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Eastern Sierras
Capt. Tom Loe
July 1, 2003
Eastern Sierras - Freshwater Fishing Report
Indenpendence Day 2003 Fish Report
July 1, 2003
Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. Best fishes to all of you for this Independence Day 2003 fish report from the Central Eastern Sierra Nevada.
The run-off situation has greatly improved in most freestone creeks since our prior report and fishing conditions have improved favorably for fly-casters. You may encounter high water flows in some watersheds, but clarity will be good to excellent. As the summer progresses most fisheries, except the tail waters, will begin to see receding flows and improving wading conditions.
The weather has been a roller coaster since our last update with a cold front passing through at the beginning of last week and leaving a few inches of snow at the upper elevations and a good shot of cold air in the Eastern Sierra. This week’s weather was very warm and pleasant and the forecast looks to be very seasonal with highs reaching the mid 80’s in the upper valleys and hot conditions to be found in the Owens Valley.
The mosquito population is alive and well this year in most regions and they are making up for lost time it appears. Bring along insect repellant if you plan on spending any time near the water. Also be prepared for high altitude sunshine. It is more intense at elevation and can catch even the most ardent sun worshiper off-guard. A light, full brimmed hat, lightly colored ventilated clothing, sunscreen, polarized sunglasses and plenty of liquids are a must to insure a full day on the water this time of year.
Crowley Lake: Fair
The lake has greened up with algae this week and it is a factor in all areas of the lake. The weed beds are substantial this season in addition to the algae bloom and due to the abundance of the lake weed many areas are not fishable at this time. The north arm of the lake is choked with weed out to 16 feet of water. Sandy Point is a mess with both algae and weed. The inlet areas like McGee Bay, Crooked Creek and Hilton Bays are your best bet. Find a hole in the weeds or a channel and you will have a shot at what appears to me to be the best big fish year I have seen in sometime. No doubt numbers are down this year. The lake got clobbered during the early part of the season and a good number of fish have been removed. The good news is that 18’’s are common and we have some pictures of 20” plus rainbows this week. Waiting them out has paid off for us. Conditions change with the shifting winds and you must have them in the water when it goes off.
The chironomid hatch has been minimal and the damselflies are not having an enjoyable time migrating to the weed beds thanks to the predacious trout hunting them down in the mornings. The “gulpy” type splashes you will see and hear during this type of feeding period is indicative of larger trout following the migrating damsel nymphs into the weed lines where they will continue their metamorphic change into the winged adult. Look for some #14 callibaetis mayflies near the inlet areas. During lowlight periods you can have some fun on the surface using these large stillwater mayflies.
Stillwater nymphing has been slow. The algae coats the flies and makes for a lousy presentation. Cleaning is essential, with minimal soak times. 2-3 minutes tops unless you find clean water. Use a small damsel or #18 “gillie” for your upper fly and hang a#16-20 Tiger or zebra for the point fly. Staying with 5x or less will get more grabs due to the thinner diameter of the line (it has a smaller profile in the water) so fewer algae hairs will accumulate on it. We have had the most consistent action in 13-15 feet of water. Get those point flies down to the 13- foot level for a shot at one of the “troutzillas” hanging near the bottom.
Sierra Drifters Guide Mickey Baron reports some success on a recent trip using a heavy sinking tip line while pulling our crystal leech pattern near the bottom in McGee Bay.
David Kendrick hit a 20” plus bow this week on a #20 Drifters crystal tiger midge. David did a masterful job of keeping this fish on in tight water in one of our secret spots on the lake. Check out his picture and see if you can identify where he caught the fish…
This is the time of year where we see some gorgeous big Eagle Lake strain of rainbow trout. June Lake, CA local Lynn Morton and husband Don booked a day with us recently and Lynn out foxed a special fish while stillwater nymphing. Happy Birthday Don!
Dale McBride from Bakersfield, CA caught his largest Crowley bow thus far while using our stillwater nymphing techniques and patterns. Check out this magnificent Eagle Lake rainbow Dale caught and released last week while fishing with son Shawn. Way to let em’ run Dale!
You can view these fish and others by visiting our website at http://www.sierradrifters.com
You can pick up our time tested guide flies at the following fine fly shops:
Crowley Lake Fish Camp, The Troutfitter in Mammoth Lakes, Stroud’s Tackle in San Diego and Malibu Fish’n Tackle in Thousand Oaks.
Hot Creek: Good
Clarity has improved here and so has the fishing. Caddis imitations #20 or less for emergers and dries and #18 or less for the nymphs will get you grabs. The water level is still good for pulling a streamer in the deeper runs and pools. Use Hornberg patterns like our Loeberg #10 in olive with a light sinking tip or WF-F line. Keep a minimum of line on the water while using “high stick” nymph tactics. If you can fish a subsurface pattern without an indicator you will do very well here. If you have difficulty with this try to use as small a strike indicator as possible or tie on a large dry fly to assist you in detecting grabs.
Lower Owens River: Good
Flows have remained at 250 cfs. this week and if you have been on the river at first light and near sundown no doubt you have had some fun. Caddis activity is very good and when the sun goes off the water the browns have been feeding aggressively. The mid-day periods have been slow due to the hot weather even while nymphing. #18-20 dark bodies for your surface dries, use #16-20 bead heads or insect green larva patterns while nymphing. Flows will soon be on the rise here and it will be over for a while.
Pleasant Valley Reservoir: Good
The powerhouse in generating during the day and the reservoir is very full at this time. The hot tip this week is to hit the inlet area right after generation ceases near sundown. The fish are stacked in the soft water near the inlet and will hit most dries#16-20 eagerly after the sun comes off the water. A dry/dropper rig is always deadly here.
East Walker River: Poor
Although water flows are at a good level here, fly-fishers are having a tough time getting numbers in the public California section. There is a good amount of free-floating weed coming down the river making extended drifts difficult. Water clarity has decreased in this area also due to the blooming algae on Bridgeport Reservoir.
West Walker River: Fair
Still tough wading this area for fly-fishers, but clarity has improved the last few days, especially in the Pikel Meadows section of the river. Using stone fly imitations with a #16 bead head nymph in the softer water and riffles you will find biters with a solid dead drift. Our crystal tigers ROCK this place #16.
San Joaquin River: Good
The water is high but clarity is good and larger attractor patterns like Royal Wolfes and Trudes #14-18 will do the trick in the pocket water and slower sections. The current is swift in some areas; use caution when wading here at this flow. The wild fish are on the small side and resemble Caulista Flockheart in the weight department, but you will find none prettier in the Eastern Sierra. There is a use fee for ALL persons entering the area as of last season, have your $7.00 ready.
Rock Creek area: Good
The stocking trucks have been out insuring there will be some fish in the “put and take” areas for the holiday weekend. Take a walk down to the lower ponds below the lake if you want a shot at a wild brown. Wait until the sun goes behind the crest and the heads will appear. Dry/dropper, dry/dry with midge patterns #18-22 will suffice. Bring plenty of repellant; the vampires are out in force in this area.
The lake is a good place to beat the heat of the day for tubers. Troll streamers with a full sink or heavy sinking tip line. Get the flies down to 15-20 feet during mid-day for best results. Be considerate of the shore fisherman while cruising the drop-offs, you may find a projectile or two headed your way if you get close. The inlet area is the best place to launch. It is located at the South end of the lake.
June Lake Loop/ Rush Creek: Good
Stockers are going to be easy to catch with streamer patterns in Silver and Grant if you troll along the inlets and drop-offs and get your flies down 15 feet or so. Our “punk perch and crystal leech” pattern developed by master tier and Colorado fly-fishing guide Phil Therrien does a number on the trout in this area and other upper elevation lakes in the Eastern Sierra.
Rush Creek is flowing at a good clip but clarity is excellent and the wild browns are doing their thing on the surface in the shadows and when the sun gets over the crest. #16-18 caddis and Adams patterns here. Streamers in the deeper water will also get the larger fish holding in the larger pools and runs as well as the planted fish.
Mammoth Lakes Basin: Good
Some nice Alpers are showing up and you can bet a good jag of them have found a new home in Mary, Mamie and Twin for the holiday weekend. Troll the above mentioned steamers by the submerged stumps in Mary, near the falls in Twin and the inlet in Mamie and get ready for a grab by one of these fine rainbows to give you a tug of war you will not forget!
Have a pleasant holiday
Be the fly…Tom Loe
Sierra Drifters Guide Service
Email [email protected]
www.sierradrifters.com
Phone 760-935-4250
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