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Founded in 1947, the Pasadena Casting Club is a group of fly fishing enthusiasts dedicated to the art of angling and casting, conservation, education, catch and release philosophy, and camaraderie through Club meetings, outings and events.
HomeJanuary 2014
Drifting the
Lower Owens River
with Pat Jaeger

7:30 p.m. 
Thursday, January 9, 2014

San Marino Masonic Lodge
3130 Huntington Drive
San Marino, CA 91108



The various stretches of the Owens River are heavily targeted by PCC members, and present us with an incredible diversity of styles of fly fishing. From the bounding headwaters at Big Springs down through the Owens Valley, the historic Owens turns from a tiny stream to a big flowing river, then takes a rest in Lake Crowley before heading down towards Bishop and beyond, eventually ending up in our toilet tanks and on our lawns.

For those of you unfamiliar with the area, the Upper Owens River refers to the stretch from the headwaters to Lake Crowley. The Middle Owens River is also referred to as the Owens Gorge, and is the roughly 20 mile stretch between Crowley and Pleasant Va
lley Reservoir (six miles north of Bishop). The Lower Owens River is the 25 mile stretch from Pleasant Valley to Tinemaha Reservoir. The first several miles of the Lower Owens below Pleasant Valley are easily accessible by foot, including the Wild Trout Area, but this month’s program focuses on the portion below that, which is best accessed by watercraft. Drifting the Lower Owens is an ideal way to comfortably cover miles of water, casting flies to larger fish who don’t get much fishing pressure. This stretch of the river is open year-around, but offers the best opportunities in the fall, winter, and early spring.

Pat Jaeger is the perfect person to teach us about the tremendous fly fishing we can experience while drifting the Lower Owens. Pat has lived in the Mammoth area since 1978, and started guiding out of the Trout Fly in Mammoth in 1995. Pat ended up a part-owner of the shop for a couple years before moving to Bishop and devoting himself to guiding full time.


The fishing conditions on the Lower Owens change with the flow rates, which are determined by the water needs of Los Angeles, power generation, and runoff. Hatches can be excellent, as can be nymphing and dragging large streamers. Pat knows all of these techniques, and will share his knowledge with us.

 

You can check out more about Pat Jaeger at his website at www.jaeger-flyfishing.com. Start out your 2014 fishing year with some excitement. Join us Thursday evening, January 9th, at 7:30 p.m. at the San Marino Masonic Lodge, 3130 Huntington Drive, San Marino, 91108.


Seymour R. Singer
Program Chairperson