Fish'n Conditions May 3, 2013
Capt. Tom Loe
May 4, 2013
Eastern Sierras - Freshwater Fishing Report
The 2013 general trout opener saw some great weather and good fishing overall. The run-off has begun here in the Eastern Sierra and it has changed flows on all the creeks and rivers in the region. Rising water levels from snow melt increase turbidity, lower water temps, & make trout move to adjust to the new levels. This can cause variable fish'N conditions and make you adjust. Due to a lower than normal year for snow pack this will be a short lived event and will be over with soon. By early June most fisheries will be stable and running clear, save for the tail water rivers like the East Walker & Middle Owens which may be rising due to water demands. Many alpine lakes and road passes will be opening and in good condition much earlier than normal, the Sierra will be pretty much wide open for access by Memorial Day for sure. The San Joaquin/Reds Meadow area may have maintenance delays but will open much earlier than normal.
Middle Owens River-updated
Flows have come up to 250cfs in the wild trout section below PV Reservoir. This is by no means a blowout but will make access more difficult. Bishop Creek flows have doubled recently and this will make the lower drift boat sections suck for a day or so until they stabilize & the water clears up. It will also decrease the caddis and mayfly hatches that have begun to gell so do not expect epic top water action in the WT section for a while. Put some additional weight on those nymph rigs. I suggest flashback Pt's, assassin birds nest, and crystal olive caddis and zebra midge larva patterns #16-20 for nymphing. Hot streamers are Loebergs and Punk Perch #10-12. You will need a heavy sinking tip line for the "dip & strip" technique to get your imitations down.
Alpine Lakes-updated
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. Mixed reports for opening week, slower than expected overall. Look for the "catching" to improve as the stocking trucks dump additional fish into many areas. Some super stockers are slated for several areas by mid-May. Use streamer patterns like Spruce-A-Bu's and Loebergs with a full sinking line to get down 15 feet along drop-offs and near creek inlets.
Lower Twin-Mammoth. Good call for tubers
McGee, Convict, Hilton & Crooked Creeks-updated
The populations of 12-16 inch rainbows have increased quite a bit since my last report. With water flows increasing from snow melt on these tributaries to Crowley we are seeing some decent pods staging up for the spawn recently. There is some off colored water in the lower sections, very skinny conditions on the upper beats as the ranchers are diverting some water to irrigate the pastures. The short water bows are S P double O KY "SPOOKY"!!! You need to be a damn Ninja to get near them. Try an upstream presentation and stack mend to drift your flies down into the short water holes and lays. Dry dropper bead head nymph combos are a good call, SJ worms and weighted streamers fished with a floating line will get you takes.
These are the remaining fertile "diploid" trout this area will see from now on. Whatever your opinions on this issue keep in mind their fry will be the last of the wild trout in Crowley. Please keep this in mind when handling fish caught on redds.
Crowley Lake-updated
Fly fishers have mixed reports here. The best still water nymphing is occurring in the Hiltons, Sandy Pt., and Sometimes Bay 11-14 feet. Very good chironomid hatches for this early- the low water levels have the fish spread out and in different locations. Gillies, crystal pupa, & emergers #18 and 20 rock on the high pressure days. Stick to the ever reliable crystal tiger and zebra midges #16 and 18 for your larva/lower fly pattern. Be careful when navigating to and from the marina, there are some high spots especially around Hilton, Sandy, and Crooked Creek. Crowley Lake General Store has all my flies & Under-cators with a great breakfast and lunch menu.
East Walker River-updated
Looking forward to fishing this area soon as flows have come up to 70 cfs and water conditions are great. The fish will spread out at this release moving them out of just the deepest holes and into riffles and deeper runs. Look for some caddis, PMD mayflies, damsel flies, chironomids (large midges) & mixed terrestrials to be on the menu. When the water levels go up there can be some interesting feeding events here. Beetles, ants, caterpillars, spiders. This is a great flow for this time of year, summer/fall will be tough on the gang.
Hot Creek-updated
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-updated
Good news is more catchable sized fish moving up river with the bumped up flows. Some bigs hit on opener below the monument (remember that upstream from this CDFW sign to the Benton Bridge remains closed to all until May 25th.) Some of the signs are wrong, know the regs! Water clarity is good; however you will find some annoying weed floating and screwing up nymph drifts and streamer presentations in the monument area. I like FB-PT's, and assassins in the #14-16 range. Broken back midges and crystal olive caddis #16-20 also good as lower bugs. Try a Loeberg with a light sinking tip along the cut banks. I hear some nice browns are up chomping on the smaller bows that migrated upstream.
Bridgeport Reservoir-updated
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.
Adobe Pond
Now is the time for Adobe. Good hatches of callibaetis and midges-great water conditions. This is sight fishing for totally wild browns via one of our drift boats. Private water fishing at it's best! Call for booking info.
Eagle Lake
We have three boats open on Sunday June 2nd, & 13, 16, 17, 18, 19 , 20, 30, & July 1st available for one boat. 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
760-935-4250
www.sierradrifters.com
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