Owens River Fishing Reconnaissance trip

[Thomas Connolly]

Hello HSFC Members

On Friday, 9-5-25, Dave H., Dan O. & myself drove down to the Brown’s Owens River Campground and fished the Owens River.  Here is our report.

Owens River is located in California: BRING YOUR CA FISHING LICENSE! 👮‍♂️

THERE WAS A WEE BIT OF RAIN ON FRIDAY MID AFTERNOON.  BRING SOME RAIN GEAR.

The drive is a straight shot south on 395 from Gardnerville.  The trip was 135 miles, one way, from my house in Gardnerville. The turnoff from 395 onto Benton Crossing Road, (Benton Crossing takes you straight to the campground), is the first left hand turn, off of 395, south of the Mammoth Yosemite Airport.  The campground is on Benton Crossing Road 7 miles east of 395.

The Campground was clean and seemed well organized.  There is a little store with food items, wood and other necessities plus flies to purchase and suggested flies for the area.  Showers, bathrooms and laundry facilities are available.  The staff was helpful.

I did have cell phone service at the Campground.  I use Spectrum

Campground website = https://brownscampgrounds.com/owens-river-campground-2/

Campground phone # = 760-920-0975

There is a bridge defining the northern terminus of the campground.  North of the bridge is catch and release with barbless flies only.  South of the bridge, which encompasses the entire Campground, is artificial lures and flies, no bait.  This regulation continues south to Crowley Lake.

The river is a lovely, meandering river with super easy access to both sides of the river. No trees… woo hoo!  The banks have “cut bank” areas throughout the river itself.  North of the bridge is said to be quite technical and recommends 6X tippet.  Dave H. hooked into two large fish which broke off his tippet!  Be aware that when fishing with 6x tippet one’s fighting must be considerably more gentle than if one is using 4X.  ( 6X is 3 lb test vs. 4X which is 6 lb test!)

The wind did pick up in the afternoon.  There were some bugs.  I did not use, nor feel the need to use bug spray.

We had some thunder and lightning and light rain Friday afternoon.  We did not need or use rain gear.

A local Fly shop is a great place to get some intel, check out the link below

Source: Sierra Bright Dot, check out their fish report link below
https://www.sierrabrightdot.com/fly-fishing-report/2025/9/3/sierra-bright-dot-fly-fishing-report-09-04-2025

Some of the recommended flies are in the below pic.  Wolly Buggers may work for fish hiding in the undercut banks.

Also below is a pic of one of the “net slippers” that Dan O caught (net slippers are so small that they slip through the holes in the net!)

LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU THERE!

Best,

Thomas Connolly

tco...@gmail.com