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Bob Hather (Windfall)
Moderator
Username: Windfall
Post Number: 260
Registered: 8-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 28, 2007 - 6:43 am: | |
(((((((( The Fishing Report Update: Magnificent Memorial Weekend ))))))))
May 27, 2007
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http://bishopcreekresorts.com/fish/archives/000006.html
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WEATHER
The weather has been spectacular. A little cold in the morning earlier
in the week and then in the 40's by the weekend. Daytime temps in the
70's with clear skies and gentle breezes. Bring sunscreen and we are
beginning to see a few mosquitoes but only a few. It has been great!
SOUTH LAKE
The boats are running well and the fishing has been great.
Nightcrawlers still seem to be the best either by casting or just
trolling along with a small split shot about 5 ft. up the line.
Casting Thomas Buoyants or the red neon Roostertail. We are getting
lots of good reports trolling olive Matukas and Wooly Worms. The lake
is still low but So Cal Edison was able to stock a full truckload of
Alpers Trophy Trout into the lake early in the week. A few came out
but the majority are still there.
BISHOP CREEK
The creek has the perfect water level for fishing. The pools are
everywhere and CDF&G has been stocking regularly. I have had a few
people having trouble catching fish but the majority are very pleased
with both the quality and quantity of fish. Pautzke's red eggs are
bringing in lots of stringers. Lure fishing has been exemplary with
red Panther Martins and Roostertails. Some nice action with Worms but
eggs seem to be a little better.
NORTH LAKE AND INTAKE II
I went up to North Lake on Wednesday and it was beautiful. The trees
and grasses are beginning to green up and the lake is full. Reports
are good for fishing with orange Powerbait and mini-jigs with a
mealworm.
Intake 2 was great again. Powerbait and worms seem best. Beginnings
of some top action on flies with green Mosquitoes and Sierra Bright
Dots. Use real small sizes with top flies in the 18 to 22 ranges.
Good action with Panther Martins.
Lake Sabrina is rising and the fishing has been very good. Trolling
has been good with Rapala or Nightcrawlers. We had a beauty come out
casting a green Lip-Ripperz. Casting with Thomas Buoyants have also
been great.
BIG FISH
Bob Phillips of Granada Hills nailed a great 4 lb. 11 oz. Alpers
Rainbow from Sabrina using a Lip Ripperz.
Justin Wood also from Granada Hills came in with a 3 lb. 14 oz. Rainbow
out of Bishop Creek using Powerbait.
Remember, great pictures of fish and scenery are available on our
website: www.bishopcreekresorts.com
This report sent by Gary Olson, Bishop Creek Resorts |
Tom Loe (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, October 20, 2003 - 10:11 am: | |
October 17, 2003
Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. Best fishes to all of you from the Eastern High Sierra.
The weather has been incredible this October and the transition into fall has been gradual and very pleasant. The colors are spectacular in the canyons and along the Aspen lined creek sides in the upper valleys and meadows. Daytime temperatures remain in the low to mid 70’s with the lows dipping 5-10 degrees below freezing in the mornings. The Owens Valley is warm with highs in the low eighties and low temperatures remaining above freezing. The forecast is calling for dry and stable conditions well into next week. There will be periods of gusty westerly and southerly winds as the dry fronts move past the region.
Bring along clothing that is easily layered. It can be cold in the mornings this time of year but as the sun warms the thin air you can be in summer attire during late morning. It is best to be prepared for a sudden winter storm this time of year also. Float tubers and wade fishers are best advised to have heavy to moderate thermal unders and socks for the cooling water temps also. Expect most lake and river temps to be in the low 50’s.
Fishing has been good overall in most locations with some areas beginning to kick out some nice browns that are staging for the fall spawn. Water levels are very low in the freestone creeks and reservoirs. Most of the tail water fisheries have been reduced to winter flow rates and are fishing well. Please be extra careful when handling trout in the creeks and rivers this time of year as the rigors of the spawn put heavy stress on them. Avoid removing the protective slime that coats the skin by handling the fish as little as possible.
Lower Owens River: Very good
Flows got bumped up to 250 cfs. but are still very conducive to those fishing the wild trout section. There is solid caddis activity everyday, with the trico hatches becoming more prevalent each day. Nymphing under a strike indicator with #18-22 bead head patterns that imitate mayfly, caddis and midge nymphs will all get you grabs this time of year if you present the flies properly. Keep those bugs near the bottom by using enough split shot and the proper length of leader calibrated to the depth of the water you are fishing. 1.5 times the depth of the water is an approximate length you should set your leader under the indicator. Example: water depth is 3 feet with a moderate current flow, your leader and tippet length should be 3X1.5=4.5 feet. Using enough weight to get those bugs down is paramount to your success also and you may need to add or remove split shot to achieve a solid dead drift. The flies or shot must “tickle” the bottom as they drift. Your indicator should vibrate or shimmy periodically when you are set correctly.
We have had very good results on our initial drift boat trips this season. Heavy sink tips and streamer patterns in olive have been the hot ticket for us #10-12. The dip and strip method has proven to be deadly to the rainbows and browns holding along the undercut banks on the Lower Owens.
The highly talented tandem of Jack Bentley and Tom Kaa both long time San Diego Fly Fishers and veteran Sierra Drifters floated the Lower “O” with us recently and had an excellent day catch and releasing over 50 rainbows and browns using our Loeberg and Spruce-a-bu patterns. Way to tug em’ up guys!
Upper Owens River: Poor-very good
The poor is not due to a lack of trout in this situation but the increased flow rates have made the river a mess with free drifting weed. It is impossible at times in the section below Hot Creek to get a presentation without a clump of weed on your fly. If you do get some clean water you will find very good fishing for 12-16 inch rainbows with a few browns starting to show in the Long Years section of the river. We have had good results using a hopper and a dropper bead head nymph rig and a moderate to light sinking tip and streamer pattern #10-12 using the dip and strip method. There are fall spawning rainbows that are showing up in ever increasing numbers daily and it will not be long before the larger browns begin making their way up river to honeymoon for the fall spawn also. The first good winter storm usually gets them moving and with the season extended until 11-15-03 we will see some nice fish coming up from Crowley in the days to come. The section downstream from the Benton Crossing Bridge to the fishing monument located about ½ mile upstream from Crowley Lake is closed to ALL fishing for the remainder of the year.
Crowley Lake: Good-very good
The lake has risen from the ashes of over fishing in late September and is once again providing some excellent opportunities for fly fishers using both streamers and stillwater nymph set-ups. The big fish are showing up in the north arm of the lake from Leighton Springs to Green Banks and along Six Bays during the mornings and evenings. McGee Bay has been tumbleweeds and cactus lately, with a few fish being caught in Little Hilton. The chironomid hatches have been steady and above average for this time of year due to the extremely warm days. You will find the best bite to be during late morning and then late afternoon if the wind is not flapping your ears around. Emerger type patterns (Gillies, crystal pupa and crystal emergers) #16-20 have been best with the larva patterns (crystal tiger and zebra midges) more consistent in the mornings and off hatch times. You will find the fish on the flats in 7-9 feet and along the drop-offs in 6 Bays in 11-13 feet. Streamer tuggers hang on the big boys are on the prowl! Hornberg type patterns like our olive Loeberg #10 have been rocking some very large browns and bows in the river channel along Green banks and North landing. Black, purple, cinnamon and black and red wooly buggers and leech patterns are also doing well when the fish are holding on the bottom. Use a dead slow retrieve when fishing leech imitations and I suggest a full or heavy sinking line to keep your fly down. Our crystal leech #10-12 is a good choice for a slug imitation.
Steve Campbell Wrightwood, CA and Dad, Fred Campbell from Upland, CA book a fall trip on Crowley every year hoping to get into some hefty trout. They are seldom disappointed and this year was no exception. Check out Freddie’s slammer.
Carol Thaxter from Fresno, CA has done very well on Crowley during the fall and she once again got into some big fish while stillwater nymphing with us recently. Check out the big rainbow she bested. High fives Carol!
Sam and Linda Nicolosi from San Diego, CA hit a great day for browns with Sam getting a chunky fish on a “gillie” pattern. The couple skillfully brought to net around 40 fish. Good going kids!
You may see these lucky folks and others by visiting our website at: http://www.sierradrifters.com/fish.html
Hot Creek: Good
This is the most technical time of year to fish this area and it presents some difficult situations to even the most experienced fly caster. The low water levels make extended drifts difficult. The mayflies are tiny #20-24 and the fish have been hammered all summer. The key is “high sticking” keeping as little fly line on the water as possible and very long leaders 11-13 feet with 6X and 7X tippets. You can use a parachute or hopper pattern if you have difficulty seeing the tiny emerger or trico imitation as a “flag fly” There are caddis in the afternoons and this is your best bet if the wind is not cranking. Wait until the shadows creep onto the section you wish to “angle” upon. The browns get more aggressive this time of year here despite the heavy pressure and fishing the low light periods is best.
West Walker River: Good
Very low water here. You will have to locate the deeper pools and runs in order to find concentrations of trout and when you do a dry dropper combo will do a number on them. The riffles and pocket water are not good as the water is very low. Check out upstream from Pikel Meadows.
East Walker River: Fair
Flows are 85 cfs. These are low and very easy to wade in. This is a great time of year to pull streamers for the larger fish located just below the dam, but at these release rates there are only several sections that you can use a light sink tip line. Dry/dropper, dry/dry combos are best and the fish are eager, as the water temps have cooled substantially. You will still encounter off colored water but it is getting much better as the algae in Bridgeport Reservoir decreases.
San Joaquin River: Good
Very low water conditions here. You must hoof it to locate deeper water the trout are holding in. Fish the deeper pockets and pools avoid the riffles. Dry droppers with tigers and zebras #16-20 will get you takes. Crowds are way down here this time of year and it is gorgeous just to be in this area. The mornings are a tad chilly so layer up. Best bite starts mid-morning.
Rock Creek Area: Good
Fair numbers of planted fish still being caught by streamer tuggers using wooly buggers, Matukas, Loebergs and leeches with a trail fly. Hares ear #14, soft hackles #12-14, crystal midge pupa #18 will all get grabs in the late afternoon and evenings. Mornings are slow; wait until it warms up a little. The creek is flowing low also and you need to locate the pools and deeper runs for best results. Dry dropper combos are a good choice. #14-16 elk caddis with a #18 crystal tiger---Fish on baby!
June Lake Loop:
Good reports from Silver for stockers. Get the flies down to 15 feet. Try one of our Spruce-a-bu patterns #10. This is a great fall streamer for rainbows in the dark style, while the browns seem to prefer the “Kelley Bundy” or blonde version. Grant has been slower as the water levels are dropping. Gull has had reports of some large Alpers being caught on streamers during the sundown snap.
Kirman Lake: Good
Hit this place mid-week to avoid the crowds if possible. The brookies are fat and getting aggressive from a very reliable report recently. If you are having trouble getting the cutts and brook trout to hit a streamer, try a dual scud rig employing stillwater nymph techniques under a strike indicator. Very pretty scenery to view here this time of year also.
Pleasant Valley Reservoir: Good
When they are not generating power the river section is very good for both rainbows and browns using a dry/dry or dry dropper bead head set-up. Work the riffles and pocket water in the brush section below the powerhouse for some good action on smaller sized trout. The reservoir is still slow; tubers are doing best in the late afternoons when the shadows get over the water on the south side. Perch fry imitations like the punk perch and Loeberg #10-12 will get you grabs.
Mammoth Lakes Basin: Fair-good
Wait until it warms up a bit or best if you hit these areas late afternoon if the wind is not honking. The fall spawning Alpers are aggressive this time of year and you can tug some big attractor patterns that will get them to hit your fly out of aggression as opposed to hunger. The big flies like zonkers, crystal buggers, #6-8 are good choices as is our spruce-a-bu #8 for these rascals. Get those flies down 10-15 feet with a heavy sink tip or full sink line.
The Gorge: Very good
One group of individuals report that the “evil stinging nettle” has evolved into a multi-legged plant creature that actually stalks fly-fishers along the banks and with each hook set swats the back of the legs! The fishing is great down in the canyon and with the cooling weather it is a sure bet if you want to get into some smaller sized browns that hit dries. Stick to caddis or baetis patterns #16-18. A stimulator and an olive crystal zebra #18-20 as a dropper is money!
You may purchase our time tested guide flies at the following fine fly shops:
Stroud’s Tackle in San Diego, Malibu Fish’n Tackle in Thousand Oaks, The Trout Fly and Troutfitter in Mammoth Lakes, and The Crowley Lake Fish Camp. There are links to all shops at www.sierradrifters.com/resources.htm
Be the fly…Tom Loe
Sierra Drifters Guide Service
Email driftfish@qnet.com
www.sierradrifters.com
Phone 760-935-4250
|
Tom Loe (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, October 06, 2003 - 8:50 am: | |
October 6, 2003
Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. The fall season is upon us here in the Eastern Sierra and its metamorphosis has been a gradual one for sure. The deciduous trees are varied shades of yellows and reds with the upper elevations beginning to shed their leaves. The weather has been unseasonably mild with warm days and just a touch of frost in the gray of morning in elevations above 6000 feet.
It has been a very dry early fall and the extended forecast is calling for a gradual cooling trend with partly cloudy days and some gusty winds occasionally. No significant precipitation is forecast this week. The Owens Valley remains dry and warm in the afternoons with some moderate winds mid-day.
Fishing has been on the slow side in some areas due to low water. The put and take areas have been fishing well due to late season plantings. There are several areas in which the fall spawning trout have been on the move. This migration will increase as the days continue to shorten.
Be prepared for cold weather if you are planning a trip this time of year. It can change rapidly especially in elevations above 7000 feet.
Lower Owens River: Very Good
Flows have finally been decreased to 205 cfs. and it occurred in a very short period of time. At this release rate wading in the wild trout section will be gravy. There is consistent caddis activity every day, as well as several types of mayflies emerging this time of year. The mighty midge is always a “go to” pattern here at all times of the year and if you are struggling to get grabs this is the fly that will alter your luck most of the time. You will find fish in the riffles and the pools depending on the time of day and sky conditions. 6X tippet is best when using dries or nymphs this time of year. Try our olive crystal zebras and crystal tiger midges while nymphing under an indicator #18-22.
The drift boat season is in its infancy stages and it looks to be a great start by the results of our first trips! Dirk and Linda Westfall caught and released the first 40 trout in the more brush lined and secluded sections of the Lower Owens by using the “dip and strip” method recently. The Loeberg was the fly de jour used in conjunction with a heavy sinking tip line.
Upper Owens River: Good
We really whacked the 12-14 inch rainbows here on Loeberg streamers recently in the Long Years section above the confluence of Hot Creek. Brian and Matt “the night stalker” Smith caught and released 24 rainbows and smaller browns in a few hours dip and stripping in this piece of water. You may find annoying amounts of free floating weed as the flows have increased this week. Keep your fly clean! The section below the Benton Crossing Bridge and the monument is now CLOSED to all fishing. You may fish downstream from the monument with restricted regulations, and upstream from the Benton Crossing Bridge with restrictions also until 11-15-03.
There are some larger rainbows beginning to show in the Upper Owens staging for the fall spawn. This is the time of year to use streamers here! Moderate sinking tip lines will assist you in getting the flies down to the trout holding in the pools and along the undercut banks. We suggest you keep a low profile and use some “stealth” when approaching the banks. If the weather maintains stable and warm you will get opportunities to use a hopper and a dropper bead head nymph in this area with good results. There are consistent caddis and mayfly hatches daily #16-20.
Crowley Lake: Poor-Fair
The overall “catching” for fly-fishers has been drastically slower since the Double Haul fly-fishing event held in late September. Extremely low lake water levels, heavy fishing pressure and an increasingly lower number of trout after the “catch and kill” season are attributing to the slower fishing in what should and what has been the best time of year for fly-fishers. October has historically been the best month for both numbers and size on Crowley. This has not been the case in recent years. There have been some exceptions recently due to the great weather and consistent chironomid hatches, but overall it has been pretty slow in all areas. The larger fish have been in the Green Banks area of the lake located in the North Arm. The Upper Owens River feeds this body of water and the 2 and 3-year-old rainbows have been staging here in preparation for the fall spawn.
The lake has been partially planted with thousands of small cutthroats and rainbows since the dreaded bait fishing/general trout season closed here on 7-31. These little rascals will provide you with some action if you get into them, but do not expect to burn up your drag washers in the ensuing battle!
There is not a whole lot left to McGee Bay and we suggest you fish in 7-11 feet. There is a moderate algae bloom and check your fly during extended soak times. Fish the river channels in the North Arm and around mud island near Leighton Springs for the most consistent streamer and chironomid bites. Streamer tuggers have had good results between midge emergences using perch fry imitations like our Punk Perch and Loeberg #10-12. Stillwater nymphing has been spotty with the best patterns being the gillie #20-22 and copper and black emergers #20.
There has been heavy pressure during the weekends here. Spread out and fish the perimeters, you will do better than punching it out amongst the crowds.
If you asked the foursome of Jim Moses (from Bakersfield, CA), brother Gary, Dale McBride and friend Doug Tudor about slow fishing recently they would most likely not want it any better due to sore arms! These guys hammered 75 to the net with many fish over 18 inches. Check out the photos including a 23-inch cutt caught and released by Jim on a Drifters Crystal Emerger. The 20-inch plus fish landed by Dale and companions are trophy material anywhere.
Gary Gillingham from Duarte, CA took top honors in the double haul float tube competition this year. Along with his partner, Ron Uchimura they also took second place in the team slot. It was a tough year for this event and exceptional skill, many days on the water and ingenuity had much to do with the top ten winners getting placed. Gary is an Izorline representative and accomplished salt-water angler. He and his bride Betsy have been treasured clients of Sierra Drifters for many years. We congratulate him and his pal Ron on their well-deserved victory. High fives guys!
Check out the photos of these folks and others by visiting our website at: http://www.sierradrifters.com/fish.html
Hot Creek: Fair
Tough fishing here due to low water flows and the microscopic size of the aquatic insects emerging this time of year. Plan on fishing trico and midge patterns in the #20-24 range, with the frosting being some late caddis hatches in the #18 spectrum. Long drifts are a thing of the past with accurate, short dead drifts during lower light periods being best. 6X and 7X tippets are a must with leaders in the 10-foot category.
San Joaquin River: Fair
The last guy I spoke with that fished this area had blisters on his feet from having to cover so much water. The flows are very low here and you will find the “sweet” spots few and far between. The trout are spooky and upstream longer casts will work better than across stream presentations. Dry/dry and dry dropper bead head nymphs using crystal tiger and olive zebra midges in conjunction with a #16 stimulator or elk caddis as an indicator will get you grabs in the deeper pools. Parachute Adams #18 as a trail dry on 6X tippet is a solid choice for the pocket water dry fly fisher. The deeper holes will hold a good number of trout. Keep your shadow off the water and stick to these areas if they have not been hit recently. The trout pod this time of year and you must cover some area to locate the prime spots.
East Walker River: Fair
Sometimes water that is off color and looking like split pea soup will not be a bad thing. The water temps have dropped to below critical here and you will find decent numbers of smaller trout in most areas with a few big fish here and there in the “glory holes.” Flows are at winter releases, currently around 95 cfs and the wading is easy with good access to all sections. Nymphing with midges and mayfly nymphs #16-20 will continue to be your best bet with patterns that incorporate some flash in them. This is a great time of year to use streamers, but the low flows will make it difficult to cover the water efficiently.
Bridgeport Reservoir is once again very low and the entire water column is green with algae. Conditions may improve towards the end of the season if the weather turns cooler.
West Walker River: Fair
The fishing can be good here if you get a whack at some of the planted trout in and around the campground areas. Flows are low here also and you will need to “hoof it” in order to find the water that is holding trout. Check out the canyon between Hwy.395 near the Sonora Pass exit and the Sonora Bridge Campground. Fish up from Hwy.395 and down from the campground. Dry dropper combos are best with an upstream presentation.
Rock Creek Area: Good
Late season plantings will provide action for streamer tuggers near the inlet and outlet areas of the lake. Get your flies down at least 10 feet with a full sinking or heavy sinking tip line. Olive and black patterns are best here #10-12 with a splash of red and crystal flash used on the bodies.
Mammoth Lakes Basin: Good
The Alpers stocking truck is making its final rounds in this region and there will be some nice DFG planted fish to be caught here also. Good reports from below the falls at Upper Twin especially in the evenings. Streamer patterns fished near the falls as well as a dry dropper nymph combo have produced good numbers of planted rainbows and wild brook trout. My personal choice is a pattern we use in the late season and winter months called a Spruce-a-bu. It is a great attractor fly and has an excellent profile with all the right ingredients to get grabs. This pattern can be fished in moving or still waters with sinking type lines. The rainbows eat this thing like crazy and the browns hit the “blonde” version with a vengeance. If you plan on tubing any of the upper lakes this fall this is a solid pattern that will surely get you grabs.
June Lake Loop: Good
Gull and Silver have been kicking out some fatties that include Hot Creek brood stock and Alpers trout. Streamer patterns are the rule fished around the 10-foot depth. The low light periods are best here, hope for a cloudy warm day!
Virginia Lakes/Green Creek: Fair
The water is just a trickle in Green Creek but if you find a deeper cut and do not spook the wild browns or brooks this area can provide lots of fun and some gorgeous scenery this time of year. Use a dry/dry combo with a larger caddis #16 and an Adams or gray bodied mayfly #18 as a trail fly. I have a report from Keith Kern, a Big Bear Lake Guide and expert fly tier of a 22 inch brown he bested on Big Virginia while pulling a streamer in the afternoon. This is a great time of year for the larger browns to go on the bite, especially at elevation.
Bishop Creek/South Lake area: Good
The entire Bishop creek drainage is at fall flow releases (very low) but in better shape than most drainages in the Eastern Sierra. The fall plantings have been right on schedule and you should not have any trouble locating fish in the creek and around the outlet and inlet areas of the lakes. Intake 2 is always a good bet for planted fish, streamers in olive, black and orange #8-12 will get you into trout. Use 4X tippet, as the water is very clean.
Hope you get a chance to come up and visit us here for some fun fly-fishing and incredible scenic opportunities with the fall colors taking center stage. Best fishes.
You may purchase our time tested guide flies at the following fine fly shops:
The Crowley Lake Fish Camp, The Trout Fly and Troutfitter in Mammoth Lakes, Stroud’s Tackle in San Diego, and Malibu Fish’n Tackle in Thousand Oaks. There are links to all establishments at www.sierradrifters.com/resources.htm
Be the fly…Tom Loe
Sierra Drifters Guide Service
Email driftfish@qnet.com
www.sierradrifters.com
Phone 760-935-4250
|
Tom Loe (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, September 09, 2003 - 8:10 am: | |
September 8, 2003
Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. Best fishes to you all for this “hint of fall” fish report from the Eastern High Sierra.
We hope you all have an opportunity to come and see the wonderful metamorphosis that will be occurring in the near future as the deciduous trees and fall spawning trout begin their transformation into an unsurpassed color spectacle here in the high country. You could not tell by the current excellent weather that fall is just around the corner and those frosty mornings and cooler days are soon to be the norm. Summer like conditions continue to linger and the occasional thunderstorm has been and continues to be in the forecast.
The weeks ahead will not only provide some of the finest trout fishing opportunities of the season, but will no doubt be the stage for some magnificent photo opportunities with the incredible scenic backdrops this region has to offer.
Fishing has been very good to incredible the last week in some areas. A combination of perfect weather and water conditions attributed to this event.
The annual “Double Haul In The Fall” fly fishing, catch and release, float tube event will be staged at Crowley Lake on Sept. 20th. Up to 400 participants are slated to join in for a plethora of prizes donated by the sponsors of the event and orchestrated by Western Outdoor News Magazine. If you are planning a trip to Crowley during that time frame and are not entered in the event, we suggest you go elsewhere as the lake look likes a giant bowl of Cheerio’s and the fishing can be influenced by the number of experienced fly-fishers ripping lips for a couple of days before and after the event.
The Crowley Lake Fish Camp management and Sierra Drifters Guide Service will be participating in the Double Haul offering a FREE SEMINAR on Sept.19th at 5:00 p.m. regarding fly-fishing techniques, entomology and location strategy for ANYONE interested in learning more about how to fish Crowley Lake with a fly. There will be a BBQ dinner and refreshments served after the seminar at the Crowley Lake Fish Camp for a $10.00 fee. Please call 760-935-4301 if you plan on attending the seminar and the BBQ dinner.
Double Haul participants can PRE-REGISTER and get their NUMBER DESIGNATION all week prior to the event at the Fish Camp. You may also purchase all the flies, tippets, gear, etc… to win the event and get current information on what is happening on the lake. Good Luck D-Haul contestants!
Crowley Lake: Incredible!
The best fly-fishing of the year has been the story in McGee Bay the last week with only a couple of days during this period that could be classified as “off ”. 40 to over 80 plus fish days have been taking place for clients that have spent one or more days with us recently. Still water nymphing has been the key to the huge numbers of rainbows, cutthroats and browns being caught and released in McGee Bay. The multiple chironomid hatches have been reliable and numerous, coupled with excellent weather and daytime cloud cover with little or no wind.
Streamer tuggers have also been doing very well, especially for the larger trout gorging on the Sacramento Perch Fry that are measuring ¼ to ¾ of an inch in length. The weed beds are still prevalent along all the shorelines of the lake, but due to the rapidly dropping water levels these bastions of cover for the perch will not be a safe house much longer. We have been clobbering the trout in 5-12 feet of water depending on how prevalent the increasing algae bloom influences the fly’s profile. The algae are heavy and may become a factor in the future.
The bad news on the lake is the lack of trout elsewhere. The North Arm has some big fish from time to time, but no numbers. The bite just does not hold up for long here and in my opinion, there is no amount of trout here as McGee has been excellent during the same time frame. Leighton Springs, Hilton Bays and 6 Bays are all lacking fish at this time.
If you are planning a trip to Crowley make sure you have some emerging type chironomid patterns #16-20 and some perch fry imitations in #10-12. Our “guide fly’s” have been the Drifters black and copper crystal emergers and gilled chironomid patterns #18-20. Hot streamers are the Punk Perch and Loebergs #10-12.
The current new management at Crowley has committed to better serving the problems tubers have with accessing the many areas of the lake. Ramps have been installed on the floating rest room facilities and a “shuttle” service from the fish camp to both McGee Bay and the North Arm are being provided for a minimal fee. The reports I get from those whom have utilized the new service are excellent. Tubers check this service out it is a great idea! Call 760-935-4301 for info.
We have had so many great trips recently; it is difficult which ones to highlight for the current report. Dr. Cary Kutzke from Long Beach, CA and pal Mike Schroder got taken off the X-MAS list of Crowley’s trout by bringing to net 86 trout in 8 hours of stillwater nymphing.
Scott and Chris Linkletter from San Pedro, CA had 114 trout that were caught and released in a 2 day “swing-a-thon” that included some t-storms and a lightning fire. The fishing was definitely hotter than the brush fire!
Veteran Sierra Drifters client Decker Warner, from Thousand Oaks, CA got his biggest brown ever on one of our chironomid imitations. Check this hook jawed critter out!
Matt Louv came up with a group of San Diego Fly Fishers and hit the fish of the day by landing a hog Lahontan cutthroat on a “gillie” pattern. Nice fish Matt!
Browns, cutts and how about a nice rainbow to cover all the plates that Crowley has to offer? Lance Geiger from Yorba Linda, CA has mastered stillwater nymphing and his results are apparent. Check out his big Kamloops rainbow that fell to one of our crystal tiger midges recently.
To look at these photos and others click to our website at: http://www.sierradrifters.com/fish.html
You may purchase our guide flies at the following fine fly shops:
The Trout Fly and Troutfitter located in Mammoth Lakes. These great fly shops are also sponsors of the D-haul and you may pre-register and get current info and gear from the pros at these Mammoth Lakes locations.
Malibu Fish’n Tackle in Thousand Oaks. Stroud’s Tackle in San Diego. The Crowley Lake Fish Camp. There are links to all these shops at www.sierradrifters.com/resources.htm
Lower Owens River: Fair
Flows have been lowered to 450 cfs. These are not great levels for wading quite yet, but are down from the flood levels of 600 plus cfs. Things will continue to improve on all fronts in this area as the demand for water and power decrease and the weather cools during the daytime. You will need at least 2 bb shot to get down in the deeper pools during the high sun periods. Use caddis or rock worm imitations when fishing deep. There are mayfly and caddis emergences occurring most days during the mornings and late afternoons. Stick to patterns in the #18-22 size range for best results.
We are anticipating a great season of drifting the secluded sections of the Lower Owens River. Conditions are primed for a season promising big fish this fall and winter. Stay tuned.
Upper Owens River: Good
I had some doubt as to whether or not the new regulations would impact and improve the fishing in this area in the short time they have been implemented. The conclusion is without a doubt positive and we need to keep the closures below the campground area near the Benton Crossing Bridge during spawning cycles to insure a full comeback of the wild fish that will populate this tremendous fishery. If you wish to voice your opinion on this matter please contact Dept. of Fish & Game, Michael Flores, PO Box 944209, Sacramento, CA 94244-2090.
Fishing has improved this season for both numbers and size. Stick to hopper patterns with an emerger or bead head nymph as a dropper in the runs that are less that 3-foot in depth. Hit the big pools and bends with tandem nymph rigs or streamers. There are rainbows working upstream to the gravel spawning areas as we speak, this trend will continue to increase as the water cools this fall.
West Walker River: Very Good
If you do some walking away from the campgrounds during the lowlight periods of the day you can have all kinds of fun with the smaller wild trout that heavily populate this freestone river. The trout will take both mayfly and caddis imitations in #16-18. Levels are ideal for pocket water fishing and the large riffles still have enough flow to hold fish during the cloudy days and lowlight periods.
East Walker River: Fair
You will still encounter some “split pea soup” colored water here due to the algae coming from the reservoir, but conditions are improving with the promise of a decent fall. This area has received substantial rainfall this summer and Bridgeport Reservoir is not empty as has been the case for the last couple of seasons. Reports are mixed, with nymphing being best overall with midge patterns #18 or smaller.
San Joaquin: Excellent
The campgrounds have thinned out immensely and the flows are low, but not to the point in which it makes presentations difficult. You may have to search out holding areas like deeper pools, bends and channels. When you find such a spot it is possible to get multiple grabs and several trout holding in the deeper water. Mixed imitations will work here including mayflies in #14-18, caddis imitations #18 and stoneflies #16. Nymphing with our crystal caddis larva and tiger midges #16-18 will also get grabs when used as a dropper off a dry or below an indicator as a tandem rig.
Hot Creek: Very good
Catching has been real solid here although the fishing has been more difficult due to the decreasing flows. The bulk of the trout will be on the small side. If you hit a warm cloudy day, you will get grabs on most any decent drift with a small mayfly or caddis fly imitation #20. I suggest you stick to the morning and evening periods when the trout are less wary. There is hopper activity on the windy afternoons. Use a #16 Stimulator with a yellow body. Crowds have been lighter than normal, even on weekends.
Mammoth Lakes Basin: Very Good
Upper Twin below the falls continues to provide steady action for both hatchery rainbows and wild brookies. Good reports from those using stillwater nymphing methods with zebra and tiger midges.
Streamers continue to get grabs on Lake Mamie and Mary. Some holdover Alpers and DFG brood stock rainbows will get you bendo from a tube. I like our Loebergs and Spruce-a-bu patterns for these areas. Use a sinking tip or full sinking line and get those imitations down at least 10-15 feet.
Be the fly…Tom Loe
Sierra Drifters Guide Service
Email driftfish@qnet.com
www.sierradrifters.com
Phone 760-935-4250
|
Tom Loe (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 8:18 pm: | |
August 26, 2003
Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. Best fishes to you all for this Labor Day 2003 fishing report update from the Eastern Sierra.
Late August through mid September is an excellent time to fly fish and visit the Eastern Sierra. The mild temperatures and stable weather conditions are the norm for this time of year and it appears this will be the trend this week continuing through the holiday weekend. Hope you get the opportunity to come on up and visit us here in the high country.
Fishing remains good in all areas and with the current weather pattern little change is expected into the holiday weekend. Look for extra plantings from the DFG with some jumbo brood stock fish from the Hot Creek Hatchery going into the areas lakes. The Alpers trout program will also be adding icing on the cake for those who wish to fish areas with planted trout.
Crowley Lake: Good
Once again Crowley should be at the top of your list if you are planning a trip to this region. Stillwater nymph fishing has been very good most days with the best activity coming mid-morning and late afternoons. Streamer tuggers have been enjoying the best action we have seen in recent years using perch fry imitations with moderate sinking lines. McGee bay has been the place for the most consistent fishing, the north arm remains slow, but if you do get into a bite here the big brown you have always wanted will more than likely be the culprit making your reel smoke!
The algae have just begun to re-bloom this week as surface water temperatures have dropped into the mid and upper 60’s. It has not been a factor thus far, but as in the past look for it to become increasingly more prevalent. A clean fly will be the difference between a grab or not. Frequent cleaning of your flies, especially while stillwater nymphing is necessary.
We have found the highest concentrations of fish in water depths of 10-14 feet. Look deeper as the sun gets higher and reverse this as the sun lowers on its westerly trek.
The lake level is dropping rapidly and the fish are moving out a little each day. The weed beds are disappearing, but are still thick enough to be a nuisance along the shore of McGee Bay and Leighton Springs. I know of at least 2 fins lost in the weeds just last week. Scout out an area before you kick in or out tubers.
You will no doubt get into the “little ones” which have been recently planted. Please treat them with the same care as the larger fish; they are Crowley’s future.
Perch fry imitations like our Punk Perch #10 and 12 and the always-dependable Loeberg #10 are good choices for getting wicked hard takes while stripping and trolling from your tubes.
The chironomid hatches have been excellent and gray and black emergers have been the hot ticket this week #18-20. The fish have been “climbing the rope” and suspending the flies 1-3 feet off the bottom will work as the pupa rise for an emergence.
The float tube ramps are working out great thanks to ingenuity of the former and current management at the Crowley Lake Fish Camp. They are located on the floating rest rooms. You can contact the Fish Camp if you wish to use the new shuttle service that is currently being provided for a minimal fee. 760-935-4301
The San Diego Fly Fishers came up in force recently and we were honored to be able to guide and host some of these fine fly fishers.
Into his eighties and going strong “Sco” Bonnet was accompanied by daughter “Di-Di” with Sco getting big fish honors that day. Way to be the fly Sco!!!
Sam and Mona Morebello had a big day on Crowley thanks to some fine weather and finer fly-fishing talent. Mona caught and released many gorgeous rainbows on chironomid imitations.
Three generations of fly fishers spent a day with us this summer. Mike, Scott, and Nate Dillon all landed some nice trout, which got released. Check out the nice paint job on the brown Mike fooled on one of our “gillies.” You can view these San Diegans at www.sierradrifters.com/fish.html.
The Spitzer brothers rocked the browns from their tubes during a gray bite recently. Check out the great photo and comments about the punk perch!
Also at www.sierradrifters.com/fish.html
Lower Owens River: Poor
Flows are currently at 600 cfs. Go elsewhere right now.
The fall drift boat season is coming fast and we expect a great season. Mother Nature has restored the damage caused by past fires in some of our favorite areas and the river will be in full colors this fall. Fall and winter are the optimum times to hit big trout in the secluded sections we drift. We have openings available after October.
Upper Owens River: Good
Put on those hopper patterns with a dropper bead head nymph and fish the section above the confluence of Hot Creek. The wild browns are active in the afternoons. Keep the flies along the banks and fish with an upstream approach. There are some trout beginning to move upstream from Crowley, and you will have increasingly better chances to hang a large fish as the summer turns to fall in this area.
San Joaquin River: Good
Flows are perfect for pocket water fishing with most any dry pattern #14-18. We had fun with a #16 yellow or orange-bodied Stimulator and a #18 olive elk hair caddis as the trail fly. Get away from the campgrounds for better opportunities from the wild fish. It has been plenty crowded and the holiday weekend will make untouched water in the easy to access areas impossible.
West Walker River: Good
Several days last week this area was affected by heavy rains and it clouded the water shutting the fish down for a spell. Conditions have improved recently and the trout are back on the grab. The wading is easy at current flows. Use a hopper and a dropper bead head nymph in the pocket water and deeper riffles, and a “tandem tiger” rig fished under a small strike indicator. 6x tippet will get more grabs in the clean water.
Hot Creek: Good
As summer turns to fall and water levels continue to decrease exposing the heavy surface weed in Hot Creek, dry flies and shallow emergers will be the choice imitations for best presentations. Caddis emergers and dries are a solid option in the afternoons, especially when the shadows get longer. Small mayfly spinners #22-24 in the mornings will get the job done. Use a larger imitation like a #16 PMD as a lead or target fly to assist you in seeing the small trico pattern. 6x and 7x tippet will get more grabs than larger diameter lines.
The deeper pools will begin to stack up with increasingly larger numbers of trout as the flows continue to decrease. Use a tandem nymph rig with imitations like our crystal olive zebra nymph. The smaller the indicator, the better.
Mammoth Lakes Basin: Good
There will be ample amounts of planted fish in this region and we have found the best way to fool these trout is with streamer patterns trolled with full or heavy sinking lines from a float tube. My personal favorite is a fly called the Spruce-a-bu and it will get grabs if you locate the fish. Crystal buggers, Matukas and Hornbergs are all good choices in #6-12.
As with any body of water, find the inlet, the outlet, bottom structure like drop-offs or tree stumps, transition zones of deeper to shallow water or shadow lined banks.
June Lake Loop: Good
Some rainbows are beginning to move up into Rush Creek and you may find streamers to be the most effective means of getting these rascals to grab your imitation. Silver and Gull are good choices for tubers wishing to troll streamers. If you get a calm evening and see the trout rising, use a #16 mayfly like a parachute Adams and suspend a #18-20 crystal tiger or zebra about 2-3 feet under the dry. Use the dry as an indicator when the trout sips the midge.
Rock Creek: Good
You may find the crowds a bit too much here during the holiday weekend but there should be extra plantings here to accommodate the increased traffic. Get out in a tube or do some walking down by the meadows and you will get away from the masses along the banks and campgrounds. The creek is fishing well with caddis imitations #16-18 nymphs and dries. Use our Spruce-a-bu’s, Loebergs and Crystal Leeches on the lake.
You may purchase our guide flies mentioned in the above report at the following fine fly shops: Malibu Fish’n Tackle in Thousand Oaks, Stroud’s Tackle in San Diego, The Trout Fly and Troutfitter in Mammoth Lakes, and The Crowley Lake Fish Camp. There are links to all locations at www.sierradrifters.com/resources.htm
Be the fly…Tom Loe
Sierra Drifters Guide Service
Email driftfish@qnet.com
www.sierradrifters.com
Phone 760-935-4250
|
Tom Loe
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, May 28, 2003 - 11:12 am: | |
Subject: Eastern Sierra Fishing Report
May 25, 2003
Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. Best fishes to all for this 2003 Memorial Day fish report.
Once again we have major changes to report from the eastern slope of the Central Sierra Nevada Mountains. The runoff has begun in most areas with the freestone streams and watersheds being the most effected by the rising water levels.
The weather has moderated greatly and the much-awaited warm temperatures have significantly influenced fly fishing in most locations here in the Eastern Sierra.
This region is experiencing afternoon thunderstorm activity and this is forecast throughout the holiday weekend. There may be especially gusty winds from time to time and the strong possibility of a brief rain shower after lunch.
The Owens Valley is just plain hot and uncomfortable along the river during the day. If you want to fish it we suggest an early morning or late afternoon outing to avoid the heat.
The Sonora Pass opened this weekend; Tioga Pass through Yosemite is still closed.
Crowley Lake: Good
Still water nymphing really picked up since Mothers Day as the water temperatures have nearly reached the 60-degree mark this week. The chironomids have been hatching on a regular basis and although there have been few days that the “bite” goes all day; the fishing has been steady slow to medium for the most part. Sandy Point and Leighton Springs have been the most consistent areas in 11-14 feet of water. Some two year olds (trout) have been fooled by our midge patterns recently and the lucky folks that set the hook on these rascals got to look at what backing is on a fly reel other than in the fly shop! Our copper pupa #18-20 and the always-reliable “gillie” #18-20 have been the most consistent during the hatch. Crystal tigers and zebras #16 and 18 will get grabs when fishing right off the bottom or suspended along a drop-off.
The Sacramento Perch are in spawning positions along most of the 10-17 foot depths, especially in the Leighton Springs and Green Banks areas. Those who have been trolling leech patterns slowly near these areas have been picking up significant numbers of the “greenies”.
Huge numbers of anglers converged on Crowley this weekend; this hammering may effect the short term fishing next week. The algae is just beginning to show in some regions of the lake but is not of yet a factor for fly-fishers.
Louie and Gordie Zimm, both accomplished members of the San Diego Fly-Fishers Club spent several days on Crowley as the first major midge hatches came off and it was all about Gordie in the big fish category. Check out the Zimm’s gorgeous “10 ply” rainbows caught on our chironomid imitations.
Stu Reeder, Art Hiett and first time fly-fisher Rich Avalos booked a trip on the new 24-foot “fish magnet” recently and Stu got big fish honors with a rainbow that had an awesome paint job. The trio caught and released over 30 chunky trout that day while stillwater nymphing for the first time. Fun day guys!
You can view our fish report photos and others by visiting our website at: http://www.sierradrifters.com/fish.html
Lower Owens River: Good, but hot down here.
The flows have remained around 310 cfs. for a time now and the upper sections including the wild trout area have been providing good fishing when the weather is not oppressive. Caddis activity in the afternoons and mornings are your best bet for both surface and nymphing presentations. Wading can be tricky at this flow and you will need darn near a tire counter weight to get those bugs down to the trout. The drift boat sections have not been fishing well due to extensive free drifting weed and even higher water flows in the lower sections of the river below the confluence of the Bishop Creek. Concentrate on fishing this region during low sun periods. Keep an eye out here for cooler weather. The flows are stable right now and the fish will become very active during this situation. This will be a good choice if it cools down soon.
Upper Owens River: Fair
There are still some late spawning rainbows present in the upper sections. These fish are good sized and will give you all you can handle if you are fortunate enough to hook up. The water is becoming off colored and does have some weed problems, especially below the confluence of Hot Creek. If you are not having any luck nymphing with roe patterns, San Juan Worms or mayfly imitations, switch to a light to moderate sink tip and tug streamers along the undercuts. Our baitfish imitation like the Loeberg #10 will work wonders in this area when the fish get snotty for the traditional presentations.
East Walker River: Fair
The flows are going up and this is good news for the trout. Current releases are indicating 200 cfs. This increase will substantially expand the habitat of the river channel, which has been under drought like flows for two seasons now. More water means more food and oxygen which =more fish!
Reports are mixed here and it will be hard to give an accurate description of what you may encounter in the near future. Numbers are definitely down for this potentially great piece of water but some very nice browns are being fooled during stable periods. Nymphing is still your best choice using mayfly imitations with some flash incorporated into the pattern or crystal tiger and zebra midges fished with a tandem rig under an indicator.
West Walker River: Poor
My apologies if any of you ventured up here last week. The river is very high and muddy, pretty much “yucky” by fly-fishing standards. The Chris Flats campground has some quieter water that may give you a chance for a presentation, also some of the big pools in the Pickle Meadows area will give you an opportunity but I suggest you by-pass the West Walker until the water stabilizes.
Rush Creek, June Lake Loop: Fair-good
Lower Rush is still fishable and running clear as of this report. Upper Rush is high and a little off colored with the recent run-off. The lakes are fishing better this week as the weather warmed surface temps and got the fish more active. Streamers are your best bet for the planters and Alpers trout stocked in these areas. Most patterns will work in #6-12. The key is getting the flies down to the trout with a full or heavy sinking tip line and most importantly locating the “herd”. Holdover fish will be dispersed throughout the lake and trolling your streamers along inlets, drop-offs and bays will produce. Otherwise, stick around the launch ramps where the hatchery trucks dump em’.
San Joaquin River: Closed until mid-June
Reports from Mammoth Lakes say the road is scheduled to open on June 14th.
Hot Creek: Very Good
Steady action here, as the water in Mammoth Creek is not affecting this spring creek as of this report. Nymphing with small mayfly and midge imitations #18-22 will get the job done. Keep a look out for the afternoon hatches of caddis and P.M.D.’s if the wind is not hooting. Some great surface action can be had on dries and emergers. The area has been very popular this weekend and you may find the fish a tad skittish until it thins out down here.
Rock Creek: Good
Plenty of stockers to keep you interested in the creek. Flows are rising so stick to the big pools and meadows. Two fly nymph rigs will work better with the higher water levels. Copper tigers, and crystal tigers are deadly in this area.
Pleasant Valley Reservoir: Fair
Very warm down in the canyon. May be a good choice if the weather cools down a lot for a couple of days. Use full sinking lines if you plan on tubing, get those flies down 15 feet minimum. The river can be fun this time of year if the powerhouse is not generating. Use a dry/dropper combo with a #12-14 dry and a single bead head nymph #16-18 about 2-3 feet under the dry.
Bridgeport Reservoir: Fair
The run-off has been bringing the lake level up this week. There is algae present and the weeds are starting to become a factor in some areas. I have not received any great reports from fly fishers here but there are some nice browns and good scores of fish being removed by the conventional gear anglers. Contact Bridgeport Recreation Area at 760-932-7001 for current conditions.
Mammoth Lakes:
The road to Lake Mary opened this weekend but there is still plenty of ice on the upper lakes. They will thaw quickly if this warm weather continues and those who wish to do some “freeze tubing” may have some fun with the Alpers and DFG holdovers.
You may purchase our guide flies at the following fine fly shops: Stroud’s Tackle in San Diego, Malibu Fish’n Tackle in Thousand Oaks, The Troutfitter in Mammoth Lakes, and the Crowley Lake Fish Camp tackle shop. There are links to all of these locations at www.sierradrifters.com/resources.htm
Be the fly, Tom Loe
Sierra Drifters Guide Service
Email driftfish@qnet.com
www.sierradrifters.com
Phone 760-935-4250
|
Tom Loe
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, May 14, 2003 - 11:47 pm: | |
Subject: Eastern Sierra Fishing Report
May 14, 2003
Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. May the moon in May find you all healthy and happy.
Big changes to report here in the Eastern Sierra since our prior update. The weather has been horrid since the opener but has recently become more seasonal and is influencing the fishing greatly. Record snowfall in April for Mammoth Mountain and a significant amount of the white stuff already in May have altered the mild and dry weather that prevailed over much of spring here in the Eastern Sierra. Conditions have changed dramatically in the last several days with warm, seasonal weather kicking in and the trout responding to the altered conditions with exuberant feeding behavior.
Wipe the cobwebs off those fly rods and bring the skis up for a great experience here in the Eastern Sierra this spring. It is happening on all fronts!
Best fishes to all, go Lakers!!!
Crowley Lake: Good
The initial part of the season was a huge disappointment to fly-fishers this season but has since turned for the better. Very cold water and bizarre weather attributed to the slow fishing. The lake level is disturbingly low for this time of year and this did not help out the situation for us long rodders.
If you are planning a trip to Crowley in the near future stick to the north arm between Sandy Point and Leighton Springs. We have had some good fishing in these locations while stillwater nymphing the last several days as the air and surface water temperatures have warmed. The fishing is extremely spotty in most other locations. Look for the fish to hold in deeper water than usual, we have got good readings in over 11 feet most days with the bulk of them running the drop-offs in the 11-13 foot range. Stick to larva patterns in the morning and late afternoon. Our Tiger and Zebra midges will get you grabs during this time frame. The chironomid hatch has been starting around 10 a.m. and we tie on our emerger patterns like the “gillie” and copper crystal pupa. Use a 2 fly rig and get those bugs down at least 10 feet. Visibility is excellent thus far with an insignificant amount of algae present. Use fluorocarbon in the 5X range for best results.
Do not be surprised if you hook up some Sacramento Perch. They are staging for the spawn in most areas in water depths of 10-14 feet.
Barry Quarles from San Diego, CA is credited with the first trout caught on Crowley while fishing with us this year. Check out his thick bodied “Eagle Lake” rainbow on our website at http://sierradrifters.com/fish.html
Mike “Mac” McIntire gets credit for landing one of the first trout on the new “fish magnet” launched on Crowley Lake during a blustery May day recently. Mac avoided hypothermia and frostbite by setting the hook while stillwater nymphing off our new 24’ custom flats boat.
Bridgeport Reservoir: Very good
Reports from this area are excellent with few exceptions. The weather has been a factor here early on as with most regions in the Eastern Sierra, however as the conditions improve this is a must stop while in this region. You may encounter significant algae bloom if the wind stacks the green goo along the windward shorelines, especially along the dam. Stillwater nymphing in 10 feet of water using chironomid larva and pupa patterns will get you grabs as will tugging a streamer with a full or heavy sinking tip line using olive patterns while trolling along the drop-offs. Hang a midge trailer off the streamer back 12-16 inches for a different look. The launch ramp and dam sections are your best bet when conditions allow.
Robinson Creek: Fair-good
Reports have this creek fishing well for planted fish when the water is not being released from Lower Twin Lake. Tie on a #14 stimulator with a #16 copper crystal tiger midge as a dropper. 24-36 inches will be fine for your drop tippet. Locate fish around the campgrounds and you will have fun with this rig.
East Walker River: Poor
This blue ribbon fishery has been a victim of low water flows for 3 seasons now and it has taken its toll. Reports here are not good and conditions continue to compromise trout habitat. Flows are 60 c.f.s and the trout are concentrated in the deeper holes, which are not abundant at this release level.
The good news is that a series of late spring storms will bring much-needed run-off to this watershed and perhaps the foundations of increased flows during the summer. Please use extra care while fishing and releasing trout caught in this area.
West Walker River: Fair
Flows are still low as run-off is not significant as of this report. Warmer weather will stimulate the trout to become more active soon and plantings from the Cal D.F.G. will help make this a fun area to fish especially in the Pickle Meadows section located near the Sonora Pass. The dry/dry, dry dropper combo rig with most bead heads #16 will get you some grabs.
Lower Owens River: Poor-good
Flows have done the yo-yo during the last week combined with releases from irrigation canals and it has been tough on the lower sections of the river. The release rate is currently at 300 c.f.s but may change soon due to increased snowmelt. Wading can be difficult in the wild trout section at this flow so use caution. In addition the warm weather has made a late spring feeding pattern in this area with mornings and late afternoons best. The mid-day lulls are very apparent here. Nymphing with plenty of weight to get those bugs down is a must. Pheasant tails and caddis imitations will get grabs if your presentations get down to the trout. Prior to the flow increases we had some excellent fishing in the drift boat sections and Ken Pulskamp and Robert Newman will attest to this. The duo netted almost 100 fish in two days of drifting with us in April with several chunky bows coming to net. Check out Ken and Rob’s fatties by visiting our website. The river has been a mess recently and we are avoiding it due to weed choked, off colored water in the lower sections.
Upper Owens River: Fair
There are still enough late season stragglers to make this interesting in the Long Years section above Benton Crossing. San Juan worms, Roe patterns and streamers fished along the undercuts will work if you cover a lot of water. Keep a low profile while in “search mode” and concentrate on the more difficult to reach holes. A 2-foot trench along a riffle will hold some nice fish that may be overlooked by many.
Big Springs: Fair
This is a small piece of water that from time to time holds some very good sized trout that migrate up from Crowley and the Upper Owens River to spawn. You can fish down stream from the bridge to the boundary of Alpers Owens River Ranch. There is a well-marked fence line here, please respect the property line! Dry/dropper combos work well in this area. Use #18-20 bead head mayfly or midge patterns below a large caddis or Stimulator as an indicator.
McGee Creek, Hilton Creek, Crooked Creek: Poor
The tribs to the lake have pretty slim pickings and not worth the walk as far as fishing is concerned. A few spawners remain in all areas but with the runoff still not started it will be tough to get near them in the shallow water.
Rock Creek Lake, Mammoth Lakes, San Joaquin River: Iced up or closed.
Rock Creek: Good (lower sections)
Stick below Iris Meadows campground and you will stay out of the snow and enjoy some consistent fly-fishing for planted trout. I have got reports of the planters attacking elk caddis on the surface with gusto. Trick here is to find an area that has been planted. Stockers will hold in the slower, deeper water that imitates the flow in the hatchery penstocks.
June Lake Loop: Fair
The weather has improved here greatly and so has the fishing. The cold weather has made the early season tough for tubers and Rush Creek has increased flows making the water higher and difficult to fish. Silver is a good bet near the inlet to Rush if you get a nice day. #8-12 streamers trolled with a full sinking line will get the stocked and holdover trout in this area.
Hot Creek: Good
Steady reports here. Not worth taking extra “personal days off” however, when the wind is not flapping your ear lobes it is consistent and the flows are still early spring like. This may change soon as the snow begins to melt. Stay small here for best results. A #20 nymph or emerger will get far more looks than its # 18 counterpart. A #22 will put you in the “highline category” when fishing next to another who is chucking an entire chicken wing at em’. Crowds have not been monstrous for this area except on weekends. Keep your tippet sections 6x and your leaders at least 9 feet in length.
Pleasant Valley Reservoir: Good
Tubers escaping the “ice ages” as of late have reported steady fishing in this area around the dam and launch ramp sections while fishing full sink and heavy sinking tip lines with a variety of streamers #8-12. The river inlet has been very spotty due to power generation and water releases.
The Gorge: Very good
A little to warm for my liking this time of year, but if it cools down a bit this is a good place to get away from the masses and get into some nice little wild browns. Most mayfly patterns will do the trick here #16-20. A dry/dry or dry dropper combo is always deadly in this region.
The big flushing flow in this area has been postponed until late May? We will let you know when it goes off.
You may purchase our time tested guide flies at the following fine fly shops:
The Troutfitter in Mammoth Lakes, Crowley Lake Fish Camp, Malibu Fish’n Tackle in Thousand Oaks, and Stroud’s Tackle in San Diego. There are links to all shops at www.sierradrifters.com/resources.htm
Be the fly…Tom Loe
Sierra Drifters Guide Service
Email driftfish@qnet.com
www.sierradrifters.com
Phone 760-935-4250
|
Bishop Creek Resorts
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 30, 2003 - 2:51 am: | |
April 28,2003
WEATHER
Friday had all of us worried because the wind was howling up at the lakes and all the way down the canyon. Saturday morning at sunrise someone turned the fan switches off and it was calm and beautiful all day long. The evening was spectacular with the high temps in the 60’s and lows in the high 30’s to low 40’s. The wind began to pick up again on Sunday morning and was breezy all day. The weather was spectacular for an opener, none of the usual bad temps and moisture. Everyone commented on the weather. The temps seem to be cooling down a bit with the forecast of slight showers tomorrow, we’ll see. I sat at South Lake and watched the sunrise this morning—INCREDIBLE!!
SOUTH LAKE
The ice fishing was great!! Most anglers did well with some at the inlet catching a fish on almost every cast. There were no big fish reported but a lot of 10–11 inchers. One nice report is a lot of 8-10 inch Browns. They are not stocked fish so the Browns we have been planting are obviously reproducing. There were probably 100 people on the lake so there was plenty of room. Stingers, TroutTeasers with a mealworm, or just plain old Powerbait seemed to work the best.
BISHOP CREEK
The creek was excellent over the weekend. The accessibility was perfect with a little snow at higher elevations. DFG did a good job of stocking and several big Alpers were hauled in. We now have a beaver pond just above the Tyee Lakes Bridge; they were real active this winter. They have also cut down a lot of trees in the Table Mtn. Campground area. Most action was on Nightcrawlers or Powerbait. There was a little action with Panther Martins but worms seemed to win out.
NORTH LAKE AND INTAKE II
Fishing at the Intake was like being at Disneyland. There were probably 35 float tubes and at least two aluminum rowboats on the lake. The cars were lined on both sides of the road up to the highway and needless to say the anglers were elbow to elbow. Everyone I talked to was very happy with the fishing and the excellent quality of fish that were stocked by Edison. The only bad word was that anglers were catching fish so fast they were not careful on releasing and there were a lot of dead fish by the dam. Remember, we all need to learn to catch and release properly. If damaged they will swim away only to die in less than an hour.
BIG FISH
Paul Harris of Santa Barbara nailed a nice 3 lb. 14 oz. Alpers Trophy Rainbow in Bishop Creek
Wade Baltzer of Upland caught a real nice 3 lb. 6 oz. Alpers in Bishop Creek using Nightcrawlers
Sam Alexander fished Intake 2 with orange Sierra Gold to land a 2 lb. 13 oz. Obanion Rainbow. Sam came from Palmdale for the weekend. |
Tom Loe
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, April 28, 2003 - 10:42 pm: | |
Subject: Eastern Sierra Fishing Report
April 28, 2003
Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. We hope all is well with you and yours for this 2003 Eastern Sierra trout opener fish report.
The story has been told for many a moon. All around the campfires, the fly shops and the marinas, those who have encountered the legendary fish tell their tale to those hopeful anglers that have not yet had a battle with “JANGLES”
Jangles is the elusive monster brown trout that haunts Crowley Lake or is it Bridgeport Reservoir? I have heard reliable sources tell me Jangles has been hooked in the East Walker River just below the dam; he then streaked madly in a defiant run right back up the outlet pipe into the lake! I myself have seen Jangles devastate a finely made large arbor reel by turning the drag mechanism into mush on a secluded section of the Lower Owens River. Jangles is so large that pods of 16 inch rainbows have been witnessed jumping like porpoise upstream to escape its wrath in the Upper Owens River during the fall spawn.
Jangles the mythical brown, has never been brought to net. This gargantuan, elusive fish has broken off so many lures and flies, scores of them hanging from its massive hook jawed mouth, that on a quiet evening while sitting by the waters edge you may hear a strange metallic clattering or “jangling” emanating from beneath the waters surface. It is Jangles on the prowl!
Does Jangles truly exist? Or is this beast of a fish just an exaggeration. I must include myself in the honorary group of fly fishers whose absolute integrity is sacred in regards to estimates of the size of the “one that got away!”
Does it really matter? Jangles is the reason we all cast a line onto or beneath the water. We as sport fisherman start each new season with the hope of hooking a legendary fish. Sierra Drifters Guide Service hopes you all get a shot at landing a Jangler this season. Best Fishes.
Opening weekend in the Eastern High Sierra was a classic display of how quickly the weather can change in this region. Horrific winds raced down the canyons most of Friday evening, only to subside at daybreak and bring a pleasant, calm opener on Crowley Lake and Bridgeport Reservoir. Some of the resorts and fisheries located at the upper elevations had gusty winds and snow flurries most of the day on Saturday with conditions greatly improving by Sunday. The weather forecast is calling for a continued series of cold fronts to pass through the Central Eastern Sierra with a chance of snow and rain through the upcoming weekend.
Fishing was good in most locations with crowds being reported as “normal” for opening weekend.
Water levels are very low in Crowley Lake, Bridgeport Reservoir, Grant Lake, and South Lake. Some of these conditions can be attributed in preparation for the run-off; others are due to the continuing lack of snowfall over the last three winters. April is proving to be a wet month, especially in the upper elevations and this will most certainly help out the water situation.
On a sad note, there was a major forest fire last week that torched the canyon below Lundy Lake and burned down to the Conway Ranch destroying 700 acres. The fire was started from a downed power line and dry/windy conditions. Besides the trees and vegetation decimated by the blaze, the ash and foam retardants used to combat the fire washed into the spring fed creek that was home to the Sierra Trout Foundations hatchery. The caretaker reported most of the fish perished from the contaminated water. These fish were slated to be planted in many of the local fisheries this summer.
Crowley Lake: Fair
Fly fishers found tough conditions for opening weekend as most of the concentrations of trout were holding in deeper water, 20 feet or more. Streamer fisherman had the best success using full, fast sinking lines with leech patterns and perch fry imitations #8-14.
Stillwater nymphers will do best fishing over 10 feet using larva patterns like our crystal zebra and tiger midges. The north arm of the lake near Green Banks or Leighton Springs would be my choice for a starting location. The lake level is very low for this time of year; it is about 70 percent full.
Fish and Game statistics are not yet available, but the opinion from the management at the Crowley Lake Fish Camp have the fish smaller on average than last seasons opening. The good weather on the lake all weekend provided plenty of time for most anglers to get their “limits.”
If you have not heard the news, we are exited to announce Mickey Baron the assistant manager for the Crowley Lake Fish Camp and seasoned fly fisher, has joined our Sierra Drifters Guide team and will be assisting clients on his 21’ Champion flats boat for trips on this premier trout fishery.
Bridgeport Reservoir: Very Good
This location is an early diamond in the rough. The marina has dredged out its channel insuring easy launching access when the lake level falls. As of this report the lake is about 50 % full, with the level sure to rise when spring run-off begins. Limited pressure the last couple of seasons, occurring again this opener and a good jag of planted fish should make this area a for sure destination especially during the early part of the season.
Management at the Bridgeport Recreation Area inform us that trollers have weighed in many browns up to 7 lbs., and that the opinion from the locals here is very positive regarding the huge amount of fish in the lake. The lake is moderately weed and algae free this time of year and we suggest you troll streamers with fast sinking lines near the dam and launch ramp area in over 15 feet of water. Perch fry patterns work well here, as do leeches and attractors #6-14.
We suggest you fly fishers put this area on your trip schedule for the initial part of the season.
East Walker River: Fair
Flows have been and continue to be low for this fine tail water. A good number of fly fishers turned out to cast the first imitations of the year to the big browns holding here, and many were rewarded with 16-18 inch average fish according to sources at Ken’s Sporting Goods in Bridgeport.
A #12-14 San Juan worm with a #16-20 bead head or disco midge pattern is a good call for this time of year. Fish this rig under a strike indicator or dry fly in the shorter water for best results. Have some baetis patterns (B.W.O.’s) #16-20 ready in the event you see some heads poking up in the foam lines.
There has been a better snow pack in the mountains this season that feed Bridgeport Reservoir and the Walker Rivers. We still anticipate some tougher conditions during the summer months so our advice is to hit this area early. Hopefully the increased flows will give the resident trout here a better habitat during the dog days of summer.
Upper Owens River, McGee Creek, Hilton Creek, Big Springs: Fair
The spawn peaked during late March in the tributaries to the lake but there are still enough stragglers to keep you interested. The fish are smaller for sure this season, most of them Kamloops rainbows in the 10-12 inch class, but there are some 18-inch fish holding in the big bends and deep pools at Big Springs and the Long Years section of the Upper Owens. San Juan worms, roe patterns like a “glow bug” and flashback hares ear or crystal midges will work well fished deep under a strike indicator. I like to use our “dip and strip” method while tugging streamers this time of year on the Upper Owens. Have a moderate sink tip line to help get the streamer down to the trout holding under the cut banks.
Hot Creek: Very Good
The winds messed things up from time to time, but all in all fishing was very good for those who got themselves in a deeper pool or run. # 18-22 nymph patterns including midges, caddis, and mayfly imitations all got grabs. You will find that casting a streamer here with a light sink tip or floating line can be deadly in the big holes. Not a lot of folks incorporate this method here and it works well this time of year. Try to line yourself upstream of a channel along the weed beds, and pull the streamer through this lane. I have found the larger browns to be a sucker for this presentation here.
Lower Owens River: Good
This area is a year round fishery and will fish well until the L.A.D.W.P begins releasing water. We have had very good fishing most days pulling streamers. The best bite has been in the morning with a slow down mid-day as the sun gets high and the trout head under the banks for cover.
Nymphing continues to provide the most consistent action with a hatch of baetis coming off about 2 p.m. The latter generations of aquatic insects tend to be smaller as the cycle progresses, and we are finding this to hold true, as the correct imitation will be in the #20-22 range. If you have some cloud cover be poised for this short but sweet hatch.
Kevin Purcell and Jon Pennock took a spring drift boat trip with us and netted 70 rainbows and browns on both streamers and dry flies. The dynamic duo can be seen with “dual bendo” on our website. Way to spank em’ guys!
Scott and Chris Linkletter are no strangers to the Sierra Drifters website as they seem to always land large trout. Check out the gorgeous fish Chris fooled with help from Scott at the net. Our thoughts are with you Scott, for a full and speedy recovery. See you both soon.
Ken Pulskamp and Robert Newman booked back-to-back floats with us recently and ripped lips on close to 100 trout. The veteran drifters landed both rainbows and browns up to the 3 lb. range. “Jangles” may have been one of the L.D.R’s (long distance releases) that occurred one of the drifts. Fun times guys.
Jim Jarboe and son Dan took their first drift with us with Dan catch and releasing a nice rainbow that hit on the first bend. Way to start the day Jim!
You may see pictures of these folks and others by visiting our website at http://www.sierradrifters.com/fish.html
June Lake Loop/Rush Creek: Good
The ice has been off these lakes most of the winter and although the levels are low on Grant this area fished well for those who got on the water after the winds abated. Silver kicked out steady fish near the inlet to Rush for those using streamers and full sinking lines. Rush Creek had good numbers of planted fish being caught in the popular areas and some wild browns hit those fly fishers using bead head nymphs like tigers and zebras. The creek is easy to wade at current flows.
Rock Creek Lake/Rock Creek: Good
It was cold and windy early on in the opener but when the conditions improved the fishing proved to be good for the planted and holdover fish in both areas. No reports from tubers on the lake but the creek fished well in the campground areas for those using nymphs with some red in the pattern. San Juan worms and tiger midges are a good choice here. The water will be cold in the lake if you plan on tubing this area. Have a full, fast sinking line to get your streamer or soft hackle down to the trout.
Mammoth Lakes: Iced up
San Joaquin: Closed until sometime in June
Apologies if we did not include an area you are interested in. We will do our best to get you accurate information as the season unfolds.
You may purchase our guide flies at the following fine fly shops:
Crowley Lake Fish Camp, The Troutfitter in Mammoth Lakes, Stroud’s Tackle in San Diego, Malibu Fish’n Tackle in Thousand Oaks. There are links to all these shops on the bottom of the home page at www.sierradrifters.com
Be the fly…Tom Loe
Sierra Drifters Guide Service
Email driftfish@qnet.com
www.sierradrifters.com
Phone 760-935-4250
|
Tom Loe
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, April 19, 2003 - 12:01 pm: | |
Subject: Eastern Sierra Fishing Report
April 18, 2003
Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. We hope this 2003 trout opener forecast finds you all healthy and happy.
The general trout season opens on 4-26-03 here in the Eastern Sierra. Once again we have had a mild winter with snow levels currently around the 9000-foot elevation and snow packs at or below normal. This scenario will lay the foundations of a very good initial part of the trout season. A series of late spring storms have brought much needed moisture to this region, but as of yet will not affect any of the fisheries mentioned in this forecast.
The snow level is high for this time of year and has been so for most of the spring season. The lakes near the 9000-foot elevation may have “rotten” or unstable ice. Crowley Lake and Bridgeport Reservoir have been ice-free since early March and should fish fair to good for the opener dependent on the weather.
In our opinion this season will start out and continue to fish much the same as last year. There is more snow at the upper elevations and this may help out the freestone drainages later in the season if we get some cooler weather during the early summer. Look for the tail water fisheries to have increasing water releases beginning soon, with irrigation and power generation commencing immediately this year.
The backcountry regions will open up a tad later than last season due to normal snow packs in the UPPER elevations. Last years dismal snow pack had most passes opening early. Rumor has it the aerial stocking program of these backcountry lakes and streams will be abolished this year due to lack of funding.
Where would I fish on opening day? The East Walker is a good choice for the first week of the season and will provide some big fish on the fly for those who manage to get a choice bend or pool to themselves. Fish this river in the initial part of the season; it may be “iffy” due to poor conditions later in the summer.
The tributaries of Crowley Lake (Upper Owens, Big Springs, McGee Creek, Hilton Creek, Crooked Creek) will have spawning trout for sure. The spawn has been early again and is currently in full swing. The fish will be down streaming by late May. We have not seen a lot of jumbo brooders as of yet, the average sized Kamloops rainbow is running about 14 inches. The river from the Benton Crossing Bridge to the monument will again be closed to ALL fishing until the Saturday before Memorial Day.
Intake Two in the Bishop Creek drainage was dredged out last year and re-planted with a gross amount of DFG and Alpers rainbows. Get a spot early and you will go bendo here.
Hot Creek will be excellent. Expect stadium crowds.
Crowley Lake may have a record amount of anglers on the opener according to sources. The trout’s only hope here is that floating “stink baits” are proven to be weapons of mass destruction!
We will provide ya’ll with a comprehensive report on most of the areas we guide here in the Eastern Sierra after the opener. Best fishes for the up and coming season.
Lower Owens River: Good
The flows have been doing the yo-yo recently and the fishing has mirrored the changes. As I write this report we have 204 cfs. with very good conditions and the fish going bonkers on streamers and nymphs.
Sources inform us that after this weekend the flows will once again be on the rise as water releases and power generation will begin after a short duration of maintenance on the Pleasant Valley Power House.
The baetis hatch has been minimal and the bugs decreasing to a size #20 b.w.o pattern this week. No surface caddis activity to report this week. You will do best by fishing midge and mayfly nymphs #18-22 under an indicator with a small shot or two in the wild trout section. Wading this section has been gravy this week with the decreasing flows. We have done well drift boating during the low flows with streamers in olive #10. The exception to the good catching has been some “breezy” conditions as the cold fronts come and go. I have gone to a heavy sinking tip line of at least 24 feet and 200 grains.
The James Jones Company from El Monte, CA booked an entire week of fly-fishing with us and Trout Fly Guide Services senior guide Kevin Peterson. Special thanks to Sierra Drifters veteran and “top brass” manager for James Jones Corp, Chuck Palmer and associates for their continued patronage. A good time was had by all with many trout being caught and released on both steamers and nymphs. Client Jim Wunschel fooled a nice brown on a “Loeberg” streamer pattern for best fish honors during the morning of his drift. He backed it up with a hog rainbow the very next pool. Way to be the fly Jimbo! Due to gusty winds on occasion some drifts experienced L.O.F.T that hampered the catching….Inside joke folks.
It is not always about monster fish. Check out the expression of pure “glee” on Amy Ransohoff’s face as she lands her first trout on the fly. Dad, Dr. Kurt from Santa Barbara, CA also makes the report with a fat bow he bested later in the day. This is what fly-fishing is all about folks!
You may visit our website at www.sierradrifters.com/fish.html and see these pictures and others.
Our guide flies can be purchased at the following fine fly shops:
Stroud’s Tackle in San Diego, Malibu Fish’n Tackle in Thousand Oaks, The Troutfitter in Mammoth Lakes and after the opener at the Crowley Lake Fish Camp store. There are links to all these shops at the bottom of the home page on www.sierradrifters.com.
Pleasant Valley Reservoir: Fair-good
If the powerhouse is not generating, you will have conditions conducive to good fishing in the river below the generation facility. If they are making KW’S…. may the force be with you. The reservoir level has been high making it tough to fish this area for sometime, but the level has dropped this week and fishing conditions have improved greatly here. A dry/dropper bead head nymph rig will do well in the slower water section near the inlet. Use a moderate sinking tip with an olive or brown streamer pattern #8-12 in the slower, deeper water or in the reservoir proper near the first dogleg turn past the inlet.
The Gorge: Very good
Reports from the outer limits have this area fishing great. Save for a few days that the winds have been gusting in this region the pockets of water you must walk 30 minutes or so to get to have been kicking out eager smaller sized browns that will take mayfly imitations either in nymph or adult stages #16-20.
You isolationists need to explore this area during the opener if you want to avoid the masses!
Be the fly…
Tom Loe
Sierra Drifters Guide Service
Email driftfish@qnet.com
www.sierradrifters.com
Phone 760-935-4250
|
Tom Loe
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 03, 2003 - 12:21 pm: | |
Subject: Eastern Sierra Fishing Report
April 1, 2003
Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. Best fishes to you all for this current fish report from the Eastern Sierra.
Fishing has been horrid due to the evaporation and draining of the Lower Owens River. The drought has taken its toll on this area and the river has dried up with all the trout looking like sticks of beef jerky. The only fish able to live in the river are carp and catfish; bring up those cane poles and bobbers if you want to catch anything.
APRIL FOOLS!!!
We have a below average snow pack in the Eastern Sierra as of this report, however fly fishing has been very good in most areas with fantastic weather and favorable flow rates attributing to the consistent success we have been having recently. The big news is the RISING water levels on the Lower Owens. The flows have been increased to 200 cfs. as of this report but at this level you will not see a significant change in the behavioral patterns of the trout.
The weather forecast is calling for the “mother of all storms” to hit the western pacific coast by Tuesday evening and bring copious amounts of moisture to this region. Rainmakers please do your thing! We need this storm badly to insure plenty of water for the upcoming summer. The wet, cooler cycle is forecast to stretch into the weekend.
For those of you looking at potential opportunities for the upcoming general trout opener on April 26th it looks real good. The ice disappeared from Crowley Lake last week and the trout are already in full spawning mode in most of the tributaries to the lake. The ice has been off in the June Lake loop for a while and most watersheds below the 8000-foot elevation will be fishing great in our opinion; unless a drastic weather change occurs. The Walker Rivers and Bridgeport Reservoir will fish good early and then fade as the water temps and flows will mime last years low water pattern unless a substantial amount of moisture hits the Eastern Sierra this April. Hot Creek will be excellent early on and become more technical spotty as the summer progresses. The San Joaquin will fish well through August and become low for the fall if current snowfall totals remain unchanged. We will update these areas as the season unfolds.
Lower Owens River: Good-very good
The flows have been bumped up to 200 cfs. This flow rate will make you add a little shot to your nymph rigs and pay more attention to those “drop-offs” while wading the wild trout section, but all in all you will see little change in the overall fishing conditions here. Sources tell us the flows will remain here for a substantial period of time, relative to the current weather changes………………………………..???
The weather has been fabulous this March with many days in the mid 70’s. Dry fly action has slowed considerably due to the sunny, bright days. You can expect to find rising trout during the evenings and cloudy days. Have some B.W.O. imitations #18-20, elk hair caddis #18, a cigar or brown colored body is best.
Be on the river early with black and olive midge or caddis larva patterns #18-22. Have some baetis emergers handy like RS-2’s #20 for the late mornings. It has been exceptionally crowded on weekends and holidays.
Streamers have been the best for us while drift boating most of the time while employing the “dip and strip” method incorporating the use of a moderate sinking tip line. The mosquito fish imitation we have developed called the Loeberg #10, has been the best pattern. You can cover more water stripping streamers if presented properly and no doubt hang larger trout!
“MAC” McIntire, from Hermosa Beach, CA accompanied by Jeff Ginter and his son the “Rocket” had a big day while tugging streamers on the Lower “O”. Mac got big fish honors with a nice bow he fooled late in the float. Honorable mention to the “Rocket” for spanking the old guys in the most caught and released category!
Jamie Davenport and fish’n buddy Norman Miers booked a float with us recently with Jamie catch and releasing the biggest rainbow on a Loeberg and a nice brown, which hit a caddis fly during the afternoon hatch. Way to mix it up Jamie!
Mike Casey and Mark Wisch did the “sip, dip and strip” with Mike sticking a nice bow fooled by a Loeberg in the afternoon. The duo landed over 50 trout using this technique while drifting with us recently. Nice!!! Do not use any goat hair in your fly patterns Mikey…Inside joke folks.
You can see these photos and others by visiting our website at www.sierradrifters.com/fish.html
Our time tested fly patterns are available at the following fine fly shops. Stroud’s Tackle in San Diego, Malibu Fish’n Tackle in Thousand Oaks, The Troutfitter in Mammoth Lakes.
Pleasant Valley Reservoir: Good
The reservoir level is dropping currently and fishing is very good in the inlet area as of this report. Some big holdover rainbows and planted “Alpers” trout have been migrating into the river section adding to the steady action being found by fly fishers using a dry/dropper bead head nymph combo and streamers #6-10 in this section of the reservoir. Float tubers using full sink or heavy sinking tip lines near or around the launch ramp or dam area have also done well with streamer patterns or fly “chains” #8-10 in olive, black or brown with some flash in the patterns.
The water temps are above average for this time of year, hitting the lower 50’s some days and this is getting the browns here to become very aggressive. A good presentation is needed in the river section to fool these rascals as “stink baits”, worms and lures constantly bombard them. A dead drifted dry/dropper will do the trick during an emergence of midges or mayflies in this area. I like an olive streamer pattern fished at the 10-foot level around the launch ramp or towards the inlet this time of year on the west or opposite side of the paved access road of the reservoir.
The Gorge: Good
Find a piece of water that has not been fished within an hour or so and if you do not alert the browns as to your presence, Bang! Fish on. It is perhaps the best time of year to venture into this region. You will find trout eagerly feeding on mayflies and caddis imitations #16-20.
Access is limited here and you will need to hike at least 30 minutes on loose shale with a moderately steep slope to get to the prime locations. The small river is heavily lined with willows, nettle and wild rose, which will instantly compromise the watertight integrity of your expensive Gortex waders. This is an excellent location to get off and have some water to yourself. It will require some effort, but will be worth it after fooling some of the wild browns that inhabit this stretch of the Owens.
Be the fly… Tom Loe
Sierra Drifters Guide Service
Email- driftfish@qnet.com
www.sierradrifters.com
Phone: 760-935-4250
|
Tom Loe
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, March 10, 2003 - 5:15 pm: | |
Subject: Eastern Sierra Fishing Report
March 9, 2003
Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. Best fishes to all of you for this early March fish report from the Eastern Sierra.
The pleasant weather is continuing here on the eastern slope of the central Sierra Nevada Mountains. This pattern has provided the foundation for some excellent fly-fishing opportunities on the Lower Owens River. The forecast is calling for a cooling trend with a slight chance of some precipitation by the end of the week. We are certainly hoping this region gets more rainfall than it has. The snow pack is currently below normal in this region. So much for El Nino!
Fishing has improved substantially since our last update with consistent good scores of trout being caught and released on both streamers and dry flies. The big news is the first substantial caddis hatches of the year. The water temperature has warmed into the upper 40’s and low 50’s and the fish have responded aggressively with pattern feeding on the numerous hatches that occur this time of year.
We hope you all get the chance to come up and visit us here in the Eastern Sierra. Dress in layers as it can become winter-like quickly this time of year, however, we suggest you also bring up some shorts and t-shirts. It is common to have 70 plus degrees at times during the day.
There is a catch and keep trout derby (Blake Jones Derby) next weekend that has historically brought an abundant amount of prize seekers to this region. Avoid Pleasant Valley Reservoir, or most of the Owens River that has no special angling regulations if you want to avoid the masses.
It would be nice to see this event, or others like it, sponsor a prize for the angler that could remove the most trash (as opposed to trout) such as Styrofoam worm containers, glass stink bait jars, coils of discarded monofilament, beer cans and fast food bags.
Much of the recreational areas along the Lower Owens River have NO maintenance program, or regulatory body to oversee the removal of trash. Large influxes of “angling enthusiasts” traditionally have left the remains of their adventures along or in the river. It would be great to see the organizers and participants of these events leave the river cleaner or at least as clean a state as it was prior to the derbies.
Lower Owens River: Good-excellent
The great weather, consistent flows of 125 cfs and the longer, warmer days have all contributed to the increased feeding activity of the trout. The lower sections of the river are having significant caddis hatches that start around 1:30 and end about 3 p.m. Expect this cycle to move slowly up river and the wild trout section should have strong caddis within a week or so if the current weather and water flows remain relatively constant. Water temperatures are in the upper 40’s and low 50’s at this time. The baetis mayflies are still coming off, but this hatch is in its waning stages and will become less significant shortly. The cloudy days are by far the key to successful outings with baetis imitations.
Nymphing with #18-22 midge larva and #16-20 flashback P.T.’s or bird’s nest patterns will get grabs in the morning. We have been whacking the rainbows with our mosquito fish imitation called the “Loeberg.” A few days ago Jeff Parker from Fallbrook Ca. and friend Brian Wiprud from Brooklyn N.Y. had their first experience using the “dip and strip” method while being guided from our drift boat on the Lower Owens River. Brian and Jeff caught and released 68 rainbows and browns fishing streamers in the morning and switching to caddis dries in the afternoon. Nice going guys, way to strip set those rascals!
Using soft hackles #10-14 in conjunction with a sinking tip line and swinging the fly along the feeding lanes will also get grabs this time of year as the fish are keying on the emerging caddis that are swimming to the top.
Orange County Fly Fishers Shawn McDaniel and partner Jim Wright hit some nice sized fish while on a float with us recently, with Shawn landing a chunky rainbow for big fish honors.
Ron Guidone and son Nico returned to see if Nico could once again best another huge fish this winter. No monsters this trip, but the dry fly action proved to be the highlight of the trip and Ron had a blast fishing #18 B.W.O.’s during the hatch.
Check out the pictures of these folks and others by visiting our website at http://www.sierradrifters.com/fish.html
You may purchase our guide flies at these fine fly fishing shops: Stroud’s Tackle in San Diego, Malibu Fishing Tackle in Thousand Oaks and The Troutfitter in Mammoth Lakes.
Pleasant Valley Reservoir: Very Good
This area has been recently planted with both D.F.G. rainbows and Alpers trout. You should have no trouble getting into fish in most sections of this area. Tubers will have an advantage on the weekends as they can fish the far side and middle sections of the reservoir proper. Pull streamer patterns with some crystal flash and red incorporated into the design and have a heavy or full sinking line to get your fly down at least 15 feet for best action. The launch ramp and dam sections are best. Stick to the shadows on the far side.
The inlet area has been good also with a dry/dropper combo or pulling streamers with a type 3 or 4 sinking tip line of 15 feet or less. Use our crystal tigers or zebras in this area under a Stimulator #14-16 and fish the softer water just below the riffles.
You will not want to be anywhere near this area next weekend if you are not involved in the trout derby!
The Gorge: Excellent
Crowds are light in this area most of the time as it takes an effort to hike into the less pressured water. Solid hatches of baetis mayflies are still coming off each day and just about any decent #16-18 mayfly imitation with an olive or gray body will get grabs. Upstream presentations are crucial, as is a quiet approach. Hit the pool like “Clark Griswold” and you will not even see a trout.
This is the place to fish next weekend if you are planning a trip.
Update:
We are pleased to announce an addition to our team here at Sierra Drifters Guide Service. Mickey Baron will be guiding clients on his 21’ Champion (Fish Magnet) flats boat. Mickey has extensive knowledge of Crowley Lake as he has been working as the assistant manager for the fish camp for numerous seasons. He has a wonderful personality and great sense of humor, as well as excellent skills for teaching beginning fly fishers the fundamentals of casting and stillwater nymphing techniques. Come say hi to Mick at the fish camp after the opener on April 26th.
Sierra Drifters Guide Service is also pleased to announce that we will have a new flats boat on the water this season. A 24’ Champion that has been custom made especially to meet the needs of larger groups 3-4 anglers on Crowley Lake. The new “Fish Magnet” will be on the water for the opener, come say hi and check it out.
Be the fly…Tom Loe
Sierra Drifters Guide Service
Email driftfish@qnet.com
www.sierradrifters.com
Phone 760-935-4250
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Tom Loe
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 12:45 pm: | |
Subject: Eastern Sierra Fishing Report
February 25, 2003
Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. Best fishes to all of you for this late February fish report.
More so than most years we have weather that is extremely diverse here in the Eastern Sierra. You can be wearing a t-shirt one day and need a Siberian parka on within 12 hours! Typically this time of year the Owens Valley will have cooler weather patterns with a day or two that foreshadow the coming of spring. “Radical” shifts in the weather are the term I would use to describe the current pattern. If you are planning a trip bring clothing that can be easily layered and shed moisture in the event of some rain or snow.
The forecast is calling for cool weather this week with a chance of snow/rain throughout the period. El Nino it is not, El “I do not know” is more accurate!
Fishing has been very good on most days, with some poor “catching” found on the odd day during the radical weather swings.
Lower Owens River: Very good-poor
The wild trout section and the upper areas of the Lower Owens have been fishing very well most days recently as the flows remain at 125 cfs. Afternoon baetis hatches are prime time for the wild browns in this area. #18 blue winged olive patterns will get you the grabs in this area for the short duration of this hatch. The first golden stoneflies appeared this week, as did some dark bodied caddis flies. The trout still keyed on the mayflies with a few fish smacking the caddis during the late afternoon.
Water temperatures reached 47 degrees during a warm snap a few days ago. We expect this to lower this week as the air temps fall with the passing cold fronts.
Stick to nymphing with mayfly imitations #16-20 that have some flash in the pattern during the mornings and off hatch periods. The cloudy and partly cloudy days have been best, as is usually the case with baetis emergences. Look for the hatch to come off around 12:30-1:45 most days.
We have been mixing it up a little on the drift boat sections, as the baetis hatch on some days is more than we can resist. Streamer patterns #8-10 in olive and white have been best for us on the larger rainbows using a moderate sinking tip line in conjunction with our “dip and strip” method. When the baetis come off in significant numbers we break out the 4 wts. and present dry flies to the rising trout. This is a fun time of year for the drift boat sections.
Glenn Pratt from Goleta, CA and fellow Santa Barbara Fly Fisher Tom Brashears of Santa Barbara, CA unfortunately hit some horrid weather recently while drifting with us and Glenn managed to catch and release a thick-bodied rainbow that was fooled by one of our mosquito fish imitations called a “Loeberg.” Nice going guys, hope you have dried out!
Mike Kaplan from Yorba Linda Ca. had a fine day on the river with the icing on the cake being a chunky bow caught on a “Loeberg” with his buddy Steve Fillman doing the netting honors. Check out the pictures of these fish and our “Loebergs” by visiting our website at http://sierradrifters.com/fish.html
Pleasant Valley Reservoir: Fair-good
The most consistent fishing for fly fishers has been in the reservoir while fishing from a tube. The dam area and launch ramp sections have been good while using full or heavy sinking tip lines and tugging or trolling streamer patterns #6-12 in olive, brown, orange or natural.
The river section has been slow at times during the cold snaps. Look for this area to come on strong in the future as the spring spawn is not far off and the D.F.G. should begin to plant significant amounts of trout soon. A large dry fly used as a strike indicator such as a Stimulator #14 and a 2-3 foot dropper tied on 6x fluorocarbon tippet with a bead head nymph #16-18 like our crystal tiger and crystal zebra midges work wonders here when this area is on the bite.
This area is very reliant on hatchery or planted fish although it does have a good amount of wild browns that come up for the baetis and caddis hatches. If you are struggling to locate fish in the lower sections of the river near the transition to the reservoir, take a short walk upstream into the riffles and hit the pocket water. There is ample area here even during the crowded weekend periods to find some wild or holdover fish that will take dries or nymphs aggressively.
The Gorge: Fair-good
Most people will struggle here if they do not want to break brush or do some walking. I suggest you hit the wild trout section of the Lower Owens River for a better experience on the average. If you do not mind “bush whacking” and hiking in steep, shale lined cliff areas, this is your place. There is some great fishing in this area for smaller wild browns that will eagerly hit most any presentations. The trick is to get into these areas and then not spook the trout before the cast. It is work down here, no two ways about it. This is small water even for Eastern Sierra standards. Cloud cover really helps or when the sun is past the lip of the rim on the canyon.
You may purchase our guide flies at the following fine fly shops:
Malibu Fish’n Tackle in Thousand Oaks, Stroud’s Tackle in San Diego, The Troutfitter in Mammoth Lakes
Be sure to visit the Crowley Lake Fish Camp Booth at the Fred Hall Sportsman’s Show March 5th – 9th at the Long Beach Convention Center. We will have our flies at discount rates and pro guide Sierra Drifters own Mickey Baron to answer your questions.
Guide tips: A clean fly is a happy fly!
The fishing is just so-so, we get a grab every now and then but the gurgling of the water and the singing of the birds breaks our concentration…We all have a tendency to get lethargic on the maintenance of our flies. A tiny miniscule piece of river grass has attached its self to our fly and we have not looked close enough at the imitation recently to detect it. Bummer! The trout want nothing to do with this chunk of salad that has found its way onto our fly. It is essential to keep your fly clean at ALL times if you want consistent results.
Dry fly presentations are less likely, but not immune to encounter this problem. If you are fishing a nymph or a streamer I encourage you to examine your imitation closely EVERY cast. It will make a huge difference in the long run. Scrutinize your tippet and leader also, many times a knot will be a location for some algae or grass to attach its self to and spook or alert the trout to danger.
The best way to clean a fly is NOT by mechanically “picking” the goo off the fly. Dipping the fly into the water and swishing or agitating the debris off the fly while under the surface is best. This method is easy on the materials that comprise the fly and it does an efficient and quick job of cleaning the fly. You may also blow on the fly while it is still wet to clean it instead of handling the fly and pulling the goo off. A series of false casts lightly nipping the surface and using the resistance of the water to pull or strip the debris off the fly can be very effective and a quick way to get a clean bug or tippet
Natural aquatic insects or baitfish will not have algae or debris clinging to their bodies. Make sure your presentations are “salad free” when stalking trout in your favorite waters.
Be the fly…Tom Loe
Sierra Drifters Guide Service
Email driftfish@qnet.com
www.sierradrifters.com
Phone 760-935-4250
|
Tom Loe
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, February 15, 2003 - 1:49 am: | |
Subject: Eastern Sierra Fishing Report
February 13, 2003
Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. Best fishes to all of you for this President’s Day fish report.
It is said amongst locals in the Eastern Sierra that if you want the weather to change, wait an hour. Change it has; gone are the spring like conditions that prevailed throughout most of January and into the first few days of February. Seasonal weather has returned to the region bringing colder days and at long last some very much-needed moisture to the Owens Valley and the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
The forecast is calling for a series of small cold fronts to pass through this region into the middle of the following week. You should plan on the likelihood of precipitation during this time frame and bring winter layer type clothing.
Fishing has slowed overall since our last report due to the drastic changes in the weather pattern. The fishing remains good when we experience a stable cycle, or mornings that do not dip into single digits. The trend of lower fish counts overall and a larger grade is once again occurring in the areas that we frequent with the drift boat on the Lower Owens River near Bishop, CA.
If you are planning a trip during the coming holiday expect above average crowds in all areas. It appears cabin fever has taken hold of a good number of folks that want to visit the Eastern Sierra the next 10 days or so. We suggest you call ahead if you need a motel; many lodges are booked for the week.
Lower Owens River: Poor-good
Pretty wide gap in the rating for this area I know, however this is normal when you have huge variations in the weather. The river outflow at Pleasant Valley Dam remains at 125 cfs. and this stability in the flow has really helped us stay on the fish when weather conditions improve.
The cold snap last week lowered water temps back into the upper 30’s and made for some tough fishing in the mornings. The last few days have the air milder and with the addition of the clouds we have a good amount of baetis activity once again around 1:15-2:30 each day. The browns in the wild trout section are very much in tune to this emergence. We suggest you have some #18 blue winged olive mayfly imitations handy and prior to the hatch some baetis nymphs like RS-2’s or flashback bird’s nest or P.T. patterns. #18-22 for the nymphs will work better and get more grabs. Have a good selection of Tiger or Zebra midges handy also #16-22 for those off days, and morning hours.
Streamers are still my personal choice for getting a photo opportunity with “Troutzilla” or one of its brethren. #8-10 baitfish patterns in olive, brown and white will work when used in conjunction with a moderate to heavy sinking tip line. Fishing a streamer in the conventional manner on the Lower Owens can be a lesson in futility due to the heavy foliage lining the banks and forming an almost impenetrable canopy over the prime holding spots that trout hide in. Practice our “dip and strip method” of casting downstream adjacent or opposite where you deem the trout to be holding. It is important that you do NOT cast on top of the holding area. Let the fly swing into your target zone. The sink tip will aid in getting the fly down below the brush line and closer to the trout. “Dipping” the rod tip below the surface accomplishes several things, most importantly assisting the line in bringing the fly to the fish. Your presentations should vary in length, starting close and working progressively further downstream by either making a longer cast, or by downstream mends with the running line. “Stripping” the streamer in short, erratic jerks of the line will duplicate the motion of the small baitfish you are imitating. When you get a grab…set the hook by pulling or stripping the line in until the rod loads up with the weight of the fish. If the hook does not set, or Heaven forbid, you miss a take, drop the fly back a foot or so instantly and most of the time the trout will reposition and nail the fly again.
Veteran Drifters Marty Mullins from (what happened to the Raiders?) Oakland, CA and Bob Kent of Irvine, CA spent some time floating the river while tugging streamers and the guys “dipped and stripped” into numerous trout that day with Marty catch and releasing a nice rainbow. Reel nice Marty!
Ray Labadie from Newport Beach, CA and fish’n buddy Gary Rivers of Mission Viejo, CA also drifted with us recently with Ray loving and leaving a gorgeous bow that was fooled by one of our flies called a “Spruce-a-bu.”
You can get a look at these fish and the “Spruce-a-bu” streamer by visiting our website at http://sierradrifters.com/fish.html
Our guide flies are available at the following excellent fly shops:
Malibu Fish’n Tackle in Thousand Oaks, Stroud’s Tackle in San Diego, The Troutfitter in Mammoth Lakes.
Pleasant Valley Reservoir: Fair
The level here has been yo-yoing all winter and the concentrations of trout move with the changing water elevations. You will find fair numbers of fish holding in the transition area between the lake and river inlet. The level is up to the point where you must take caution while wading along the bank. The depth in many areas is shoulder high very close to the edge, so use caution when moving in areas that you see have a drop-off close by. Try nymphing with midge larva #16-20 patterns like our crystal Tiger midges or Zebra midges fished under a small indicator or larger dry fly. Streamer patterns cast quarter up or downstream fished with a moderate sinking tip line also work well in the slower, deeper sections of the inlet area.
The warm weather made tubing fairly enjoyable a week or so ago but alas, it is back to the ice ages and “freeze tubing” once again. The dam area up to the launch ramp is best this time of year. Use tandem streamer rigs, soft hackles or a streamer and a nymph trailer fly with a full or heavy sinking tip line for best results. #6-12 patterns in olive, black or orange will get grabs. There are some good-sized Alpers trout planted at the launch ramp and they will hit streamers very aggressively.
Be considerate of the shore anglers lining the rocks. There have been “confrontations” between tubers paralleling the shoreline and the “bankies.” I have found the best fishing to be on the far shoreline away from the crowds, especially after the sun gets over and a shadow forms from the south rim of the canyon. Be sure to use the existing tube access paths at the dam end and near the inlet area. They are crude, but have been created exclusively for the use of float tubers entering and exiting the reservoir.
There will no doubt be a significant amount of anglers in this area over the holiday period, being courteous and friendly will make it enjoyable for everyone.
The Gorge: Fair
This will be the place to evade the crowds, however it will not come without some effort. Hard to say right now if we will have significant ice and snow in this area after the current storms pass. This is something to consider when hiking in here. I suggest you walk in something other than felt soled wading boots if there is any snow present. A slide on your “caboose” can ruin your whole day. Plenty of baetis here around 1-2 p.m. The bugs here are a tad smaller than those on the Lower Owens tail water section but if you manage to get a presentation that does not spook the fish I have found just about any reasonable imitation #16-18 will work. B.W.O’s are best but Adams in light olive are fine. Hang a bead head dropper #18-20 off a #16 parachute dry for the deeper pools.
Be the fly…Tom Loe
Sierra Drifters Guide Service
Email: driftfish@qnet.com
www.sierradrifters.com
Phone: 760-935-4250
|
Tom Loe
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, February 03, 2003 - 5:27 pm: | |
Subject: Eastern Sierra Fishing Report
February 2, 2003
Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. Best fishes to all for this early February update.
Winter left center stage the last two weeks here in the Eastern Sierra with near record high temperatures being recorded on numerous days since our last report. It truly felt like April with “T-shirt” like conditions and blue skies prevailing. The spring like weather pattern is forecast to change next week and more seasonal conditions are forecast in the next five days. Expect cold mornings with lows in the lower 20’s in the Owens Valley and highs reaching the 50’s. It will be breezy at times with only a slight chance of precipitation in the Owens Valley.
The much-discussed “El Nino” event has not thus far made an appearance and the excellent snowfalls we had in December are but a distant memory. Think snow everybody! We really need it.
The “fishing” has been phenomenal with the “catching” being fair to good in most areas and the gorgeous weather attributing to adding a few degrees to the water temps bringing some noteworthy surface activity on both mayflies and midges in all areas, especially during periods of high cloudiness.
Our condolences to the friends and family of a truly great fly fisher and bird hunter, Jack Boswell who left us on 1-24-03. I had the honor over the last several years of witnessing Jack’s final casts and listening while he told stories of monster steelhead, waterfowl and upland game birds, while fishing the big western rivers and hunting the bird habitats he loved and frequented. May a river run through it “Bos.” We will sincerely miss that hearty laugh and your “one of a kind” narrative, while playing a trout you fooled on the fly.
Lower Owens River: Fair-good
Flows remain at 125 cfs. and as mentioned previously the weather has been gorgeous. There has been very heavy pressure at times in the wild trout section and this has affected the catching in this area. Avoid the weekends if possible and look to fish the areas downstream of the designated catch and release areas for better “catching.” This section of the river is more difficult to access but less fished and you will get water that has not been hammered during the weekend.
Reliable midge hatches and a consistent baetis may fly emergence have been the news here. Stick to the small stuff, #20-22 zebra and tiger midges and #18 RS2’s or similar mayfly nymph imitations. Have some #18 B.W.O.’s handy for the hatch of baetis that will start as early as 11:30 on the warmer mornings.
Look to find higher concentrations of feeding trout at the base of significant riffles during the mayfly hatch. If you are lucky enough to have a cloudy warm day, several hours of exceptional nymph and dry fly fishing could be had with mayfly imitations.
If the hatches are off and you are having difficulties hooking the “elusive” ones, tie on a streamer pattern #8-10 in olive tones in conjunction with a moderate sinking tip line and pull the flies along the undercut banks and deeper pools. We are having good results most of the time employing this method and netting some of the larger trout in the Lower Owens from our drift boat.
Flyers Mike Duncan from Lamont, CA and co-pilot Alan Robinson of Bakersfield, CA flew in for a float with us recently and did a fine job out foxing plenty of trout including the big rainbow Mike bested on a “spruce-a-bu” pattern while doing the dip and strip technique. Nice “landing” all around guys!
Wally Sinner from Newport Beach, CA and his buddy Steve Long from Rancho Cucamonga, CA hit some great weather and some nice fish including the “fattie” Wally fooled while fishing a slow section of river along some cattails. This fish had more moves than a break-dancer and “the Walster” did a great job of bringing it in for a photo. Check out the photos on our website at: http://www.sierradrifters.com/fish.html
Pleasant Valley Reservoir: Fair-good
The powerhouse is generating late afternoon and this is affecting fishing here during this time of day. The level has dropped since our last update and you will find good numbers of trout concentrated near the inlet area. Tubers are finding good results using full sinking to heavy sinking tip lines in this area. Olive, brown and gray, streamer and soft hackle patterns #8-12 are working well here. The warm weather has made the winter “freeze tubing” very enjoyable lately and definitely worth a try if you are in the area.
The river section is fishing only so-so due to the fluctuation of water from power generation. I suggest you concentrate on the softer, slower water near the inlet. Some nice browns are being fooled here with the dry/dropper bead head nymph technique the best. #16-18 crystal tiger and zebra midges fished under a #14 Stimulator will get results.
The Gorge: Good
The ice and snow are gone in this area due to the warm weather and this makes access better than normal for this time of year. The warm weather has the small wild browns in this area eager to hit most presentations on the surface, with mayfly imitations #16-18 being my choice. Adams or B.W.O. patterns work well here this time of year. If it remains warm, bring in plenty of water you will need it. The key to this area is finding open water not overgrown with the thick willows and brambles that line the streamside. When you do get to an open area, be sure you don’t saunter up like a water buffalo getting a drink. The trout are very spooky here, and you must approach them with a high degree of stealth! Our motto is, “Be the Fly” but here you must also be like a giant blue heron and move slowly making minimal movements while in casting position.
Upcoming Events:
We will be presenting a slide show and seminar for the San Diego Fly Fishers on February 3, 2003. The show will include information on fly fishing opportunities from a boat in the Eastern Sierra including a brief fly tying demonstration, entomology and fishing techniques used specifically from boats. There are opportunities for non-members or those wishing to join the organization to view the show. You may contact the club if you need additional information; the public and non-members are invited.
San Diego Fly Fishers – www.sandiegoflyfishers.com
Marty Reed dmreeds@aol.com
You may purchase our guide flies at the following locations:
Malibu Fish’n Tackle in Thousand Oaks, Stroud’s Tackle in San Diego, and The Troutfitter in Mammoth Lakes. There are links to all on the home page of www.sierradrifters.com
Be the fly…Tom Loe, Sierra Drifters Guide Service
Email-driftfish@qnet.com
www.sierradrifters.com
Phone 760-935-4250
|
Tom Loe
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 20, 2003 - 10:34 pm: | |
Subject: Eastern Sierra Fishing Report
January 20, 2003
Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. Best fishes to you all for this January moon update.
Hard to believe it’s January with the spring like weather the Eastern Sierra has experienced the last couple of weeks. Daytime highs are in the 60’s in the Owens Valley with the lows hanging around the 20’s on the river in the morning. Last week the clothing layers went down to T-shirts around 11 in the morning. The forecast calls for a slight chance of precipitation in the elevations above 7000 feet around Wednesday/Thursday of this week with sunny skies returning for the upcoming weekend.
Fishing has remained good and the water temperatures have come up into the 40’s once again. There has been major midge activity starting after the frost thaws in the morning and the baetis mayflies are once again emerging around 1 in the afternoon. On the overcast days (which have been few) the trout are keying on this hatch and you can have some fun on the surface for a couple of hours.
We sure hope you get the opportunity to take advantage of the mild winter weather soon and come fish the year round waters of the Owens River.
Lower Owens River: Good
With very few exceptions fishing has remained good most days and above average for this time of year. We typically experience a slow down in numbers of fish caught during the dead of winter, but the size of the average trout increases this time of year. The long period of warm weather has bumped up the water temps triggering some strong hatches of midges and this in turn has got the trout pattern feeding on a regular, daily basis.
The flows on the river have remained constant at 125 cfs. for a prolonged period of time and this stability has also attributed to the consistent fishing.
We have been doing well drifting this season and tugging streamers along the undercut banks and deeper pools. #8-10 olive and off-white colored baitfish imitations will get it done used in conjunction with a moderate sinking tip line. The “dip and strip” method we developed to fish this very deep and channel like river will get you grabs when the trout are not interested in anything else. Check out our website and click on to guide tips for detailed information regarding this method of fishing streamers: http://www.sierradrifters.com/guide_tips.htm
Nymphing with midge larva and mayfly imitations are a solid choice before and after the baetis emergence. Fish these patterns close the bottom and in the pools at the base of a long riffle for best results. The baetis are larger this time of year; a #16 or 18 B.W.O. pattern will do tied to a tippet of 6X.
You may find the trout to be “skittish” during the bright days. Hard shadows forming from your fly line drift can spook them, as will the shadow from a large strike indicator. Target on the darker, shadow lined sections of river or deeper holes when the day is bright.
There has been moderate to heavy pressure in the wild trout section, we suggest you get to your favorite bend early on the weekends.
Veteran Sierra Drifters, Don Klahs from Valencia, CA and his partner Gary Gilbride avoided the weekend crowds and took a drift with us recently with Don making the fish report once again fooling another big rainbow on our Spruce-a-bu Streamer. Don uses his patented “Klahs Pause” technique while doing the dip and strip method. Nice fish!
The “Three Amigos” Michael Pouliot from Redondo Beach, CA and the father and son team of Joe and Mikey (“the hook up”) Baffoni from Encino, CA booked their annual drift trip with us and hit it big on numbers recently. The trio netted over 50 trout with Mr. Pouliot getting big fish honors with a nice rainbow he landed near the end of the day. Fun time guys!
One of the greatest rewards a guide has the opportunity to receive is watching a young client blossom as a fly fisher. Jim and son of 8 years, Jack Scanlon from Camarillo, CA have been fishing with us for several years, with Jim doing most of the fishing. This year Jack won the M.V.P. award for young fly-fisher by landing the majority of the 70 trout the father and son team fooled while drifting with us for a 2 day stretch recently. Check out the gorgeous rainbow Jack bested in a solo performance while Jim and I looked on. High fives Jack-O!
You may check out the photos of these fish and others by visiting our website at http://sierradrifters.com/fish.html
Pleasant Valley Reservoir: Fair –good
This area would be fishing very well save for the intense pressure it has received as of late. The inlet area has been hot, especially in the quiet water section until just recently. The dry/dropper bead head nymph set-up is a good choice in this area, as well as a dry/dry combo during the baetis hatch during the afternoon.
If fishing is slow in the “throat” or transition area of the inlet, work your way back into the riffle water and hit the softer and deeper pocket water here. There is a good number of trout that have migrated upstream in this area and they do not receive the same pressure as the trout located in the lower sections get. The powerhouse has not been generating recently, but this can change at any time. If you see ANY change in the water level or velocity, get out immediately as you may find yourself in water levels and flows that can ruin your day!
The reservoir level has remained steady for a week or so and for another option you “freeze tubers” can take advantage of the warmer weather and troll or strip streamers near the inlet and along the far, shady side of the narrow reservoir. I like to use perch fry imitations here, as there are Sacramento perch present in this fishery. A #6-12 olive or gray Hornberg is a good choice for this area when fished with a full or heavy sinking tip line.
The Gorge: Good
Still some spotty ice and snow present in the upper sections to look out for, but all in all the area has been a nice place to hike into with the spring like weather we have been having. Midge and small mayfly imitations are your best choices and you can fish them in tandem rigs using either a dry/dry or dry/dropper combo. #14-20 patterns and 2-4wt. rods with 6x tippet work best here.
The wild browns that inhabit this watershed are predominately small, scrappy and wily! If you approach the banks like a bull moose don’t expect much lovin’ from these rascals!
This creek has a 35cfs flow rate and its heavy brush and bramble-lined banks are at the bottom of a 400-foot steep, rocky canyon. Bring along some water and snacks if you plan on a trip here. Let someone know you are going in as well. There are ample numbers of rock climbers that visit this area year round, but you may find complete solitude here mid-week and there will be a long wait if you should need assistance.
Water fowling/ Cast and blast: Poor
Another slow year for this area. A silver lining may be on the horizon however as it appears the long awaited L.O.R.P. (Lower Owens River restoration project) may be at last a reality and the once great wetlands and bird habitat found near the lower regions of the Owens Valley will once again have sufficient water to provide a riparian area large enough to influence bird migration routes. This will take time and will not be instantaneous, however it can only help the dwindling numbers of waterfowl that migrate through this region at present.
You may purchase our time tested guide flies at these locations:
Malibu Fish’n Tackle in Thousand Oaks, Stroud’s Tackle in San Diego and The Troutfitter in Mammoth Lakes. There are links to all on the home page of www.sierradrifters.com
Upcoming Events:
We will be presenting a slide show and seminars for the Fly Fishers Club of Orange County on January 23, 2003 and the San Diego Fly Fishers on February 3, 2003. The shows will include information on fly fishing opportunities from a boat in the Eastern Sierra including a brief fly tying demonstration, entomology and fishing techniques used specifically from boats. There are opportunities for non-members or those wishing to join the organizations to view the shows. You may contact the clubs if you need additional information; the public and non-members are invited.
Fly Fishers Club of Orange County – www.ffcoc.org
Terry Imlay firebear95@aol.com
San Diego Fly Fishers – www.sandiegoflyfishers.com
Marty Reed dmreeds@aol.com
Be the fly…Tom Loe, Sierra Drifters Guide Service
Email-driftfish@qnet.com
www.sierradrifters.com
Phone 760-935-4250
|
Tom Loe
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 06, 2003 - 3:25 pm: | |
Subject: Eastern Sierra Fishing Report
January 6, 2003
Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. Happy New Year and best fishes to all in 2003.
The Eastern Sierra has been blitzed by a series of potent Pacific storms over the last two weeks leaving behind significant amounts of snow in elevations over 7000 feet. The Owens Valley also received well above average amounts of rain and snowfall during this period. Snow pack gauging stations have indicated over 200 percent of normal in the Southern Sierra and over 100 percent of normal in the central regions. This is great news for all of us here in California. This is only a solid start; hopefully the wet trend will continue insuring plenty of water for our fisheries and reservoirs, which are in serious need of replenishment. The short range forecast is calling for a dry period next week with some gusty northerly winds in the Owens Valley and above average temperatures.
We sure hope you can take advantage of the break in the weather and come visit us here in the Eastern Sierra. The fishing has remained good with the skiing and boarding being described as EPIC!
You will need to purchase a new fishing license for the 2003 season. Last years licenses expired on 12-31-02. There is NO grace period!
Lower Owens River: Good-Fair
Some very cold days attributed to passing cold fronts, slowed fishing down during these recent storm periods. Water temperatures fell into the upper 30’s making the trout lethargic. During the warmer days we had some exceptional fishing especially in the drift boat sections. Streamers have been the key to our success fished with moderate sink tips while doing the “dip and strip” in the deeper pools and runs. The flow rates have remained at 125 cfs. This stability has a tendency to make the trout; especially the rainbows “pod” up in the larger holes. There is a good chance during conditions such as we have now to hit multiple fish in one section or area of the river, but not find anything in another pool close by. #8 and 10 baitfish imitations like our “Loeberg” and “Spruce-a-bu” have been working well. These patterns resemble the forage fish found in the Owens. I like to select a darker colored fly for the cloudy day or low light period and a brighter imitation during the clear, sunny afternoons. You get better contrast by employing this strategy. Hornbergs, Dark spruce flies; Matukas are all good choices this time of year in addition to the above-mentioned patterns.
Redundant drifts are necessary this time of year if you are nymphing. Go small! Midges hatch year round and the trout will feed during the larger emergences. #20-22’s will get more attention. Zebra and Tiger crystal midges are solid picks. There are still baetis coming off the water after 1:00 p.m. but do not expect a bonanza surface frenzy.
If you are planning a visit in the near future be cautious where you park and drive off improved dirt roads. The two track dirt roads are frozen and do not pose a problem in the mornings, but when they have thawed out in the afternoon they can become a quagmire! On another note, the B.L.M. is asking for voluntary co-operation regarding vehicle use and foot traffic in the Chalk Bluff area from now until this summer. There will be signs posted and periodic patrols here to assist the nesting Raptors that frequent this region. Recent studies indicate a decline in populations attributed to increased traffic in this nesting location.
Check out the double hook up photo with “snow bows” showing veteran Sierra Drifters Bill Richards from Thousand Oaks, CA and Chuck Rinehart from Pittsford, New York. These Conejo Valley Fly fishers had a tremendous day recently netting close to 100 trout. Way to “be the fly” guys!
Our December bookings were largely repeat “Drifters” because they know it is a great time to fish the Lower Owens. Dan Edwards a part time fly fishing guide from Parowan, Utah and Dirk Westfall from Temecula, CA returned for a float here recently and Dan had an incredible day netting three fish in the 4-5 lb. Range. The two landed over 40 other rainbows and browns. Take a look at one of Dan’s big “snow bows” that he bested with the “dip and strip” method and a Spruce-a-bu streamer. Click on http://www.sierradrifters.com/fish.html to look at these photos and others on our website.
Chuck “the millennium man” Hunt and Mary Jochum both from Goleta, CA and members of the Santa Barbara Fly Fishers booked their annual New Years Day drift trip with us and Mary landed the first trout of 2003…a nice 13” Rainbow. Nice way to bring in the New Year Kids!
You may purchase our flies at Stroud’s Tackle in San Diego, Malibu Fish’n Tackle in Thousand Oaks and The Troutfitter (Snowfitter) in Mammoth Lakes.
Pleasant Valley Reservoir: Good-fair
This area received tremendous pressure over the holidays and fishing here has slowed since our last report. Many of the fish have been relocated to frying pans and freezers in other areas. It is being planted at least twice per month with some Alpers trout in the 1/2 –5 lb. Range. The good news is that the water level has been lowered in the reservoir making the fish that are currently holding near the inlet section very accessible. You will see good feeding activity during the warmer days in this area as the fish are working the midge hatch aggressively here. If you plan on fishing this section be extra cautious of the footing along the banks. It is in my humble opinion the most slippery mud known to man on the face of this earth and you will find thyself on your caboose if you do not use a wading staff or studded boots!
Streamers #8-10 in olive are a good choice. Use a medium sink tip for best results here. If you see the fish working the midges, tie on a #14 Stimulator or elk caddis and add a 3-foot dropper with a crystal tiger or zebra midge #16-18 and drift the rig in the feeding lanes. This set-up works killer on these fish in the slower water.
Freeze tubers are having some success near the inlet with a full sinking line trolling streamers. With the water level dropping you can expect the fish to migrate into deeper water near the launch ramp and dam if the trend continues.
The Gorge: An adventure…
This area has consistent fishing for one reason. It is difficult to reach many stretches of water. The recent storms have added another hurdle to the obstacles fly fishers must overcome, ice and snow. If you manage to get into the canyon without a compound fracture or severe trail rash due to a face plant in the shale, put on a 2 fly rig with a small indicator or larger dry fly using midge larva or #18 may fly nymphs like a pheasant tail or RS-2. A 3wt. is more than enough rod to handle the wild brown “firecrackers” here. Much of the snow melted this week here so the ice age factor will be less of an influence in the future.
Water fowling / Cast & Blast Update:
Water fowling remains very slow to spotty along the Lower Owens River. A few more birds, mostly Mallards have shown up on the river but not in any significant numbers. There are a few more birds along the canals and irrigation ditches in Long Valley around the Hot Creek area. Lake Crowley is frozen all the way to the north arm of the lake. If you find some open water in that region you may find a few scattered birds. We’ve run a couple of cast & blasts on the river recently with nothing noteworthy to report. The warmer weather and drying out period hasn’t really helped things out for you hunters recently.
Upcoming Events:
We will be presenting a slide show and seminars for the Fly Fishers Club of Orange County on January 23, 2003 and the San Diego Fly Fishers on February 3, 2003. The shows will include information on fly fishing opportunities from a boat in the Eastern Sierra including a brief fly tying demonstration, entomology and fishing techniques used specifically from boats. There are opportunities for non-members or those wishing to join the organizations to view the shows. You may contact the clubs if you need additional information; the public and non-members are invited.
Fly Fishers Club of Orange County – www.ffcoc.org
Terry Imlay firebear95@aol.com
San Diego Fly Fishers – www.sandiegoflyfishers.com
Marty Reed dmreeds@aol.com
Be the fly…Tom Loe
Sierra Drifters Guide Service
Email: driftfish@qnet.com
www.sierradrifters.com
Phone 760-935-4250
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