Frankentrout 2008 Fish'n Conditions
Capt. Tom Loe
October 27, 2008
Eastern Sierras - Freshwater Fishing Report
Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. Best fishes to all for the 2008 "Frankentrout" fish'n conditions report from the Eastern High Sierra.
The quest for huge trout begins now. The late fall season historically provides above average opportunities for trophy fish in this region. Reckless spawning behavior makes the usually discriminating monster browns far more susceptible to being fooled. The low sun angle this time of year provides longer periods of shadows keeping these beasts out from under the cut banks longer.
We are experiencing a classic "Indian Summer" this autumn with well above normal temperatures and little inclement weather. The crowds of summer are long gone and you will find only those "that know" hunting for hogs along the banks of the Owens and East Walker Rivers. The flows have become perfect on these blue ribbon tailwaters and the field is set for a match with your "Frankentrout"
Sierra Drifters Guide Service is implementing a "Fishing Relief Stimulus" program effective October 31st. If you have had it with politics and market watching and wish to get away and debate with a huge brown or watch a BWO mayfly drift into a brightly colored rainbows mouth we have several guided fishing programs to campaign about. For a limited time we have rolled back our guide rates to 2005 prices! When is the last time you saw a guide service lower prices? Gas prices are coming down and the fishing is picking up. We can customize gift certs for that special fly fisher for the holidays at the special price also. Go to www.sierradrifters.com and click the rates button for prices and booking information.
The general trout season will end on November 15th in Inyo and Mono Counties. Do not despair! You will still find a whole bunch of water open year around including the fisheries of the East Walker River below Bridgeport Reservoir, The Upper and Lower Owens River, and Hot Creek. There are special regulations and some closed sections so check the regs before you make that first cast!
Sierra Drifters Guide Service assisted the most excellent biologists at the DFG in doing a fish survey recently on Hot Creek. Check out some of the pics courtesy of SD guide Doug R. and "Two Bug" Doug Dolan. Preliminary results show HC to be in great shape despite the back to back low water years we have experienced. We will provide final results when they become available.
The Bridgeport area has lost a great friend and supporter of fisheries enhancement. Our thoughts go out to the friends and family of Skip Baker who passed recently after a short battle with cancer. Skippy's presence will always be felt along the banks of the EW by those of us that had the honor of knowing him. The only ones that will not miss Skippy will be the large trout of the EW that he fooled on a regular basis! Skip's exceptional vision with regards to fisheries enhancement was instrumental in the organization of the Bridgeport Fisheries Enhancement Foundation, and he is credited for pioneering the East Walker Invitational Fishing Tournament. The events title has been changed to honor Skip, and is now called the Skip Baker EW Open. Skip's warm smile and friendly personality gave him the unique ability to get positive things done for the fisheries in this area. He had a position on the Mono County Fisheries Advisory Committee and was well respected amongst his peers. The event this year was a huge monetary success thanks to the efforts of Skip no doubt. The SD staff encourages all who love the EW and the Bridgeport area to keep Skip's dream and vision alive by continuing to support the BFEF. You may make contributions in Skip's honor by contacting www.bridgeportfishenhancement.com. Thank you for making the EW a better place Skip, you will be sincerely missed.
Please click on www.sierradrifters.com/fish.htm to view all the great recent pictures… hope to see you up here soon! You can also click on www.sierradrifters.com/closer_look.htm for more information on some of the areas listed below.
East Walker River:
Plan on seeing winter flow releases from here until spring unless we get some significant warm early storms. They will fluctuate from 25-70cfs. Look for the fish to be holding in the deeper pools almost exclusively. The weeds and slime are decreasing in the sections below the first bridge and you will find less traffic here for sure. Streamers are the best bet for a shot at "Frankentrout" this time of year. The Spruce-a-Bu is a deadly pattern during periods of lower light. Nymphing with midge patterns in the 16-20 range, or PT's in the 16-18 will also get grabs. The BWO hatch will give you a small window of opportunity to fish dries this time of year near mid-day. The EW can get frigid this time of year with single digits not uncommon in the mornings after a cold front passes. The EW is currently open year around including the section in Nevada.
Lower Owens River:
Must do if you are in the region. Flows are down to 150cfs. Light to moderate sinking tips will suffice now for streamer fishing. Great flow releases for wading in the wild trout section. Caddis, small mayflies (tricos) and large first generation BWO's are coming off daily. Crystal olive zebras, PT's, and tiger midges are best while nymphing. The browns are also getting spawny and are spanking streamer patterns like Loebergs and Spruce-a-Bu's exuberantly. Drift boat trips are seeing big numbers on a regular basis. The brush is super thick this year and access by bank or wading is impossible. We can comfortably get you into these hard to reach areas in professionally guided, state of the art custom drift boats. It will only get better as the air temps cool. The weather has been excellent in the Owens Valley and stays warmer than in the upper valleys well into December most years. The LO is open year around and fishes best in the fall, winter and early spring. Click this link to view our latest drift boat video clips. http://www.sierradrifters.com/video/video1.htm. We provide a link to the LADWP real time website at the www.sierradrifters.com/fish.htm
Upper Owens River:
The fall run fish migrating up from Crowley are here. You will see a combination of both numbers and larger fish in the sections above the Benton Bridge, and area located below the fishing monument. There is a closed section downstream from the bridge to the monument.
I like to use the "dip and strip" this time of year for the larger rainbows and browns holding under the cuts and in the deeper pools this time of year. It is not to say that you can't get grabs from the bigs while nymphing (check out the pic of a nice bow fooled, and provided by Robert O on a #20 crystal zebra). The BWO, blue winged olive- (baetis mayfly) hatch is the highlight of the day this time of year and you will see aggressive surface activity especially on the cloudy or overcast days this time of year. Short but sweet; this emergence is worth the trip alone to this area.
Adobe Pond:
This area will close 11-15-08 and is currently fishing excellent. The BWO hatch is awesome and the fish are going nuts on top. We have exclusive rights to guide this private water from our drift boats. We have a few days open for the 08 season. If you enjoy sight fishing for wild browns this is a great trip. We are planning to guide this area next spring and will take reservations on a limited basis for the 2009 season. Click on www.sierradrifters.com/AdobeRanch.html for more information on this unique property.
Hot Creek:
The sections that are weed free continue to produce excellent results. Low water levels are customary this time of year and shrink the amount of fishable area due to the protruding weeds that make extended drifts impossible. The BWO hatch should be your focus if you prefer dry fly action. Streamers are often overlooked on HC due to the smaller size of this fishery. If you want to see some of the "Frankentrout" that lurk in the deeper pools here, work a Loeberg or Punk Perch pattern in these sections late in the afternoon. HC remains open year around currently and if the snow does not fall in significant amounts we will have some great fun here this fall and winter.
Crowley Lake:
The marina will close on 10-31, however the lake remains open for tubing or shore fishing until 11-15. It has been very slow this fall despite some really nice weather lately. As is the case with many other California still waters, the lake level is alarmingly low. We need a big winter for sure.
Layton Springs and Six Bays are the most consistent for the few larger fish showing up. The dinks have been planted and you may get into these rascals especially around Hilton or Crooked Creek. There is still chironomid activity mid-day (tigers and gillies #18-20) for still water nymphers, but the streamer fishing will more frequently get you into the larger models with a full or heavy sinking tip line. Loebergs, Punk Perch, Agent Orange #10-12.
Bridgeport Reservoir:
Despite the very low water levels we have had some reports of good fishing from tubers working the narrows and dam section with streamers. Loebergs are fooling some big fish on the warmer weather periods. Moderate to full sinking lines will get you into the "sweet spot" Conditions improved a bunch as the water cooled down and the algae issue diminished. Very little pressure this time of year and this area is worth a stop for sure. The lake closes 11-15. Be on the look out for disoriented, stray sheep near the marina. Rumor has it they are looking for their "herder"! Baaah.
Pleasant Valley Reservoir:
Still water nymphing with gillies and tiger's #16-18, as well as streamers fished from tubes near the inlet are spanking big numbers here. Browns and rainbows to 20 inches are going off. Could it be that the fish have left Crowley and migrated through the pipe here??? Loebergs, Blood sucking Vanderleeches, and Agent Orange #10-12 for streaming. This is the best place to tube in the Eastern Sierra right now. We offer guided trips here if you are not familiar with this area. This is a great area for beginning tubers due to the protected water the canyon offers. The river section is also fishing very well currently with dry dropper combos, and BWO imitations #16-18 working very well.
The Gorge:
This is another great alternative area if you do not mind some strenuous hiking and rock hopping. The wild browns here are on the chew and focusing on the BWO hatch around mid-day. Dry/dry-dry/dropper bead head rigs are excellent choices here. PT's and olive zebras are the best nymph profiles #16-18.
Sierra Drifters Flies are available at the following great fly shops and stores: Crowley Lake Fish Camp & The Crowley Lake General Store in Crowley, Bridgeport Marina at Bridgeport Reservoir, Kittredge Sports in Mammoth Lakes, Malibu Fish'n Tackle in Thousand Oaks, Stroud's Tackle in San Diego, The San Diego Fly Shop in San Diego, The Fishermen's Spot in Van Nuys, Bob Marriott's in Fullerton, Buz's Fly Shop Too in Bakersfield, & Crosby Lodge at Pyramid Lake, Nevada. There are links to these locations at www.sierradrifters.com/resources.htm. We pride our Guide Service & Products on Innovation not Imitation!
Be the fly friends…
Tom Loe
Sierra Drifters Guide Service
760-935-4250
[email protected]
and Michele Loe [email protected]
Eastern Sierra Real Estate…. http://www.mammothlakes.com/mlRE/Agent_Michele.html
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