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Eastern Sierras
Capt. Tom Loe
February 3, 2003
Eastern Sierras - Freshwater Fishing Report
Where Did Winter Go? 2/3/03 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
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 [email protected]
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 protected]
www.sierradrifters.com
Phone 760-935-4250
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