DS Fishing Blog

So, as opening day for the 2009 fishing season approaches this weekend I thought I'd post some of the pictures of the first annual DS Fly Fishing excursion to the Owens River from a couple of weeks back.  Mike and I were up in Bishop with some of his extended family and the weather ended up being pretty spectacular.  We braved some heavy winds and thick crowds, but in the end, Mike and I were both into some awesome trout.

Once I got up there I was a little worried.  the wind was howling and it was alot colder than I had expected.  It seemed like there was a lot more winter going on than spring.  On top of that, I forgot my cold weather boots.  In fact, I forgot all my shoes except my expensive driving shoes - Crocs.  I had warm clothes so only my toes were cold.

By the next morning, the wind was gone and the sun was out.  It was absolutely beautiful.   I had intended on fishing the Upper Owens or Hot Creek with Mike, but his family has a special place in their hearts for the section of the Owens Gorge near the Pleasant Valley Resevoir.  I had never fished it so we gave it a try.  Well, it turned out to be a bait chuckers heaven full of stocked trout.  This section of the river, like a few other places in the Eastern Sierra, is open for year round fishing.  Unlike those other places though, this wasn't catch and release territory.  The weather brought out every spinning rod, power bait casting fisherman for miles.  I did find a small section of water being worked over by fly fishermen, but it was being agressively guarded.  Mike and I both caught fish and it was really nice to be out on the water.

The next day Mike and his family left early for the drive back.  I decided to stay and fish for a few hours.  I had heard about a section of the Lower Owens that I had never fished from Matuka Joe of Performance Anglers and I decided to give it a shot.  It was amazing.  Several flies were working, but the most effective was the good old gold ribbed hares ear.  The fishing was great but what made it incredible was I didn't see another person on the water the entire time I was fishing.  Not one!  Well, as the sun started to go down I decided to call it a day and head back home.   One last stop... In-N-Out Burger in Lancaster... so good.

A word to the wise.  I saw more Sheriff and CHP on the drive there and back then I had ever seen.   A general rule of thumb that I follow (with good results) is always go the speed limit through the towns along 395 and on the stretches in between, don't be the fastest car on the road.

---

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites