The California Fishing Show

The Eastern Sierra Report

3-4-10

Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. Got some good news, and some not so good news to present for the early March Fish’N conditions update. Lets get the bad news out of the way first!

The water lords have unleashed the hounds on the Lower Owens recently and it will be a tough go from here on for wading the wild trout section. 400cfs is currently gushing through the release pipe below PV Reservoir. Crossing or wading into less trafficked sections is difficult, unsafe, or nearly impossible at flows of 250cfs or more.

You will need to use heavily weighted nymph rigs to get down to the fish, but it can be done. A couple of BB shot, or an AB plus will get you down in the slower deeper pools while indicator fishing with an “Under-Cator”. I like bead head patterns with plenty of flash in the patterns #14-18.

Surface activity will also slow for the time being but will pick up in the near future. Hunt for the larger pools with significant eddies for a shot at fooling some on midge clusters #20-22, and BWO adults or spinners #16-18.

Water temps will drop significantly during this period due to the massive amount of colder water emanating from Crowley. The great midge and baetis hatches that we experienced in February will decrease relative to the water temps. As spring rolls on and conditions stabilize a more seasonal hatch pattern will once again develop. Look for some great caddis and stone fly emergences to begin around April. I have been told that 400cfs will be the upper end of the spring release. Look for the flows to drop by late spring/early summer as the snow begins to melt in the Southern Sierra. The LADWP will back off releases in the northern sections to accommodate the run-off south of Lone Pine. We could have a nice sweet spot beginning in April through the July holiday period. I want to emphasize that this is speculation based on my observations and experience of fishing the Owens for thirty five seasons. The LADWP has its own agenda and pretty much does what it wants with little regard to natural water cycles.

We have cancelled guided drift boat trips and issued “flood checks” to those that would be affected by this huge flow increase. If the flows hold at 400 or below conditions will improve this month, and will get increasingly better for drifting with each passing day. If they get above 450-500cfs this place will be burned toast until they drop. As I mentioned before, wading will be tough until the flows get back to less than 250cfs. You can access real time release data from the link we have provided to the LADWP website at the top of the Fish’N conditions page. www.sierradrifters.com/fish.htm

How about a little good news? Crowley Lake will be cycled twice this season. The lake is nearly full (heavy solid sheet ice all over) currently and the LADWP will lower the level through the opener and into early summer. It will begin filling rapidly during the warm months and be very high through early fall in which they will once again blow out the Lower Owens with unnatural flow increases through November. Crowley will have a bunch of water this summer with thick weed beds out to 17 feet, and significant spring and fall turnovers. We will have great periods of “catching” near the creek mouths and Upper Owens inlets this season at times. You LADWP customers should get a nice decrease in your water and power bills this summer due to all the water they have ehhh?

More good news! The East Walker is fishing very well despite low flows. The SD guide crew has been fishing the Cal and NV sections daily since the end of February and the bite has really picked up. Strong midge activity daily, with a good showing of baetis after 1 pm. Look for a substantial flow increase to begin towards the end of the month, with further increases by late spring. It will be roaring this summer for sure.

There is significant snow remaining on the ground near the dam and the walking to and from the river can be a tad cumbersome. Conditions are great along the river and wading is not an issue. I strongly suggest you stop by one of the fine fly shops we endorse and pick up a pair of rubber soled wading boots. They will be mandatory just about everywhere soon. Felt soles suck when hiking in the snow or ice and spread invasive species and diseases.

We will be guiding the NV section of the East Walker during prime times this season and are very excited about showing SD clients some new water.

Bridgeport Reservoir will also be a top location this summer near the creek inlet areas so keep this location in mind around July for sure!

Be the fly...Tom Loe

www.sierradrifters.com

760-935-4250

2-27-10

Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. We have some significant changes to report on several of the fisheries here in the Eastern High Sierra.

The weather has been excellent for an extended period of time in the Owens Valley and this condition has rapidly warmed water temps into the low fifties prompting huge emergences of midges, baetis may flies, and little golden stone flies. Combine this with low water releases out of PV Rez and you have the ingredients for some excellent fly fishing on the Lower Owens River wild trout section and Gorge tail water.

There are no “frog chokers” forecast to roll into the region in the near future but a more unsettled weather pattern is developing once again, and with it some spring type storms may dash through the area.

The Long Valley region remains in winters grip and access to Hot Creek and the Upper Owens is limited to snow shoes and moderate hikes over icy snow bound roads and trails. We have been taking clients in on snow mobiles to the Upper Owens (this is a blast!) and having the place to ourselves especially in the Longyears area above the confluence of Hot Creek. Check out the video SD guides Doug R, Chris Basso, and I produced of a couple guide trips we have done recently using snowmobiles and snow shoes to get on the UO this month. It is posted at www.sierradrifters.com/fish.htm. We are always making an effort to put you on trophy fish and will do whatever it takes baby!

The guide staff at Sierra Drifters supports the Cal DFG warden stamp and the warden program. Click on the link at www.sierradrifters.com/fish.htm to obtain yours and show support for these under resourced- protectors of our resource

Eagle Lake Spring Trips:

The conditions will be excellent this spring for sure. Eagle is getting a good snowpack and the lake will be in top shape for the 2010 season. We will be booking trips from 6-3-2010 through 6-30-2010. Doug R will be guiding Eagle with me this season on his new 24 foot Ranger "fish magnet" and can easily accommodate three anglers. AS OF 2-22-10 WE HAVE FILLED 80% OF THE DATES IN JUNE. PLEASE GET YOUR TRIPS BOOKED TO THIS INCREDIBLE FISHERY SOON OR YOU WILL MISS OUT ON AN EPIC SPRING!!!

Eagle is hands down, without a doubt the best rainbow trout still water in the State. If you like big numbers of 19 inch average Eagle Lake Trout that weigh 2-3 lbs on the fly, this is your huckleberry! Big fish here go 27 inches and weigh 6-7 lbs. It is a gorgeous alpine lake bordered by huge pines and is California’s second largest natural inland body of water. We will be guiding it on our 24 foot fish magnets and can take groups of three per boat easily. http://www.sierradrifters.com/EagleLakeCalifornia.htm

Fly Fishing Clinics for beginners and intermediates:

If you or someone you know wants to learn the basics of fly casting, knot tying, and the fundamentals of wet and dry fly fishing from full time fly fishing professionals, here is a great opportunity!

We will be conducting casting and knot tying clinics located at Sierra Drifters beautiful private trophy pond overlooking Crowley Lake at McGee Creek for next season. You may enroll for an on the water instructional seminar in addition to the pond session for the second day. More info and pics are posted at www.sierradrifters.com/fish.htm

These clinics were a big hit last year and we had high marks from those who attended the classes. We are adding additional dates for next season and have greatly reduced the cost thanks to last years demand. The four hour clinics cost $100.00 per person/day. You may choose a single day if you wish, and we will limit the classes to five students per guide to insure you get excellent personal instruction. These classes are a great way to learn the basics of fly fishing by pros at a very affordable cost. 2010 dates available are: May 21&22, June 4&5, 18&19, July 2&3, 16&17, 30&31, August 13&14, 27&28, September 3&4. Please contact us by phone or email for more details and enrollment; we can customize family or group clinics to suit your needs.

SD “Two Bug Doug’s” Under-Cator (patents pending) is currently available online and to wholesalers.

Two Bug’s vision has led us to come up with the ultimate strike indicator/bobber. It is now available online, and in stores February of 2010. This versatile strike indicator comes in two popular sizes and can be used by fly fishers or spin casters. It is high riding and easy to see - never needs floatant or drying, adjusts quickly and easily without slipping, and casts beautiful. Unlike others it needs NO tools or torque wrenches to install on leaders or lines from 25lb.-7X. It won’t slip, kink, or damage your line like others. A user friendly custom thumb screw (patents pending) locks the Under-Cator onto your leader or line securely and easily! http://www.sierradrifters.com/Fly%20Sales.htm

This strike indicator/bobber has gone through extensive guide testing and trials on both still waters and rivers for over a year. It is the most innovative and versatile of its kind available.

Check out pictures or place an order for Two Bug Doug’s Under-Cator by visiting our website at www.sierradrifters.com/fish.htm.

You can also view all the great photos for this report at the same link. www.sierradrifters.com/fish.htm

Click here to submit your Trip Request Form http://www.sierradrifters.com/trip.htm

Lower Owens River:

It has been consistently very good to excellent in and around the wild trout section. The flows are extremely low considering that we have an above average snowpack and the fact that Crowley Lake is nearly full. These low release rates will not hold for much longer, I can assure you of this.

Fish midge cluster patterns or midge emerger’s #18-22 in the am for some great surface action early on. Switch to nymphing with midge larva or emergers, PT bead heads or birds nest patterns #16-20 with a tad of flash until noon. The baetis duns (BWO’s) #16-18 will gracefully appear around this time and it can get silly good! Make camp at the base of a significant riffle or tail out section of a large pool and you can get FAT as long as this condition remains. You may also see some vicious splashy surface takes around lunch time. You could be witnessing the demise of a little yellow stone fly! A dry dropper combo can work well using a Stimulator #14-16 as the upper during this time frame.

We are streamer fishing utilizing the “dip & strip method” in the mornings, followed by a combination of nymphing and dry fly fishing during the middle of the day to get clients on fish. This three pronged attack gives you a diverse guide program that covers all the essentials needed to fool trout from the comfort of a guided drift boat. The larger fish are taken on streamers-nymphing gives you more opportunities to rack up the numbers.

Upper Owens River:

The access roads are snow bound as of this report and will continue to be for a while. We have been using snow mobiles and snow shoes to get into this area. See the video SD guide Doug R produced please. This has been a riot and a really special experience. It has been the highlight of the winter fly fishing season for me. If you crave twenty plus rainbows, give us a call. The spring migration of jumbo sized rainbows up from Crowley Lake will be in motion very soon. We have the experience and horsepower to get you into the hard to reach areas comfortably & safely.

There is a good midge hatch in the late mornings followed by a decent baetis hatch after 1:30 pm. Numbers of trout here remain small but you can bank on this to change in the near future.

Hot Creek:

Access issues here as well. Plan on hiking in from the HC Ranch up. It has been very good here on the warmer days and pressure has been light. Flows are great and you will see midges in the am, with a very good showing of baetis by noon. Cluster patterns #20-22 are killer before noon. Fish bead head PT’s and midge patterns or emergers in the #18-20 range, and BWO duns #16-18 after lunch. Two Bug Doug Dolan has been creaming the bigs here and claims he has “unlocked the door” to HC in the winter. He has the pics to prove it! Just check out the cover of the latest edition of the Western Outdoor News.

East Walker River:

The snow is not a factor here for the time being and with the warmer weather fishing has picked up below the Bridgeport Reservoir dam recently. Flows remain at winter release rates; however they should increase in the near future which will spread the fish out and get them moving into other than just the deeper pools. Midges in the morn-may flies after lunch. There has been a fair amount of pressure here recently so get your spot early. The fish are more concentrated close to the dam.

PV Reservoir:

The level has sucked all winter here-too high near the inlet. As of this report it remains very high. I will say that the deeper the water we have here, the better the conditions in the wild trout section of the Lower Owens. Water is a very good insulator and the more depth you have in a reservoir, the more consistent the conditions shall be in the tail water section.

This area is very dependant upon planted fish and it has been skinny here this winter with regards to stockers for sure. The DFG and Inyo County administrators are stating that more fish will be stocked in the near future here. Let’s hope this happens. This will take pressure off the sections of the river that have wild fish. We are seeing more people angling the predominately wild trout areas due to the lack of planted fish (and wardens). You can’t blame them for wanting to catch fish. They pay for a license just like the C&R folks.

The Gorge:

Very good down here. The warm weather got the wild browns on the chew and it has been a dry fly fest in the deeper pools and tailouts. Dry dropper combos with #16-18 beads heads, or emerger patterns will get you plenty of grabs. Fish this area with upstream presentations, starting at the rear or back end of the pool or riffle. Midge clusters, or mayfly adults #16-20 will get looks. The ice and snow is gone in all sections.

We are selling flies online this season for your convenience. http://www.sierradrifters.com/Fly%20Sales.htm. The 2010 Sierra Drifters Flies are available at the following great fly shops and stores this winter: Bob Marriott’s Flyfishing Store in Fullerton, Malibu Fish’n Tackle in Thousand Oaks, The Fishermen’s Spot in Van Nuys, Stroud’s Tackle and the So Cal Fly Shop in San Diego. There are links to these locations at www.sierradrifters.com/resources.htm.

Thank you for taking the time to read my report.

Be the fly friends…

Tom Loe

Sierra Drifters Guide Service

760-935-4250

Driftfish@qnet.com

With Gordon McHenry

The Eastern Sierra Report