Fish'n Conditions December 26th 2013
Capt. Tom Loe
December 27, 2013
Eastern Sierras - Freshwater Fishing Report
Fly fishing on the Upper Owens River near Mammoth continues to be world class. The warm weather has triggered some incredible "catching".
Upper Owens River (12-26-13)
There is quite a bit of off colored water and floating weed in the sections below the confluence of Hot Creek recently. This is caused by releases and run-off on the Rush Creek Diversion and Mammoth Creek. It has slowed the "catching" down quite a bit. The UO above these tribs remains skinny with migratory rainbows and browns. The weather has been excellent save the morning inversion which can dip the lows well below zero. Afternoons are pleasant, mid-fifties with little change in the forecast. Traffic is also a concern this week as the holiday is in full swing. I counted 19 cars above the Benton Bridge today at 2 pm. Looks like opening day on Crowley! Access is good in all sections. No significant dry fly hatch today, although I did see some "Christmas Caddis" emerge at 2 pm near Hot Creek. Nymphs and streamers still the way to go. Crystal leeches, egg patterns & SJ worms, Flashback PT's, Assassins birds nest, and broken back tiger or zebra midges below an Under-cator strike indicator. Spruce-A-Bu & Loeberg streamer patterns used with a sinking tip line along the under cut banks and deeper pools will also get grabs. Check your flies every cast & remember…a clean fly is a happy fly.
Middle Owens River (12-26-13)
The wild trout section continues to provide consistent action while nymphing with smaller flashback PT's, Assassins birds nest, broken back midges, olive crystal zebra and caddis larva imitations. Some good dry action with first generation blue winged olives and the last stages of tricos. Weather will get nice down in the Owens Valley over the holidays with no storms forecast for the foreseeable future. Good for vacation plans, not good for the future. Snow pack is only 8% of normal at Mammoth Pass. Wading is easy at current flows-75cfs. The realtime LADWP gauge is currently working so you can click on the link I have there on my resources page. Drifting has been mixed, good conditions overall, but the wind put the kibosh on a building bite the last few days. We did get into a few bigs on streamers, Spruce-A-Bu's were the hot fly with a light sinking tip in the deeper pools.
*The Lower Owens River is now being designated as the "Middle Owens" due to some re-watering of the section below Tinemaha Reservoir down to the Owens dry lake several years ago. This has been deemed the LORP, or Lower Owens River Project. The mid-Owens is around Bishop Ca.
Pleasant Valley Reservoir/The Gorge 12-13-13
This is the only year around still water open in Inyo or Mono Counties. The transition area is choked with heavy weed beds-more than I have ever seen. The level is very high and you will find only limited access near the inlet section. It pretty much sucks here right now in this section. The short creek section is fishing so-so in the deeper pools. Midge patterns and smaller mayflies are good choices for nymphing or dry/dropper combos in both areas. FREEZE tubing has been the most consistent currently. The cold weather has really slowed all sections down and no hatches to focus on. Still water nymphing can be productive along the drop-offs on the west side in 9-12 feet. Tiger midges, gillies, crystal pupa and emergers are hard to beat here fished below an Under-cator. If the wind picks up use a broken back tiger as the lower. Small Assassin birds nest work well for imitating the mayfly nymphs, use these under a stimulator or hi-vis para Bwo as your indicator. Streamer tuggers have a full sinking or heavy sink tip line. Loebergs, Agent Orange, & Spruce-A-Bu's will get you grabs near the inlet and launch ramp areas.
The Gorge has been bumped up to 50cfs. below middle powerhouse. There is still a bunch of major work being done on the hydroelectric facility and flows are being bypassed through the Gorge. Dry/dry, or dry dropper bead head rigs using small mayfly and crystal olive caddis nymphs are good choices. The brush has really thinned out making it just difficult in some places to cast. This is not a place to practice false casting friends!
Hot Creek (12-26-13)
With the warmer weather Mammoth Creek is adding more water into HC improving conditions immensely. Some of the weeds are also dying off making things better here for sure. Some off colored water coming from releases on Mammoth Creek. Still on the slow side with fish holding in only the deepest water. Access is excellent.
East Walker River (12-26-13)
Snow is gone along the banks- flows continue to be pretty good considering the low snow pack. There are a few deeper pools that are holding 80% of the fish. If you don't mind fishing one area for a few hours it can be pretty good using SJ worms, egg patterns, punk perch & crystal leeches. Below zero temps in the morn, keep them in the water during a release at this time please.
I am happy to announce that the we will have a well stocked fly box and Under-cators in Reagan's Sporting Goods in Bishop! This is a great shop with knowledgeable and super friendly people that is open daily 7-5 during the winter. They are located on Main St. with easy access and parking. This store has everything you need for fishing, hunting, camping. They sell licenses too!
We can customize holiday gift certificates for that special fisherman or friend. Guided fishing trips, flies, & personal instruction from one of our pros can all be arranged easily. Just click on the contact us link at the top of the page and we will set up something memorable for you and yours. Happy holidays, hope to fish with you soon.
Thanks for reading my report.
Be the fly….Tom Loe
Sierra Drifters Guide Service
www.sierradrifters.com
760-935-4250
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