March and April Lower Owens Trips

Since the last meeting, we have had two trips to the Lower Owens in the Bishop area.

The first trip was during the spring break at schools and we were once again fortunate to go to Dave and Pam Parker’s home in Swail Valley for an evening meal of home made beer, wine and some of the world famous tri tip that Dave makes.  Many fibs were told and much conversation about the one that got away was heard.  Once again, thanks to Dave and Pam for their hospitality and kindness for letting us invade their home.

The fishing during the March trip was very good, with both the Lower Gorge (up stream from the Pleasant Valley Powerhouse) and Hot Creek being the two best places to fish.  The upper Owens was slow, but the largest fish was caught there on a purple streamer (a 24 inch rainbow).

Dave Parker took a number of folks to Hot Creek and they had to walk about a mile through the snow to get to the stream.  However, I believe that a legacy of our trips to the area will be the fine instruction Dave gives on fishing this difficult water and all the club members that are becoming quite proficient at fishing there.

Gary Applebee took another group to the Gorge and they all caught fish.  This part of the Gorge is not like most places in this stretch of water (hard to fish pocket water and bolder hopping), but actually has some open water with riffles and runs and even some small pools.  It is strictly hop and drop territory with stimulators and small bead heads trailing.

Rob Wilcox took others to the Upper Owens above Benton Crossing Bridge and they fished there.  Fishing was ok but catching was not good!!!  Much was learned here about fishing diversion channels and main channels of the Owens and which parts hold fish and which parts don’t.  If this is not clear and you need further explanations, see Rob and he will expand on this.

The second trip was in early April and much like the first trip, the fishing was good in exactly the same places.

I would like to mention that on both trips, the Lower Owens was at flow rates above 500cfs and for all practical purposes was unfishable and not wade able

All in all, both trips were successful and as the many pictures below show, all had a good time.

Mike Wright
Education Director.