Inyo County Fishing Reports

Trout have been active in both the Upper and Lower Owens. The Lower is fishing well with good flows and a reliable dry fly window late morning—try blue wing olives and caddis. Drift boats are doing well, but wading anglers are also finding fish with nymphs, small streamers, and dries in the Wild Trout section. Stocked stretches below Bishop are producing.

Up top, the Upper Owens is holding big rainbows in deeper holes, but melting ice and mud have made access tough. You’ll likely need to hoof it to reach the slow, deep water where fish are holding. Egg and leech patterns are getting bit. Conditions are warming and improving daily.

The Lower Owens River is fishing strong right now. Low flows and warm daytime temps in the mid-60s are creating ideal conditions. Wild rainbows and browns, mostly in the 9-12 inch range, are feeding actively. Mid-day mayfly hatches have fish rising, so dry fly anglers should target areas with visible surface action with small mayfly patterns.

Nymphing remains the most effective approach right now though. Small bead head patterns, mayfly nymphs, and midges in sizes 16-20 are all performing well. Wading into harder-to-reach sections of the river gives you the best chance at finding less pressured fish.