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Eastern Sierras
Capt. Tom Loe
April 24, 2006
Eastern Sierras - Freshwater Fishing Report
Season Opener 2006 Fish Report
April 23, 2006
Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. Best fishes to all for the Eastern Sierra trout season of 2006.
The general trout season and opener, (well sort of) - is upon us and the first day you can wet a line is Saturday, April 29. The reason I say sort of, is that there will be many fisheries that will remain legally open, but will be difficult if not impossible to fish until the massive amounts of snow and ice melt in elevations above 8000 feet. The winter of “aught six” has been unprecedented in regards to total snow fall and the moisture content within the snow pack here on the eastern slope of the Sierra. With Mammoth Mtn. boasting a 16-18' base there will be skiing from Main Lodge until the 4th of July! You can bank on high water in all the rivers and creeks especially when the snow begins to melt in June. Many of the Alpine lakes are still blanketed with ice and snow and some of the roads leading into these locations are still closed with road crews working to plow them open. The snow level is higher but denser than last year and the weather has been much warmer in the upper valleys, which in my opinion will set the stage for some EXCELLENT early season fishing on Crowley and Bridgeport Reservoirs. The hard ice has been off both lakes for 6-8 weeks. This is far different than last season when the ice came off Crowley in mid-April. This winter has dragged on and on…however, the weather guru’s are forecasting a significant pattern change beginning the end of this week and it looks to be setting the stage for a pleasant and mild opening weekend.
The spring spawning migration of rainbows into the tributaries is in its last stages with significantly less fish being observed in or on the redds than last season at this time. Never the less, please be extra careful when crossing or wading on the gravel beds so as not to disturb or damage potential spawning areas.
Sierra Drifters is proud to announce the addition of Bob Marriott’s Fly Fishing Store in Fullerton, CA to its list of outstanding shops that carry our time tested guide flies and accessories. Many consider Marriott’s to be the ultimate fly fishing shop in the west. The pro’s here have a longstanding reputation in the industry for friendly/expert advice and with the shops unsurpassed fly fishing inventory, this is a must location to visit before you hit the water anywhere! http://bobmarriotts.net
We have added several new patterns and have implemented some great improvements on a few of the “go to flies” that work everywhere in the Eastern Sierra. Be sure to stop by one of the fly shops we passionately endorse and check out the new weapons prior to your first fly fishing adventure this season.
We have done a lot of leg work the last few days scouting out the areas we feel will be your best choices for the first week or so of the new season. There are many areas we were not able to get first hand information due to road closures or too much snow. Many resorts and road crews are working long hard hours trying to get their facilities open. Have some patience this early season folks, it will take time and warmer weather to help open many areas this year. Be extra careful walking around lake shorelines and creek areas with substantial snow on the ground. It can be deceptively soft and deep after you break through the crust. Avoid walking or standing next to large rocks or tree wells with snow around them. It is usually much softer here and will collapse quickly when you get near the object. Snow and ice will be the thickest on the north and east exposures. The weather is forecast to improve, but be prepared for some drastic changes this time of year. Spring storms are hard to predict and can form quickly in the high country. Be prepared to encounter ice on mountain roads, especially on the north and shady exposures. The snow melts and freezes on a daily cycle and you will find this to be the case on many roads this spring making for some hazardous driving conditions.
Check out www.sierradrifters.com for current conditions pictures...
Crowley Lake and Bridgeport Reservoir:
These areas are looking to be the best we have to offer for the start of this season. There have been chironomid hatches in both areas the last several weeks and unlike last season fly fishers should get into fish right off using the stillwater nymphing method. Both lakes are very full with receding water levels due to high release rates on both the Lower Owens R. and the East Walker R. If you are driving up to the waters edge be aware of this as you will find some hideous mud on the banks in both areas. Stick with tigers and zebras in the larger sizes. NINE –TWELVE feet should get you close enough. The inlets and drop-offs will be the place to start early on. Hatches will begin after noon most days right now on the warmer cycles and rising barometers. Have those “gillies” and crystal emergers ready for this. The weeds or algae are not a factor in either area right now and although you will not have to look far to find another angler in both lakes, there should be plenty of open and fertile water for everyone. Both lakes got full allotments of sub-catchable DFG rainbows last season and Bridgeport got a shot of trophy DFG and Alpers fish to spice up the already juicy pot here.
http://www.crowleylakefishcamp.com
http://www.bridgeportreservoir.com/index.html
Both of these lakes will have excellent conditions throughout the entire season with a strong period of epic streamer fishing beginning with the damsel fly nymph migration in July and eclipsing with the perch fry annihilation in August and continuing through fall. Have some Loebergs and Punk Perch ready for this; it will be awesome!
Upper Owens, Big Springs, McGee Creek:
As mentioned before, the early thaw got the rainbows getting romantic earlier this season. You will find fair numbers near the inlets with decreasing numbers the further you go upstream. The Upper Owens R. may be off color below the confluence of Hot Creek. It was a couple of days ago and I saw only a few larger fish in the inlet section. Remember…A section of the river is closed to ALL anglers until late May from the Benton Crossing Bridge downstream to the monument located about 1/4 upstream from Crowley’s shoreline (see the picture on our web fish report). If you see people fishing around Brown’s Campground call the fish cops!
FYI…CALIFORNIA'S SECRET WITNESS PROGRAM TO HELP STOP POACHING AND POLLUTING 1-888-DFG-CALTIP
(1-888-334-2258) http://www.dfg.ca.gov
California Dept. of Fish & Game Regs… http://www.fgc.ca.gov
We had a difficult time scouting Big Springs (see the pics) due to the heavy snow pack around the edges but did find some disco dancing rainbows in the upper sections. Glo-bugs, San Juan Worms, streamers, will all work well this time of year in the tributaries. McGee was in great shape and had decent numbers of 15-18 inchers grouped up in the lower sections with good numbers of smaller fish in the big pools in the upper sections. The walking will be easy with only a few bogs that are easily avoided if you can see them. Be careful if you are not familiar with this area or if you are planning on a trek in the dark. There are some areas you can get stuck in the meadow.
Lower Owens River:
The flows have been at flood for a week and are currently over 600cfs. Wading is not practical (nor intelligent) at this flow. You can get into a few fish in the largest pools with a chunk of battleship chain to get your nymphs down. Use crystal tigers and zebras, flashback pts and hares ear patterns. Hatches have been irregular and below normal for this time of year.
We are not drifting at this time due to the poor conditions. It can only get better here if conditions change!
The Gorge:
Perhaps the best moving water fishery for fly fishers currently. This small tailwater fishes best this time of year and is not influenced by releases on the Lower Owens R. Dry dropper/dry-dry combos are deadly here. This area is not a “tailgate” kind of spot and requires some moderate to heavy hiking. The friendly gang at the Trout Fly/Troutfitter in Mammoth Lakes will provide accurate information and get you flies to fish this area.
The Walker Rivers:
I for one am eagerly looking forward to the continued improvement of the EW this season. There will be some difficult fishing due to high release rates at times but when things settle down and stabilize you will see why this rivers reputation for kicking out huge fish and great numbers is not just hype. Drifter’s clients spanked some amazing trout here last spring and fall. Despite the current high flows experienced fly fishers working the year round waters in Nevada are reporting very good results while nymphing with midge and mayfly nymph imitations. Adequate weight is essential to get your bugs down to the fish in the quieter sections. Rumor has it the DFG has a stash of browns that are slated to be planted here. This factor along with the tremendous efforts of the Bridgeport fisheries enhancement program should set the stage for a stellar season on the EW. Please support the efforts of this innovative and tireless group of concerned sportsman/businessman by donating to this worthy cause.
Click on www.sierradrifters.com to open a PDF file of their donation letter. Or see www.bigmeadowlodge.com for program information.
The WW will have some class fives by July during the peak run-off and I suggest you hit this place in May unless you are into white water rafting. Conditions are good right now and you will find very good numbers of eager wild and planted fish around the campgrounds and in the canyon sections. This area is snow free for the most part and is a great choice for a moving water option in the near future. Streamers (try our blood sucking Vanderleech here), tiger midges, and San Juan worms will work well.
Hot Creek:
Bill Nichols at the Hot Creek Ranch is reporting excellent conditions on the private water for the opener and I concur with him. It looks very good here right now with a little higher water than normal and very good clarity (see the pic of the crick). Hot Creek will be blown out this summer when Mammoth Creek gets cranking but for the time being it will be a hoot! BWO and PMD patterns will get looks on top, smaller zebra midges, San Juan worms and birds nest nymphs are solid choices for nymphing. Please keep wading to an absolute minimum if at all. The NZMS is still an ominous presence in this fishery and we need to prevent its spread. The gate was still locked just up the road from the ranch and folks have been hiking into the geologic site for a swim. The road is expected to open soon. One reason for the late opening of many roads is that it has been snowing without stop in Mono County and the crews are using their resources and equipment to keep the main roads open.
June Lake Loop:
The loop road was still closed a day ago and is currently being plowed. June and Grant are in great shape and have been ice free for a good while. Silver will have some broken ice but will be open totally. Lower Rush looks great and is not high currently.
Bishop Creek, South Lake
The creek will be it and is slated to be heavily planted until the lakes open up.
http://bishopcreekresort.com
Rock Creek:
The lower sections are fine with scattered snow. The road is being plowed and you will find a whole bunch of snow the higher you go. It will be a while for this area to fully open up. The creek is a little high and clarity is good. http://www.rockcreeklake.com
Twin Lakes Bridgeport:
Ken’s Sporting Goods in Bridgeport is the authority on this area and is reporting great conditions with clear roads leading up to both lakes. http://www.kenssport.com
The ice has been off LT for almost a month, with UT having some ice floaties on it a few days ago, but overall clear. You will have substantial snow along the shorelines here. Full sinking lines and big nasty white or light olive flashy patterns fished at least twenty feet down. Once again we are forecasting this area to be the location of several double digit browns being caught and released (we hope!)
We at Sierra Drifters Guide Service want to extend a warm welcome to those of you planning on fishing the Eastern Sierra this season. See you on the water!
You can pick up our guide flies at the following stand out locations: Crowley Lake Fish Camp & Crowley Lake General Store/Deli in Crowley, The Troutfitter/Trout Fly in Mammoth Lakes, Bridgeport Reservoir Marina, Malibu Fish’n Tackle in Thousand Oaks, The San Diego Fly Shop and Stroud’s Tackle in San Diego, The Fishermen’s Spot in Van Nuys and Bob Marriott’s in Fullerton. There are links to these locations at www.sierradrifters.com
Be the fly my friends,
Tom Loe
Sierra Drifters Guide Service
760-935-4250
[email protected]
www.sierradrifters.com
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