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Eastern Sierras
Capt. Tom Loe
March 5, 2005
Eastern Sierras - Freshwater Fishing Report
In like a lion...out like a lamb - March 2005 Fish Report
March 3, 2005
Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. May this “in like a lion, out lake a lamb” March fish report from the Eastern High Sierra find you all healthy and happy.
Big changes to relay to ya’ll with regards to the weather, flow increases and hatch cycles on the Lower Owens River.
We will have a good chance of showers in the valley and snow above 6000 feet this weekend, followed by a major warming trend the beginning of next week. Record highs are forecast and the valley may see low 80’s by the middle of next week. Even the high country will see spring like conditions with highs in the upper 60’s forecast for Mammoth Lakes.
Spring is just around the corner and it will not be long before the general trout season opener is upon us April 30th. We will do an in depth forecast report as the season approaches. Look for above average run-off this summer and it may be later than normal for some of the lakes and passes above 8500 feet to become accessible to fly casters. We have a solid snow pack here in the Eastern Sierra, but by no means a record winter like So-Cal at this point in the season. Please go to http://www.dfg.ca.gov for complete information on the current DFG regulations.
Crowley Lake and Bridgeport Reservoir are currently heavily covered with ice and snow, but I am looking at an ever increasing opening near the mouth of McGee Creek. We are anticipating a tremendous season here as the water levels will be significantly higher than in recent years. I am excited about the opportunities we will have fishing the weed beds that should be present well into September this year. Sierra Drifters has added an additional state of the art custom 23 foot Ranger flats boat to the fleet to accommodate larger groups and give you a large, stable and comfortable casting platform to hook those “reel wreckers” on the fly. Put Crowley on your list this season kids, it will be awesome!
Lower Owens River: Good- but in transition
The flows are on the rise currently and are expected to level off around 200 cfs by the weekend. This is double the release of the last several months and there is plenty of debris and off colored water making it tough to get a decent presentation at times. The fish will be moving into different holding locations and the feeding lanes will be changing significantly the next week or so. This is not the “death blow” by any means here and I expect the catching to get only better after the trout adjust to the new release rates. You will need more weight while nymphing and be a tad more careful wading next to the drop-offs and deeper pools. There is a link to the Owens River flow rates at www.sierradrifters.com
Prior to the recent increase in flows we saw the first significant caddis hatch earlier this week and the trout took full advantage of this new emergence of food. The baetis hatch is still coming off around 12:30 pm each day but is not as significant as last week’s emergence. You will see a few golden stone flies also, this hatch will continue to increase and the wild fish really key in on this event each spring. Have some #16 yellow stimulators handy along with a handful of #14-16 dark bodied caddis imitations and some #18 BWO adults for the baetis hatch.
I really like to use the stimulator as an upper fly, with the BWO or caddis as the point or trailing fly when the trout are looking up this time of year. Separate the flies about 12-18 inches. This dry/dry combo is deadly!
Make sure you have some caddis and mayfly emerger patterns in your quiver as well as the standard midge larva bead heads like our Drifters Crystal Zebras and Tigers #16-22. The water clarity and debris will improve in the near future, but during the mean time check your rig EVERY cast as it is crucial to getting grabs during the rising water period.
The drift boat sections have been kicking out some outstanding fish recently with ample opportunities to get some casts into rising fish during the mid-day hatches recently. February has historically been the best month to get a “Troutzilla” on a streamer and this year has proven to be a memorable one with regards to big rainbows.
The “dip and strip” method has been deadly while on a guided drift boat trip used in conjunction with our time tested guide flies. If you have not experienced a huge trout on a fly rod, you are missing out on one of the more enjoyable fishing experiences. We have some dates open in March and April for drift boat trips.
BEWARE of snags that start swimming! Just ask Doug Tudor and Jim Moses of Bakersfield, CA. Both of these veteran Sierra Drifters got into big bows recently and Jim had some fun with the wild browns on dries during a lunch break. Fun times guys.
Warren Buzzell from New Durham, New Hampshire, an accomplished fly caster who fishes all over the world in search of big trout chooses to drift the Lower Owens in winter. Check out this “creature from the deep” that engulfed a blonde Drifters Spruce-a-bu. Warren nailed several other large bows on a two day drift with partner Michael Hoffman who added sage advice and proficiency with the net.
Seasoned Drifters Steve Reich and Joe Smigiel from Thousand Oaks have got into big trout with guide Brad McClain before. Steve got the “beast” from 20,000 fathoms recently on one of our Punk Perch patterns. High fives to you Steve, nice fish!
Old age and treachery shall overcome youth, skill and cunning it has been said. Jim “Shorty” Shortner (the age) and Eric “Shaq” Grothues (the youth) once again went toe to toe on the Owens with us for the dip and strip title. The bribes to the guide, the drugs in Shaq’s water, the constant snoring all night, it all paid off for Shorty. What a hoot guys, see ya soon!
We have so many big fish to post this report it is not possible to get them all in. Look for plenty of big fish in the future folks. We will do our best to get them on the web. You may click on http://www.sierradrifters.com and check out the digital pictures of these lucky folks and others.
Pleasant Valley Reservoir: Good
Look for this area to be heavily planted in the next couple of weeks as there is a major blood, guts, beer and stink bait fishing tournament slated to decimate the area. I strongly suggest you avoid this location on the weekend of 3-11, 12, and 13. It will be a zoo and there will be enough psychedelic colored stink baits being flung around to give you the impression of a bad acid trip!
Fishing has picked up slowly here but is currently pretty good for tubers trolling near the dam and launch ramp sections. Loebergs and Punk Perch #10-12 are good choices used with a full or heavy sinking tip line. Stick to the shadows formed by the canyons walls. Grasshoppers…you will find what you seek here.
Power generation will be sporadic and occurring during late mornings into the afternoons. This will make fly fishing the inlet section and river difficult. There have been some good late morning and afternoon hatches of mayflies and midges so if you are fortunate enough to hit this area when the turbine is not running it should be very good in the next couple of weeks. Dry/dropper combos using #16-18 Drifters Crystal Tigers and Zebras as the nymph are a sure bet here.
The Gorge: Very good
The warm weather has brought the water temperature up enough to get those metabolisms racing on the wild browns down in the pit. Do a little hiking and get into some untouched water and you should have little trouble getting some love from just about any deep pool or run. The key here is not to spook the trout on approach. Scout the water you intend to fish from above on the canyons steep edges. I like to fish upstream here as opposed to across. Dry/droppers are deadly here, as is a dry/dry combo. The fish are not overly selective down here; any reasonable dry #14-20 will get grabs. Keep your nymphs in the #16-18 range.
This is a great time to fish this section, the true tailwater to Crowley Lake. It is loaded with smaller browns and is perhaps the most difficult area to fish because of the hike into and out of the steep canyon. It is worth the effort if you enjoy solitude and small pocket water fishing.
Please remember that this entire area is NZMS positive and rotten with the critters. Walk and wade in the streambed as little as possible, do your moving on dry ground. For more information on the snail go to http://www.flyline.com
You can pick up our guide flies at the following stand out locations: The San Diego Fly Shop, The Troutfitter/Trout Fly in Mammoth Lakes, Stroud’s Tackle in San Diego, Malibu Fish’N Tackle in Thousand Oaks. There are links to these locations at www.sierradrifters.com
Looking forward to fishing with you soon.
Be the fly…Tom Loe
Sierra Drifters Guide Service
www.sierradrifters.com
[email protected]
760-935-4250
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