Lower Owens River Wild Trout Section: 19-May-10

The flows are still at 300 cfs and it is fishing very good. The water temperature is in the low 50’s.  Nymphing has been very productive. 2-3 'BB' size split shot should is needed to get the fly down. Some flies to use would be Tiger midges, gold ribbed hares ears, ultra midges and pheasant tails in sizes 16-18. There hasn't been any significant hatches as of late with the exception of a few rising to midges in the morning. Streamers are also another good choice. A long sink tip is in order though. A 20-25 foot tip and 150-200 grains is good. Woolly buggers, spruceaboos and matukas are good choices. I don't know how long the flows will remain at this rate. Take advantage of it while you can.

Drifting the Lower Owens River  19-May-10

Tugging streamers has been very lucrative.  Zoo cougars, matukas, woolly bugger and sprucaboo's have been some of the flies that have been working well. There has been some 2-3 pound rainbows showing up as well.  Some days are better than others.  However, nymphing for the illusive browns has been the most productive. Pheasant tails, tiger midges, wd 40's, prince nymphs and hares ears in sizes 16-20 should do the trick.

Owens River Gorge:  19-May-10

Spring is a food time to fish here. Most any fly will do the trick here just keep it 16 and smaller. I typically use a size 16 yellow or orange stimulator with a flashback bead head pheasant tail or a tiger midge as a dropper. Mid morning to mid afternoon is fine. Beware of rattle snakes.
 

East Walker River:  19-May-10

The fishing here is as good as it gets. Mid-morning there has been a BWO hatch. Try using BWO's, Sparkle Duns and Blue Duns in sizes 16-18. Nymphing with tiger midges, pheasant tails and caddis larva in sizes 16-18. For those that want to tug streamers try using woolly buggers matukas and hornburgs size 8-10.

Crowley Lake:  19-May-10

The water is still on the chilly side. The fish are in deeper water 10-15 feet and for the most part they have lock jaw. Whether you use midges or streamers, you will have to work for the fish. As the water warms up the fish will become more active.

Pleasant Valley Reservoir: 19-May-10

Hot Creek:   19-May-10

Fishing here is as good as it gets. Early morning midging, mid-day blue winged olives and caddis in the afternoon as it warms up. Try using wd 40’s, ultra midges, tiger midges, pheasant tails on the bottom. Use a blue winged olive for the mayfly hatch. Sizes 18-20 blue winged olive should do the trick. For the caddis hatch use size 16-18 elk hair caddis, hot creek caddis. The key here is very small flies.
 

Upper Owens River:  Above Benton Crossing Bridge  19-May-10

The fishing here has been ok. Nymphing with pheasant tails, hares ears, tiger midges, tiger midges and wd 40’s  has been working very well. Stripping wooly buggers, matukas or zoo cougars should do the trick. There are some big rainbows in there now and they are eager to take a fly. Above Benton Crossing bridge to the monument is closed to all fishing through the Friday preceding Memorial Week end.

San Joaquin (Reds Meadow)   19-May-10

The road is not open as of now.