Fall Colors Fish'n Conditions October 2009
Capt. Tom Loe
October 6, 2009
Eastern Sierras - Freshwater Fishing Report
Fall Colors Fish'n Conditions:
Howdy to all you hook and feather casters out there. Doug-R here, filling in for T-Loe for this fall fish report. Old man winter has given us a little taste of what is to come in the not so distant future. We have had our first dose of snow, accompanied by freezing temps and some strong winds recently in the Eastern Sierra. The month of October is setting up nicely for an Indian Summer and temperatures will be climbing back up to comfortable levels late in the week. You can still expect freezing to near freezing temps at night. The fall colors are being displayed all around the region and now is one of the most beautiful times of the year to visit this amazing part of the state. The summer crowds have all but disappeared, the fishing is fabulous, and the transition from summer to fall is well underway. A post-summer getaway with the family and friends is a great way to relax and take in the sights and sounds of the high country.
Crowley Lake:
With the recent cold snaps we've been experiencing the algae is almost a thing of the past. There are still a few big model browns, cutts, and rainbows lurking in McGee Bay, but most of the fish are making their way over to the north arm of the lake. Six Bays, Leighton Springs, Sandy Pt., Green Banks, and Big and Little Hilton are choked with fish right now. Some areas are fishing better in the morning, while others are staying pretty consistent throughout the day, wind and weather permitting. Our own "Fill" Therrien reports: "NOW is the time to tug your perch fry patterns or favorite streamers. The Channel from McGee Creek is fishing well and fining along the weed lines should get you whacked with mucho gusto. I've recently had success still water nymphing as well. Pulling my anchor the other day I discovered a one-inch red/maroon leech on my deck. Well, the proverbial "light bulb" went off in my head. Why not try a red San Juan worm? In short, it worked, fished with a blood midge dropper. Using a perch fry or leech pattern with a midge dropper is also a tried and true method. Be sure and add a few twitches from time to time to give your offerings some life. Fish are definitely on the robust side and very spunky. After getting hooked many make a beeline for the weeds so be sure and apply some side pressure to try and keep them from reaching their destination. Easier said than done some times! Personally, I find the Crowley fish to be the finest in this area, by far. Believe me, when you set the hook on one of these babies you'll know what I'm talking about. If you've been waiting for conditions to improve here, your wait is over. Come on out and see your backing folks and check out these pics of recent clients' adventures on the lake. Fill" Click on www.sierradrifters.com/fish.htm to view all the great pics.
East Walker River:
Flows are hanging around 100cfs as of report time. The cold weather periods have really put these fish on the chew big time. Water temps recorded during the last snowstorm were at 54 degrees and this has sent the trout into winter-feeding mode for the time being. Perch fry patterns, San Juan Worms, PT's, Midges, are all good bets here. Our broke-back midge patterns have been fooling these wary fish left and right recently. Fish the deeper runs and pockets to lock on to the big boys and girls of the river. Vary your presentations a little and dissect the feeding lanes into small sections to get into them. Mark "The Man" McKinley and Bob "Lunker" Marshall drove over from Las Vegas to experience the famed trout of the E. W. on a cold and snowy day. The dynamic duo ended up spanking 32 trout between them with 3 being over 22". Bob took big fish honors with back-to-back browns and battled it out with a third fish that ended up giving him the tail fin. Now is the time folks to get up here and catch that fish of a lifetime you've been waiting for. We have guides at the ready to put you on this pristine fishery.
Click on www.sierradrifters.com/fish.htm to view all the great pics.
Upper Owens River:
It's on! The fall migration of rainbows and browns from Crowley is underway and we are seeing some really nice fish showing in numbers here.
The majority of the big fish are concentrated in the section downstream from the fishing Monument, which will remain open until November 15th. Please note that the section of the Upper Owens downstream from the Benton Bridge to the Monument closes September 30th until the Saturday prior to Memorial Day of 2010. Year around fishing is allowed on the entire section upstream from the Benton Bridge with special restrictions.
Tandem nymph rigs in the deeper pools are consistently taking fish using flashback PT's, olive zebras, broke back tigers, and bead head hares ear patterns #16-20. Dry dropper rigs with a Stimulator, hopper, or large caddis pattern are also working well in the shorter water and tailouts.
I suggest you also carry a rod rigged with a light sinking tip line and cast streamer patterns like matukas, Loebergs, Spruce-a-bu's, and Punk Perch patterns during the mornings and evenings. The water levels are pretty low here this year so concentrate your efforts on the deeper pools and runs with undercut banks. The fish that migrate up from Crowley are very spooky and you need to keep your shadow and profile off the water when approaching the bank for a shot at the bigs. Click on www.sierradrifters.com/fish.htm to view all the great pics.
Lower Owens:
Fill Therrien reports that flows have been fluctuating and at this time the river is at 494 cfs. There is a link on www.sierradrifters.com/fish.htm to the LADWP flows on the LO. Not a "deal breaker" as we have fished here many times with flows over 600 cfs and done well but I would like to see it a bit more consistent. A few fish here and there along the river are being caught pulling streamers and nymphing. We will keep a close eye on this and keep you updated as things change. Drift boat trips are my personal favorite. There is just something about taking in the peace and serenity as you gently float down the lower "O" and enjoy the "good vibrations".
Bridgeport Reservoir:
The water level is continuing to drop here but those who are fishing it are still getting into fish. Some nice ones are being fooled this time of year as the big fish are beginning to fatten up for the coming winter. After the weather warms again, you can still get fish hanging tandem bugs under an indicator. Mix and match is the name of the game here as Pt's, Punk Perch, and midges of different pattern and size are all good choices under and indi. Pulling streamers with full and sink tip lines from a tube are also deadly methods right now.
San Joaquin:
Flows are downright skinny this time of year and you'll really have to search out some deeper water to get into fish. Dry flies with a dropper are good bet and fish will be concentrated more under these low water conditions. You have to be in stealth mode as the water is extremely low and clear.
Hot Creek:
Water here is on the skinny side as well and the weeds are very prevalent under these conditions. The good news is the same fish that were being caught consistently this past summer are still in there and willing to take a fly that is properly presented. Go with dries in sizes 16-22 and small droppers in 18-20. Find some open water and go with 6X or even 7X to get some takes.
We hope to see you up here soon experiencing the thrill and excitement of the fly fishing world.
Adobe Pond:
The fall bite here is the best as the wild browns get very aggressive prior to spawning. We also get lower sun angles and this will increase the "sweet spot" time of day as fall rolls on. We got the keys to the gate baby! This is private water and one of my favorite places to fish. We guide this from our drift boats and sight fish on a spring creek fed still water in a secluded canyon. It is open until November 15th. http://www.sierradrifters.com/AdobeRanch.html
Introducing the "Shark Tooth" from Fly Fishing Extreme:
Every once in a while someone comes up with a really great tool that makes for a better angling experience. The Shark Tooth was developed by some very sharp clients and friends of mine, the Holt's and I am proud to support and inform you of this great new product. It replaces the elastic band that fits around most leader tipper spools and has a simple cutting tool built onto the band itself. You no longer need nippers to cut the leader off the tippet spool! It performs a clean, precise cut and I have used one Shark Tooth for two months of guiding (hundreds of cuts) and it is still cutting perfectly. I encourage you check out the links http://www.flyfishingxtreme.com/shark_tooth.html http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k690YriObkg and go to one of our shops we endorse to take a look at this great product. You can also order online directly from us at http://www.sierradrifters.com/Fly%20Sales.htm. Tom
You can click on the Closer Look Tab for a comprehensive overview of many of the waters we guide. http://www.sierradrifters.com/closer_look.htm
We are also selling flies online this season for your convenience. http://www.sierradrifters.com/Fly%20Sales.htm. The 2009 Sierra Drifters Flies are available at the following great fly shops and stores: Bridgeport Reservoir Marina, Crowley Lake Fish Camp at Crowley Lake, Crowley Lake General Store & Deli in Crowley, Kittredge Sports in Mammoth Lakes, Bob Marriott's Flyfishing Store in Fullerton, Malibu Fish'n Tackle in Thousand Oaks, The Fishermen's Spot in Van Nuys, Stroud's Tackle and the So Cal Fly Shop in San Diego & Buz's Fly Shop Too in Bakersfield. There are links to these locations at www.sierradrifters.com/resources.htm.
Tight Lines,
Doug-R
Be the fly friends…
Tom Loe
Sierra Drifters Guide Service
760-935-4250
[email protected]
and Michele Loe, Sales Associate Prestige Properties of Mammoth [email protected]
Eastern Sierra Real Estate…. http://www.mammothrealestateonline.com/Nav.aspx/Page=/About/Default.aspx
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