Fish Report for 11-20-2013

Numbers of large sized bows and browns have increased on the Upper Owens recently

11-20-2013
Tom Loe

Just in the nick of time Crowley has begun the long process of filling. This is crucial to the fish that migrate up from the lake during the fall spawn. Flows remain on the low side here; however there is ample water for the rainbows and browns to make redds in the gravel sections at the tail out of the pools. The section from the Benton Crossing Bridge upstream to Big Springs is open year around with special angling restrictions. Pinch those barbs down flat and DO NOT USE BAIT OR SCENTED LURES, release all the fish you catch unharmed & you will be fine. Access remains good as of this report with no ice or mud on any of the roads. Nymphing is fooling some of the larger fish. Try using a properly weighted tandem rig with patterns like Assassins bird's nest, flashback pt's, broken-back midges, crystal leeches, San Juan worms, & glow bugs/roe imitations. You may find that removing your "under-cator" strike detector can get educated fish to hit especially on the brighter/sunny days. The surface action is waning; however the warmer days still have a few snouts sipping smaller mayflies and midges. Under current conditions the fish have really spread out and you will observe some bigs holding along the deeper channels near the under cut banks. Another tactic this time of year is to work downstream with a light sinking tip line swinging streamer patterns like Loebergs, punk perch, crystal leeches, & Spruce-A-Bu's along the cut banks and through the deeper pools & oxbows. You can cover nearly all the water with this method and get presentations to fish you would otherwise spook with conventional strategies. These fish are migrants and are not accustomed to people or shadows. A quiet, stealthy approach will most certainly get you more opportunities at a trophy fish.

Photos: Pictured Above: Bob Taddeo had a memorable day with us getting into many of these gorgeous rainbows. Nice work Bobby!
Photo #1: Another one bites the dust for Bob!
Photo #2: Dennis showing off a fine specimen he caught on his trip with us. These fish are the best the Sierra has to offer, hands down!
Photo #3: Steve had a dream day on his trip with us getting into a slug of these rascals. Bako Boys get er done!
Photo #4: And how about the girth on this hen? Footballs with tails!
Photo #5: Sean with a nice fall brownie that fell to an Assassin pattern
Photo #6: John Bond got this one solo on a Loeberg. Way to "dip & strip" JB!
photo Roy h rs Photo #7: Roy also went rogue on us and sent us this picture of a trophy bow caught on a Loeberg. Nice fish buddy!
mike stames with chris Photo #8: Mike Stames with Chris Basso doing the hold on a nice bow. First time nymphing, no problem. We can get ya bendo!
net uo rs Photo #9: Upper Owens wild fish are as pretty as they get!


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