Fish'N Conditions December 25th 2012-updated from 12-20-12
Capt. Tom Loe
December 27, 2012
Eastern Sierras - Freshwater Fishing Report
An abrupt change in the weather pattern over the Sierra has altered the complexion of all the year around trout fisheries in the region. The polar air mass that has settled in has morning low temps dipping below zero or in single digits along the Owens River drainage's recently. The current forecast calls for a continuing series of cold arctic storms that will bring "substantial" snow accumulations to the mountains and onto the valley floors. This is good news for those robust individuals who enjoy uncrowded areas and large migrating trout. I am getting the snow bows war wagon (my snow mobile & sled) ready for battle! Access to Hot Creek and the Upper Owens remains good at this time, although there is some snow along the two track roads leading down to the Upper Owens. Flows on all the fisheries have dropped to winter release rates with Hot Creek being most affected by the low water levels.
You will need to renew your sport fishing licenses on December 31st. I have provided a link on the resources page to obtain them online if you have a printer, credit card, and your prior license with the GO ID number.
We can email you a customized gift certificate for a guided trip or flies if you need a last minute gift for that special fly fisher. There are no dollar limits, and you do not need to book a trip or buy anything immediately. Contact us and we will get one out to you right away.
Upper Owens
UPDATED 12-25-2012. Vehicle access is now very limited on the UO due to recent storms. You will find 1-2 feet along the banks and roads, with some drifts at waist level. Fishing is EXCELLENT and the numbers of large rainbows migrating up from frozen Crowley Lake have increased significantly in the last week. These "snow bows" hold in the deeper pools almost exclusively with the frigid air temps, and redundant drifts through the slots or close to the undercut banks will get you into 20 inch models if you have patience. We have also been getting into a few nice browns, but they are decreasing in numbers as the winter progresses. There are good numbers of smaller rainbows hanging in the larger pools and in the late afternoons you will see them sipping midges in the eddies. Nymphing with bead head pheasant tails, broken back tiger midges, or birds nest patterns have been very effective when the fish are active. Unlike most spawning fish these rainbows can be observed feeding and will move to take a well presented nymph. SJ worms and imitation egg patterns will also work on the days when the fish are less active. I suggest rubber soled wading boots and snow shoes if you wish to hike up from the Benton Bridge. Prepare for extremely cold air temps-it will be below zero in the mornings at times here with the inversion layer very strong towards the New Years period.
We take clients in on snow mobiles and sleds making it safe and easy for travel on the Upper Owens in winter
Lower Owens River
We have enjoyed a really great winter drift boat season thus far with numbers being excellent on streamer patterns like the Spruce-A-Bu. The flows are very low (100cfs) and it is not often you see the river this low for such an extended period. We are still able to drift, however some runs require us to abandon ship and walk the boat through the short water. The wild trout section below the dam at Pleasant Valley has also been very good consistently & you will see the last hatches of this seasons baetis well after mid-day & a good showing of midges on the warmer high pressure days. Nymphing the deeper pools with pheasant tails and birds nest patterns which imitate mayfly nymphs are also good choices. Put a #18 bead head mayfly imitation as the upper fly with a #18-22 broken back tiger or zebra midge as the dropper for a versatile tandem rig for indicator nymphing. The weather has been fantastic down in the OV so far and due to the lower elevation the Lower Owens River is a great location to fish during the winter periods. We could see some significant snow on the ground by the New Year if the extended forecast comes true.
Hot Creek-updated 12-25-12
Fishing remains good in the deepest holes and runs here. With the return of very cold weather the additional water that Mammoth Creek brings into HC has dropped off making the conditions tougher to extend presentations while dead drifting adult or emerging imitations. Think small here, and then divide by two for winter time fly fishing. #22 patterns are good choices for both midges and mayfly imitations. Still seeing some rising fish in the late afternoons sipping on midges. Using attractor patterns like an SJ worm or imitation egg can also be effective, but there is limited water that will allow a tandem rig to be fished below a strike indicator. Access to the canyon is now only by foot and you will have significant snow and ice here.
Pleasant Valley Reservoir/the Gorge
Conditions have not changed much since my last update. The rez proper remains at a very high level and is flooded well back into the trees making access difficult and just not any fun to fish the transition section between the lake and river below the power house. The short but sweet moving water section just below the PH has good numbers of rainbows holding in the deeper pocket water, and a dry dropper combo using a Stimulator, high-vis mayfly, or para post BWO as the upper and an olive crystal zebra or tiger midge #18-16 or Assassin birds nest as the bead head nymph below will get you grabs. "Freeze tubing" is also good from the launch ramp section towards the inlet. Use full sinks #4 or 5 to get down quickly. With the cooler weather the fish have moved deeper into the "blanket water" areas. Loebergs and Spruce-A-Bu's are good choices here. Work along the drop-offs on the west side. Still water nymphing has slowed; however if we get a warm snap after the fronts pass don't neglect bringing along your floating line and a selection of chironomids. PV fishes very much like Crowley and big number days using the still nymphing technique can occur even during the winter months.
The Gorge remains ice and snow free as of this report and access is good. Browns have a tendency to become more lethargic as water temps cool so the red hot bites will be over until it warms up elevating their metabolic rates to get them active again. Hit the deeper pools and ignore the riffle water if you go. Dry dropper bead head combos are pretty much the game here most of the time. Stick to #16-20 patterns for both adults and nymphs.
East Walker River
Good to see the water district bumping up the flows when the air temps chill to below zero here. Flows have come up to 35cfs giving the fish here more insulation and alleviating full blown "bed ice" in the bulk of the water. It has been wicked cold here. Even my buddy Jeffery who owns the marina at Bridgeport Reservoir bailed out for a few weeks due to the cold! Two Bug Doug and Chris Basso checked it out on 12-20-12 and reported ice on, and in the water. Murphy's Pond was iced over and chunks of ice were floating. They caught some nice browns in the deepest pools below the dam but it was a battle all the way. I have hard bed ice on McGee Creek this week and flows have dropped to a trickle in many areas due to this extreme cold. No significant snow on the ground as of this report. I suggest you look at the Nevada section if you wish to hit the EW. It is always warmer here, and although the fish counts are not as high as in the Cal section, you can get into some really nice browns even during the winter months. You will need to obtain a NV. license, I have a link on the resources page for this as well so you can buy one online.
The guide staff at Sierra Drifters wants to wish all of our friends and clients a healthy and happy 2013. We look forward to making unforgettable fishing memories with you next season and thank you for those you created last year.
Be the fly…Tom, Michele, & Strider Loe, Chris Basso, Doug Dolan, Jerry Gilpin, Doug Rodricks, Phil Therrien
Happy holidays from the Eastern High Sierra!
www.sierradrifters.com
760-935-4250
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