Upper Owens River
river in California
The Upper Owens meanders through a beautiful meadow, offering classic dry fly and indicator nymphing opportunities for robust rainbow and brown trout.
Conditions right now
No USGS gauge is linked to this water yet, so we can't chart flows.
Blue-Winged Olives are the dominant hatch
- 01Blue-Winged Olives are the dominant hatch, providing dry fly action.
- 02Midges are consistently present subsurface.
- 03October Caddis hatches are fading but can still offer strong days.
- 04Lake-run Rainbow and Brown Trout migration from Crowley Lake is beginning.
- 05Water temperatures are dropping to upper 50s/low 60s, with fish turning on around 58 degrees.
- 06Stealth and precise presentations are crucial in the clear water.
Past reports week by week
5 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
October Caddis (Dry)
The October Caddis is the largest caddis hatch of the year in many western rivers during the fall, drawing aggressive strikes from opportunistic trout.
Buy at AmazonMysis Shrimp
The Upper Owens River flows from Crowley Lake, where Mysis shrimp are a crucial and consistent food source for larger trout year-round. Fish this pattern dead-drifted near the bottom.
Buy at AmazonFlashback Baetis Nymph
Aligns with active fall BWO nymph activity, a primary food source for trout subsurface.
Blue-Winged Olive Comparadun
This low-profile dry fly is excellent for selective trout feeding on abundant BWO emergers and adults during fall hatches.
Buy at AmazonBlood Dot Egg
With the lake-run trout beginning their fall migration, egg patterns are highly effective, mimicking loose eggs in the drift.
Buy at AmazonTH Zebra Midge
Midges are an ever-present food source year-round on the Upper Owens, and this weighted nymph effectively gets into the strike zone for feeding trout.
Bead Head Woolly Bugger (Olive)
An indispensable streamer for enticing aggressive strikes from the migrating lake-run Rainbow and Brown Trout, imitating leeches and baitfish in the deeper pools.
Schroeder’s Parachute Hopper
Terrestrial activity, especially grasshoppers, can still be strong in early fall along grassy banks, providing a substantial food source for opportunistic trout.
Where to fish and who to ask
Benton Crossing (Upper Owens)
A very accessible bridge crossing that provides entry to extensive meadow water, great for dry fly fishing.
Long Ears Meadow (Upper Owens)
Further upstream, this picturesque meadow offers solitude and the chance for challenging fishing to large, wary trout.
The Forks (Upper Owens)
A key confluence where migrating fish often stack up, offering excellent opportunities for larger trout.
Fly shops within 40 miles
Sierra Trout Magnet Fly Shop
Get Upper Owens River reports by email
Every Thursday: conditions, hatches and what's working across California, with Upper Owens River at the top.
California season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Read before you go
Winter Fly Fishing: Essential Cold Weather Tips & Tactics
Master winter fly fishing with proven cold weather strategies, gear selection, and tactics for catching trout when temperatures drop.
Fly Line Types Guide: WF, DT, Running & Shooting Heads
Master fly line selection with our comprehensive guide to weight forward, double taper, running lines, and shooting heads for every fishing situation.
Fly Fishing Pack vs Vest: Which Setup Is Right for You?
Compare fly fishing packs and vests to find the perfect gear setup for your angling style and fishing conditions.
Best Fly Fishing Sunglasses: Lens Color & Polarization Guide
Master lens color selection and polarization technology for superior vision and fish detection on the water.
Fly Fishing Nets – Rubber vs. Nylon & Why It Matters for Fish
The net you choose dramatically impacts fish survival. Here's why rubber nets are superior to nylon for catch-and-release success.
Best Budget Fly Fishing Combo Setups for Beginners
Expert guide to affordable fly fishing combos that won't break the bank but deliver quality performance for new anglers.
Quick answers
Common questions about Upper Owens River.
What flies work best on Upper Owens River?
Our top scored fly patterns for Upper Owens River right now are Slumpbuster (80% confidence), Micro Egg (80% confidence), Woolly Bugger (Olive) (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Upper Owens River?
Upper Owens River holds Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
Is Upper Owens River fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Upper Owens River each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.