Fish'n Conditions Lake Spring 2010
Capt. Tom Loe
May 23, 2010
Eastern Sierras - Freshwater Fishing Report
Hi ya'll. Hope all is well and you have had a few opportunities to get up to the Eastern Sierra for some late spring fly fishing. Did I say late spring? The weather has been quite obnoxious so far this spring with a seemingly never ending string of cold fronts dashing through the region and prolonging the cooler temperatures. Just when we think it's gonna get nicer…wham- another windy wet front develops and puts frost and snow on the upper valleys and mountains. Tioga Pass through Yosemite still has 4-6 FEET of snow in the highest 8 mile section, and many of the alpine lakes above 8000 remain iced and lined with snow. The good news with this type of year is we will likely have top notch conditions for the fall instead of the drought related low water issues of the last several seasons. Another positive aspect of this long winded winter is the graduated run-off. By most accounts historically we are already experiencing substantial run-off and turbidity in most of the freestone creeks, as well as high release rates in the tail waters by this time of year. Not so at the time of this report and conditions aside from the snotty weather are very good for the most part.
One thing about the weather kids, you know it will change! I have my flats shorts and UV light weight shirts all ready to go along with a few gallons of SPF 1,000 sun block.
You can go to our website Fish'N Conditions page to check out the pictures of some awesome fish caught recently by clients. www.sierradrifters.com/fish.htm
Crowley Lake:
Whew! It is finally happening. We were beginning to wonder if the lake would kick on this spring. 13-16 feet-Sandy Pt, Alligator Pt., Sometimes Bay, Big Hilton, and the Six Bays area are holding concentrations of trout with a few perch on the gravel bars. Barometer goes up; your Under-cators will go down! Barometric pressure goes down; the wind comes up! Simple postulate that works 80% of the time. The broken back series of flies in both larval and pupal midge imitations have established themselves as my go to flies the last year on Crowley and other high midge density areas. The broken back tigers and zebras (larval) and the broken back gillie (pupal, or upper fly) are hot right now if you get them suspended at the proper depth. It is not always necessary to get your larva pattern right on the mud at depths below 13 feet. For example: If you are in 14 feet and you have your larva pattern or lower fly suspended at 13.5 feet and you see a grab or two on the upper fly, move your Under-cator up a couple feet and see what happens. During a significant pupal ascent the fish will be feeding off the bottom and looking for pupa higher in the water column. You will have a more efficient hook set with the shorter leader in addition to making casting and releasing easier.
Lower Owens River:
The guide staff at Sierra Drifters would like to once again extend our gratitude to the wonderful group of San Diego Fly Fishers that booked two days and our fleet of drift boats recently. Lot's of laughs, fish, and memories that will last a long while. Thanks' again SDFF! The flows are once again on the high side and are over 400cfs and trending up. This will change the game plan down here until the conditions stabilize. Use lots of weight if you are nymphing the upper section, the lower sections will be very muddy and debris filled for a while. There is a link to the DWP water flows at the top of the page on www.sierradrifters.com/fish.htm
Pleasant Valley Reservoir:
We gave a tip to look at PV on our last report. I had two veteran SD clients check it out and they landed 80-100, yes I wrote 80-100 (rainbows to 22 inches) recently in one day. Still water nymphing and streamer fishing worked equally well. Frank-O and Pop's tubed the rez and found twin tigers below the Under-cator the best rig near the drop-offs.
The catching here should continue through the end of May and as long as the cooler weather remains. It is not the most scenic location to fish in the Sierra, but with your rod bendo all day which cares!
East Walker River:
Flows are still good here and are holding around 190cfs as of this report. Although you will still see good numbers nearest the dam and "miracle mile" section you should venture downstream and check out the diverse water that will hold good numbers at these flow rates. You will get to fish more water, and more than likely catch as many, or more fish without the crowds. Great midge activity in the am's shift to may fly patterns late morning/mid-day.
Client Testimonial:
Matt C. here. I talked with you on the phone a while back, letting you know how successful I was on the East Walker River using your fly, the Broken Back Dark Zebra Midge. Let me just mention again, it was cast after cast with either a fish on or a bite. A great day, thanks to your BBMDZ. "I'll just say it out front. Get a hold of Tom Loe's Broken Back Dark Zebra Midge. I had read about the fly and finally got around to buying some. Last week while fishing the East Walker River I was sure glad I did. I hooked into 11 fish, landing 7. This all happened in about a three hour span. Twice I hooked into fish on consecutive casts. Now that kind of fishing is a whole lot of fun. The Broken Back has earned a prominent spot in my nymph box. If this sounds like a commercial, it is. I bought the fly, gave it a try and it turned out to be one of the most successful flies I've ever used on the East Walker. Take my advice and get yourself a few. You'll be glad you did. I can't wait to get back on the river." Matt
Hot Creek:
The wind has made it very tough here some days, but overall it is fishing very well. The flows are great with just enough weed to make you exercise some of your mending and casting prowess. Small midges and may flies #18-22 are good choices, and if you are not opposed to fishing a San Juan Worm as an attractor…chuck that out and see what happens!
Adobe Pond:
Dobe is fish'N well with great conditions this spring. The wind has hampered some trips but overall it has been really fun with good numbers. The all wild browns are larger on average this season running about 11 inches. This is an excellent dry dropper, dry fly sight casting fishery that is private water we are honored to have the rights to guide. I do not suggest this for beginners as you need to cast 30-40 feet to be effective. We guide Adobe from a drift boat. Adobe Pond is a gorgeous secluded location 45 minutes drive from Mammoth Lakes airport nestled at the base of the Glass Mountains on the eastside. Call or email us for details and bookings please. Click on http://www.sierradrifters.com/AdobeRanch.html
Crowley Tribs: Upper Owens, McGee, Convict, Hilton, Whiskey
Bummer. The fish are just not showing up in numbers in any of these locations yet. There are some quality fish moving but in my opinion not worth your effort. The pods are small and very spotty with little upstream migration. Speculation as to why the spring spawn has been so light this year could be as follows. The cold water temps so late had an impact no doubt. The population of mature rainbows has decreased substantially the last several seasons. Low flows and extended ice well into April on Crowley probably the theory that fits best. Upper Owens has a better resident population and is the best choice for sure. Nymphing and streamer fishing are best here. The monument to the lake can be a zoo most days because the campground section remains closed. Go elsewhere if you see more that six vehicles parked at the DFG sign. Long Years has been less picked over and the conditions are good with the water still very clean at this time.
DFG tells me that they will begin planting catchable rainbows on the UO after the campground section opens on 5-29-10.
The Gorge:
Good, but getting more difficult to access. The willows and brambles are greening up and my personal favorite the "evil stinging nettle" is quite potent right now. The fishing with a dry/dry, or dry dropper nymph rig is steady when the winds are light. This section can be a good option for the better casters if you do not mind hiking and rock hopping, or if it gets nasty in the upper elevations.
Bridgeport Reservoir:
Improving. Again, the weather has been a factor and there are some quality fish being caught on the nicer days. The Bridge fishes best for fly fishers when they migrate into Buckeye Bay and the creek mouths. Right now they are holding in 15-20 feet and spread out off Rainbow Pt. towards the marina, or off the public launch ramp. I am really looking forward to July here and believe we could see a great year in this fishery develop. Talk to my buddy Jeffery at the Bridgeport Marina for the hot scoop and what to use here, just don't stand to close to him-I suggest a rods length to be safe!
Fly Fishing Clinics for beginners and intermediates:
If you or someone you know wants to learn the basics of fly casting, knot tying, and the fundamentals of wet and dry fly fishing from full time fly fishing professionals, here is a great opportunity!
We will be conducting casting and knot tying clinics located at Sierra Drifters beautiful private trophy pond overlooking Crowley Lake at McGee Creek for next season. You may enroll for an on the water instructional seminar in addition to the pond session for the second day.
These clinics were a big hit last year and we had high marks from those who attended the classes. We are adding additional dates for next season and have greatly reduced the cost thanks to last years demand. The four hour clinics cost $100.00 per person/day. You may choose a single day if you wish, and we will limit the classes to five students per guide to insure you get excellent personal instruction. These classes are a great way to learn the basics of fly fishing by pros at a very affordable cost. 2010 dates available are June 18&19, July 2&3, 16&17, 30&31, August 13&14, 27&28, September 3&4. Please contact us by phone or email for more details and enrollment; we can customize family or group clinics to suit your needs.
Eagle Lake Spring Trips:
Eagle will be excellent this spring and should fish very much like last year. It was incredible last season and we logged numbers of chunky Eagle Lake bows that were off the charts! We will be booking trips from 6-4-2010 through 6-30-2010. Doug R will be guiding Eagle with me this season on his new 24 foot Ranger "fish magnet" and can easily accommodate three anglers. AS OF 5-21-10 we have 1 boat open for 2-3 anglers on June 8, 9 or 10, 14, 16 & 17.
We are selling flies online this season for your convenience. The 2010 Sierra Drifters Flies are available at the following great fly shops and stores now: The Bridgeport Reservoir RV Park & Marina, The Crowley Lake General Store in Crowley, The Crowley Lake Fish Camp, Bob Marriott's Fly Fishing Store in Fullerton, Kittredge Sports in Mammoth Lakes, 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. There are links to these locations at the online fly sales and resources tabs on www.sierradrifters.com
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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