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Eastern Sierras
Capt. Tom Loe
June 20, 2003
Eastern Sierras - Freshwater Fishing Report
Mid June 2003 Eastern Sierra Fish Report
June 19, 2003
Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. May this mid-June fish report update find you all healthy and happy.
The eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains has been experiencing rapid snowmelt and high run-off in all the freestone creeks and drainages the last two weeks. The snowmelt has peaked and water clarity has improved with water levels stabilizing or decreasing this week in most watersheds.
The above average air temperatures and warm weather has attributed to this quick snowmelt and although the forecast is calling for a cooling trend this week, conditions will remain mild in the upper valleys, with warm to hot days continuing in the Owens Valley area. Be prepared for afternoon thunderstorm activity, especially in the upper elevations. The bloodsuckers (mosquitoes) are out in force this season in most areas so have insect repellant handy for those morning and afternoon hatches.
Fishing is improving or good in most areas as of this report with the few exceptions being attributed to high or rising off-colored water.
The “Gorge” located below Crowley Lake has under gone a transformation of sorts recently and should fish better due to improved habitat in the future. A flushing or flood like flow was released last week and over 15 times the normal amount of water was released over a short period of time last week to scour out and gouge the channel of the riverbed, cleaning out brush and sediment deposits. With any luck, the “evil nettle” will be washed downstream also and this will improve fishing conditions in this area.
Crowley Lake: Good
The lake remains “out of cycle” as the level continues to rise as of this report. It will begin to recede soon as sources inform us about increased power generation in the near future. The weed beds are forming and are significant in the north arm of the lake and the Leighton Springs area. You will also find heavy weed in water depths of 13 feet or less in all areas. McGee Bay has been the most consistent area with the bulk of the trout being in 13-16 feet. Sandy Point has been a mess this week as the algae and weed lines are stacking up here. Hilton is holding fish in deeper water but is still spotty along the edges.
The perch have been a factor this year and we look forward to an “epic” spawn. Make sure you have some perch fry imitations like our Loebergs and punk perch patterns for this July and August. If the trend continues with the water levels, we may have some solid weed lines to fish this summer and fall. This is something we have not seen for several seasons and it could be awesome.
Damselfly imitations are a solid choice for the morning hours as the fish are exploding on the swimming nymphs as they migrate towards the weed beds. Fish these patterns near the surface and use a fast erratic retrieve while moving your rod tip from side-to-side quickly. Damselfly grabs are nothing less than violent and now is the time to experience these assaults on your retrieve.
The day-to-day stillwater nymphing has been fair to good overall with some slow periods in-between hatches. The warm weather has the chironomids going off several times during the daylight hours and the fish key in on these emergences exclusively. Look for increased activity prior to wind lines, boat wakes and wind shifts. I personally love water skiers nearby, (good boat wakes.) We have had best results with our gilled chironomids, “Gillies” #18-20 as the upper fly and a black or copper tiger midge as the dropper #16-20. Hang the point fly down 10-12 feet for best results.
Richard King and the gang booked with Sierra Drifters Guide Mickey Baron who put Rich on an awesome, hook jawed brown in the afternoon. Nice hook set Rich!
The father and son team of Wendell and Jim Nagao did their annual fathers day trip on Crowley and they both hit big fish. Check out the big brown Wendell fooled with Jim getting the chunky bow. Happy fathers day guys!
Chris Arns is no stranger to Crowley and he spanked another fine rainbow his last outing with us. All these fish fell to the mighty midges we sell at the following locations; Crowley Lake Fish Camp, Troutfitter in Mammoth Lakes, Stroud’s Tackle in San Diego and Malibu Fish’n Tackle in Thousand Oaks.
Check out our website and see the great fish caught by all our treasured clients at www.sierradrifters.com
Upper Owens River: Fair
High water here but clarity has improved this week. The spawn is over and do not expect a slammer to wolf down your fly. You will find some decent dry fly action in the afternoons for smaller browns and bows in the eddies and backwaters. Nymphing can be tough at times due to free drifting weed. Mayfly patterns #16-20 are best with some spotty caddis activity late in the day.
Lower Owens River: Fair
Flows are currently at 350 cfs. and have been recently lowered. Late afternoons are best here using caddis imitations #18-20 with dark bodies. This area is not my “cup of tea” during the summer months as it is hot during the daytime hours this time of year. Expect the flows to rise in the near future. See you in the fall for drifting.
Hot Creek: Good
The water levels are still on the high side but this is not a bad thing here. Water clarity has improved greatly this week and fishing has been good in the mornings prior to the gusty afternoon winds this week.
Break the mold and tie on a #14 Stimulator or caddis fly here and watch what happens after a well-executed dead drift. Small nymphs and dries will get the bulk of the grabs but fish a large dry as an attractor pattern or indicator and get results with this high water level. You may need some weight to get those nymphs to “tickle” the bottom so experiment with various amounts of split shot.
San Joaquin: Fair
The water is raging but clear in this area and the road to Reds Meadow has only recently opened. If you chose to fish this area stick to the softest water you can find and be cautious while wading. Big attractor patterns like Royal Wolfe’s and Humpies will get grabs in the big pools and pockets. Otherwise, nymphing with #16 tiger midges or our olive zebra patterns will get you some grabs.
There is a $7.00 use fee for ALL persons entering this area and you must ride a shuttle after 7 in the morning.
East Walker River: Fair
I only say fair because what you will catch is large. The numbers suck here and it is apparent this area needs some help. The “E.W.” suffered from the low water levels the last few years. Best to fish the meadows below the dam in the larger pools. Stake out an area and work it double the normal amount you would fish an average stretch of water. We have had best results with midge patterns #18-20. Look for the mayflies; Adams and B.W.O.’s will suffice on the cloudy afternoons #18-20. Water flows are rising and are currently at 240 cfs. Not horrible, but definitely more difficult wading and crossing. Do not expect a big day here, but bring your camera, what you will get may be a photo opportunity!
West Walker: Poor
High, off colored water. Go elsewhere.
Mammoth Lakes Basin: Good
Things have picked up nicely in this area and you will find some good fishing from a tube while trolling streamers or stillwater nymphing below the falls at Twin Lakes. #10 olive or natural colored patterns fished behind a full or heavy sinking tip line around the drop-offs or tree stumps will get you some grabs. Fish a dry dropper combo near the falls at Twin Lakes for some action in the afternoons or mornings while using crystal tiger or zebra midges. You will see some callibaetis mayflies here during the afternoons also. On a glassy evening this can be a blast when the heads start a popping!
Rock Creek area: Good
The creek has been very good for stockers around the campgrounds using streamers in the deeper channels and nymphing with just about anything #14-16 in a bead head in the pools and riffles. The lake has been slowly picking up for tubers trolling #10-12 streamers with a full sinking line near the inlet or outlet areas.
June Lake Loop/Rush Creek: Good
Rush is still flowing high above Grant Lake, which has finally filled to normal levels. You will find clear, average flows below Grant Lake down to the inlet at Mono. Fishing is good for stockers with some wild brown trout showing up for fly fishers in Rush Creek. Use a streamer #8-12 with a moderate sinking tip line in the creek and a full or heavy sinking line in Silver, Gull or June along the drop-offs or inlet areas.
Kirman Lake: Fair
The weeds and algae are becoming a factor early on here, but fishing can be good at times for those using streamers along the deeper water edges. Tie a damsel fly imitation with a midge dropper about 12 inches off the bend of the hook. Keep your fly clean or expect nothing but rejection! Some cutts are showing up here with an occasional fat brook trout making a mistake.
Bridgeport Reservoir: Fair
Fly fishers have a difficult time here during the heavy weed growth that plagues this shallow body of water. The lake is currently filling and is the best we have seen in recent times. The fish tend to hang deep this time of year as this fishery is lower in elevation than Crowley and has a more substantial weed and algae base to deal with. Stillwater nymphing can be deadly here at times, but as of this report forget it. Stick to sink tips or full sinks near the dam or launch ramp area and troll and strip damsel fly imitations with a midge dropper if you choose. The fish are here for sure and stillwater bait fishers are doing well fishing in 20 feet or better on the bottom.
South Lake/Bishop Creek: Good
You can escape the heat of the Owens Valley here and do well for both Alpers and DFG stockers and holdovers in this area. The Bishop creek has cleared and is flowing moderately but not at flood. Intake 2 is always a sure bet, streamers or stillwater nymph methods with tiger midges work well here #16.
Best fishes to all.
Be the fly…Tom Loe
Sierra Drifters Guide Service
Email [email protected]
www.sierradrifters.com
Phone 760-935-4250
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