Fish'n Conditions January 10th 2014
Capt. Tom Loe
January 10, 2014
Eastern Sierras - Freshwater Fishing Report
Fly fishing on the Upper Owens River near Mammoth has been nothing short of spectacular at times this winter. Large rainbow trout migrating up from Crowley Lake are the main attraction. Seasoned clients like Steve Leiphardt & Joe Agnostino will confirm it. The duo teamed up for nearly twenty of these trophy trout on their guide trip on 1-2-14.
Weather will be moody over the weekend and we may actually see some snow in the mountains!
Upper Owens River (1-10-14)
A significant slow down for numbers; however the quality remains good. We have had some late morning winds and diving barometers the last few days. This has really slowed down the numbers we have been seeing of the large migratory rainbows. A series of "maybe it will snow" cold fronts will sashay through this weekend, then another high pressure ridge is forecast to set in bringing less wind and cooler temps. It has been like April here the last few days with mild low temps. I can tell you this folks, better stock up on bottled water if we do not get a big February/March. It is critical at this point. Flows have dropped some here as well, moving the fish once again into only the deepest pools. Access is good, crowds are big for this time of year. Try some small tiger or zebra midges, Assassin birds nest, agent orange, crystal leeches, broken back tiger midges, & olive crystal caddis or zebras in the #16-20 range. Attractor patterns like SJ worms in red or tan, glow bugs in salmon, red, & light orange are also good calls during the arctic mornings we have here currently. There is some sporadic surface activity in the larger pools-mostly midges. Use tiny parachute gray bodies or cluster patterns. The small tricos and bwo's (these are small cold weather mayflies) are for the most part gone this week. Streamers can also be effective when used with a light sinking tip line. Spruce-A-Bu's, Loebergs, olive punk perch, matukas, & purple zonkers will get takes in the tough to reach undercut bank sections.
Make sure you have a 2014 fishing license, the 2013′s are expired. I have a link on my resources page to buy one online. You can pick up our flies and tackle at Reagan's Sporting goods in Bishop & the Crowley General Store in Crowley. They are also sold on my online store at the top of this page.
Middle Owens River (1-9-14)
Fish are really on the "chew" for us on drift boat trips down the MO. One pool had us netting almost twenty rainbows and browns on a Spruce-A-Bu streamer pattern fished with a medium sinking tip line. There will be a series of small storms passing through this weekend with some wind associated with each front. Cooler temps will begin as the fronts pass. Not much precipitation forecast for the Owens Valley, and the only thing that will make access difficult is the alkali dust that coats your vehicle! Wading the wild trout section continues to be very good for numbers. Tandem nymph rigs with flashback PT's, assassin bird's nest, & crystal tiger or zebra midges will get you downs below your Under-Cator. There is sporadic surface action on midge clusters and some first generation blue winged olive mayflies. Flows remain at 75 cfs. below the dam at Pleasant Valley Reservoir, the LADWP gauge remains inaccurate at times.
*The Lower Owens River is now being designated as the "Middle Owens" due to 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 1-6-14
This is the only year around still water open in Inyo or Mono Counties. It is also the most heavily planted year around fishery in the Sierra. 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 well in the deeper pools & runs. 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. Still water nymphing can be productive along the drop-offs on the west side in 9-12 feet. The mild winter weather has the rainbows and browns here on the chew by late morning. 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.
"Freeze Tubing" can be very productive during the cooler months on PV Rez. This is the "elbow" and it is typically a very good location to fish a streamer or use a still water nymph rig (midge'N) Crowley style. Key is to locate 7-12 feet that is weed free. Not easy this winter as the lake has well above normal weed growth everywhere.
The LADWP has been conducting extensive maintenance on the hydroelectric facility for quite a while. This is the "power house" and it is where the small river section begins & flows into PV Reservoir proper. The water emanates from Crowley Lake. The small stream to the right on this picture is the flow that comes from the "Gorge" It is currently very low as you can see.
The Gorge has very low flows due to work being on the hydro plants. The wild browns are holding in the deepest holes and significant dry fly action has been dropped off the last couple weeks even though the weather has been near perfect for this area. Dry/dry, or dry dropper bead head rigs using small mayfly and crystal olive caddis nymphs are good choices. Fish are small and scrappy here, but plentiful in the middle and upper area of the lower sections. You need to be able to hike and rock hop. Waders are a must, studs & a staff will help immensely.
Hot Creek (1-6-14)
There is limited water to fish here although access to the area remains very good. Look for the deepest pools-check out the area just below the hatchery called the "interpretive" site. Not a place you want to spend a day on, and it becomes crowded with 4 anglers. Keep driving if you see a few cars by the kiosk. The bulk of HC's fish winter here and DFG survey's show this is the most densely populated section of HC. Dry/dropper's, streamers, swinging soft hackles, all will get grabs. You can't fish Mammoth Creek this time of year so I suggest you do not cross and stay on the HC side of the river. Hit the deep holes and slots in the canyon, weeds are unfortunately still an issue in the prime riffles. Midges and mayflies-smaller sizes are the standard. Try a crystal scud, or a SJ worm and roe pattern to spice it up on the cooler days.
East Walker River (1-6-14)
It can be wicked cold in the shadows of the canyon this time of year. Below zero is pretty normal here, & it will remain freezing until the sun gets well above the rim. Flows remain pretty good considering the lack of water in Bridgeport Reservoir. They are averaging 34 cfs. We have fingers and toes crossed for a big dump of snow in February! The best area to fish currently is water close to the dam. Look for the deeper pools and use punk perch, crystal leeches, broken back midges, & ham & eggs (SJ worms and glow bugs) while nymphing. 2-3 more weeks and we will see the first significant BWO hatches.
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!
Thanks for reading my report.
Be the fly…Tom Loe
Sierra Drifters Guide Service
760-935-4250
www.sierradrifters.com
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