower Owens between 10-14 inches. Right now is the doldrums as we move through the peak of winter and spring eases its way in. Trout have become lethargic and are not actively feeding as much as they will come spring when they start to fatten up. Covering the tail water of long runs with wide oxygenated sections above is where the fish are right now! I have noticed most of our hookups are in water that has a nice amount of flow and depth to it. Small baetis nymphs are the fly right now! (Ju Ju Baetis in Olive Size 20-22) (Olive Perdigon Size 18) (Olive Darth Baetis Size 18-22) (Tungsten BWO emerger size 20-22) As far as top water your classic (Blue Wing Olive size 18-22) will fool trout when feeding on top water. I also recommend (Purple Haze size 18-22) (Parachute Adams size 18-22). Right now being persistent and fishing hard will help lead you into hook up’s. Lastly the streamer game has been AWESOME on the Lower Owens. I like fishing streamers this time of year as it allows me to work my fly into sections and bends that I would spook fish trying to get any closer to. Ive been getting hits on the end of my swing and on the retrieve. Streamer fishing is fun and involved. I strongly recommend throwing some streamers on the Lower. Stay patient while streamer fishing while meat eaters are the minority BUT the fish you do catch have a better chance of having some size. Recommended streamer for the Lower Owens is your classic (Wolly Bugger Size 10-12 in Black, Olive, and Brown). I am on the water 4 days a week and would love to guide you on the Lower Owens into success. Please feel free to reach out to line up a guided trip for you or a small group in 2023!
Central Gorge; Well folks until we have a break from this storm the central gorge is cold, icy, and difficult to access. I would recommend fly fishing the Lower Owens first before attempting the canyon sections. If you decide to go down there when we finally get a sunny day ahead, watch your step for Ice and Snow and travel with a friend. I recommend fishing a single nymph (Prince Nymph size 16-20) (Copper John Size 18) (Zebra Midge Size 18-20) and tight lining where you can access. I will be down there doing a more accurate assessment asap!
Upper Owens; The Upper Owens started to see more trophy trout entering the system right as these major storm moved in! Speaking with other guides and reports they are here and once things calm down I will be spending a lot of time fishing the Upper Owens and catching my favorite snow bows. As of now it has been full white out conditions on and off for the last two weeks and there is at least 3-4ft of new snow on the ground from the bridge. Just driving up to the river can be dangerous this time of year with these conditions so please make sure you check road conditions and weather before making your way to the Upper. At times last week the 395 was closed leaving travelers stranded in Bishop, Reno, and Mammoth a position you do not want to find yourself in. Looks like a small break in the weather this week from Wed-Friday and then it comes right back!! Pretty much gotta ride this thing out until we can go fish again. There is no access past the bridge, snow shoeing, cross country skiing, snowmobile and boot packing are the only forms of travel at this point. If you make it up to fish the Upper Owens between the storms I recommend, egg patterns, san juan worms, and small midges (with a strong hook). There is no worse feeling when you finally hook up with a tank and it bends your hook. Again, we need to be patient to get a better assessment of the Fly Fishing conditions on the Upper Owens. I am booking for Trophy Hunts Feb-March and I am already booking up! It is my busiest time of year other than fall so reach out to secure a date for yourself asap.
Thanks for stopping by for our Bi-Monthly Eastern Sierra Fly Fishing Report. Please reach out, call, email, or text, if you have any questions about the report or insight you would like to contribute. We are a community of anglers and all have a special place within the Eastern Sierra. Lets’ take care of this shared space with respect.
Luke Kinney (Owner, Guide)
