Lower Owens

[slack_in_the_box]

Does anyone have any reports, or know where I can find some online for the Lower Owens? It's flows are steady at about 300 right now, but that's it...

:D :D

Thanks!

[andbob1]

you might try this site.http://www.sierradrifters.com/fish.ht ml

[PaulC]

You can also try the local Mammoth shop
http://www.thetroutfitter.com/fshreport.html

Don't forget to take care of your gear if you wade. Wouldn't want to bring any hitchhikers with you...
http://www.flyline.com/environmental/nzms/

[slack_in_the_box]

good stuff thanks! :D

[Digger]

In case you haven't fished it at 300cfs, that's pretty tough fishing.
It's way down from a month ago, but you'll still need a small anchor.
A lot of debris has washed down over the spring with those 600 cfs flows.

[slack_in_the_box]

Good Info. Actually, I have never fished it. I moved to California 2 years ago, and have spent more time fishing NoCal than central and socal.

It looks like it is a better winter destination than summer, no?

Thank you for the info. :D

[DonCooksey]

Here is another convenient site that I refer to frequently for flows and tips on the Lower Owens and other Eastern Sierra streams:

http://www.kevinpetersonflyfishing.com/fishingreport.html

I fished the Lower Owens in early April at 500 cfs and had pretty good luck with nymphs down deep in eddies where the fish seemed to be concentrated. The wind was really a challenge, however. I would guess that my nymphs were in the water only about 30% of the time I spent fishing; the rest of the time they were my hands while undoing tangles, in bushes, my hat, etc...

[PaulC]

The wild trout section of the lower owens is open year round.
The best fishing IMHO is in the summer as you have some real nice caddis hatches in the late afternoon. Later in the summer, the flows drop off...usually.
You can do well out there in the winter also, mostly nymphing or fishing tiny dries and emergers.
The flows fluctuate, with the spring flows being pretty bad and then they start to drop off.
If the flows are high there, you can usually migrate to the upper section or other river systems and find one that is happenin.
If you happen to go to the gorge, with things warming up keep an eye out for snakes and bring a good supply of water.
If they happen to be flushing the gorge like last year, don't bother going down there.
-Paul

[Digger]

My take is a bit different.
The entire Lower O below PV dam is open year around. Yes there are more hatches in the summer, but it gets very warm in the valley during the summer (90 deg+). So, I use it for the 'off season' mostly. Midges are the thing then.
There are some good sized (20"+) in the wild trout section, and even further down closer to Bishop. The banks are/were very brushy, making access more difficult farther down, better for a drfit boat.
I haven't seen it lately since the flood flows, to see what shape it's in.

[slack_in_the_box]

Great discussion. :!: Thanks for the insight :D

Don, I wish I could say I had no idea what you are talking about... :oops:

:D