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Fish'N Conditions October 22nd 2012

Capt. Tom Loe
October 25, 2012
Eastern Sierras - Freshwater Fishing Report

Fish'N Conditions October 22nd 2012

We got snow! The first significant winter storm has blanketed the Sierra with a solid coating of fresh snow. Combine this with the fall colors and you have a surreal landscape that you will not soon forget. I have found myself on several occasions in awe this week- pulling over on my way back from the Owens Valley and a drift boat trip to stop and look at the quaking aspens along the canyons that are visible from HWY. 395. Truly amazing scenery right now people, hope you get a chance to see it soon.

The fishing is mixed overall with some areas not doing so well due to low water & high water, while others are picking up nicely with excellent conditions. This heavy early snowfall will be a game changer in the short term, especially if we get an extended warm spell. I suggest you check with the NFS or your destination resort before venturing into the high country and elevations above 8000 feet. This was a potent storm, some roads & passes will be closing & many resorts are done for the 2012 season.

Lower Owens River

It is now officially time to wade the wild trout section! Flows have dropped below 200cfs and should continue to fall. A plethora of bugs are on the menu and you need to have some small and medium sized mayflies. Trico's in the #20-22 range and associated PT nymphs or birds nest patterns. There are also some #14-16 sulfurs and PMD's around, flashback PT's are great for nymphs, #14-18. The light colored fall caddis #14 are also around, however this emergence is in its final stages & I believe that after this cold air cools the water down 5-10 degrees they will be outta here. On the other hand streamer fishing is really picking up and we are seeing some fine numbers and a few big rainbows showing on most drift boat guide trips. Small Punk Perch are the ticket for me this week #14. This is a spot on profile of the tiny chubs and Squaw Fish fry that are holding on the pillow water currently. Late fall is my favorite time to drift the Lower Owens. The scenery is spectacular and the fishing is excellent.

Crowley Lake

We are in the final stretch for the general trout season in the Sierra and Crowley will close on November 15th as will many other waters. The boat ramp (closes on 10-31-12) at Crowley is still functioning but can be difficult for larger rigs. I just pulled my "fish magnet" (24 feet long, 6000 lbs.) and had no serious trouble-just needed 4 wheel to get her out of the gravel. The lake is finally on the rise after months of falling. The Upper Owens River bypass from Rush Creek is raging (160cfs plus) & combined with the lowering of discharge from Crowley the lake is slowly filling. The algae situation continues to hamper still water nymphing at times, however one can have a great day on numbers of "rookies" recently planted into the lake in the North Arm around Six Bays. The bigs are more common with streamer fisherman using perch fry & crystal leech imitations with moderate sinking lines. You may tube & fish from the shore until November 15th, so even though we will not be using our bay boats to guide we can show you the ins and outs of fishing Crowley from the shore or a tube. The chironomid hatches will begin to diminish with this cooler weather moving in over the next couple weeks & larva patterns will be the key to success while fishing beneath our patented Under-Cator. Crystal tiger and zebra midges #16-20, broken back tiger midges are good choices. The Crowley Lake General Store will carry all our flies throughout the fall and winter and you can stop by and get the hot flies and a delicious meal or pastry before you head on the water.

Upper Owens River

Rats! Just when you think the fun is really going to begin up here the water comes up. Flows are way up (160cfs plus) and nearly three times higher than normal (65cfs). Level is over the bank in many sections. The water is emanating from Grant Lake/Silver Lake and how long it will last only the LADWP knows. I suspect for quite a while as both of these June Lake loop still waters are full. The fish will adjust, so you need to as well by using lots of weight while nymphing. On a positive note we will have a great channel cut next year on Crowley along Green banks. Use attractor patterns like San Juan Worms and roe imitations, midge or PT's with flash incorporated into the pattern. If the weed is not prevalent, streamers are a great choice this time of year. Use the "dip & strip" method along the cut banks on the deep side with a moderate sinking tip line. Loebergs #10 rock here now as well as larger Punk Perch and crystal leeches #8. Roads got really muddy after this storm so look before you drive in. Remember they are frozen in the morning & thaw by afternoon.

Hot Creek

This storm will add much needed flow to Hot Creek via Mammoth Creek when it warms up. We could see a really great baetis (BWO's) hatch here in November with excellent conditions. Currently the flows are very low and only about 50% of the usual water is fishable. If you get a honey hole, the "catching" is business as usual on HC. Try a streamer on a deeper pool or run, much over looked here. The fish are still there, it is just difficult to make extended drifts and sexy presentations. I have seen guys using 13 foot rods and dabbing the slots without casting. Not my cup O' tea but ingenious none the less.

East Walker River

60 cfs. is fun to fish here. How long it will last is the question??? This storm will not hurt the cause friends! You will still find most of the rascals bunched in the deeper pools, however they will not be stacked on top of each other. The section called the Miracle Mile located directly below the dam will be the best area to fly fish for sure right now. Fall is Trico's and Baetis. Have mayfly nymphs and adults in the #18-22 range. You may also want to spring for a few "crayfish" patterns. The bigs will munch on these as a rule and although you may not get into any numbers, what ya do get to chomp on Mr. craw-daddy will be substantial! Fish them as nymphs-tie it as an upper in a tandem rig. THREE X to this pattern gang.

Kirman Lake

Reports have been great from this "hike to" alpine destination north of Bridgeport. I have received pictures of some big cutts as well as these photos from Vic & Kyle Davis who caught some nice brookies. Still water nymphing and streamers work here. Bring along tubes for sure.

I purchased some flies from you a couple weeks back, to take my son, Kyle on his first flyfishing trip. He's been before, just not flyfishing. We got several different things, but, the Assassins were awesome! We used them as droppers, behind leeches or anything. And did some indicator fishing next to reeds, and just smashed them. Caught a bunch of brookies, no cutts. Just wanted to say thank you for your help, and very fast shipping on the flies. Sent a few pics.

Thanks again

Vic Davis

Pleasant Valley Reservoir/Gorge

With power generation ending this location is ripe and will be an excellent choice for fly fishers in the near future. Dry/dropper bead head combos in the inlet section are deadly using Assassin birds nest and tiger midges beneath our patented Under-Cator, hi-vis para BWO, or Stimulator. The reservoir level is high for fishing the transition section currently; however the short but sweet creek is special during off generation cycles this time of year. Tubing the launch ramp area is a slam dunk for stockers right now. The DFG has been planting catchable rainbows by the truck load here on a regular basis. Most streamer patterns in the #10-14 range will get results when used with a full or moderate sinking tip line. The Gorge is also fishing well; however you will still face some thick brush and brambles down here until the willows and rose hips lose their foliage. I like a dry/dry or dry/ dropper bead head combos using primarily mayfly and caddis imitations. My crystal olive caddis larva spanks them down here #16-18.

San Joaquin River

We are done here for the season, let them be gang -it's gonna be a tough winter for the wild trout due to low water. I suspect the road will close with this storm to all but the logging trucks.

Adobe Pond

Nice! Conditions are great and the wild browns are aggressive and hitting caddis, hoppers, and callibaetis. Private water, we have the key so give us a call if you enjoy sight fishing to rising fish from a drift boat on a still water pond.

Bridgeport Reservoir

Put your tube in at the Bridgeport Marina (RV Park & store open) shoreline and work north, or west out towards Rainbow Pt. in 4-6 feet pulling perch imitations with light sinking tip lines. The water is off color but some really nice fish are showing up on a regular basis for conventional anglers. The Bridge is a sleeper with locals doing very well along the old East Walker River channel. The water is gonna cool off after this storm and you will see the Bridge go off before the season ends.

Thanks for reading my report friends.
Be the fly… Tom Loe,
Sierra Drifters Guide Service
www.sierradrifters.com
760-935-4250

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