Lower Owens continues RED HOT as in "as good as it gets".  Watch weather report to get best time to head up the hill. 

Now on winter hours 8 AM to 5 PM daily.

Check out the Crowley Cam for realtime weather conditions in Long Valley

2010 license are selling like hotcakes and only went up $.30 since last year with no increase in the add-on stamps.

You do have to still display your license above your waist at least until March when the DFG has proposed doing away with this requirement.

Recent Photos of our Clients and Customers

Send us your photos to be included on this page

Click here for archived pics from previous reports.

Another pic from Jim Stimson of

Kevin Leary plying the Lower O.

Message with pic said . . .

"The Lower O keeps getting better!

We thought last weekend was great.

Today was ridiculous. Nothin

but drys, all afternoon. -Jim

 

Freezing fog makes for beautiful back

drop on Upper owens but pretty brutal

on the angler.

Lots of crunch under the foot.

  Photos by Jim Stimson

Alex, Mr. B and another satisfied

Lower O customer.

Jim Stimson got his pic of Granite

el bendo right after last storm.

Winter browns just love that

cold, clear water.  'Makes 'em HUNGRY!

I like second from right in top row.

 

John Raitt sent along this recent pic

of Upper Owens and said it was tough -

one fish.  Better than the six hot-shot

locals that all got blanked the other day.

The fish have moved into the lake for

warmer water.

Here is as second shot of upper O from

John Raitt.  Double the amount of snow

in this shot and that is what you will

encounter presently.  Pretty nice

scenery, eh? Thanks John!

Phil Hiromerides, from Santa Barbara,

go this shot at Hot Creek two

weeks ago.  Gotta love the crowds

and the postcard scenery.

Second cast put this one on ice,

and not figuratively speaking!

 

The Fish Report - Feb  7, 2010

Click here to get a copy of the fish report e-mailed to you each Thursday

Click here for info on interpreting weather reports in the Mammoth Lakes and Long Valley areas (Hot Creek, Upper Owens, Crowley Lake)

 

Weather Forecasts*
Stream Flows
Web Cams

Note that the flow shown for Hot Creek is the flow into Hot Creek from Mammoth Creek, which is in addition to the normal flow from the springs that feed this primarily spring creek.

*For Crowley Lake and Upper Owens, take average of Mammoth and Bishop temperatures.

We only report first-hand info from our sixteen (6 in winter) guides on the water daily.

If you read it here, it is the "right stuff"!

Consult the DFG Regulations for specifics.
MAMMOTH LAKES BASIN   Closed to all fishing until April 24, 2010

Water Conditions:

Road is usually open by Memorial Day weekend.

Fishing conditions and Hatches: 

Recommended Flies:

Guides Hint: 

 

HOT CREEK  

Water Conditions: Good

The flow is 15 CFS plus the spring for about 30 cfs total.  Water is clear and cold in the 40’s. 

The USFA has closed the gate for the season so it is about a 1/4 mile walk to the canyon section, but only 100 yards from the paved road to the Interpretive Center section. 

Recent snows have be well packed and not bad access.

 

Fishing conditions and Hatches:  Good to Excellent

Cold mornings so no need to arrive much earlier than 10 am.  Same ol', same ol' . . . Midges early followed by Baetis hatch from 20 minutes to over an hour depending on the day.  Everything coming off at Hot Creek is small.

The bite is strong midday as they all feed at once and the competition is keen - translated not too choosey.

 

Recommended Flies:

Add scuds to the same 'ol, same ol' . . .

DRIES: #20 to 24 Parachute Adams, Loop Wing Baetis, Brooks Sprout Baetis.

NYMPHS: Black or olive #20-24 WD-40's, #20-22 Zebra Midge. Poxy-backed baetis in size 18 has been particularly good.

Streamers: Throw big ol' Muddler Minnows or big streamers to the far shore in the Interpretive Center section and never let the fly be stationary . . . strip as it hits the water or land on the far shore and drag it in the water.

Guides Hint:

 

SAN JOAQUIN RIVER                                                                                   Forest Service Visitor Center Info (760) 924-5500

Water Conditions:

The road is closed until next season usually opening by July 4 weekend.

Fishing conditions and Hatches:

 

Flies:

 

Guides Hint: 

 

CROWLEY LAKE  Closed to all fishing until April 24, 2010 Crowley Lake Fish Camp Marina Info

Water Conditions:

Fishing conditions and Hatches: 

Recommended Flies:

Guides Hint:  If you haven't already its time to order the six-DVD Crowley University for occupying your self until next year. This is a reference library you need to add to your arsenal if you fish the lake. (800) 637-6912.

 

UPPER OWENS 

Water Conditions:

Flow has been holding at about 128-134 cfs forever and the water is clear and extremely cold.

Still lots of snow will prevent access unless you are gung ho.

Don't forget the sections above the ranches and from Benton Crossing down to the monument is closed to all fishing.

Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Poor

The water temp is lower than 39 degrees and since there will always be water at 39 degress on the bottom of Crowley, guess where the fish have all headed.

Recommended Flies:

Dries: Para Adam, Stimulators in sizes#18-#20s

Nymphs: Hare's Ear, PT's, Copper Johns, San juan Worms #18-#16s

Streamers- Olive Wooly Buggers sizes #8-#12. Throw up stream and pull by the undercuts

 Guide's Hint:

 

JUNE LAKE LOOP   Closed to all fishing until April 24, 2010

Water Conditions:

Fishing conditions and Hatches: 

Recommended Flies:

Guides Hint: 

 

OWENS RIVER GORGE 

Water conditions: Great

Flow: 45 CFS. This is a permanent flow required to be maintained by LADWP

Very clear conditions. Perfect practice for stealth casts and presentations.

Access after snows is back to excelent.

Fishing Conditions and Hatches:Excellent

The bite starts about 10:00 and goes until about 3 pm.  I wouldn't say balmy but very pleasant temps in this natural heater daily.  Same bugs are working but have your dry flies ready for the baetis hatch around 12:00-2:00.

 

Recommended Flies:

Elk hair caddis,parachute caddis,e/c caddis,hot creek caddis(olives,tans,browns)#18-#20sTricos-spinners/emergers#18-#22s.Medium size hoppers still working well(lighter tans and brown w/red)Droppers-poxy back baetis,wd-40s,kyles super flash p/t,beerhead baetis,micro brown stones)#18-#22s.Wooley buggers and leeches(small)Lots of little white frogs,try some lighter colors.


Guides Hint: 

 

LOWER OWENS RIVER 

Water Conditions:

 Flows are back down to 82 cfs as of 2/7 for some sweet wading.

Water temps are in the low 40’s to with a little warming by afternoon.

Clear then rain then clear . . . watch the forecast.

Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Wide open. Plain Stupid.

Midges early then prolific Baetis hatch about noon for 2 hours.  Fish are very active midday and reports from guides and customers are steller.

Stripping streamers has been a little tough unless you get it down right in their face.

 

Recommended Flies:

The subsurface action is pretty amazing . . . midges will work all day with baetis nymphs or anything buggy looking and about 18-22 will produce.

Nymphs: #22 Barr’s female trico emerger, #20-22 trico spinnerfall patterns (nymphed or fished dry fly), Zebra/Tiger midges and WD40’s in # 20 – 22, both bead and non bead.  Baetis nymphs such as Harrop’s Surface emerger, poxyback baetis etc. # 20-22.sz Wet Emergers, #22 Surface Emergers, #22 Hares Ears or Tan Bird’s Nest.

Dries: Small Para-Adams and Baetis Dry’s, size 20-24.

Guides Hint:

 

EAST WALKER RIVER  

Water Conditions:   

Water Conditions:   
Water release has been at about 22-24 cfs forever.

More snow forecast so careful along shore . . . can be dangerous.

 

Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Questionable.

People are still catching but fish are lethagic and stuck to bottom.

Not much dry action but a few chironomids and baetis in the warmest part of the day.

RECOMMENDED FLIES:

Dries- Extended Body BWO, Last Chance BWO and small Parachute Adams

Nymphs- Pheasant Tails, PT Cruizer, Hares Ears, Surface Emergers, WD-40 and Zebra Midges.

Streamers- Throw dark patterns and very slow retrieve on the swing as close to the bottom as you can manage.

Guides Hint:

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