Happy April to all you fly fishers! Spring is in the air, the fish are reacting, and the butterflies are flying all around. The major storms of winter have passed, but there are still a few lingering this week which may bring some moderate upper elevation snow. It was a big turnout at the Department of Fish and Wildlife meeting in Bishop and some good information was passed on. The department did a good job of explaining to the public how new regulations are created and what their goal is for the 2020 season. Most waters would become year around fishing with a zero limit during the non-general season. Some areas would fair well under the proposed new regulations, but other areas would be ruined. The meetings that the department is holding all around the state, are to inform the public about what the new plans are. They have requested lots of input from the public angling community before making any decisions, so nothing is set in stone yet. If you attend any of the future meetings, they ask that you submit your input and want to here if these new changes will affect communities, businesses and the recreational angling public. What will not be of help to them are negative comments about the department and non-constructive criticism. Please keep in mind that all opinions and comments must go back to the Commission and they have the final say in making decisions. They can only work with public comments and concerns that will aid in their proposals of new regulations. Our biggest concern would be Crowley Lake, which is one of the few reservoirs in the eastern sierra that are capable of holding the title of a trophy wild trout fishery. Their proposal is to open the lake to year around fishing which would be fine. The problem lies in delaying the bait fishing season by one month (starting in late May) and extending it by two months thru the end of September with a “5 fish bag limit” with “10 in possession.” The best route here would be to follow the regulations of Eagle Lake in Lassen County which allows bait fishing the entire season, but limits the take to “2 fish” with “4 in possession”. This management practice has worked phenomenally for years for Eagle Lake and would be a win/win situation for Crowley. It would allow the bait fisherman to fish longer in the season and still be sustainable for the wild trout population, thus creating larger fish for everyone. The department recommends leaving your comments here here https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=165844&inline

The Middle Owens River had some increase in flows toward the end of the month, and then dropped again some. The LADWP may increase flows this month, but it seems stable thus far. Hot Creek has been very good with small midges hatching through the mornings and some BWO’s in the afternoons. Upper Owens River is losing snow at a good pace and fishing remains very good here for large rainbows and good size browns. East Walker is at perfect flows now and the warmer weather has the big fish very active. Si

Middle Owens River/Wild Trout Section (Bishop Area)

Flows came down to 350 cfs over the last week but are up again at 460. Once flows stabilize here the BWO’s should start coming off again in the afternoons in better numbers. Flows are too high for wading right now, so drift boat fishing is the best war to locate and access the best river spots. Some midges hatching in the mornings and streamers which imitate wounded bait fish have been good bets for getting into the larger fish. When the mayfly hatch is happening, try switching to our #16 Punk Perch and Crystal Leech just prior to and after the peak of the hatch. Best flies for these area have been #10 Loebergs in all colors, #8 Spruce-a-bus in light and dark, #16 Punk Perch, #14 Crystal Leech, #18 Assassin Light, #16 San Juan Worm Red, #18 Blue Winged Olive, #22 Parachute Midge, #18 Broken Back Copper Tiger Midge, and #18 Crystal Caddis Larva Olive Dubbed-Black.
 

Upper Owens River

A good amount of large snowbows are still in the river and many are now transitioning to an active feeding pattern. You can have some really fun days targeting trophy trout with dry flies in the afternoons. When these fish key in on the mayflies, they really lock in all their concentration on feeding and you can sneak up on them pretty good. Some nice browns have entered the river as well. Try our Hi- Vis Blue Wing Olive in size #16-18 when you see them breaking the surface. 6mm Otter Eggs in Tangerine Opaque, Kiwi Flash, Dead Egg, and Apricot, #14-16 San Juan worm red and Bead San Juan Worm red, #14-16 Level Crystal Leeches, #14-16 Parallel Assassin Dark and Light, and #16 Broken Back Copper Tiger Midge are lighting up the fish!