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Eastern Sierras
Capt. Tom Loe
June 20, 2004
Eastern Sierras - Freshwater Fishing Report
Fathers Day 2004 Fish Report
June 20, 2004
Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. Best fishes to all you fly fish’n daddy’s out there from us at Sierra Drifters Guide Service here in the Eastern Sierra.
The conditions are pretty much normal for this time of year in all the fisheries located in the Eastern Sierra. The early summer run-off is not severe and with only a couple exceptions you should not encounter any adverse fishing conditions in this area.
The weather pattern is setting up to be very typical of early summer and this weeks forecast is calling for a slight chance of afternoon T-storms with moderate winds. Look for a warming trend towards the weekend with a decreasing chance of T-storm activity. It will be very warm in the Owens Valley during the afternoons so plan on fishing the Lower Owens in the early mornings and again after the sun goes behind the Sierra Crest in the late afternoons. If you are planning on fishing any of the alpine lakes or creeks in elevations above 7000 feet bring along some rain gear for the outside chance of an encounter with a T-storm.
The mosquitoes are an unpleasant factor that you should be prepared to deal with this time of year in almost all areas here in the Eastern Sierra, so bring along some repellant.
The fish hatchery bill (AB 2280) is moving along with positive results. It will next go to the state Senate on June 29th. The bill which was introduced by Assemblyman Dave Cogdill (R-Modesto) will insure 33 percent of license sales will go directly into funding the state hatcheries. This bill did very well in the State Assembly (thanks to all your support) but opposition groups are already lobbying the Senators against the bill. So please take some time and contact Senate Members and the other officials at the link below. This link was sent to us by Brad Willis. He is the elected representative of all rank and file state hatchery workers. He has been helping Assemblyman Dave Cogdill get the word out about AB 2280 www.stormsource.org
Tim Alpers and his famed rainbow trout are back in all areas of this region after a temporary quarantine was put on his stocking program due to the New Zealand Mud Snails appearance in several of his fish. For more information on the snail go to www.flyline.com/NZ_mudsnail.htm
The DFG is still struggling to find a solution to the eventual control and eradication of the intrusive slug which is showing up in fisheries in ever increasing numbers.
There is now conclusive evidence supporting the demise of the endangered Yellow Legged Frog is attributed directly, but NOT totally to the introduction of planted trout in high country alpine lakes. Good news for the frog, bad news for many stocked back country lakes and those who enjoy fishing them.
Crowley Lake: Poor-good
The lake is smack dab in the middle of turning over the last week or so and is in a normal transition period which can make conditions less than perfect for fly fishers. The algae bloom is becoming a factor, as are the weed beds which have not quite broke the surface making it difficult to locate channels and open areas in which to present a fly.
McGee Bay has been the most consistent area as the fish are gravitating towards the more oxygenated and cooler water near the inlet. The Hiltons are also solid options depending on weather and surface conditions.
Chironomid hatches have been minimal lately and the trout are keying on the “wretched daphnia” and the damsel fly nymph migration during mid-mornings. Tubers using full sinking lines along the drop-offs at Sandy Pt. and Six Bays are doing fair tugging damsel fly imitations #12.
The good news on the lake is that those who can locate a channel in the weeds and get a spot of clean water can expect to hit some 18-21 inch slammer rainbows in 6-10 feet of water. When these bows move into short water they will typically make long runs which will take you into that funny colored skinny line at the bottom of your reels spool (backing). Rig up a damsel fly nymph or #18 “gillie” as your upper fly and hang a Drifters crystal zebra or tiger #18 as the dropper if you plan on stillwater nymphing. Keep that lower fly 6-10 inches off the bottom. It is essential that you inspect your flies each cast for weeds or algae and clean them before your presentation.
Kevin Frost from Rancho Santa Margarita booked with Sierra Drifters guide Mickey Baron recently and Kevin got into some really sweet rainbows while stillwater nymphing off Mick’s flats boat. Nice fish Kev!
The father and sons team of Guy, Robert and Steve Newman hit some excellent fishing just prior to the lake turning over while on a guided trip with us. Guy got big fish honors with a fat Kamloops that earned Guy the rights to buying dinner…and a buck or two from the boys!
If you have trouble viewing the pictures in this email please click on www.sierradrifters.com
Hot Creek: Very Good
The flows here are up this week submerging the aquatic weeds, but not high enough to affect the clarity and caddis activity. It is all about caddis recently so have a selection of dark bodied #16-20 dries, #18-20 emergers and some insect green larva patterns #18-20. There are also some #16 light bodied stones fluttering about so have a Stimulator or two handy for the dry in a combo rig used in conjunction with your bead head caddis nymph. The late afternoon caddis activity has been excellent especially on days that the winds are light. You may find more open water here this time of day as mornings can be crowded.
East Walker River: Fair
Flows remain perfect for mid June at 200 cfs. Don’t expect great numbers in the Cal public section, but you have a better than average chance to hang a 20 inch brown if you present a #18-22 tiger or zebra midge while nymphing the larger pools. Look for the heads popping during the mornings and then just before dusk.
Upper Owens: Fair
The spring Eagle Lake and Kamloops rainbow trout spawning migration is over here and in the other tributaries flowing into Crowley. There are some tough conditions downstream of the confluence of Hot Creek (lots of weed and high water). #18-20 mayfly imitations for both the dry and nymph imitations in the mornings and caddis patterns #18 during the afternoons will get you some grabs from the wild trout here. Cover some water here, there are definitely some pools that hold more fish than others and you will see working fish if you approach slowly and with a plan of attack!
West Walker: Fair
This is the one fishery I would avoid until the flows decrease. The river is cranking and off color but appears to be peaking and should be improving by the end of next week unless we get a significant period of T-storms. The Chris Flats area is in the best shape to wade and there are plenty of stocked rainbows here.
Lower Owens River: Fair-Good
We are done drifting the river this time of year as it is torture to be floating during the mid-day heat and non existent bite after 8 in the morning. The wild trout section is still fishing well for those who fish the low light periods. Caddis activity is going full blast and the gray bite in the evening has been excellent in the large pools and bends. Flows are 300cfs and at this release wading can be tough for all but the longest and strongest limbed individuals. Hang an emerger or #18-20 bead head off your #16-20 caddis dry and fish at the base of the riffles and tailouts during early mornings and late afternoons.
San Joaquin River: Fair-Good
The road opened on 6-12. If you plan on taking your own vehicle into the middle fork you must get there before 7 a.m. You must park and ride the shuttle after that. Remember, there is an access fee charged no matter if you drive your vehicle or take the shuttle. The river is running very high but not screaming. Forget the pocket water fishing here for now, and wading all but the slower meadow sections will get you the chance to do your Brad Pitt imitation as he bounced down the rapids chasing a fish in the movie “A River runs through it”. Pumice Flats and Reds Meadow have some really nice slower sections that offer opportunities for the fly caster. You will see Caddis, stone flies and mayflies this time of year. #14-18 patterns on top and #16-20 for the nymphs will get it done here. Look out for the skeeters!
Bridgeport Reservoir: Fair
Tubing from the launch ramp towards the dam with moderate sinking tip lines are best for tubers trolling damsel fly nymphs #12 doing the dip and strip. Damsel fly nymphs are fast and erratic swimmers that wiggle like a snake on crack! Bring life to that imitation and be prepared for a savage grab. Check your fly every cast, the algae and weeds are always a challenge here this time of year.
Green Creek: Good
This is a small freestone creek that has many complexions. There are meadow sections (my personal favorite) and some sweet pocket water areas that hold some decent sized wild trout. Have a selection of #16-20 mayflies and #18 bead heads. A 1-3 wt rod is sufficient for this area. The DFG stocks the campgrounds and Dynamo Pond. You will need waders to fish the meadow section this time of year as it is often flooded and has no lack of mosquitoes.
Rock Creek: Very Good
Flows are high but not brutal. Heavy stocking by the DFG in all the campground areas will insure you get into some fish. I like a dry/dropper combo using a Stimulator and a #16 Drifters crystal tiger midge. You may even use a streamer like our Loeberg #10 with a light sink tip or floating line in the larger pools this time of year. The lake is fishing well near the inlet but you need to get that streamer down 10-15 feet until late afternoon as the water is still a tad cool on the surface.
Mammoth Lakes/June Lakes
The Alpers truck has planted these locations as well as the DFG. Tubing using streamers and moderate to full sinking lines this time of year will get you into these fish. Hatchery fish “pod” up. When you get into a fish, note the area and depth (length of line) and set up your route to come through this piece of water again. More times that not you will get bit here again.
You may pick up our time tested guide flies and merchandise at the following fine fly shops: Stroud’s Tackle in San Diego, The San Diego Fly Shop, Malibu Fish’N Tackle in Thousand Oaks, The Troutfitter in Mammoth Lakes, and the Crowley Lake Fish Camp.
There are links to all locations 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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