Owens River and Lake Mary

Wife gave me a guided fishing trip out of the Troutfitter in Mammoth Lakes for Christmas. Went up Monday and took the guided trip on Wed, fished the Owens River near Bishop in a couple areas. Worked on my river technique. Caught a bunch of trout. Eric Hier was the guide, good time was had. Would recommend. Also took the kayak and fished Lake Mary as was camping there. No fish harmed or abused at the Lake. Lots of smoke from the fires. Wednesday was over a 100 in Bishop, so,was ready to stop fishing at about 2pm. Was a 1/2 day trip and we met at about 7 am in Mammoth. Fuel is 40 cents a gallon cheaper in Bishop than Mammoth.

For those fishing Crowley Tourney, Eric may be a good guide to prefish the lake with.  Not kayak, but will show you type of areas to fish.

I have the Owens river and surrounding areas since I was 5 years old. I also hunt the same area in the winter. Usually south of Bishop due to the freeze. Lake Mary hint, I have my best luck on the South West side of the lake. Troll small trout imitations or trolling flies. Worms work wonders there too. Early morning is best, or right at dark. All else fails there is always dough baits. Use a clear floating bubble bobber full of water with about an 18" leader. Use a treble hook, put 1 salmon egg on hook and add dough bait till it floats. Toss out and slightly tighten line. You will never get it real taught. Fish hit once and if not hooked go back for egg and get nailed. Works great there. Mamie has some big Browns hiding in the fallen timber in the lake. Big crawlers with just enough weight to make sink. Toss out around timber and wait. Slow, but works. Twin Lakes Mammoth used to have very large browns too, but I have not fished that one in years. On the Owens River, the end of Collins Rd south of Bishop is good for trout, drift eggs or worms. I can go on and on.

Was a fly fishing River lesson.  Great learnings.  Lake Mary, marked fish deep.  25' and deeper.  Warm and sunny.  Probably with downrigger I could have got them trolling.  Trolled flys, and Thomas Buoyant, etc.  I just think the fish were deeper than the lines got the offerings.  Fished the wild trout sections of the Owens.  Hooked a lot of fish.  Even areas I figured were void of fish produced.  Most fishing on Mary I saw was anchor fishing.