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Eastern Sierras
Capt. Tom Loe
January 29, 2004
Eastern Sierras - Freshwater Fishing Report
Super Bowl 2004 Fish Report
January 29, 2004
Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. Best fishes to you all for this Super Bowl fish report update from the Eastern Sierra.
Much like last season, winter has once again been put on hold for the month of January, especially in the Owens Valley where it remains dry and unseasonably warm for this time of year. Several weak storm systems are expected to brush this region with minor amounts of moisture forecast through the super bowl weekend.
You may expect cold mornings in the teens and low 20’s along the Owens River with pleasant afternoons in the 50’s. The snow pack is good for this time of year thanks to a record December, so if you are contemplating a fish and ski trip; conditions are “the kind” for both activities.
We are bringing it down to So-Cal to present several slide shows and seminars on fly-fishing techniques used to fish the Lower Owens River and Crowley Lake, both located here in the Eastern Sierra. The shows are being presented at the following locations…Santa Barbara Fly Fishers 2-10-04, 7:30 – 9:30 pm, Louise Lowry Davis Center, 1232 De la Vina Street, Santa Barbara…Patty Ortale, [email protected], Conejo Valley Fly Fishers, Thousand Oaks 2-11-04…Larry Garfinkel, [email protected], and the Pasadena Fly Casters 2-12-04…Seymor Singer [email protected]. The public is welcome to attend, please contact each respective activities director for details. Looking forward to seeing you all at the shows.
Remember to pick up your 2004 California fishing licenses! The 03’s expired on 12-31-03.
Lower Owens River: Fair-good
The first substantial baetis hatches occurred recently on the drift boat sections of the river. The seasons first generations are #16-18 and can be best imitated by blue winged olive (bwo’s) patterns. The wild trout responded sluggishly to the initial hatch due to the chilly 38-degree water but we did get some of the larger feeding pods to grab the dries during the 1 p.m. hatch. There have also been huge midge hatches on the river starting about mid-morning and some surface feeding has been observed on the large clusters of “spent wings” grouping up in the eddies. Midge cluster imitations like the Griffith’s Knat #22 will be a solid choice.
Numbers have dropped the last 7-10 days but the larger fish have become more frequent. The largest fish of the season was caught and released by the mighty “trout Ninja” Cary Kutzke of Rossmor, CA with cheers and “words of wisdom” from his buddy Lance Ringheim also of Rossmor, CA. This 26-inch monster fell to our #10 Drifters crystal leech pattern while “Ninja trout” master Kutzke was doing the “dip and strip” in a deep, shadowy and willow lined section of the Owens from our custom Willie drift boat recently. Take a peek at this fish…it is really special! http://sierradrifters.com will get you there.
The wild trout section is off and on with the best action coming with the warmer days. Stick to #20 and smaller midge larva and emerger patterns for off hatch periods, then go to emerging mayfly patterns like a bird’s nest or hares ear #18. The cloudy days will always be better for the baetis hatch and because the wild browns are photosensitive, you will see a higher percentage of the fish poking their noses up for a snack.
Flows are currently at 100 cfs. and sources tell us they will remain here for another few weeks at least. Easy wading in the wild trout section at this release level.
Kevin Williams from Topanga Canyon, CA got his big rainbow on an excellent presentation and a Spruce-a-bu recently. Nice fish Kev!
The New Years Day tradition the previous 5 seasons for Chuck Hunt and Mary Jochum of Goleta, CA is to spend a day with us drifting the Lower Owens River and fly-casting with hopes of sticking big trout. These Santa Barbara Fly Fishers are excellent anglers and are seldom disappointed…2004 was no exception. Check out the pair of big rainbows the couple bested by visiting our website at http://www.sierradrifters.com
Pleasant Valley Reservoir: Good
The DFG and Alpers hatchery trucks have been visiting this location on a regular basis the last couple of weeks and fishing near the inlet section and launch ramp areas have been good a couple days after each planting. Quite a few Trophy and brood stock rainbows from the Hot Creek Hatchery have been placed here. Both streamers and well-drifted nymphs are getting grabs on these 2-5 lb. fish.
My choice for the inlet area is a #18-16 crystal tiger midge suspended under a #16 Stimulator about 3-4 feet. Sierra Drifters Guide Mickey Baron is having excellent results tugging our #10-12 “punk perch” in the deeper slower sections near the inlet.
“Freeze tubing” the launch ramp area near mid reservoir will get you more “virgin” water and a better opportunity to nail a big brown hunting for small rainbows and Sacramento Perch on the south side where there will be an afternoon shadow on the water. Use a full sinking type 3 or 200-grain, 24-foot sink tip to get your #6-12 streamer down to the fish. Olive patterns like our Loeberg #10 are a solid choice for this spot on the res.
There has been no daytime power generation and no indication this will change soon.
The Gorge: Fair
The wild brown trout here are beginning to get more active as the daylight hours lengthen and water temperatures rise, but you will still find some lethargic fish with leeches all over their pectoral and anal fins. This is indicative of fish that are holding right on the bottom with very little movement for extended periods of time. You will observe this on the Lower Owens River as well. The cold water lowers the trout’s metabolic rates and they rest until things heat up a bit. Hit this area during mid-day for best results. Midge larva patterns and mayfly emergers #18-20 are best for wet fly presentations, with bwo’s #16-18 or Adams parachute patterns a good choice for the dry fly enthusiast.
There is no snow and minimal ice below middle gorge at this reports writing.
You can purchase the above-mentioned flies at any of the following fine fly shops: Stroud’s Tackle in San Diego, The Troutfitter in Mammoth Lakes, and Malibu Fish’n Tackle in Thousand Oaks. 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
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