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Eastern Sierras
Capt. Tom Loe
February 28, 2004
Eastern Sierras - Freshwater Fishing Report
Snow-Bows Fish Report February 2004
February 26, 2004
Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. Good health and best fishes to you all for this “snow-bows” fish report from the Eastern High Sierra.
Old man winter has returned to this region with a vengeance. A chain of Pacific born storms have paraded through the region depositing what will eventually be next seasons water source for the freestone and tail water fisheries that so desperately needed it. The forecast continues to call for a chance of precipitation through the middle of next week, although the storms are not expected to be as severe as the current disturbances. If you are planning a trip, be prepared for wet weather in the Owens Valley. Carry tire chains as you might encounter snow on the valley floor. Scout out by “hoofing it first” any unimproved dirt roads along the rivers edge PRIOR to driving them. Remember 4-wheel drives only take you further in to get stuck!
Lower Owens River: Fair-Awesome
I call it February syndrome. Every season in the dead of winter, the hogs start to show up. The weather can be wet and unpleasant at times, but if you have go-a-round with a two-footer on a 6wt rod and a fly, the cold never touches you. The drift boat sections have been kicking out some monstrous sized rainbows for those willing to tug streamers on the cloudy days. The big fish are consistently grabbing our Loebergs in dark olive #10, and the Spruce-a-bu (nick-named the “Kelley Bundy” or “dumb blond”) flavor #8 being the flies de jour. Dip and strip these patterns (See our guide tips section of our website) in the secluded sections of the river and you will have a chance to get the trout of your life this time of year. This phenomenon takes place for several reasons during the winter months. The mature and generally larger spring spawning hold-over rainbows become more active as the water temperatures rise and the days lengthen. Aggressive behavior in spawning fish gives you double the opportunity to get a grab. The trout may hit a fly or lure out of aggression as opposed to hunger. The Lower Owens River receives brood stock and gorgeous tagged trophy trout by the California DFG during the winter months. You may also encounter “Alpers” rainbows. These are also planted rainbow trout, expertly and lovingly raised by fish farmer Tim Alpers. These fish are brought to you by the Bishop Chamber of Commerce and local business owners. All these fish holdover well and fight like steelhead in the river, often tail walking on the surface before muscling their way towards an obstacle or structure on the bottom.
The dry fly action has been very good on the overcast days for the short but sweet baetis mayfly hatch occurring each day around 12:30 p.m. and ending around 2 p.m. We have been taking full advantage of this recently when the bite slows down on streamers. There are also opportunities to fish midge cluster patterns like a Griffith’s knat #22 during the mornings on the surface. Flow releases remain at 100cfs below the dam at Pleasant Valley Reservoir. Wading is “biscuits and gravy” in the wild trout section at this flow.
Numbers have dropped off the last week and it has been very slow at times with the big fish keeping you focused. We expect it to pick up again once the weather starts to settle down and warm up.
We are not worthy! All bow to the new king of the Owens, Kevin Campbell from Ridgecrest, CA. Fishing with his dad, Dwaine on a wet and overcast day recently Kevin caught and released the largest fish I have seen in a couple of seasons. The fish fell to our Loeberg after a soft landing cast and perfectly executed strip set. All hail! Check this one out, it is awesome.
D.J. Frees and his grandpa Dan Manzer from Somis, CA almost missed their drift boat trip with Sierra Drifters guide Brad McClain due to illness. D.J.’s monster rainbow he caught would make anyone feel fantastic! D.J. is just 13 years old; look out trout the boy who would be king is well on his way! The fish hit the “Kelly Bundy” style Spruce-a-bu. Nice Deeeeeej!
Mike Brazzi from Paso Robles and partner Phil Young of Fresno did the dip and strip with us from our drift boat and Mikey “did” it to a gorgeous deeply spotted bow on one of the nicer days we have had this winter. Sweet fish Mike.
Check out these photos at www.sierradrifters.com
Get the Loebergs and Spruce-a-bu’s at the following fine fly shops:
Stroud’s Tackle in San Diego, Malibu Fish’n Tackle in Thousand Oaks, and The Troutfitter located in Mammoth Lakes. There are links to all shops at www.sierradrifters.com
Pleasant Valley Reservoir: Fair at best
The adverse weather and high water levels are influencing the bite here also. Despite some recent plantings in the reservoir proper the inlet area has been slow. Tubers will fair better near the dam and launch ramp sections while using sinking lines that can get streamer or soft hackle patterns #6-12 down to at least 10 feet quickly while trolling or stripping. The water level has been slowly dropping recently, but we are told to expect the levels to start rising again in the near future. Not good news for those of us who enjoy fishing the transition water near the inlet. The riffle water upstream is your best bet here. A stimulator or Para-Adams dry fly used as an indicator for a birds nest or crystal tiger bead head nymph is a solid choice. Stick to the deeper runs and pools.
The Gorge: Was good - snow and ice now...?
Fishing has been picking up here the last ten days especially from middle to lower gorge. With the recent storm bringing the snow level down to near the valley floor you may have a tough time hiking down into and maneuvering around the creek. Stick to may fly imitations and dry dropper combo’s with a dual nymph set-up. Quiet approaches are always necessary here to get within casting range of these nervous wild browns.
Be the fly…Tom Loe
Sierra Drifters Guide Service
Email [email protected]
www.sierradrifters.com
Phone 760-935-4250
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