Eastern Sierra Trout & Warmwater Fly Fishing Report
Jarrett Coons of Sierra Mountain Trout Guide Service reports on March 28th, 2025
Upper Owens
Flow- 90cfs
We’ve had a few days of warming which be great for the roads. Be extremely careful driving up here, as it can be deceitful. The roads seem ok in the morning while they are still frozen, but as soon as it warms up it becomes a sticky mess and getting stuck takes little effort. The melting snow is also seeping into the water affecting clarity, which I don't mind, as it means you don't have to be as sneaky. The days are getting longer and the sun is coming up earlier, that means more time for fishing!
Nymph are producing most fish and the “Eggs and Bacon” is still getting fish. Midday midge hatches are getting noses to come up in the slow, foamy eddies and pools. The little resident fish are also eating small caddis, they don't make much disturbance so look for subtle rise forms. Work the water thoroughly before moving on, sometimes it seems you have to spoon feed them. There are many big spring bows in the river, be ready for that snag not to be a snag. Stay calm and remember to let them take line, you won't win a pulling match with these fish. Get below them and let the current help you fight them and try and steer them away from the undercutts.
Flies:
San Juan Worm #12-14, Zebra/Tiger Midge #22-18, Glo-bugs #12-14, Buckskin Caddis #16-18, Black/Silver Copper John, Peeking Caddis #16-18, Micro May #16-18.
Griffiths Gnat #20-22, Trico Cripple #20-22, Parachute Midge Emerger #20-22, Kings River Caddis #18-20, E/C Caddis #18-20.
Woolley Bugger Variations #6-10, Rabbit Leech #6-8
Lower Owens:
Flow-125cfs
Flows have come up, but fishing is still good. We’ve had a week of warmer air temps which will get that water temp up and closer to optimum. Rumor is we will be fishing here into April before summer flows go into effect. The BWO’s are still hatching from about 11:30AM-1 P.M. If you aren’t seeing fish coming up for them, hunt around, they aren’t always eating them everywhere. We’re also seeing more caddis showing up, small buckskin larva, Amiocentrus and Brachycentrus have been found in recent samples. Brachy’s make a square tube case and Amio’s will make a tube that looks like an ice cream cone. Trailing a soft hackle, adult or diving caddis behind your BWO isn’t a bad idea. Look for hatching caddis after the BWO’s around 3pm. This is a super fun hatch!
Streamers in the early AM and evening can be a lot of fun!! Call me to learn more about the complexities of streamer fishing! There is more than one streamer tactic that gets fish on the Lower O!! 760-920-0659
Flies:
Flashback Tiger/ Zebra Midge #22-18, Micro May #18-16, CDC Flashback Pheasant Tail #16- 18, Buckskin Caddis #18-20, CDC Flashback Hares Ear #12-16, Olive and Tan Soft Hackles #16-18, Peeking Caddis #14-18, Kings River Caddis #18-14, Partridge Caddis #14-18, Diving Caddis #18-16, Sparkle Dun BWO #18-16, BWO Dun #16-18, Rusty Spinner #16-18, E/C Caddis #14-18, Woolley Buggers #6-10, Zoo Cougar #6-8, Rabbit Strip Zonker #4-6.
Owens Valley Warmwater:
Bass
We’ve had several days of warming, a couple reached 80F! If it keeps up, look for bass to start their pre-spawn mode, as they get active more places to fish will turn on! It’s a good time of year to look for the places that warm quickly and carry a thermometer. Water temps can vary depending on where you are - look for temps closer to 55 or higher. A slow jig or retrieve seems to be the key. Flies fished under a bobber is also a great way to go.
Flies:
Wooley Bugger Variations #6-8, Baby Fat Minnow #6-8, Bunny Muddler #4-8, SMTGS, Articulated Craw #1/0, Gonga Craw # 4-6.
Carp
We’ve been getting into them in the ditches. Flows are still low and the sun warms things quickly, getting the water-boatmen and other insects going. Water clarity is pretty bad where we’ve been fishing so take it slow, a fleeting glance or small ripple may be all you get to see of them. Look for muds that look different than the already muddy water and get your fly in the top end. The feeders have been aggressive and are chasing and pouncing on our flies! If it keeps warming, we can get out on the flats!
Flies:
Carp Coachman #8, SMT Jig Carp Damsel #12-14, Water Boatman #12-14, Sparkle Pupa #10-12, B.H. Hares Ear #12-14, Jig Pine Squirrel Leech #12-14.
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