July 14th Fish'n Conditions
Capt. Tom Loe
July 15, 2013
Eastern Sierras - Freshwater Fishing Report
Fly fish'n conditions are mixed this summer. Some areas are suffering from the lack of water, while others that are typically blown out this time of year have very good conditions and are fishing well. Historically we experience high flows on many of the freestone creeks like the West Walker, San Joaquin, & Rock Creek. Not the case this year as the lack of snow melt has these areas with flows more like early September in a normal year. Crowley and Bridgeport Reservoirs are also very low and not fishing well at this time due to low water, weeds, and algae blooms. The tail water fisheries of the East Walker and Middle Owens Rivers have low flows and elevated water temps as well. The alpine regions are enjoying some great conditions with most back country destinations very accessible. With the hottest part of summer on its way, look to fish the low light periods in the mornings and late afternoons. Make sure you have a good selection of caddis fly imitations. Most moving water fisheries are seeing excellent caddis activity currently and are pretty much the main course on a trouts diet this time of year.
Hot Creek
Spring creeks by nature have more stability and are good choices to fish in low or high water years. The weeds are a major factor this summer and forget extended drifts in most of the popular runs. Fishing a dry fly is the best way to get on fish currently. Look for a strong caddis emergence with some smaller mayflies at times. Step back and see if you can locate an individual fish that is "pattern" feeding. Lead your cast well upstream if possible, and if you get rejected after a few casts, wait until the fish gets confidence and begins rising again before making another presentation. Longer leaders will get more looks for sure.
Upper Owens River
Very good conditions overall here, although you will have issues with weeds and off colored water at times when the cattle wade in the Hot Creek tribs. Very strong caddis activity with some smaller mayflies showing late mornings. There are more small browns around than I have seen in a few years, and a few cutty's still holding in the deeper pools. Flows are great currently, and I hope they will hold for the summer but would not bank on it. Regular DFW plantings in the campground section downstream from the bridge. I like Assassins and flashback PT's in the #16 & 18 range for nymphing. A few skeeters around so have your bug juice ready on the calm mornings.
Crowley Lake
June was very good here, and after the current algae bloom recedes we should see some good fly fishing in late July & August. Currently it is ugly. There are very good numbers of catchable sized browns and rainbows this year and these fish will grow about 2-3 inches this summer. Should be a fair amount of 14-16 inch fish by September. Weed lines are out to about 14 feet in all areas. Big Hilton is the new McGee Bay these days as the fish adjust to the new low water levels in the lake. Chironomid hatches remain huge on the high pressure days. North Arm is spotty, and locating a clean mud bottom is difficult. Keep your flies as clean as possible, look for a weed free bottom in depths of 14-17 feet.
Bridgeport Reservoir
Pretty tough conditions for fly fishers currently. Thick pond weed in all the channels and near the inlets. Rainbow Pt. has open water in the 20 foot range and this is your best bet if you can find some clean, algae free water. Boat launching still possible by the "bath tub" area. Jeffery is still putting out rentals off the shore at the marina, call him for information on these and where to launch.
San Joaquin River
Very good fly fishing conditions currently. Water levels are just about perfect for wading all areas. The wild fish are "opportunistic" critters and will take most attractor or dry fly adult patterns in the #14-18 range. I prefer hi-vis or parachute mayfly & caddis imitations; however most profiles will get grabs if presented properly. Avoid conventional positioning and work from the tailout of a run, incrementally moving upstream and hitting the shadows and pocket water in each run. Don't leave food in your cars-the bears are on the look out for donuts and french fries!
East Walker River
Tough here this summer. Flows have been pulsing with water demands, but pretty much staying below the 70cfs mark most of the summer. Aquatic weeds in the channels and along the banks are making presentations difficult while nymphing. The fish are once again seeking the insulation of the deepest pools and runs due to elevated water temps. Stimulators, caddis adults, damsel fly nymphs, birds nest and broken back midges are all good options in the choice holes. With Bridgeport Reservoir being so low this summer, the fish in this tailwater may become quite lethargic due to low dissolved oxygen content and warm temps. Hit the low light periods and avoid the mid-day slump.
West Walker River
Very good currently. Running low for this time of year but still plenty of pocket water and riffle water to make it fun to fish using a dry/dropper bead head combo in the canyon and Pikel Meadows areas. Hard to beat a #14 Stimmy with a crystal tiger midge or crystal olive caddis larva #16-20 as the nymph & dropper.
Middle Owens River
You will not see release rates of 202cfs in mid-July very often friends. They have dropped significantly in the last 10 days. I am looking forward to it cooling down some in the OV and you can bet your best rod I will be drifting sooner than later this summer. We have had some good catching in the mornings as the flows are damn near perfect-the heat just puts them down by late morning. Too many ticks for me to wet wade down here, but it is a way to cool off and fish the late afternoon caddis crunch in the wild trout section if you are careful.
Alpine Lakes
Conditions are very good on most of the drive/hike too upper elevation lakes that are not used for water and power, although there are a few that are very low and dropping fast. Tubing is the best way to cover these fisheries and I suggest you have a full sinking or heavy sinking tip line to get your #10-14 streamer patterns down 15 feet along the drop-offs, near inlets/outlets, and structure like tree stumps and weed lines. There are a number of quality high country lakes that hold some nice fish, and require some leg work to get to. Kirman, McCloud, Parker, & Hilton are all accessible for a day hike and have very good fly fishing. You can obtain trail maps from the NFS ranger stations.
Thanks for reading my report.
Be the fly…Tom Loe
Sierra Drifters Guide Service
www.sierradrifters.com
760-935-4250
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