Fish'N Conditions November 4th 2013
Capt. Tom Loe
November 7, 2013
Eastern Sierras - Freshwater Fishing Report
We are seeing seasonable weather as we roll into November. Expect teens in the morning for the upper valleys, low twenties in the OV. The cooler weather has the browns on the move and in full spawn mode in several locations. The long range forecast has some significant snowfall at elevation coming around the closing of the general trout season on November 15th. Many fisheries will remain open year around so don't stow those fly rods! Some of the best "catching" happens during the late fall and winter months. The Upper Owens will have migrating rainbows and browns coming up from Crowley. We access the Upper Owens by snowmobiles if needed. Hunting twenty plus inch "snowbows" has become one of our favorite guide trips. The Middle Owens ALWAYS fishes better during low flows. This fall has been a memorable one for numbers, & large rainbows and browns. Hope you can make it up to fish with us soon.
Middle Owens River
We have not seen this many large trout consistently coming to net in many years. I would rate this as the best fall ever for trophy fish. Flows are at very, very, low levels and we hope they will not decrease any further. 85 cfs. is the current release below the dam at Pleasant Valley Reservoir. Wading the MO is as good as it gets. The Trico mayfly hatch has been fantastic. These are very small may's, #20-24 & are not everyone's cup of tea. The fish are keying on this emergence beginning around 1 pm most days. There has also been some sporadic caddis activity here; however this hatch will soon be fading as cooler water temps will prevail after these cold fronts move through. Have a selection of small bird's nest, flashback PT's, & crystal olive caddis nymphs. At these flows a dry/dropper bead head or emerger rig is a good choice during or around mid-day.
Streamers will get you larger fish. During spawning periods trout can become territorial and will attack streamers even though they are not necessarily feeding. Loebergs & Spruce-A-Bu's are my go to patterns. Purple and black seal buggers are also a good choice for the low light periods. #6-12 imitate the current baitfish profiles. Light to moderate sinking tips are adequate at current flows.
Upper Owens River
I would like to see more water flowing here to assist the migrating fish coming up from Crowley; however conditions are pretty good overall. You will need to cover quite a bit of water to locate the larger fish "podding" up for the fall spawn. Nymphing with mayfly imitations like assassin bird's nest, flashback PT's, and broken back midges are good choices on the warmer days and during emergences after lunch. On the cooler days and morning periods I suggest you use attractor patterns like SJ worms, glow bugs, and egg imitations, or streamers. After 11-15 the UO will be closed to all anglers downstream from the Benton Bridge. It will remain open with restrictions above the bridge year around.
East Walker River/Bridgeport Reservoir
Flows have dropped to 25 cfs. This is a winter release. We are choosing not to guide here at this time but fishing can be very good in the deepest holes nearest the dam. The EW is a year around fishery. Fly fishing remains slow on the Bridge. Tubing the dam area with a heavy sinking tip using Loebergs, leeches, punk perch, or agent orange is your best bet. Let's all do a snow dance to bring this great fishery back next season! Season on the Bridge closes 11-15.
West Walker/San Joaquin Rivers
The tail waters have suffered very much from back to back dry winters. It's going to be a long, tough winter for the fish under current conditions. The deepest pools will be holding as it begins to cool. Season closes 11-15 on the West Walker.
Crowley Lake
Fishing has been excellent this fall. No boats, no problem! The shore fishing along sections of the lake with steep drop-offs have been providing some great opportunities. Six Bays, the Hiltons, & Crooked Creek are all holding concentrations of fish. Tubers and shore fly fishers are doing well using still water nymphing and streamer tactics. Loebergs, leeches, seal buggers, punk perch, & agent orange streamers are good calls. Use broken back midges, crystal emergers, crystal pupa, zebra and tiger midges below an Under-cator. Fish are in 6-12 feet depending on location. Lake closes 11-15 for the season.
Pleasant Valley Reservoir/Gorge
The LADWP has obtained a "variance" to lower flows below established limits in the Gorge this fall. Flows are currently around 20 cfs. at the inlet to the powerhouse. They are typically 40 cfs. Still decent enough to fish, but you will once again find the fish only in the deeper pools. Dry/dropper bead heads are deadly here. Use smaller mayfly imitations and parachute/hi-vis dries for your indicator #16.
The Rez is also improving after having very high levels. Give it another couple weeks if the trend continues and we will have excellent fishing in the inlet and short but sweet river section. Once again, I like a dry/dropper combo for the transition area and river that emanates from the powerhouse. Tubing the Rez proper near the inlet and boat ramp (they plant fish here) is also a good call. Troll full sinking lines using Loebergs, Punk Perch, crystal leeches, agent orange, & Spruce-A-Bu's. You can also still water nymph Ala Crowley style, I suggest you have some mayfly imitations like assassins and flashback pt's as there are plenty of mayflies here. The usual chironomid patterns will also get take down your Under-cator. Tiger midges are hard to beat here. Crystal emergers & pupa are great as uppers. Fish the steep drop-offs on the west shoreline to avoid conflicts with shore fishers.
Thanks for reading my report.
Be the fly…Tom Loe
Sierra Drifters Guide Service
www.sierradrifters.com
760-935-4250
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