Inyo County Fishing Reports

The Lower Owens has flipped into spring mode ahead of schedule. Warmer temps and longer days have pulled trout out of their cold-weather funk, and fish that were barely moving weeks ago are now actively tracking and committing to flies. The Wild Trout Section is fishing well, with a caddis and BWO hatch bringing fish to the surface and mayflies pushing through the mid-water column. Best bite window has been right around noon. Dry flies, midge, and nymph rigs are working in the riffles above holding pools.

The Upper Owens is a different story at the moment. Snowmelt has flows running with off-color water... and road conditions are quite muddy. Crowley migrant rainbows are in the system, but you'll need to cover a lot of water to find them. The upside is pressure is almost nonexistent right now. Things should settle and clear in the coming weeks, and really turn on quickly thereafter.

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.