August 26th Fish'n Conditions
Capt. Tom Loe
August 29, 2013
Eastern Sierras - Freshwater Fishing Report
Once in a blue moon as the saying goes. Extended low flows on the Owens River near Bishop during summer, Crowley Lake near an all time low water level, The East Walker River/Bridgeport Rez runnin on empty. A blue moon is the second full moon occurring in one month. This year we will have several blue moons-strange to say the least. Lunar cycles have tremendous impact on bodies of water that have tidal influence. Not so much in smaller fisheries; however the solunar cycles effect the weather and will alter feeding behavior beginning at the lower end of the food chains, thus setting the stage for how the larger predators will react.
The "catching" has been mixed to say the least. I would not be honest to say that the low water levels have not negatively influenced numerous fisheries in the Eastern Sierra, and other fisheries in the western states. Lakes and stillwaters have been the most consistent. This is due to stability and habitat. Creeks and rivers that are directly connected to run-off and snow melt are suffering from low flows. Fish in these areas will seek haven in the deepest pools and sections of a lake, stream, or river looking for cooler more oxygenated water. They may become lethargic and not be inclined to feed. They are in survival mode & this stress can be lethal. We as catch and release anglers should consider bypassing these areas until conditions improve. This is very important to areas that have wild, reproducing trout called diploids. Many fisheries in this area will not get planted with fish capable of reproduction due to changes in CDFW management plans. It will not be long before water temps begin to cool substantially in all areas and it will be game on once again!
Crowley Lake
Currently 4 vertical feet higher than its lowest point last season and dropping. Better than I had hoped for at this time; however you may see the lowest lake level since it filled by the closer. Many navigation hazards, if you are boating ask for a map or advice of the bad areas before you splash. Launch ramp is still fine for larger boats. With this low lake level the fish are concentrated near the inlets of the Upper Owens River & McGee/Convict Creek. 8-12 feet seems to be the zone in both sections. Weed lines are fading, but still present. A shrinking lake concentrates the fish-and the anglers. Lots of cutty's and browns this season. Midges and perch fry imitations are best. I would have both holsters armed. Use a moderate sinking tip for streamers, 20-30 foot in length. Try a longer shot than normal (10 feet) and DO NOT use a tapered leader. 2/3X fluorocarbon. Perch fry are schoolies. This is why it can be difficult to get grabs fishing a single streamer at times. The bigs crash the meat balls hiding amongst the weeds and near the shoreline. Watch the white pelicans-they target on these fry this time of year. LOEBERGS and ORIGINAL PUNK PERCH light and dark. Crowley Lake store has them. Find the "chironoMUD" Midge larva live in da mud, not weedy bottoms. The pupa can drift for days-you will observe the shucks floating on the surface during a solid emergence. Go to emerger patterns like my gillie, pupa, or crystal emerger while stillwater nymphing below an Under-cator. Put on a broken back tiger midge if you have some texture or "cats paws" on the surface. The algae is not an issue right now so you can fish just about anywhere on the lake. Sandy Pt. has some fish too.
Middle Owens River
Blue moon affect here as well. Flows remain at 300cfs give or take, this is unheard of after an extended period of flows less than 200 during the peak run-off months. We are doing half day floats currently due to the high air temps beginning around noon. The catching has been good/very good in most sections, wading/crossing can be an issue in the wild trout section at this release. Caddis and midge activity are excellent during the early mornings. As the sun gets higher the fish move under the cut banks and into the deeper pools most days. This transition will require you to put more weight on your nymph rigs & use moderate to heavy sinking tip lines with streamers to get down to the fish. My go to pattern-Loebergs. Lot's O fry in the soft water along the banks currently. Use flashback Pt's and Assassins birds nest patterns while nymphing the WT section. As the weather cools I anticipate one of the best fall seasons ever for drifting. Once in a blue moon…
Upper Owens River
Not a bunch of bigs swimming in here right now; however water conditions are very good, flows near perfect. Hoppers abundant in the afternoon. Keep this in mind around here as some of the nicest browns I have caught in the UO were fooled on a Stimulator or hopper pattern #14-12. You may consider hanging a bead head PT or birds nest like my Assassin for a two pronged attack. Numbers are fluctuating at times, especially in the section downstream from the Benton Bridge. Heavy pressure in the areas that are planted-the C & R sections do not have huge numbers of migratory fish this time of year. Look for some small mayflies (tricos) and the ever present midges. Some caddis around on the calm days. Been windy recently making the UO and Hot Creek tough after late morning.
Hot Creek
Tough. Low water, educated fish. Weeds are a big issue this summer as they are making even reasonable drifts possible. There are some open areas, but the water is limited to slots and pools. Hoppers, caddis on the calm days, trico mayflies. Nymphing the limited pools will also get you grabs, but the fish are really worked in these and may reject your patterns after a short time. Fishing the surface with dries and long 11-12 foot leaders is the best method to get consistent takes. Fish are here, just lousy conditions.
East Walker River
Even tougher than Hot Creek. I have a hard core EW guy that says he has never smelled it so bad! The water is off color and low with lots of weed in normally clear channels. I suggest if you must fish the EW, hit the more aerated section downstream from the first bridge. It's gonna be a while before we see better conditions here.
Bridgeport Pond
The catching remains slow as the fish are hunkering down and lethargic due to low flows and warm water. It is cooling rapidly according to Jeffery and the fish will kick on in the near future. He is still renting a few boats to access the lake from his marina and the RV park and store are in top shape-unlike the management (baaah). By next report I believe will see some good numbers near the dam and along the west shoreline. Tubing the lake this fall will be easy due to the level-keep this in mind as the fish will be concentrated.
West Walker River
I wish I was guiding here more often. The place is jugged with stockers, and some pretty nice ones I hear. The CDFW put a good jag of brooders and the local fish farm people tossed some fat ones in as well. Pikel Meadows, Chris Flat, etc…all fishing well and access is very good due to low flows. I like a dry/dropper bead head with a tiger midge or olive crystal caddis or zebra as the nymph. Use a Stimulator or hi-vis para-mayfly pattern for the dry/indicator.
San Joaquin River
Not trying to be redundant, but once again-low water minimizing the water you can fish. Use smaller dries and longer leaders working from the back of a run or pool and casting upstream-hitting both sides if they have any deeper water or shadows. The pocket water & riffles are skinny. The fish are holding in the holes and deeper runs as a rule. Terrestrial patterns like ants, beetles, & hoppers are also a good choice here. A para ant pattern is a good call during a windy afternoon.
Alpine Lakes
As the kids return to school pressure on these lakes will decrease and in some locations you will find very good catching while casting streamers like Loebergs, Agent Orange, Crystal Leeches, & Spruce-A-Bu's using full or heavy sinking tip lines from a tube or pontoon. Hit the inlets, sharp drop-offs (look for color changes in the water to locate these), structure- like tree stumps and submerged rocks or weed lines. Any transition zone is a good place to begin looking for the pods of fish in these put & take fisheries. Some lakes that are utilized for water & power will be very low and may not be open this fall. The Mammoth Lakes Basin and June Lake loop will have some challenges, but should be wet enough to fish from a tube.
Thanks for reading my report friends.
Be the fly…Tom Loe
Sierra Drifters Guide Service
www.sierradrifters.com
760-935-4250
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