Fishing Season: Year Round - Above Benton Crossing Bridge

Owens River - CA

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

61

Jim Elias's Tip of the Week

There are a bunch of smaller wild fish that will readily eat on the surface when the larger fish will barely budge for a nymph.

Directions open in app

Map of Owens River

5-Day Outlook as of 10/27/23

Seasonably cold weather for the next 7 days, with no precip and mostly lighter winds.

Techniques & Tips as of 10/27/23

Hopper dropper or euro nymphing in the deeper bends.

Local Species Available Year Round - Above Benton Crossing Bridge

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    Trout - Rainbow

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    Brown

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    Cutthroat

Jim Elias's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Vernille San Juan Worm N/A 14-16
Micro Egg N/A 16
Lightning Bug N/A 14-16
Bead Head Woolly Bugger Streamer N/A 10-12
Bird's Nest Black 16
Flashback Pheasant Tail N/A 16
Flashback Hares Ear Nymph N/A 14-16
Disco Midge Larva N/A 18-20
Hare's Ear Flashback N/A 16
T-Midge Black 20

Vernille San Juan Worm

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Jim Elias's Recommended Gear

Description: About Owens River

Upper Owens River above Benton Crossing Bridge (All Year) Benton Bridge down to Crowley Lake (April 29, 2023-November 15, 2023)

Nearest Airport:

Mammoth - Yosemite (MMH)

Hatches:

Fish are finally getting fed up with sub par water clarity in Crowley and it's surprising it took this long for them to make the move out of the lake. This is a very popular time of year to fish here and it will get crowded so be respectful of others while you're out here and give people space. Also, these spawning browns are the future of this fishery, so keep the fish in the water and watch where you're wading! If you see clean gravel keep off !

Best Time to Fish:

7AM-Noon - 4-8PM

Best Stretch:

Above the confluence might be better, but I think water clarity is going to remain poor.

Best Access:

Left off Benton Crossing road right after the bridge.