Fish Report for 3-3-2022

With the warm weather this week the water temperatures went up 5+ degrees

3-3-2022
The Trout Fitter Staff

Flow Rates and Water Conditions

Water Conditions: Fair-Good

Flows are at 86 cfs as of 3/2

Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Good-Excellent ???

With the warm weather this week the water temperatures went up 5+ degrees and the hatches and fishing took off. With days getting longer and the sun getting higher hopefully this weeks colder temperatures won't slow the fishing down drastically. The BWO hatch starting times are all over the place now, some areas (11-11:30) and running until 2:30-3 while other areas don't start until 1-2 and the dry fly fishing has taken off. This is the time to key on the riffles, ankle to knee deep. Along with the mayflies the caddis hatch is picking up and the craneflies are already showing up. That of course includes midges all day long.

 Those nice deep holes are pretty much empty except for the big backwaters, the fish seem to be holding there and feeding on midges. It's not just the water temperature that dictates fish activity. Stability of the water temperatures is critical, once the water temperature stabilizes for a week or so the fish will become active again even if it's only for an hour or two. So far the water has remained clear but keep in mind that after rain or snow melt the river can be dirty below the Petroglyph parking (#9) from Horton Creek. If you're down below and it's dirty just move upstream until you find clean water. The old winter rule still applies, the colder the night before the further upstream you should start.

Recommended Flies

DRIES: Extended Body BWO #16-20 | Hi-Vis BWO #18-20 | Parachute Adams #16-20 | Stillborn Midge #20-22  | Giffith's Gnat #22-24 |CDC Transition midge #20-22

NYMPH:  Pheasant Tail #14-18 | Caddis Cased #12 | Zebra Midge #18-22 | Olive Hot Spot Jig #18  | Bottom Roller Phsyco Rhyco #10-14 | Juju Baetis #16-20 | Pearl & Orange #16 | Tungsten Olive Mic Drop #16-18 | TB Millers +1 Lt #16-18  | Lexi Girdle Bug Tan/Black #6, Orange/Black #10

STREAMERS: Wooly Bugger Olive & Black #10-12 | Mini Sculpin Olive & Black #10-12

Guides Hint: Lesson learned the hard way, don't ignore the fish rising in the shallow water on the inside of the bends. They're usually a lot bigger than you thought.


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More Reports

The Trout Fitter Reports
for Thursday, March 3rd, 2022

Hot Creek: The BWO hatch in the canyon is getting stronge
Owens River - Section 3 - Upper (above Crowley): With the weather warming up water clarity down by the bridge is poor

The Trout Fitter Reports
for Friday, February 18th, 2022

Hot Creek: Besides the midges we're seeing more and more BWOs
Owens River - Section 3 - Upper (above Crowley): The spring spawners are now throughout the system
Owens River - Lower: With much colder temperatures expected Tuesday/Wednesday the time to fish is now