Drift Boating on The Lower Owens River

The Lower Owens River is the longest river system we have locally along the Eastern Sierra.  However, much of the Lower Owens, below the designated Wild Trout Section, has difficult bank access due to thick growth of willow and wild roses along with evasive species of Salt Cedar.  The use of drift boats allows access to miles of remote stretches of river easily and efficiently. 

On our drift boat trips, we use the boats primarily as a transportation tool.  We anchor the boat and get out as often as possible to wade the riffles and runs to nymph or dry fly fish the best locations.

The further south you go on the Lower Owens, the river gets slower, wider and deeper.  The sections below East Line St. are conducive to streamer fishing and can also provide great dry fly fishing during a solid hatch.

Don’t forget, this is a year around fishable river. And indeed, the best time to drift fish the Lower Owens is in the fall, winter and spring. The summer months can be very good too, but the Owens Valley regularly gets over 100 degrees so we’re more likely to be fishing up in the Mammoth area during these hot “dog days” of summer.