Five Bridges (Lower Owens)on Lower Owens River
Conditions right now
No USGS gauge is linked to this water yet, so we can't chart flows.
Excellent fall fishing conditions with clear weather
- 01Excellent fall fishing conditions with clear weather.
- 02Major Blue Winged Olive hatches are expected.
- 03Consistent subsurface activity from Caddis, Scuds, and Midges.
- 04Focus on deeper bends, slower pools, and current seams.
- 05Employ multi-nymph rigs for effective subsurface presentation.
What to tie on at Five Bridges (Lower Owens)
Picked from recent reports for this stretch.
Elk Hair Caddis
Imitates active caddis adults, which are a prevalent food source on the Lower Owens throughout the summer.
Buy at AmazonParachute Adams
Matches general mayfly duns and terrestrials, especially effective during morning hatches and sporadic rises reported from the Eastern Sierra.
Buy at AmazonFlashback Pheasant Tail Nymph
A versatile mayfly nymph imitation, effective year-round and specifically recommended for subsurface feeding in the Lower Owens.
Frenchie
An effective weighted nymph for imitating various subsurface insects and getting down to feeding trout in deeper runs.
Buy at AmazonCopper John
A classic attractor nymph that is effective in faster water and for enticing opportunistic strikes from trout.
Buy at AmazonBlue-Winged Olive Comparadun
Imitates Blue-Winged Olive adults, which are actively hatching in cooler morning conditions on the Lower Owens.
Trico Spinner
Mimics the small, delicate Trico spinner falls that occur in the mornings on slower sections of the Lower Owens.
Buy at AmazonFrenchie
A versatile nymph pattern that effectively imitates various aquatic insects, including mayfly nymphs, making it ideal for subsurface presentations during spring.
Buy at AmazonWoolly Bugger (Olive)
A reliable streamer pattern that imitates leeches and baitfish, effective for enticing larger, aggressive trout in deeper pools.
California season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Fly shops nearby
Local flies, current advice and guided trips.