Flow Rates and Water Conditions

Water Conditions:  Good

Flows are 121 cfs as of 12/2

The stretch of river below Benton Crossing Road to Crowley Lake is closed to fishing until next season.

The stretch of river above Benton Crossing Road is artificial, barbless, catch and release only.

Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Fair Or Very Good

The fall spawning rainbows are no longer being planted so what you see is what you get. This fishery is entirely up to natural spawning so be on your best behavior or this fishery will cease to exist. There are some fish spawning in the public water so avoid wading in the tailouts/shallower than knee deep.

The reason for the Fair Or Very Good ratings above is that it really could be boom or bust. The number of small fish being caught has dropped off considerably and the lake run fish tend to pod up so if you do find a pod AND you DON'T spook them (or they weren't spooked before you get there) you could have an epic day. There are very few hatches, so attractor patterns and larger nymph patterns have been doing the best. The most effective technique is nymphing with an attractor pattern and a small midge or mayfly nymph trailing. This setup is working really well but for the trailing fly go more with the midge and go #20 or smaller. Hatches are now very sporadic, and the caddis/ mayfly hatches will be done soon, reappearing usually in early February. 

The number of lake run fish in the river continues to increase giving anglers a much better chance of either catching, or spooking big fish. Don't be too patient if you don't get grabs fairly quickly, keep moving. BUT if you have a habit of walking up to a pool and staring down into it looking for fish don't expect to get anything over 8". Unlike resident fish the lake fish have no allegiance to one spot so not only will they not necessarily stick around until you're gone but after a couple of these experiences their jaws will lock shut.

The Lake fish are a little skittish when they first enter the river and completely ignorant to the food sources so don't be afraid to throw perch fry, #14-18 midge imitations and large attractor nymphs, their comfort food. Just remember, the longer the fish are in the river the more educated and pickier they become.

Luckily as temperatures drop Hot Creek water is becoming beneficial. The difference between above and below Hot Creek is at least 10 degrees so if you get out there early it might be better to start out closer to the bridge. This helps trigger the fish in Crowley to move up into colder, cleaner water of the river. We're already seeing some lake fish all the way up into the private ranches with more to follow. There is a temperature gauge on Hot Creek right above the Owens River Road bridge. You can tell fall is here because instead of 97-112 temperature range of summer it's all the way down to 94-107 degrees.  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: Griffiths Gnat #20-24 | Para Adams #20-24  

NYMPHS:  Zebra Midge #16-22 | B/H Prince Nymph #12-16 | Copper John #14-16 | Tungsten Jig Baetis #18-20 | Black Beauty #22 |  S&M Nymph #18-22 | Medalion Midge #20-24 |Bling Midge #22-24 | Tungsten Olive Mic Drop #16-18 | San Juan worms assorted colors | Egg Patterns assorted colors

STREAMERS: Shock Collar Leech #10 | Woolly Bugger White or Olive #6-14 | Punk Perch light or dark #10-16