Eastern Sierra Fish'N Conditions Updated December 1, 2010
Capt. Tom Loe
December 1, 2010
Eastern Sierras - Freshwater Fishing Report
Conditions Updated December 1, 2010
Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. Here is a fresh Fish'N conditions update from the Eastern High Sierra.
Big weather change as you all know. We had near record snowfall for November and the temps have really cooled the upper valleys and East Walker region way down. The good news is that the snow level has remained above 6,000 feet and there are no snow accumulations on the Owens Valley floor. Flows have dropped down to winter release rates on the Lower Owens and the last few drifts have been very good with some big boys making an appearance & getting their pictures taken. The weather is forecast to improve and become more seasonal. This will only make the "catching" better. Hope you get a chance to come up and fish before the holidays.
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The Sierra Drifters Guide Team wants to thank those who fished with us in 2010 very much. We greatly appreciate the business, friendships, & memories spending quality time on the water can bring. And to all of you who read this report; we wish you & yours health, prosperity, & a happy New Year in 2011! (Maybe a trophy brown or two while we're at it)
Please visit our website to look at the pictures taken of the lucky folks who made this latest fish report http://www.sierradrifters.com/fish.htm
Casey C. & proud father Bob pose with a jumbo winter rainbow taken on a recent guided drift with Tom Loe. The duo got into good numbers and enjoyed several "double" hook ups while using the dip & strip technique and the ever popular Drifter's Punk Perch pattern. (picture on fish'n conditions page)
Lower Owens:
Katy bar the doors! The flows have finally come down. Despite the cold weather since mid-November the fishing has been pretty good after the release rates have dropped below 150 cfs. They will continue to fall and should; I say should level off around 90cfs. One never knows what the water lords will do these days.
There continues to be a fair showing of fall Baetis and Trico mayflies #18-20 after high noon on the warmest of days. The wild trout section is a good bet currently and the wading is easy with access to 75% of the river within reason. Nymphing will become the standard here as the water and sun angle continue to lower. Stick to small midge patterns & pheasant tails or birds nest patterns in the #18-22 range for consistent results. Keep them in the deeper pools and softer water as you will not locate fish this time of year in the traditional riffle water and tail outs most days. The drift'N has been better since the flows have come down and we are seeing some big rainbows and good numbers hit streamer patterns used with a sinking tip line. I suggest you keep those flies down 75% the depth of the water in any given location. The fish are not really active with water temps in the low forties upper thirties & will not move large distances to grab your imitations. Look out if the water warms up for a spell-gonna get good!
Casey & Bob C. adeptly landing a drift boat double. These two spanked quite a few rainbows with T. Loe rowing the sled. (picture on fish'n conditions page)
Here's a close up of Casey's trophy "hook jawed" rainbow. Sweet mother O' pearl, that's a nice one daddy! (picture on the website fish'n conditions page)
Mark N. (on the fish) along with son Grant & friend Justin bringing one of many rainbows to the net on a rather "blustery" morning drift trip. The sun came out later and we were treated to a spectacular afternoon on the Owens River…(picture on the fish'n conditions page)
I re-decorated my office this fall-Not too shabby ehhh? (picture on fish'n conditions page)
Cole T. with his first of many drift boat bows. Two Bug Doug helps with the hold. (picture on fish'n conditions page)
Pleasant Valley Reservoir:
A-lotta Nada to be precise. Check out the picture on our website Fish'N Conditions page. The LADWP has dropped the level immensely in a short period of time and this has the fish concentrated by the dam when they should be near the inlet or up into the small river section below the powerhouse. The mud flats left behind the very low water levels are also nasty. You can get yourself in quite a pickle if you are not careful. The mud is frozen in the early morning and along the shadow lined banks, but as soon as the sun warms it up a tad, LOOK OUT! Freeze tubing is not great, but will get you into some fish. The river section is pretty sparse. Dry/dropper bead head tandem rigs are best in the short water.
This is a picture of the "elbow" located downstream of the powerhouse. Taken on 11-26-2010. The level is typically near the rock line. Very few fish in the inlet which is usually excellent this time of year. (picture on fish'n conditions page)
Hot Creek:
Those willing to hike in on the warmer days will still find some good action here. The flows are at winter levels so look for the deeper pools, pockets, & channels along the weed lines. Dead drifting small midges and may fly nymphs without the use of an Under-Cator will get you more grabs. The browns are pretty much done with their fall "romancing" and may be more lethargic than the rainbows on a given day. Don't wear felt soled boots while hiking down here in the snow…bad JU-JU and high probability of a sore caboose!
East Walker River:
Too cold, too low, too slow. This may be one of those winters where the water flows come up if it keeps dumping in the hills. Keep checking the real time flow data link we have on our website Fish'N Conditions page.
Upper Owens River:
You would expect the flows here to be at winter releases right? Not so my friends, they are on the high side for this time of year. There are scattered pods of 18 inch plus fish holding in the larger pools above the Benton Crossing Bridge where the Owens remains open year around with special regulations being strictly enforced. I hear a certain social deviate got sentenced to death by "power bait injection" recently so obey the laws or else! Streamers are best right now while moving and covering a lot of water. Use the five cast rule working your section with progressively longer presentations. No love after five-keep truck'N.
The roads are a mess & very icy, DO NOT TRY DRIVING IN!!!
Be the Fly…
Tommy Loe, Doug-R, Fill T., Two Bug Doug D. & Chris B.
www.sierradrifters.com
760-935-4250
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