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Eastern Sierras
Capt. Tom Loe
July 10, 2006
Eastern Sierras - Freshwater Fishing Report
July Moon Fish Report 2006
July 10, 2006
Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. Best fishes to all for this July moon fish report from the Eastern High Sierra.
Fly fishing conditions have improved greatly in many areas since our prior report and although the freestone creeks and tailwaters are currently flowing above average, they are beginning to recede in flows and greatly improve in clarity. The only exceptions you may experience with regards to the water conditions are the effects of moderate to severe T-storms that can rapidly influence flows and clarity on the moving waters. The peak of the run-off has occurred and you can anticipate some excellent water conditions the remainder of the summer and fantastic conditions this fall.
Mosquitoes are going to be an issue in most areas this summer. Make sure your repellants and sunscreens are not outdated. I recently saw an unfortunate individual who looked like he had caught on fire and was put out with track shoes due to the lack of good insect repellant!
Crowley Lake: Very good
The trout are beginning to concentrate and stack up in big numbers near the inlets. The algae and floating grass situation is still a major factor but is improving daily.
The lake level is as full as you will ever see it and this is attributing to the overall water conditions. Judging by what is going on currently and the overall poor water conditions at times due to the algae, you can bank on some EPIC days in the near future here especially in McGee Bay and Little Hilton. The north arm is also showing signs of coming on. You must fish the river channel or find a large hole in the weeds and grass. Water clarity is very good in the north arm of the lake and the damsel fly nymph migration and callibaetis mayfly emergence is huge right now.
The kick to McGee from a tube is insane at this time; I suggest you get a rental boat at the Fish Camp or a guide with a big white custom “fish magnet” flats boat…Hint, hint!!!
The most consistent stillwater nymphing is occurring in 8-12 feet depending on how far the algae is pushing into the shoreline. The new and improved algae resistant gillies #18 and 20 are spanking them as are our new style crystal emergers in the same sizes. It is essential to clean your flies every cast and limit your soak times to less than five minutes if you are in the “goo.”
Those casting and trolling streamer and damsel patterns, Punk Perch, and blood sucking Vanderleeches, are doing well at times on the flats. It is not crucial to get your imitations down deep at this time and I suggest a light to medium sinking tip line. Two to six feet is the zone for both the damsel fly nymph and the callibaetis nymph which is also a swimmer. The grabs are ferocious on these bugs so keep some angle to the fish by inserting your rod tip a foot or so under the surface while trolling or stripping those streamers.
Long time Sierra Drifters Robert Otanez and Johnny Karam brought their darlins’ Shannon Black and Angela Frijs up to Crowley from Irvine, CA to get indoctrinated into the sport of fly fishing for the first time. This group hit it big in McGee Bay with some large browns coming to net for the icing on the cake. Great day kids, very nice browns. Check out “O’s” double smile on the web! www.sierradrifters.com
Bridgeport Reservoir: Very good
http://www.bridgeportreservoir.com
If you have never fished Bridgeport Reservoir with a fly rod, now is the time to go check it out. We have several guides and boats stationed here currently due to the excellent and consistent fly fishing. After two seasons of high water the Bridge is shaping up to again attain status as a blue ribbon stillwater trout fishery. Buckeye Bay and along the drop-offs near Rainbow Pt. are the prime locations for fly fishers. The callibaetis emergence when heavy is providing near epic bites on some days with some large browns in the mix. Stillwater nymphing with Punk Perch and Vanderleeches in the #14 and 16 range as well as flashback pt’s, callibaetis nymph imitations and hares ear patterns are the most consistent right now. The chironomid hatches are spotty but make sure you have some gillies and tiger midges in your quiver for sure as this lake can change quickly this time of year with regards to emergences.
Trolling damsel fly nymphs with a small Punk Perch or hares ear as a caboose fly will also get you into fish from a tube or pontoon boat.
Drifters guide Mickey the “turtle” Baron guided Don Shintaku and Jon Hashimoto from Gardena, CA into some large rainbows recently while stillwater nymphing from the original “fish magnet” Check these hogs out by visiting our website. It was so good even the “turtle” got a slammer!!! www.sierradrifters.com
East Walker River: Fair to good
The flows have backed down a bunch and are currently running at 550cfs. Still very high but improving. There is a link to the current water flows at www.sierradrifters.com Experienced fly fishers and X-treme nymphers will do well in the softer water here. Crystal midge patterns in the #16-20 range as well as flashback pt’s and birds nest will get it done. You will still need a bunch of weight to get those bugs down in most of the runs. Try a caddis emerger #18 fished in the surface film or along the softer foam lines under a dry if you see the snouts popping and nothing coming off the water. Look for late afternoon caddis activity on the surface. Hard core streamer fisherman will also find some great opportunities to get into those monster browns this time of year after the sun goes below the canyon walls and over the Sierra crest. My streamer favorite flies here are the Spruce-a-bu and Loeberg fished “dip and strip” style with a moderate sink tip at these flows. You can pick up these patterns at the Bridgeport Lake Marina. Jeffery may try to switch you over to one of his beloved “sheep fur” flies but don’t be fooled. Stick to the BU and the BERG!
West Walker River: Fair
The flows are down considerably and the water clarity has improved a bunch this week but you will still have difficulty wading and crossing even in the Pikel Meadows section of the WW. If there are any T-storms forecast for the period you are planning to fish be aware that this may really mess up the conditions here. The wild fish are eager to hit larger dries like stone flies, and #16 caddis. Look for them along the edges and behind large rocks that break the swift current.
Rock Creek Lake/ Mammoth Lakes Basin, June Lake Loop, Lundy lake, Virginia Lakes, Convict Lake: Very good
We told you last report that Rock Creek Lake was kicking out some super nice Alpers. Take a look at the hog caught & released by Veteran Sierra Drifter and now Mammoth local Doug Rodricks. Doug caught the beast on a Drifters damsel from his kick boat recently. We have had some great reports from this area. Have a moderate sink tip or full sinking line to effectively get your streamers down to 10 feet.
Another Mammoth local and Sierra Drifter Doug Eberts caught and released “Troutzilla” on Lake Mary while trolling a bead head bugger. Doug estimated the Alpers rainbow at well over ten pounds and a phone call to Tim Alpers revealed that several 12 lb. class fish had been released recently in the lakes basin. Stay away from those hot doggers Dougie! (inside joke)
The alpine lakes in the Eastern Sierra overall are a great alternative to combating high water on the creeks and escaping the mid-day heat on the desert reservoirs. Tubing is the ultimate way to fish these stillwaters while trolling and casting streamers.
Hot Creek: Good
Clarity has improved here as well and the overall fishing is very good at times especially during the caddis hatch in the afternoon. Mayfly #16-20 and midge #18-22 nymph patterns in the mornings are a good bet for a start. Try to fish without a strike indicator to insure those bugs are on the bottom. “Brownzilla” was fooled by this technique and it is deadly here.
Upper Owens River: Fair-good
Decent numbers of fish are beginning to work up from the lake and fly fishers are getting grabs with all methods depending on the time of day and current water conditions. Below the confluence of Hot Creek you may find excessive weed at times that can hamper your efforts below the surface. Caddis activity is strong in the late afternoons and you can fish the larger pools without the weed issue influencing your drifts.
Lower Owens: Poor
Wow! Flows are down from over 700cfs to just a tad over 600 cfs. Go elsewhere.
There is a link to the current DWP flows at www.sierradrifters.com
San Joaquin River: Fair-good
Sotcher is kicking out some really nice Alpers trout for tubers and pontoon boats trolling streamers. Blood sucking Vanderleeches, damsel fly nymphs, and Spruce-a-bu’s whack em’ with a light to moderate sinking tip line. Stay along the bull rushes. The SJ is very high and not wading friendly in the faster water sections, but clarity is very good and the fishing in the Reds Meadow area or along the slower water near the Minaret Falls campground has been pretty dang good with a long dry/dropper bead head nymph, dries like a stimulator, Adams, trudes or caddis #14-18 or a tandem nymph rig with crystal olive zebras or tiger midges #16-18. Have a pint of your spare blood type if you forget your repellant!
If you are new to the sport of fly fishing or need a jump start as to some of the hot patterns that work in this area, stop by and visit our good friends at the following great fly shops and locations and ask for our “Killer kits” These kits are composed of our most popular and deadly streamer and midge patterns and have been arranged in a good quality ripple foam box for your convenience. They make great starter boxes and perfect gifts for the fly fisher.
You can pick up our guide flies at the following stand out locations: Crowley Lake Fish Camp & Crowley Lake General Store/Deli in Crowley, Kittredge Sports in Mammoth Lakes, Bridgeport Reservoir Marina in Bridgeport, 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, Bob Marriott’s in Fullerton and Buz's Fly Shop Too in Bakersfield. There are links to these locations at www.sierradrifters.com
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
Or you can also call the Mono County Sheriffs Dept.
760-932-7549 / 760-935-4066
Be the fly my friends,
Tom Loe
Sierra Drifters Guide Service
760-935-4250
[email protected]
www.sierradrifters.com
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