Fish Report - March 18, 2025

Flows: 92 cfs

Conditions: Fair-Good

Report: The Owens River below Benton Crossing is closed until next spring. With snow present, access is questionable above the bridge. A few inches of new snow has fallen from recent storms, however incoming warm weather will allowed more vehicles to get upstream—many getting stuck. We are likely about to get into mud season so be very mindful exploring above the bridge, mud will likely be frozen in the morning, but will soften as the day warms. The water has cleared, and hatches include midges, micro caddis, and some BWO’s. Surface activity has picked up, with small browns (6”-8”) taking dry flies. Larger fish are targeting attractor patterns like egg and worm patterns. Coleman Rainbows are still present but are heading back to the lake. Spring spawners are moving in, distinguishable from the darker, scratched-up fall spawners. Reminder: If air temperatures drop below freezing, keep fish in the water to prevent gill and eye damage.

Fly Type	Flies
Dries	Extended Body BWO (#16-22), TRS PBL Griffith (#16-20), Roy's Special Emerger (#20-22)
Nymphs	Bead Head Flashback Pheasant Tail (#14-22), HDA Fav Variant (#12-16), Chamois Caddis (#16-20), M/Pardi F/B Olive or Brown (#18-20), Weiss BP Light (#18-20), Slush Egg Apricot (#14), EZ Fl. S/Burst (#20), Squirmy Wormy (#12-14), Zebra Midges (#16-24)
Streamers	Keslars H/B/G Olive, Punk Perch (#16), Crostons MRS Natural (#12)

Flows: 74 cfs

Conditions: Improving

Report: Due to limited access upstream, Lower Owens has seen increased crowds. The water temperature at 1:30 PM at the Line Street Bridge was 45°F. Midge hatches are strong, with increasing BWO activity midday. The nymph population, especially mayflies, is thriving, and caddis, craneflies, and stonefly nymphs are getting active. Grannom caddis should hatch by mid-March. Browns range from 8”-13”, while wild Rainbows are fat and abundant, with some reaching 20”. Tip: The colder the previous night, the closer to PVR you should start, as water coming from the dam is warmer but cools quickly downstream.

Fly Type	Flies
Dries	Brooks CDC Baetis (#18-20), Mimic May Johnson BWO (#16-20), No See Um Baetis Hi-Vis (#16), Double Duck Caddis (#14-16), Spent Partridge Caddis (#14-18)
Nymphs	Tungsten Jig Baetis (#14-18), Tungsten Phase II (#14-18), Zebra Midge (#18-22), Tungstud Olive (#16-18), Smples B/Emerger (#18-20), Buckskin Caddis (#14-18), Dorsey Buckskin Jig (#14-18), Assorted Perdigon Patterns (#14-18), Tungsten Translucent Caddis Pupa (#14)
Streamers	Assorted buggers and smaller streamers

Flows: 9 cfs

Conditions: Fair

Report: Weed beds in the canyon have dropped as water temperatures cool. The increase in recorded flows is likely due to ice at the gauging station. BWO hatches have picked up, though midges remain the primary hatch. At the Interpretive Site, fish are becoming more selective due to increased pressure. If no hatches are present, use scud, egg, and worm patterns. In the canyon, midges dominate, with sporadic micro caddis and BWO hatches. Guide Tips: 1) Avoid casting into weed beds by aiming at clear lanes. 2) Drifts should be under four seconds, followed by an aggressive backcast—you may be surprised by how many fish take the fly.

Fly Type	Flies
Dries	Brooks CDC Baetis (#18-20), Parachute Extended BWO (#16-20), Mimic May Johnson BWO (#16-20), Improved Mathews Midge (#20-24), Zelon Midge (#20-24)
Nymphs	HDA Fav (#14-16), Expecting Scud (#16-18), M/Pardi F/B Olive or Brown (#18-20), Weiss BP Light (#18-20), Zebra Midge (#22-24), T-Midge (#22-24), Real Midge (#22-24)
Streamers	Kesslars H/B/S Olive & Natural (#12)