Powerful Lower Owens River Trout (Bishop, CA)

[@hogwildbowhunter]

So fun to watch you work the water in the varying conditions there at the Lower Owens! The color on that rainbow was very impressive. Hazards everywhere usually means fish every where. I have lost my share of tackle in those types of area. The second rainbow was quite the fight! You are a constant reminder of - it is the Indian not the arrow. Amazing you found another setup to play with.

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

I was loving that first rainbow but man, those clusters of branches I was casting into were no fun!

[@michael10993]

Love your enthusiasm!! It’s fantastic to listen to you talk to the fish!!

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

I always talk to the fish. It helps relieve the stress of the fight!

[@bentoncushing8693]

Good show,,,I miss that place,,,,love smelling the wild Sage..

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Right on. If you miss it I am glad I was able to bring back some of the memories for you.

[@-_.._._--_.-.-_-_-_-...-.-]

Nice fish. Good fish handling. Thanks for showing us a great day out fishing! Keep up the good work and, if looking for a boat, don't forget to hit up friends, family, and even your KZbin friends. One of them might have one they were thinking of getting rid of, selling, or even lending or taking you out on the water. Sounds like you're a great fish finding asset, one of those fish magnets of a person.

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

I have a boat that's good enough for me. I use it in a bunch of videos on my lakes and reservoirs playlist.

[@CaptainCompassion1]

Excellent. The Owens above PVR below the power station can also be interesting.

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Right on. I almost walked up the road to see what PVR looked like but I didn't have it in me. Time was a factor too.

[@gladegoodrich2297]

Three of us were fishing the Owen's west of Bishop. Catching big fish every cast and having a great time. An old man in a beat up truck pulled up and said, hows the fishing boys? We said great, the best fishing we have ever seen. He laughed and said ought to be, they just dumped them in there yesterday! 🤣

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Interesting. A lot of the lower Owens is managed as a wild brown trout trout fishery. Definitely the section below the campground bridge. I think, like in a lot of rivers, it's a mix of wild and stocked.

[@Marta_Lledo_Video_Channel]

sorry I missed this when it first came out, but here I am now! WOW! What a beautiful couple rainbows, size and color! That first one was so pretty!

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

I can't wait to get back to fish the area below the Pleasant valley dam. The campground out there will probably be closed to flooding but if the river is clear I plan to give it another shot at least once this year. I love the campground out there because it's only $14.

[@joebidendidthat5121]

Wow another incredible outing and beautiful fish! Well done ‘

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

This trip yielded some nice fish for sure. My opinion of the Lower Owens has been upgraded after this experience.

[@4theoutdooradventure]

It's real nice in that area we're going to be going to Owen's the 26th of April this month trying to see where we can get up in Bishop and fish we're usually fishing Virginia lakes and Trumbull Lake so we'll see we're going really early this year we usually go end September

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

The river fishing will be a challenge but I'll be down there scouting it out right after the opener. I usually like to hit the year round water in the lower and upper Owens before the opener but I am really concerned about getting to the rivers and finding them a raging, stained flooded out mess. The Temperature outside will determine a lot of that. I hope it stays cool through April! I have a lot of Eastern Sierra options on my channel playlists if you haven't seen a lot of them and are interested. You could plan trips for decades to come!

[@shawnhanna4372]

This brings out memories.

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Right on. There is a lot of water on the lower Owens to fish. Great time exploring out there.

[@4theoutdooradventure]

I've tried fishing quite different areas of Owens River it seems like if they're not stocking it days before you go it's really hard to catch a trout I was out there April 28th I believe it was and only got two bites and sing a couple real small trout that was it seems like the locals that live in the area hammer that River for trout year-round

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

I do pretty well on the upper and lower Owens. I usually get at least one good brown over 16" on the Upper Owens when I go but I sometimes have to fish a while and cover a lot of river. I have clips for both stretches on my river fishing playlist.

[@djregius]

I gotta get my jig game on. You get some great fish almost every darn video. BTW good idea to bypass all those bushes at that first section. I fished that exact same spot and went through the bushes. Ended up with 2 ticks on me. YUCK.

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

I have a clip on my fishing tips playlist where I go over the types of 1/8 OZ marabou jigs I have had success with in rivers if you haven't seen it and think it would help. Those thick bushes said go back! The spiny tumbleweed bushes in the last stretch I fished were awful but I could get through some spots of those. Especially where a partial trail was formed. The bushes in the first section I fished were an impenetrable wall. I get why you went through though. I almost tried to power through myself!

[@tannarieber8015]

Keep on fishing Amani! Years ago I learned to fish on the Owen’s downstream about 1-2 miles where your video started. Mostly browns back then. And big! When I worked for F&G, we eshocked the upper river below where you caught the nice rb. Lots and lots of fish. Lots of fences that cross the river so gotta be careful floating the lower Owen’s. My uncle fished the reservoir upstream and I think he still holds the state record for brown trout he caught there. Quite the fishery! Rick

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

I was looking at the road up to Pleasant Valley Reservoir but I didn't have the time or energy to get up there on this trip. That's at the top of my target list for next year.

[@JoeD.294.]

Im with you on mono fishing line. I will use floro for leaders but that's it. If it ain't broke I'm not fixing it. You got into some rough brush that got ya full of those sticky bushes. That rainbow was a beautiful color though.

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

With you 100% on that and you stated my whole fishing line strategy. The fishing was great but that brush was brutal at times to be sure.

[@slaytimefishing]

Nice job dude!

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

I like the Lower Owens because there is quite a bit of water to fish out there. This day the payoff for scouting a lot of unfamiliar water payed off.

[@MGreen-vz6yb]

Thanks so much for your catch and let go!

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Plenty of fish to eat in the mountain lakes as far as I see it. Besides, this was during artificial barbless/catch and release only time. personally, I wish all rivers were like that but I don't make the rules.

[@fishingtimeletsgo598]

Another Great Adventure Wilderness With Amani, those browns know there is a catwalk right there LOL, that rainbow was solid, one thing about fishing up there, the fish are much prettier than the planters we see down here, keep on trucking my man👊👍

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

That catwalk was killing me! I believe you are spot, they know!

[@stevencole7331]

I wonder if you could successfully kayak fish the lower Owens ? It seems to be a battle from shore and finding spots . Doesn't look like much shore line to park a kayak and fish . I have pondered doing something like that as I do kayak fish but haven't tried a river yet . I could have tried the Truckee in Reno as I was kayaking the river with my brother but decided not to fish but once in the water I regretted that decision . Nice rainbow

[@tannarieber8015]

Small kickboat with an anchor might work. But there used to be fence crossings (barbed wire) and debris jams you might encounter.

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

There were some dudes getting in the water in float tubes at the bridge where HWY6 crosses it so I would say yes, a kayak would be doable. Personally, if I was in a kayak on a river I'd be focusing on not ending up in the water! I have little to no kayak experience though. I assume you are much better at it.

[@JEM133]

Good job brother, you took the lower Owens apart like a cheap K-Mart shotgun.Not an easy task.Good one Amani!

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Right on. Love the analogy!

[@JEM133]

@@wildernesswithamani1027 The lower Owens can be harsh,I know,I'm from there.

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

That is the truth. The growth along the river is brutal right now.@@JEM133

[@2-old-Forthischet]

We used to fish PVR a lot before. Old age has taken it's toll. That's a mean walk from either end.

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

I have never looked at it but I looked up that road and with the time I had left with daylight my response was "no way"! I'll walk up there next time I'm in the area and have time. I need to see it first before I commit to that mission.

[@2-old-Forthischet]

@@wildernesswithamani1027 from the power plant end, it's a fairly long walk to any "good" spots unless you want to join the crowd right at the power plant. The other end's hill is way too steep for me anymore.

[@dv95678]

Thank you for taking a trip out to the Owens River. I’ve been wanting to get out there for some time and now I’m really excited and motivated to go. Thanks to you for sharing your adventure and the fish you hooked up with. Question though, is it all catch and release in the areas you fished? And lastly, what jigs did you use?

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

I was using the usual 1/8 OZ barbless marabou jigs. I have a clip on my fishing tips playlist where I go into the types I have had success with if you haven't seen it and are interested. For regulations, I strongly recommend you look it up on the chart before you go. I always fish barbless/artificial/zero bag limit in rivers so as long as the river is open I am good. Scroll down to page 55 in the DFW reg guide and there is the alphabetical list of trout waters with special regulations. For other rivers, section 5.85 might be of interest to you as well. Good luck. Get out there while the going is good and it's not snowing!

[@leofulford4408]

Is there good fishing in Trout Creek and upper trucky river

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

I haven't really fished either of those yet. I couldn't be sure about the regulations as far as open seasons are concerned without looking it up.

[@dreess8085]

Hey Amani thanks for another great video! Have you ever tried "Ester" line? Amazing castability and sensitivity without all that strecth you mentioned. Also sinks well unlike braid. Varivas ester is affordable and amazing cheers!

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

I have not tried it yet but it sounds interesting.

[@noedelatorre6597]

Good job nice fishing 🎣

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Right on. Those rainbows battle.

[@michaelalexander1751]

I live in Bishop. If you ever want to go after big bass let me know. They are in the Owen's and Buckley ponds.

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Right on. Thanks for the kind offer.

[@kenneely7899]

Nice video, what happens if you use a bigger jigs?

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

!/8 )Z jigs in this flow seemed perfect for what I like to do but I did encounter some higher flows earlier in the year after the snow melted where I really should have been using 1/4 OZ jigs. I made due with what I had but it wasn't ideal. I have a clip on my fishing tips playlist that details the types of 1/8 OZ jigs I have had success with in rivers since I first started using them a few years back if you haven't seen it and are interested.

[@jimarmstrong5868]

You might want to look into this style of waders Simms M's Freestone® Wading Pant. I love ‘em.

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

I'll check it out. Thanks.

[@uncleknife9887]

I found a nice Kencor rod at that 1st spot you parked on the lower. Some poor soul simply forgot it right there next to the bridge leaning on the fence. As much as I hated to throw a grip on it, I weighed the odds & it was 500 to 1 that someone other than the previous owner would come along 1st. I was proof of that. No way I was gonna just leave it there. It was a freakin' Kencor!

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

I get all of that.

[@joseywales8506]

Great video! Just as an FYI - There are no Lahontan Cuts in that area

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Maybe, maybe not. There are a lot of them in Crowley now so they most likely have worked their way up into the Upper Owens. They might have put some in the Lower Owens but I'm not sure. They are planting Lahontans all over the Sierra now. You can see a lot of them that I get in my highlight clip videos. I even got a really nice one in the West Walker River. Stampede reservoir, prosser creek reservoir, lake Tahoe and it's tributaries, all places where Lahontans can be found regularly now. I think the one I got around 17" in the West Walker River is in my highlight clip # 8 0r 9 and the Stampede Reservoir one around 20" is in highlight clip # 35 or 36. One I got in Crowley can be seen in a highlight clip thumbnail but I can't remember which one it's in. If you scroll down the highlight clip playlist you can find it quick. My lakes and reservoirs and river fishing playlist usually will have Lahontan in the title of those videos but not always if it's just one of several species I get. Nevada stocks a lot of Lahontans in the Truckee now so they are going to start showing up in larger sizes there as well. I've hit several nice cutbows in the Truckee river but no sizeable Lahontans yet. Only small ones that are brown trout food!

[@bradolsen2518]

I was there last summer I lost the sole to one of my boots next to those roots going into the water had to go Soleless til I got to Big 5 in Bishop and got a new pair 😂 gotta love the things that happen while fishing the Owens 😂

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

That's a trip you'll never forget. A little adversity can lead to memory burn!

[@terryhazama201]

That area you were fishing by the tubes by PV. That area I believe is a Spawning Channel " No Fishing " There are signs. Also fishable areas below the dam is artificial barbless. October is spawning time for the fish in that area...

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

You are believing wrong except what you said about spawning in that area which might be true. Makes sense. You are completely off on the regulations. I'm not sure where you are getting the "no fishing" regulation. There were no signs indicating "no fishing" anywhere to be seen. There were no trespassing signs on the fenced off areas but that was it. The regulation guide you can look up right now, listed on the chart beginning on page 55, has the regulations for that stretch of water as starting from the pleasant Valley Dam and ending at the bridge at the downstream end of the campground. Not only is it open for fishing year round, It's regular open season regulations until November 15th. You can use standard tackle and keep fish within the limit. Then it goes to artificial/barbless/catch and release until the next trout season starts. I fish artificial/barbless/ catch and release in rivers year round so as long as it's open, and this definitely is, I'll be fine.

[@1OrdinaryGuy]

Great Video! We're you using 1/8 ounce jigs or lighter?

[@1OrdinaryGuy]

When are you going to fish the Truckee again?

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

I will be fishing the Truckee in the not so distant future. I'm scrambling to fit in what I can in the Eastern Sierra before the snow falls and before trout season ends. Last winter really cut the mountain access off this year late so I am trying to do a little catching up.

[@marcking709]

Great video. What kind of jig are you using?

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

It's an 1/8 OZ marabou jig. I have a clip on my fishing tips playlist that details the types of Marabou jigs I have had success with in rivers since I first started using them a few years ago. Hope that helps.

[@marcking709]

@@wildernesswithamani1027 awesome Great fishing appreciate the info

[@707SLAYER]

BERKLEY BIG GAME FOR LIFE .LOL I LIKE MONO ITS WHAT HAS WORKED BEST FOR ME TO ...

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

I don't know why I tried to abandon it!

[@mikeroll9868]

Nice fishing.

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Right on. I had only fished the Lower Owens a couple of times below the campground before this and it wasn't very impressive on fish size. This trip restructured my whole opinion of the waterway. Now I can't wait to go back!

[@leofulford4408]

Love your videos I have a question I'm going to be staying at a cabin right near high Meadow trailhead do you have any good fishing spots that you know that you can tell me where to go in this area

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

I don't know where the high meadow trailhead is but you can scroll through my fishing playlists and I am sure you can find options. For every lake on my backcountry fishing playlist I have the trailhead and hike ion my hiking and backpacking playlist. Good luck. have fun out there.

[@johnnyvon7991]

wp brother! I want to learn!let me know if you have room for another to go!

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Right on. I have a lot of basic information on how I fish on my fishing tips playlist. Of course, those videos cover my general approach but experience is the only road to getting you to where you want to end up in terms of catching fish. In my fishing videos on my various playlists I often go into what I was doing when I catch fish. I try to get to questions in my comment section eventually.

[@gmc5426]

LOWER OWENS🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟 AMANI TIP OF A LIFETIME it's not about forecasting🌧 it's about FARCASTING🎣➡ MONOFILAMENT OVER ALL THE REST😎👍 if it aint broke dont fix it kinda thing i'm guessing🤔 THANKS AGAIN AMANI

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Right. Far and accurate casting are everything to my success in a river. I don't know why I would ever stray.

[@terryhazama201]

Fishing the Owens is tricky in that area with the Regulations. Above the Power house that portion of the Owens " The Gorge " is artificial barbless. The powerhouse down to the dam no special regulations. Below the dam all the way through the campgrounds is artificial barbless until I believe 3 miles below were the campgrounds end. Very confusing if you don't do research on the area. Be careful bud. Tight lines 👍

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

You might want to look at the actual regulations because that is not accurate at all. Page 55 is where the Lower Owens is listed. The Artificial barbless/zero bag limit starts at the bridge at the campground unless it's after November 15th. The DFW regulation guide is available online..

[@scratcherfever6316]

Buddie of mine caught a nice 4lb rainbow out of those drains

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Based on the fishing on this trip, That sounds about right. Those big pipes look ideal but there is so much growth around them right now fishing them is a challenge.

[@jimarmstrong5868]

In low clear water using a fluro leader makes a huge difference. It sinks fast and is nearly invisible underwater.

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

I'll keep using it as leader material when I bait and fly fish but I can't get the fine touch accuracy I need when I'm casting with it on my spinning rod. I was short casting at fish and targets over and over the week before with it. Line flies out of my pole way easier with mono than that stiffer fluorocarbon. I figure I have to reach fish before I have a chance to catch them.

[@protecttheweakdefendthestr8977]

The kids and I were just there just a couple weeks ago. We went during the afternoon . You know what that means. Lol

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Afternoon can be productive but that seems like a tough place for kids to fish. When I was a kid though, I would have been all over that so yours might have been just fine!

[@marktaniguchi7901]

Try braided line, like Fire Line. I swear by this stuff. Its really tuff and soft like thread. Just a little tricky on tying knots but its really sensitive.

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Right on. I messed around with it a little. I had to do battle with a couple of knots and I was done! I use braided line for my trolling leader on my lead core. Very little stretch and tough as heck.

[@97lynds21]

Laws . . . good place to fish

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

I wish the whole river was artificial/ barbless/catch and release. Nice a lot of it is open year-round now. Not that I'm driving hours on a snow covered two lane 395 anytime soon.

[@hoss6048]

People driving by and seeing a dude standing there talking to his fishing pole😂

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

I don't care if they think I'm nuts as long as I'm catching fish!

[@timogilvie1772]

Why not just use a Flouro leader, just curious ?

[@freshandsaltyjohnny]

Mono is dirt cheap some people wanna save a buck. You can buy spool of like 1000 yards for like $20. I only use mono for topwater lures like jerkbaits since the line floats and i want stretch in the bite.

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

I tie my artificial lures directly to my line. I never use a leader unless I'm bait fishing with a slip sinker or fly fishing. When I am fishing jigs and other similar lures where I like to put a lot of action on it, I like a direct connection. Less knots too.

[@tannarieber8015]

Forgot to mention that my uncle found a very large obsidian spear point in perfect condition downstream of your first stop. I think it’s likely buried forever near where he found and returned it. Rick

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Right on. I never found anything like that before this one in all of the years I have spent hiking and fishing in the mountains. Probably because I was always laser focused on looking for fish!

[@utubewatcher360]

You're using the term pitch cast, I have fished for 50 years. I would suggest using the word Flip or Flipping your lure or bait where you want it. Bass fisherman use the word Flipping

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

I don't think it matters. I've been fishing for a solid 45 years and I have casually used the term pitch cast. My viewers seem to know what I'm talking about. I used to watch a lot of bass fishing on tv and fish for bass a lot when I was younger. I get what you are saying. No big deal.

[@thnd-uo4vp]

Mr 50 years terminology authority, who cares pitching or flipping. I’ve been fishing longer than you and I perfectly understand what he’s doing. Give me a break.

[@ronaldmcdonald3965]

Good to see a mono guy

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Right on. I'm old school. Works fine for me.

[@watchman316ly]

Bro- you haven't seen casting distance until you're using .4, .6, and .8 PE braid with a 2.5 - 5 lb. fluorocarbon leader. Thats how to really fish for trout and have fun! Of course, you need to have the right rod and reel with a solid drag system!

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Sounds like you know what works for you. I know a lot of people like braided line but I don't. Just a personal preference. That doesn't sound good for me at all. I do not like using braided line on my spinning rod. I only use it for my leader on my lead core rod when I'm trolling because it doesn't stretch. Get tangled, stuff is done. I tie my jigs straight to my 6lb mono and can fire it a mile with my 5' ultra light rod. Unless the wind is blowing in my face, I can usually cast bank to bank in most of the Truckee when it's high and it's really high right now. I get maximum control of the action on my jigs when they are tied directly to my line. I think the success I have in my over 150 videos on my river fishing channel playlists featuring rivers all over the State speaks for itself. Adding a fluorocarbon leader to my jig or any artificial lure I'm trying to work action on sounds terrible for me. I use it when I'm bait fishing in Tahoe in my Lake Tahoe shore fishing videos on that playlist though.

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

I actually also use a fluorocarbon leader when I'm fly fishing. Stuff is thin and strong.

[@CC_Marauder]

#3👍🏻🎣👀

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

This day of fishing turned out way better than I thought it would.

[@garyurzik2123]

Watch out for the gopher snakes, up to 10 feet long.

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

I don't mind gopher snakes. It's the rattlers I hate. Heart stopping when I hear that rattler sound. Especially when I'm climbing on rocks and I hear it above waste level. I found myself looking at them at eye level sitting on rocks I'm climbing up and that is not a moment to be enjoyed!

[@johnnynephrite6147]

the fishing there must have been incredible 100 years ago. but for decades every kook with a zebco combo and a K-Mart spinner set has over fished the place.

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Fishing was great on this day. The stretch of the Upper Owens below Browns Campground was getting hammered by people throwing powerbait and stuff like that one time I went out there earlier in the year. With that said, once the crowds cleared out and the temps dropped a little the fishing was smoking hot the subsequent times I hit that same stretch. Got some big rainbows and browns.

[@mmfruitveg]

Maxima is always my go to line

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Right on. I use Trilene XL mono because it casts far and isn't very expensive. 6lb is plenty strong for me as long as my drag is loose enough.

[@mikesomewhere7214]

Reeling drag...newb

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

If you say so. Big trout on ultra light tackle is obviously something you don't have a lot of experience at. NewB. I think I do pretty well in the hundreds of videos across my channel playlists. But for you, go find yourself a real pro to watch. Better yet, video yourself and show the world what a master you are. I don't think this is the channel for you.

[@dreess8085]

Wrong. Especially when using barbless and light line, reeling into drag is almost essential to keeping trout on the hook