Fish'N Conditions March 21st 2013
Capt. Tom Loe
March 28, 2013
Eastern Sierras - Freshwater Fishing Report
The Middle Owens River is fishing well for fly casters right now with flows below historical averages and mild weather. Craig Smith & Tommy Phillips did close to 40 on their drift trip.
Weather forecasters are predicting a wetter than normal April, and boy do we need it! The current conditions seem more like late April and May with 70 plus days in the Owens Valley and the 60′s in the high country. I am enjoying it for the time being but very much hoping we get some more snow in them thar hills before summer is upon us. The first mosquitoes appeared this week on the Middle Owens, and I am seeing a few ticks now, so if you have a dog and are fishing in the brambles, check them out thoroughly for these critters.
Overall life is good on the water with flows well below historical averages for this time of year. The Middle Owens has doubled in the last couple weeks; however remains very fishable at 225cfs. below the dam at Pleasant Valley. The East Walker has dropped considerably from 70 cfs. to 40 cfs. Hot Creek is up a tad with the warm weather and some snow melting into Mammoth Creek. The INFS gate has been open for over a week now. Upper Owens is also running low and clear at 60cfs. Some off colored, tannin stained water below Hot Creek's confluence due to run-off. I have links to the real time flow charts on the resources page located on the nav bar (top of all pages). Crowley has been ice free for a while, it remains only ten feet higher than the low point from last year. Bridgeport has ample water to start the season for sure, but may be low by mid-summer. It is ice free as well.
Middle Owens River
The first caddis flies are beginning to show in force on the warmer days, with the final hatches of baetis (BWO's) coming off after noon. Strong midge activity with a rising or high barometer. At 225cfs. the flows are near perfect. With the warmer conditions the wild fish will move into the riffle water and straights, as opposed to holding in only the deepest pools. Crossing is a tad more difficult, but with some scouting & a stout wading staff one should have no problems finding quality water. We had some spotty days of catching as the water levels climbed, but they were brought up slowly and the fish have already adjusted to the new releases. No word on if they will go up significantly in the near future, my guess is probably a little more within the month, but not the death blow we have seen in the past during early April. I look forward to an extended period of drifting this spring. I have seen epic fishing in May on dry years like this so keep the Middle Owens in mind. We are staying the course with streamers like Spruce-A-Bu's, Loebergs, and smaller olive punk perch patterns. I have switched to a heavy sinking tip line 24-30 feet, 200-250 grains to get down using the "dip & strip". Nymphing with pheasant tails and bird's nest patterns are spot on, use a broken back midge, olive crystal zebra/caddis larva, or tiger midge at times for a dropper. Para bwo's, elk caddis, and Stimulators are also needed in one's quiver for any snouts that begin poking up for a hatch.
Upper Owens River
Access is good, fishing is not. Flows have dropped to below 60 cfs. and there are only a few pools holding fish in the year around section above the Benton Crossing Bridge. Decent baetis and midge activity, with a few Owens caddis flies zooming around late morning. The weather has been good for the most part; however the wind has been spoiling the warmer temps this last week. Stick to bird's nest and mayfly nymph imitations #16-20. Olive crystal caddis larva or zebra midges will get grabs in the deeper holes and pools. You may see some off colored, tannin stained water below the confluence of Hot Creek due to run-off, the fish have split from this area currently.
East Walker River
Just when I thought it was gonna go off…the dang flows dropped. The curse of a dry winter is hanging overhead on this blue ribbon trout river. Ideal flows in my opinion are around 125-200cfs here. They are now at 40cfs. Too low for this time of year. The BWO hatch has been short but sweet, and if you have fished the EW during the spring, you know that this is prime time and the fish really focus on this emergence. To put it in perspective; we got 75% of our grabs for a full day guide trip during the 1pm hatch, most on adult BWO patterns. We scratched while fishing a variety of nymphs like PT's, bird's nest, midges, rock worms, eggs, and perch fry. The fish have a difficult time moving out of the deepest pools and into riffle water at this release. It will improve, pray for snow!
Hot Creek
In between the wind storms it has been good here. This is my favorite time of year to fish HC, and the trout get way stupid on adult BWO's here for about two hours after mid-day. Nymphing the deeper pools and runs will produce using a variety of smaller nymphs-it is the archer; not the arrow for these fish my friends. The trend of warmer weather will help increase flows and amplify areas to fish. The INFS gate has been open for a while with no access issues. *Tom Loe/Sierra Drifters is currently permitted to guide Hot Creek by the Inyo National Forest Service.
Pleasant Valley Reservoir/the Gorge Updated 3-22-13
If you have a tube and do not mind a 20 minute hike with it, this is a slam dunk! The rez has a bunch of fish that have been planted thanks to a recent trout derby that was held here. The CDFW dumped some big ole brooders in here as well. Use a full sinking line and your favorite streamer fished down to 10 feet. The river section is a tad high, but still very fishable with excellent conditions. You may experience some "pulses" of water from time to time, but overall the mornings are great in the brush section and transition area. Dry dropper bead head nymph combos are deadly in the pillow water.
The LADWP has a flushing flow going through middle and lower Gorge currently. They have said it will be for an extended period of time. The flows are currently at 175cfs. Normal are 33 cfs. Thanks to Malibu Fish'N Tackle's Jimmy Toy for the heads up.
Eagle Lake
We had some dates open up due to a cancellation on June 1st and 2nd. Three boats available if you have a large group. This lake rocks and is by far the best rainbow trout still water in the state. Check out the new video Doug Rodricks made on our Eagle Lake page (link on the nav bar above), or YouTube link. We have some limited dates in June and all the booking info posted here.
Thanks for reading my report,
be the fly…Tom Loe
Sierra Drifters Guide Service
www.sierradrifters.com
760-935-4250
More Fishing Reports:
