The flows are beginning to trend upwards after a lengthy period of stability this spring. They are currently at 300cfs immediately below the dam at Pleasant Valley Reservoir and creeping upward. Bishop Creek is also on the rise and is a main tributary to the Lower Owens River. The LADWP real time link is back and running, you can check this on the Owens Valley Flow Reports from the DWP for updates. The wind and rising flows have been a negative factor at times on the LO but overall we have enjoyed a great spring with good fishing most days from the drift boats.

Loebergs and Spruce-A-Bu streamers have been the go to flies recently, although Two Bug Doug likes to use a purple and black Rickard's seal bugger when looking for big fish. Wading the wild trout section is getting near the "ain't worth it" levels and you need to be careful crossing in most sections now. There have been some decent hatches of Ephemerella infrequens , commonly called Pale Morning Duns or PMD's. These tri tailed, yellowish mayflies are a favorite snack for the wild trout and will emerge late mornings throughout the remainder of May and June on the Lower Owens. They have not begun to hatch on Hot Creek or the Upper Owens in significant numbers yet. The nymphs are classified as "spiny crawlers" and cling to the submerged branches and rocks that are prevalent on the LO. Flashback PT's and bird's nest patterns are good choices for the nymphs #14-18. There are also some caddis adults showing on the warmer days and the fish are clobbering the adults in the soft water pockets during the hatches. Use our crystal olive caddis and larva patterns #16-20 for nymphs, they will also imitate a rock worm. Rock worms are an important food source for the wild trout and are very prevalent in the Owens. You can see them clinging onto submerged dead willow branches near the banks.

Photos:

Main Photo Above: Frank Carlsen nailed this bucket headed rainbow on a Loeberg while drifting with us down the Owens
Photo #1: Rich Asher got a bunch of these chunky rainbows while floating for two days on the Owens with us.