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Eastern Sierras
Capt. Tom Loe
May 13, 2005
Eastern Sierras - Freshwater Fishing Report
Trout Opener Summary 2005
May 11, 2005
Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. Best fishes to all for this 2005 trout opener summary from the Eastern High Sierra.
The first couple weeks of the general trout season opener have gone pretty much as anticipated. The soon to be record breaking winter of “aught five” has many fisheries frozen, snowbound or flooded. Lakes and streams above 8500 feet are still firmly in winter’s grips, however things are looking up as a significant warming trend is forecast for the next 5 days and this will help thaw some areas out and warm up the alpine lakes a little.
Fishing has been spotty due to some late spring storms that deposited another foot and a half of snow above 8500 feet recently. Look for many of the freestone creeks to begin swelling in the near future as the snow begins to melt. With Mammoth Mountain receiving another 18 inches on May 9th to bring the total snowfall for the season to 607” they are scheduled to be open for skiing through the 4th of July holiday. Many will be taking advantage of the ski and fish opportunities this time of year. Give us a call or email to schedule a guided fishing trip.
The tailwater fishery of the Lower Owens River remains horrid as flows are at maximum levels (607cfs) and LADWP sources tell us that “we are going to make Crowley a big empty hole to prepare for the runoff.”
The East Walker flows are much lower (140cfs) and the conditions could not be better. Do not expect a huge number day here but I suggest you bring along a camera as the few you do get into will be size large! Flows will increase here soon so get it while it’s hot. We are told that the EW may see 700cfs this summer. I believe it from the amount of snow in the Twin Lakes Basin and the level of Bridgeport Reservoir. There is a baetis hatch late morning #18 and the always present midges are a good choice for nymphing. On a recent outing longtime Sierra Drifter, Lance Geiger from Yorba Linda dead drifted a #20 Drifters crystal olive zebra midge and landed an awesome looking brown while nymphing. Happy birthday- “First Light!” click on www.sierradrifters.com
Crowley Lake has been spotty for fly fishers but picking up a lot after the “mothers day hatch” of chironomids. The lake level is dropping rapidly and we are currently at levels we had last July. You may be shocked at how low the water level is currently, stay away from the shoreline with your vehicle as there a big section of soft mud near the water. I have witnessed several “tow jobs” this week. We have found fair amounts of fish everywhere, but no real concentrations as the fish are relocating with the lowering water levels. You will get into a few fish after a move and then it will die out as you hit the fish in your area. The inlet areas are the most consistent with rainbows in spawning color present. I suggest you stick to 9-11 feet of water for the most consistent fishing. Drifter’s Crystal Tigers and Zebra’s #16-18, Gillies and Crystal Emergers in #18-20 are excellent choices right now. Use the copper heads for a sunny day and the black heads for the low light periods. If you are struggling in an area try hanging one of our crystal leech patterns #14-16 as the upper fly on a stillwater rig with a Crystal Tiger as the dropper. Veteran Sierra Drifter, Chris Linkletter from San Pedro caught and released a broom tailed brown and rainbow on this rig recently. Check these fatties out! Click on www.sierradrifters.com
Streamer fishing has been downright slow in all areas. I expect this to change as the water begins to warm and the trout get up off the mud and start looking for food in the middle sections of the water column.
Bridgeport Reservoir was forecast to be a sleeping giant. It is still napping in regards to fly-fishing I am sorry to say. We had a hard time finding any concentrations of trout. The conditions are the best I have seen in years with the water levels well past the air strip jetty. Great visibility and no weeds with a solid chironomid and callibaetis hatch the day I fished. The DFG recently planted the lake as well as Tim Alpers and a fishery enhancement program is being implemented by local businesses; it looks great here for the future. I got news today that streamers being trolled with a full sinking line are getting the recently planted fish in the 13-16 inch range. Go to www.bridgeportcalifornia.com or www.bigmeadowlodge.com for info.
Lower Twin Lake (Bridgeport) gets the honor of the two largest trout (browns) so far. Told ya so… Too bad they will not get a chance to get larger. Tough fly fishing conditions here and you may want to bring out those old 4-5mm neoprenes for tubing! Use a full sink and pick up our Light Spruce-a-bu #8 if you plan on freeze tubing here.
Hot Creek has been off and on also due to the weather. The flows are currently excellent here but the word is fish counts are down this year according to a recent DFG survey. We will let you know the results when the DFG posts the information. Dry dropper bead head combos using baetis (mayfly) nymph’s #18-20 or midge imitations #18-22 will get grabs. Use a #16 yellow bodied stimulator as your dry or indicator.
The Crowley Lake tributaries Upper Owens, Big Springs, McGee, Convict and Hilton Creeks all have substantial numbers of spawners “honey mooning” currently and if you nymph with glo-bugs, and our crystal olive zebra midges #18-20 or tease them with streamer patterns you should have some fun with these migrating rainbows. They are getting a tad spooky from recent pressure so use a quiet approach. Please avoid stomping on the gravel beds or fishing for actively spawning trout.
The Lower Owens is blown out at over 600cfs and is not going to go down much we are told in the near future. I would go elsewhere. You can click on the flow rates at www.sierradrifters.com
The Gorge is fishing pretty good right now in most sections. Dry dropper combos and dries (mayfly or caddis) in the #16-18 range will get grabs if you do not spook the fish. I have reliable reports of several rattlesnakes being seen or “eradicated” this week, look before you step here.
The West Walker River is on the rise but currently fishing fair to good in the slower sections and campground areas. I suggest you use Crystal Tiger Midges #16-18 or Olive Zebras while nymphing under an indicator or large dry fly. Some of the pools in the lower sections can be fished with a streamer this time of year and will have fair numbers of hatchery fish eager to smack a wooly bugger or Loeberg #10. The pass to Sonora is still closed but may open by Memorial Day.
Tioga Pass is closed with no report on the opening as of yet.
Convict is ice free with snow on the banks.
June Lake Loop is open and the lakes are ice free now with the campgrounds open. You will not need to buy ice as there is plenty of snow around to keep the beer cold!
Mammoth Lakes Basin is like “Ice Station Zebra” Late June?
San Joaquin River is out until July unless you have snowshoes or a snowmobile.
Rock Creek is fishing ok for planters in the lower sections; the lake is a block of ice.
http://www.convictlake.com
http://www.rockcreeklake.com/fishing/current.htm
http://www.tomsplaceresort.com
Bishop Creek drainage is still a winter wonderland- check their website for updates on how long your ice auger needs to be… http://bishopcreekresort.com
The DFG and Alpers trucks had a difficult time planting the usual locations this season and many areas will not be planted until mid to late May it appears. The Alpers stocking schedule can be found at http://www.visitmammoth.com
The state hatchery program remains intact at current levels for this season with next year’s budget situation a mystery. Click these links for DFG news and how to help out the Hot Creek Hatchery Foundation.
http://www.sierradrifters.com
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/
www.FriendsofCaliforniaHatcheries.org
You can pick up our guide flies at the following stand out locations: The Crowley Lake Fish Camp and the Crowley Lake General Store and Deli in Crowley, The Troutfitter/Trout Fly in Mammoth Lakes, Malibu Fish’N Tackle in Thousand Oaks, The San Diego Fly Shop and Stroud’s Tackle in San Diego. 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
If you visit these links be sure to tell them Sierra Drifters sent you…
Mammoth Lakes Real Estate: http://www.mammothrealestateonline.com
Mammoth Lakes Lodging: http://www.mammothlakes.com/ml2/Lodgingx.html
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