April 25th Fish'n Conditions
Capt. Tom Loe
April 25, 2013
Eastern Sierras - Freshwater Fishing Report
The Middle Owens River is fishing very well right now with flows well below historical averages. Fred & Lou with a nice mixed double on a recent drift trip.
So the general trout opener for the Eastern Sierra begins on April 27th and many other quality waters will be added to your bucket list of places to fish here. This may go down as perhaps the most mild and comfortable opener in recent memory with the forecast calling for 70′s in the upper valleys and 80′s in the Owens Valley on Saturday. Snow levels are way above average in elevation & significantly less than normal in depth, with many alpine locations having good conditions early on this season. Flows on all rivers and creeks are running lower than normal, the exception being the West Walker which has off colored water and is flowing high. Painting the 2013 summer season with a broad stroke-good early through mid-summer with low to very low water levels later on. The larger lakes and reservoirs will be at record, or near record lows after this summer as the snow pack was only half of normal at best (two winters back to back) in most of the Sierra. Tioga Pass and the road leading into the San Joaquin will also open before Memorial Day, very early due to the mild winter. With the warm weather for opening week forecast, look for some increased snow melt to raise flows on some of the creeks. Should not be a game changer, but you will see more water coming down the next week for sure.
Middle Owens River
It has been pretty darn good here. We are enjoying the benefits of well below normal spring time flows. They vacillate between 220 & 240cfs and have done so for nearly a month. Combine this stability with some warm weather and you have consistently good fishing on the Owens River around Bishop CA. This trend should continue for a while, and I suggest that if you have not drifted or fly fished the MO in the spring this is the year to do so my friends. The only bitch I have is the lack of surface activity. This is indicative of a dry year-aquatic insects will not be as prevalent in seasons that have reduced water. No worries, we are getting them on streamers and nymphing. Wading the wild trout section remains good, just have a stout wading staff to access the less fished water. You will see caddis, mayfly, and midge activity. With the warmer water look for the fish to move into the riffles and base of pools/deeper runs this time of year. Opposite the cooler months where you find the fish stacked in the deeper holes & pools. Loebergs & punk perch are my go to streamers now #10-12. Crystal olive caddis larva, Assassins, flashback PT's, tiger and zebra midges will all get grabs while nymphing.
Alpine Lakes
The 2013 season will be in sharp contrast to those of the past. The initial part of the season will see many lakes that typically have ice and snow, be completely thawed with good access. Upper lakes that are bastions of the ice fishers have rotten ice or have already broken up at the 8800 foot level. The June Lake loop is clear and should be very good with well planted lakes. Convict, Lundy, the Twins in Mammoth and Bridgeport-all ready to rock. Road to Rock Creek Lake is open- lake has broken ice. Sabrina (ice free), South lake (ice free), North lake (rotten ice), Intake 2 (a zoo on opening day but well stocked). Lower regions are ice free and planted. Bishop Creek and Rock Creek are running well below normal flows for spring, both are good choices for moving water. Virginia Lake may also have some open water although there will be ice and snow around. Road is open. Fly fishers use streamer patterns and full sinking lines. If I had to have a dinner fish I would use a full sink with a Spruce-A-Bu or Loeberg trolled or cast along a ledge or creek inlet to any of these locations.
Tributaries of Crowley-Upper Owens, McGee Creek, Convict, Hilton, Crooked…
The low water flows, low lake level, & lack of diploid rainbows and cutthroats have taken their toll on the tribs this season. The spawning fish are scarce here and conditions poor for this years spring spawn thus far. There will be increased turbidity and flows by opening day as the warmer temps will get McGee & Convict rising for sure. I walked to within an irons sight shot from lake level and was appalled at how much silt and lack of channel there was on McGee. Should improve some next week, but I would pass this up for opener. Flows are up on the Upper Owens to over 100cfs. This is good, but the fish are spread out and a serious lack of bigs right now. Use attractor patterns like SJ worms and eggs, streamers are also a good choice to cover the cut banks on the Upper Owens.
Crowley Lake
I anticipate the best opening week in many years. Factor in incredible weather, good numbers of planted fish=a great day/early season on Crowley. As will be the case in many Sierra waters, Crowley will fish well early this season and may have issues with low water this summer/ fall. Look for navigation hazards around Hilton Pt., Crooked Creek, Sandy Pt. There are reports that say the lake is slowly rising-not true. It is less than 10 feet above the low point in October of 2012 according to LADWP lake level gauges, and is basically holding this level. With the loss of shallow water habitat this year we may see less chironomid presence, and I can say for a fact-very little callibaetis or damsel fly emergences. I will be focusing early season guiding around Sandy Pt., Alligator Pt. & in the north arm 10 feet or more. The lake will be very different this year folks. With the warm weather pattern setting in I would have a selection of gillies, crystal emergers, pupa, and tiger midges for bottom presentations. The Crowley Lake General Store & Deli will have all these in stock, they have a kick ass breakfast menu also..
East Walker River
This will be a challenging season on the EW. With the snow pack being below 50% for two winters the EW is suffering for sure. Flows have been bumped to 50cfs as of this report. It has been good on high barometer or overcast days, but if the flows go down further it will be a struggle. Nymphing the deeper pools and runs with crystal olive caddis and zebra midge larva pattern as the lower fly on tandem rig will get you grabs. Look for the mayflies hatches around noon to get numbers during the right conditions.
Hot Creek
The warmer weather has increased the flow rates here. Good news. HC is going off right now-go here for the best dry fly fishing in the area. Midge adults, small dark dinky caddis, & PMD mayfly patterns #16. With more water coming down the trout in the "crick" have spread out.
Upper Owens River
Numbers are lacking. Flows have been bumped up to 100cfs . We saw better numbers of bigs in the dead of winter. CDFG, apologies- I mean CDFW…will begin planting this section after the Saturday preceding Memorial Day below the Benton Bridge.
Bridgeport Reservoir
Fish here early this season people. It will be good before the end of July. The Bridge will have GREAT numbers of planted fish this opener and early summer. Low water levels due to the lack of snow pack this season will make it tough to "catch" here after July. Sheep fur patterns are best-speak with Jeffery at the marina about these as he keeps them under lock and key in his trailer…Loebergs, Spruce-A-Bu's with full sinks will get you grabs around the EW channel and towards the public boat ramps. Look for still water nymphing methods to rule around mid-May. Gillies, broken back & zebra midges -10 feet plus early on. If you want to launch a boat for opener go to the marina, it will be tough anywhere else.
Eagle Lake
I just had a cancellation for the first weekend in June. 6-1 & 2 are now available for up to three boats. Hope you can make it, Eagle will be great this spring.
Thanks for reading my report.
Be the fly…Tom Loe
Sierra Drifters Guide Service
www.sierradrifters.com
760-935-4250
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