July 2011 Fish'N Conditions
Capt. Tom Loe
July 20, 2011
Eastern Sierras - Freshwater Fishing Report
Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. I hope you are all having a terrific summer and getting the opportunity to come visit us in the Eastern Sierra a few times.
At long last, the worst of the run-off appears to be over! Unless we get some significant thunderstorm activity the peak of the run-off is over and we should see some great fish'n conditions in the future. A major warming trend is also forecast for the later part of the month with stable weather and light winds predicted.
[Pic 002] The alpine is doing fine! Rock Creek Lake July 17th 2011.
Alpine Lakes and Streams: Mammoth Lakes Basin, Rock Creek Lake, Convict, Virginia, June Lake Loop, Twin Lakes
The snow line (excluding north facing slopes) is about 9200 feet. Access is good to all drive to locations and the water temps are coming up with the long July days. The stocking programs are in full swing this summer and most areas are getting planted a few times each month. Tubing these areas is really fun and trolling streamers while gazing at the magnificent waterfalls is awesome. Full sinking lines using patterns in the #8-14 range will work at most locations. Some of these lakes have callibaetis mayflies and using a Pt or CB patterns will get you into good numbers during the morning emergence. Look for concentrations of fish around drop-offs and ledges, submerged trees and stumps, or along weed lines and shallow bays during low light periods.
[pic 019] Tubing Lower Twin with a beautiful waterfall as a backdrop is as good as it gets!
[pic 008] The freestone creeks (San Joaquin, Rock Creek, West Walker, McGee, Lee Vining, Convict, Rush Creek-actually a tailwater) have been very high for an extended period this summer. Most are currently above normal and will remain difficult to cross or wade until mid-August. Keep a close eye on children or pets near any white water.
Pocket water fishing is a blast, but we are a ways off from this type of fly fishing until the flows drop more. I suggest you stick to the large meadows and large pools if you want to fish the freestone creeks and rivers. Terrestrial patterns work well in the alpine fisheries. Hoppers, crickets, and ants are good imitation profiles for fly casters fishing the meadow areas. The deeper pools can be fished with San Juan worms and crystal tiger midges beneath an "Under-cator". In the larger creeks like the West Walker and San Joaquin I suggest chucking some streamers at the rascals. These high visibility patterns are good choices with high water and opportunistic trout.
[pic 010] Fish the meadows and "softer" water during periods of high flows.
[pic maguire 016] Sergay "RAMBO" Maguire and a nice rainbow he caught on a recent drift trip down the LOWER OWENS
The Lower Owens is fishing great right now. It has been a real roller coaster this season trying to drift this area as the flows have been fluctuating quite often. The caddis hatches are going off and one can find opportunities in the wild trout section to cast dries to the gulping browns during the mornings and late afternoons. It has not been overly hot down in the Owens Valley much this summer and this has made for some fine fishing recently combined with moderate flows. The sucker and chub spawn have left many small fry hiding along the banks this summer. The dip and strip technique has been deadly with these lower flows and we have had several 40 plus fish days while tugging streamers from the drift boat. Spruce-a-bu's, punk perch, and Loebergs are all getting looks.
[pic maguire 008] Serge "Daryl" Maguire nails a nice one from the drift boat.
[pic maguire 013] Jim "father of daryl's" with one of many this day. Way fun Maguires, nice going!
Hot Creek has been very consistent despite the high flows and pounding by summertime crowds and guides. The resiliency of this spring creek always amazes me in how it continues to be the top trout fishery in the area under almost any circumstance. High water, low water, cold-hot, winter-summer, it just don't matter-the "crick" kicks em out day after day!
Two bug has been using big terrestrial patterns (they double as a life jacket there so large!) with his clients recently and doing pretty dang good using hopper imitations. A walk along the banks will show you why grasshoppers are a staple this time of year. Nymphing with bright flashy bead heads and heavily weighted leaders will get you down in the "sugar holes" more effectively.
[pic 0864] First timer Deb Campbell with a beauty. They are NOT wading, or standing in the creek bed, this water is up over the banks from high flows and was on some of the trails at the time of this picture.
[pic 0869] Franchesca Filanc and one of many nice ones caught with Two Bug (notice the lower water levels for this pic)
Crowley has been very inconsistent once again this year. Last year it was low water, this year high water. The blue algae bloom is terrible this year as the lake had its turnover far later than average. The persistent southerly winds keep shoving the green goo into areas like McGee Bay and the north arm near the Owens inlet where the highest concentrations of trout are currently holding.
HOWEVER, I am going out on a long thin limb and say that I believe that Crowley will be good come late July and August. The west winds shall eventually return and the algae will choke itself out almost overnight, and life will be good here once again. The "dark side" is catching enough nice fish in McGee to keep you interested and to let you know they are still around. How can this be? The algae does not stick to a stinking inflated night crawler, in addition; there is scientific evidence that supports the crawlers SCREAM for help while drowning on a hook so the trout hear them and charge! I am bitter, please forgive me.
I suggest you have some callibaetis and baetis patterns handy this year around the inlets especially. High water years are always good for mayflies and in areas around creek mouths are the main course for the cruising trout in short water instead of chironomids. You may use these patterns for still water nymphing or as a streamer on a light sinking tip line. Damsel nymphs are also a mainstay food this time of year around the inlets and migrate in with the algae lines as cover until they hit the shorelines grass and continue their metamorphosis into winged adults.
[pic 023] South Landing July 17th 2011. The "Fish Magnets" will be docking in the parking lot if this keeps up!
[pic 013] Upper Owens-ready to rock!
Bring along some spare blood-or at least your blood type, the skeeters are thick this summer! Good showing of caddis each day as the flows have stabilized and the water is back inside the banks. Clarity is very good and even below the confluences of Hot Creek and the irrigation ditches the weed is not such an issue currently. You will not see the monster "snow bows" we got into this winter here in any numbers, but you will have plenty of opportunities while nymphing or casting hoppers or caddis adults to the wild browns and rainbows here. Flashback Pt's, birds nest, broken back midges, olive larva patterns #16-20.
Bridgeport Reservoir:
Same story as Crowley this year, except the algae is not as large a factor-only the weeds. There have been some epic bite periods on the Bridge that support the fact that when the lake is done turning over and the fish begin to concentrate near the creek mouths, look out! I have had reports from Jeffery at the marina and a few clients that say the streamer fishing near the Marina from tubes is good for recent planters. I have also had some experienced clients go with another local guide service and land one small trout for three rods here while still water nymphing recently. One thing is certain, high water here equates to eventual great fishing during the summer. Make the news, don't hear about it!
East Walker:
High flows separate the men from the boys here. Is this politically correct to say? Oh well. There are some who prefer to fish the EW at higher releases as it keeps the crowds down and requires "skeee-ills"
Although the current flows are well above yearly mean averages, they continue to trend down and it will not be long before the EW is back to "trout-knee-land" Keep your tandem nymph rigs heavily weighted, and use a ONE INCH Under-cator to properly suspend that chunk of lead you have on the end of your leader. Navigating the banks to get into good locations can still be an issue in some areas and crossing can be downright stupid right now. Take another 100 cfs off what we got now and it will be the finest kind!
Be the Fly…
Tom Loe, Sierra Drifters Guide Service
760-935-4250
Cell 760-937-2015
Email [email protected]
www.sierradrifters.com
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