Water Conditions: Good

Flows are 77 cfs as of 11/12

The stretch of river above Benton Crossing Road is artificial, barbless, catch and release only. Below the bridge is now artificial but not barbless ( I have to much respect for my body and clothes to fish with a barbed hook ) 2 fish limit 18" minimum AND will be closing on Wednesday the 15th. Water temperatures are now down in the mid 40's meaning the feeding and hatching window has gotten a lot smaller.

Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Fair-Good????

Over the weekend the hatches came back....and so did the crowds. The Trico spinner fall started around 11 followed shortly by the BWO emergence. Caddis were back too, in sizes 12-22 with more on the smaller side. The one bright spot is the migratory fish don't seem to be bothered by the lack of hatches, they're content with the attractor patterns.

Something new is the fall spawning rainbows (Coleman strain) have started moving up, with the algae in Crowley I'm surprised it's taken this long. As usual the lake fish tend to hang out in the deeper holes during the day and move upstream at night. Both the migratory browns and rainbows are scattered throughout the system. They are a bit spooky so move slowly and stay away from the high banks on the outside of bends. Fishing does appear to be better above the bridge than below but as expected this time of year the weekends are crowded.

The tadpoles are now frogs and I've heard several stories of explosive eats when frogs make the mistake of venturing too far out into the river. 

It's good to remember that there aren't a lot of "resident" fish in the Upper Owens, it's basically a nursery for Crowley Lake and as they get bigger most of them will move down to the lake. The fish that haven't gone to the lake yet tend to be pickier because it's their natural environment. Not to say there aren't big resident fish but they tend to spend their entire adult life far back under the cut banks, venturing out to eat a 12 incher every once in a while.

 If you're not familiar with it, to get to the upper most branch of Hot Creek, go through the first drive through gate on the main road and immediately turn left. The confluence is between the first and second walk-thru gates.

Recommended Flies

DRIES:  Upright Organza Trico Spinner #18-20 | Parachute Adams #18-22 | Hippie Stomper and Rubberleg Stimulator #12-16 |  Hi-Vis BWO #16-20 | Elk Hair Caddis #14-20

NYMPHS:  Zebra Midge #16-22 | Copper John #14-16 | Bling Midge #22-24 | San Juan worms assorted colors | Birds Nest Natural #16-20 | Prince Nymph #12-18 | F/B Hares Ear #16-18 | Pheasant Tail #18-22 combo flash and or bead | Egg Patterns

STREAMERS: Shock Collar Leech #10 | Woolly Bugger White, Olive and Brown for the Tadpoles #6-14 | Punk Perch light or dark #10-16 | Baby Fat Minnow |

EURO Streamers: GD UV P/Jig White #12 | Kaslar M/G/S Olive #12