 |
Eastern Sierras
Capt. Tom Loe
May 14, 2003
Eastern Sierras - Freshwater Fishing Report
Full Moon in May 2003 Fish Report
May 14, 2003
Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. May the moon in May find you all healthy and happy.
Big changes to report here in the Eastern Sierra since our prior update. The weather has been horrid since the opener but has recently become more seasonal and is influencing the fishing greatly. Record snowfall in April for Mammoth Mountain and a significant amount of the white stuff already in May have altered the mild and dry weather that prevailed over much of spring here in the Eastern Sierra. Conditions have changed dramatically in the last several days with warm, seasonal weather kicking in and the trout responding to the altered conditions with exuberant feeding behavior.
Wipe the cobwebs off those fly rods and bring the skis up for a great experience here in the Eastern Sierra this spring. It is happening on all fronts!
Best fishes to all, go Lakers!!!
Crowley Lake: Good
The initial part of the season was a huge disappointment to fly-fishers this season but has since turned for the better. Very cold water and bizarre weather attributed to the slow fishing. The lake level is disturbingly low for this time of year and this did not help out the situation for us long rodders.
If you are planning a trip to Crowley in the near future stick to the north arm between Sandy Point and Leighton Springs. We have had some good fishing in these locations while stillwater nymphing the last several days as the air and surface water temperatures have warmed. The fishing is extremely spotty in most other locations. Look for the fish to hold in deeper water than usual, we have got good readings in over 11 feet most days with the bulk of them running the drop-offs in the 11-13 foot range. Stick to larva patterns in the morning and late afternoon. Our Tiger and Zebra midges will get you grabs during this time frame. The chironomid hatch has been starting around 10 a.m. and we tie on our emerger patterns like the “gillie” and copper crystal pupa. Use a 2 fly rig and get those bugs down at least 10 feet. Visibility is excellent thus far with an insignificant amount of algae present. Use fluorocarbon in the 5X range for best results.
Do not be surprised if you hook up some Sacramento Perch. They are staging for the spawn in most areas in water depths of 10-14 feet.
Barry Quarles from San Diego, CA is credited with the first trout caught on Crowley while fishing with us this year. Check out his thick bodied “Eagle Lake” rainbow on our website at http://sierradrifters.com
Mike “Mac” McIntire gets credit for landing one of the first trout on the new “fish magnet” launched on Crowley Lake during a blustery May day recently. Mac avoided hypothermia and frostbite by setting the hook while stillwater nymphing off our new 24’ custom flats boat.
Bridgeport Reservoir: Very good
Reports from this area are excellent with few exceptions. The weather has been a factor here early on as with most regions in the Eastern Sierra, however as the conditions improve this is a must stop while in this region. You may encounter significant algae bloom if the wind stacks the green goo along the windward shorelines, especially along the dam. Stillwater nymphing in 10 feet of water using chironomid larva and pupa patterns will get you grabs as will tugging a streamer with a full or heavy sinking tip line using olive patterns while trolling along the drop-offs. Hang a midge trailer off the streamer back 12-16 inches for a different look. The launch ramp and dam sections are your best bet when conditions allow.
Robinson Creek: Fair-good
Reports have this creek fishing well for planted fish when the water is not being released from Lower Twin Lake. Tie on a #14 stimulator with a #16 copper crystal tiger midge as a dropper. 24-36 inches will be fine for your drop tippet. Locate fish around the campgrounds and you will have fun with this rig.
East Walker River: Poor
This blue ribbon fishery has been a victim of low water flows for 3 seasons now and it has taken its toll. Reports here are not good and conditions continue to compromise trout habitat. Flows are 60 c.f.s and the trout are concentrated in the deeper holes, which are not abundant at this release level.
The good news is that a series of late spring storms will bring much-needed run-off to this watershed and perhaps the foundations of increased flows during the summer. Please use extra care while fishing and releasing trout caught in this area.
West Walker River: Fair
Flows are still low as run-off is not significant as of this report. Warmer weather will stimulate the trout to become more active soon and plantings from the Cal D.F.G. will help make this a fun area to fish especially in the Pickle Meadows section located near the Sonora Pass. The dry/dry, dry dropper combo rig with most bead heads #16 will get you some grabs.
Lower Owens River: Poor-good
Flows have done the yo-yo during the last week combined with releases from irrigation canals and it has been tough on the lower sections of the river. The release rate is currently at 300 c.f.s but may change soon due to increased snowmelt. Wading can be difficult in the wild trout section at this flow so use caution. In addition the warm weather has made a late spring feeding pattern in this area with mornings and late afternoons best. The mid-day lulls are very apparent here. Nymphing with plenty of weight to get those bugs down is a must. Pheasant tails and caddis imitations will get grabs if your presentations get down to the trout. Prior to the flow increases we had some excellent fishing in the drift boat sections and Ken Pulskamp and Robert Newman will attest to this. The duo netted almost 100 fish in two days of drifting with us in April with several chunky bows coming to net. Check out Ken and Rob’s fatties by visiting our website. The river has been a mess recently and we are avoiding it due to weed choked, off colored water in the lower sections.
Upper Owens River: Fair
There are still enough late season stragglers to make this interesting in the Long Years section above Benton Crossing. San Juan worms, Roe patterns and streamers fished along the undercuts will work if you cover a lot of water. Keep a low profile while in “search mode” and concentrate on the more difficult to reach holes. A 2-foot trench along a riffle will hold some nice fish that may be overlooked by many.
Big Springs: Fair
This is a small piece of water that from time to time holds some very good sized trout that migrate up from Crowley and the Upper Owens River to spawn. You can fish down stream from the bridge to the boundary of Alpers Owens River Ranch. There is a well-marked fence line here, please respect the property line! Dry/dropper combos work well in this area. Use #18-20 bead head mayfly or midge patterns below a large caddis or Stimulator as an indicator.
McGee Creek, Hilton Creek, Crooked Creek: Poor
The tribs to the lake have pretty slim pickings and not worth the walk as far as fishing is concerned. A few spawners remain in all areas but with the runoff still not started it will be tough to get near them in the shallow water.
Rock Creek Lake, Mammoth Lakes, San Joaquin River: Iced up or closed.
Rock Creek: Good (lower sections)
Stick below Iris Meadows campground and you will stay out of the snow and enjoy some consistent fly-fishing for planted trout. I have got reports of the planters attacking elk caddis on the surface with gusto. Trick here is to find an area that has been planted. Stockers will hold in the slower, deeper water that imitates the flow in the hatchery penstocks.
June Lake Loop: Fair
The weather has improved here greatly and so has the fishing. The cold weather has made the early season tough for tubers and Rush Creek has increased flows making the water higher and difficult to fish. Silver is a good bet near the inlet to Rush if you get a nice day. #8-12 streamers trolled with a full sinking line will get the stocked and holdover trout in this area.
Hot Creek: Good
Steady reports here. Not worth taking extra “personal days off” however, when the wind is not flapping your ear lobes it is consistent and the flows are still early spring like. This may change soon as the snow begins to melt. Stay small here for best results. A #20 nymph or emerger will get far more looks than its # 18 counterpart. A #22 will put you in the “highline category” when fishing next to another who is chucking an entire chicken wing at em’. Crowds have not been monstrous for this area except on weekends. Keep your tippet sections 6x and your leaders at least 9 feet in length.
Pleasant Valley Reservoir: Good
Tubers escaping the “ice ages” as of late have reported steady fishing in this area around the dam and launch ramp sections while fishing full sink and heavy sinking tip lines with a variety of streamers #8-12. The river inlet has been very spotty due to power generation and water releases.
The Gorge: Very good
A little to warm for my liking this time of year, but if it cools down a bit this is a good place to get away from the masses and get into some nice little wild browns. Most mayfly patterns will do the trick here #16-20. A dry/dry or dry dropper combo is always deadly in this region.
The big flushing flow in this area has been postponed until late May? We will let you know when it goes off.
You may purchase our time tested guide flies at the following fine fly shops:
The Troutfitter in Mammoth Lakes, Crowley Lake Fish Camp, Malibu Fish’n Tackle in Thousand Oaks, and Stroud’s Tackle in San Diego. There are links to all shops at www.sierradrifters.com
Be the fly…Tom Loe
Sierra Drifters Guide Service
Email [email protected]
www.sierradrifters.com
Phone 760-935-4250
More Fishing Reports:
|
|
|
|
