MAY 3, 2026

Well, since the previous report we made it out to the Upper Owens River and Gull Lake. The Owens was a bit slow fishing wise but that will change this week as more Cutthroats move up from Lake Crowley and Gull Lake was pretty darn good considering the heavy fishing pressure Opening

weekend.

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​gull lake:

Please refer to the previous report below regarding the trout plants prior to Opener last weekend. Hopefully CDFW will be on a more regular trout stocking schedule this season which I consider to be at least every two weeks. Last year, due to one of their hatcheries going down that serves this area the schedule was less often. Yesterday we had a great day out there with “The Vanimals” (see photo to the left) getting eleven Rainbows up to 3 lbs. Best baits were Mice Tails, Garlic Pinch Crawlers, and Salmon Peach Powerbait. If CDFW does stock regularly the fishing should remain good until the next bigger Rainbow stocking by other entities (like before Opener) prior to Memorial Day Weekend. 

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​Upper owens river above benton crossing:

Last week at The Owens was a bit slow overall getting one 12” Cutthroat the day we were there. That should change during the next two weeks. We did see a good number of 20” plus early arrivals mostly moving upstream and a couple spawning pairs (which we laid off of) with some “drones” hanging around. As the run increases in numbers we’ll again lay off the active spawners and fish the deeper bends and cut banks below the spawning beds for those fish that are in more of a feeding mode with Yellow Spot and Flashback Pheasant Tail nymphs, Egg Patterns, San Juan Worms, and streamers like Wooly Buggers. Typically each season this run peaks during Mother’s Day week lasting another week or two after. 

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​That’s all we’ve got for today……

“Keep chuck’n and a grind’n” !!

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april 20, 2026

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​Well how ‘bout this……opener is just days away!

The general fishing season, otherwise known as “Merry Fishmas”, begins this Saturday, April 25th. We’re curious how the fuel prices may affect the turnout. According to the National Weather Service there’s “A slight chance of snow showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 53.” on Saturday, similar on Sunday. The June Lake Loop lakes will be well stocked by CDFW with bigger Rainbows from Oregon added by the June Lake Loop Trout Stocking Fund, Mono County, and the Marinas. I’m thinking the fishing should be excellent due in part to the warm March weather and early lake ice melt. 

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We’ll be on Gull and June Lakes starting May 3rd which will be reflected in the next fish report. This Spring we’ve been fishing the Upper Owens River only then, after Opener, branch out to the local lakes and later the backcountry when it becomes accessible.

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Upper owens river above benton crossing:

It’s “Tweener Time” at the Upper! The February/March run of big Rainbows up from Lake Crowley has fizzled out and now we await the May run of big Cutthroats. For the most part it’s been beautiful out there with good weather and enjoyable even though we’re getting fewer and smaller Rainbows and Browns. The flow lately has been over 130 cfs which may be affecting the current fishing and the timing of the Cutthroat run. 

 

When nymphing we’re sticking with Yellow Spots and Flashback Pheasant Tails, dry flies mostly Caddis, Mayfly, and Black Gnat patterns, and streamerwise olive and black Wooly Buggers.

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As mentioned, we’ll be branching out soon to more waters so look for future expanded reports.​​

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"Keep chuck’n and a grind’n” !!

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