Pre-Summer Solstice Fish Report
Capt. Tom Loe
June 14, 2009
Eastern Sierras - Freshwater Fishing Report
Hello to all you fly fishers out there. Doug Rodricks here, filling in for Tom Loe while he is battling it out once again with those world renowned rainbows of Lassen County. In fact, the action has been so good; many of his clients after a day or two of fishing with him have reported setting the hooks with imaginary rods in the middle of the night while they are fast asleep. Can anyone say, "Fish on the brain?" I hope everyone is enjoying their spring season as much as we are here in the Eastern Sierra. As the summer season is almost upon us, the weather has been very consistent as far as thunderstorm activity goes. Over the last few weeks we've been experiencing everything from sunny days with the occasional rain shower to snow flurries in the higher elevations. Pretty interesting weather for the month of June, but that is what we love about the high country; you never know what Mother Nature will bring us.
Fishing overall has been pretty good in most locations and will only get better as the water warms and air temperatures begin to climb. Most rivers and creeks are running clear and the fish are responding well to a properly presented fly. Take your time when approaching your favorite moving water before casting your fly in as the fish can see very well in these conditions. It is best to start your first few casts in closer instead of casting to the far bank and spooking fish you may not see with your fly line.
Please click on www.sierradrifters.com/fish.htm for all the great pics on this report.
Crowley Lake:
The fishing has really picked up here the last couple of weeks. Mornings have been pretty consistent here for stillwater nymphing and tubers have been doing well pulling streamers as well. Areas to concentrate on are Big and Little Hilton, Sometimes Bay, Stormy Flats, Sandy Point, and Leighton Springs. The mouth of McGee Creek and Crooked Creek are worth poking around in too right now. Broke back midges, Bloodworms (midge larva), Copper and Black Tigers, Gillies, and Zebras have all been getting grabs. Fish your imitations from 1-3' off the bottom to get into these scrappy trout. We are starting to see some bigger models coming to the net these days and they're really testing our tackle. Work the 13'-15' depths and hang those chironomids higher than normal when you see emergers on the surface. The algae bloom is starting to make a good showing, so look for clean water and watch the wind direction to determine where it will end up. You can clean your flies every now and then between grabs to ensure a solid presentation to the fish. Now is a great time to bring the family up for a guided trip and learn the secrets of Crowley Lake.
Email from a recent client of Chris Basso: "Met Chris out on Crowley a couple weeks ago we were in float tubes and he was in his boat. We were not catching many fish but he was. He actually took the time to tell us what depth and flies to use when most hardly say hello. My friend John and I been considering going out with a guide for a while to learn how to midge better. Went up to Chris's boat and hired him for the next day. What a great trip we had even though conditions were tough. Would recommend him to anyone who wants to learn. Thanks again. Jim"
Bridgeport Reservoir:
Lots of fish are scattered throughout the lake. Stillwater nymphing has been good some days and slow on others. A good starting point is between the marina and Buckeye in 12.5-13.5' of water. Copper Tigers have been doing the trick here as well as Gillies in sizes 16-20. Larger midge patterns in 12-14 in tandem with a Callibaetis pattern are working well too. The Rainbow Pt. area is also holding good numbers of fish. When the nymphing slows down, try getting in that float tube and pulling some Spruce-a-bu's (Jeffrey's favorite fly) on a sink tip line in 12- 17' of water. The water level is rising in the Res, and Jeff has plenty of boats for rent to get you on these fish. Tell him Sierra Drifters sent you and he may reveal some of his secret tricks and techniques.
Here is "Two Bug Doug Dolan's" take on the East Walker and Upper Owens River:
East Walker:
With some unsettled weather patterns surrounding the Sierras this past couple of weeks, fishing on the East Walker has been good to excellent depending on temperatures. Water clarity is good and flows are holding steady around 150 cfs which is wading friendly when you need to get to those harder to hit places where fish are holding. If you are on the water and fortunate to find that window of opportunity , either early morning , before the predictable rain showers, or just after the rain clears out later in the day, you can look forward to some great conditions with larger Rainbows and Browns moving into shallow water to feed.
Early morning I suggest sub surface nymphing is your best approach. Use Baetis and Mayfly emergers followed with dark midge patterns as well.Our new Brokeback midge patterns have been getting a lot of attention with some very aggressive grabs using them as your bottom fly when nymphing , or dropper fly if you choose to fish dry dropper combo. Look for a good mayfly hatch around 11am - 1 pm , if cloud cover prevails and temps are on the warmer side, this is the time to look for rising fish that are picking off the emerging Callibaetis Mayflies in the shallower riffle water. Check the weather and plan your day around it, if you get some showers in the afternoon time and it feels on the warmer side, get out some of those big terrestrial patterns in sizes 8-10 and you may get ripped by a larger fish looking for a meal, its that time of the season now to start throwing some big bugs at these fish, the take will be explosive and powerful, be ready!!!.
Check out www.sierradrifters.com/fish.htm to view a recently fooled Rainbow and Brown on our new Sierra Drifters Broke Back midge.
Our new Broke Back midge patterns developed mostly for Crowley lake, have proved successful on all moving water locations I have tested them. A must have midge pattern for your fly box.
Late afternoon until sunset is my absolute best time to be on the East Walker to target larger Browns and Rainbows on streamer, leech and punk perch patterns, so switching to sinking or sink tip lines and no less than 3x tippet would be a good plan of approach the last hour and a half or so. Use dark patterns, black or purple with some flash in the tail to get their attention. Using the dip and strip method is best, get the rod down a couple of feet below the surface, 8-10 inch strips with pauses every second or third strip, anticipate that aggressive grab and you may be challenged to get a huge Brown or Rainbow to the net, don't play tug-a-war with these larger fish, as they will leave you with only tippet in hand.
Two Bug Dougs Guide Tip......don't be afraid to get out of the Miracle Mile when crowded, go explore less pressured water and less pressured fish that may be very eager to eat your fly.
Upper Owens:
Upper Owens river has been fishing excellent with periods of afternoon rain showers that are getting to be a common thing around the Sierras. With lots of moisture in the clouds at higher elevation and cooler temps this time of the season, snow melt has slowed up just enough to keep the river clear and not off color as it would be if our days were sunny and our temperature were higher.
Most of the day, indicator nymphing will get you into lots of DFG planted fish which look to be very healthy and full of amazing color. What nymphs you ask ?, I would have to say, these fish are just gobbling everything we're throwing at them, but from a Guides perspective, then I would have to say with the numbers we are seeing , any bead head nymphs and midges in sizes 16-18 will get grabs. But most importantly is how much weight to use ?. The River is high and clear, use enough weight to get your flies down below the fast surface current and high stick nymphing with multiple short mends to get your flies down fast is the key in getting into lots of healthy DFG fish and lots of fun.
Look for Caddis to start coming off around 10 am which are on the small side 18-20 and very light in color as well. Fish are a little shy to come to the top for these caddis, but you will get some fish to rise to the dry if you are persistent with your casts.
TwoBugDougs Guide Tip.......weight,weight and more weight, get your flies down to the fish, try different flies and see if you too are getting grabs on most everything you pick out of your fly box. Make sure to wet your hands when releasing these fish and have fun.
Get out there, TwoBug
Hot Creek:
This area has been fishing very well lately. The water level is slightly up, but very clear. A dry/dropper combo here can be deadly. Fish the open lanes between the weeds for some hard takes in the morning. A tandem nymph setup with little or no weight will get you into fish as well. Weighted flies are a good thing here. Hare's ears, Flashback PT's, Copper John's in black, midges, and a variety of mayfly emergers in sizes 16-22 will do the trick. We have guides who can show you the best way to fish this premium fishery and give you the best opportunity to land that big rainbow or brown we all dream about. When the fish are on top, switch to a double dry BWO/Parachute Adams combo when the hatches overlap. Size 18 for your mayfly and 20-22 for your midges as dries are like magic. Watch for caddis activity on warmer days and really match the size of the natural.
Lower Owens:
Flows have been holding steady at around 200cfs. The infamous "green goo" of last report is starting to recede and the fishing from the drift boat is improving daily. On days without the windy conditions there are some great dry fly opportunities to be had. Spruce-a-bu's, Loebergs, Seal Buggers, and Agent Oranges are all producing. Nymphing the bends and deep-water straights are getting some fish to the net as well. We do not normally see the flows stay this steady for this time of year, so it is a good time to get out on one of our drift trips while it lasts. You can check out the LADWP real-time flow data at the top of the fish'n conditions page. www.sierradrifters.com/fish.htm
San Joaquin:
The road to Red's Meadow is now open and the river is running clear and high. Fish the slower water and deeper pools with a dry/dropper rig or some weighted nymphs to get into these fish. Stoneflies and larger mayflies are a good bet too, pay attention to where you are casting and observe where the fish are holding as not to spook them. Small midges, PT's, and Copper John's in size 18-22 are hot here.
Lakes Basin:
Most of the lakes in the Mammoth area have been decent pulling streamers from a float tube or boat on a medium to heavy sinking line. Around 500lbs. of trophy Alper's Trout (averaging 3 to 5lbs.) are scheduled to go into the lakes this week and they're just itching to wrap their slimy lips around a tasty streamer. Hanging a dropper like a hare's ear, PT, or midge about 12-14" off your streamer is not a bad idea either. Fish the drop offs, inlets, and log structures for best results.
Report from the Mammoth Lakes Visitors Bureau: Reds Meadow Shuttle Service Begins June 13
Mandatory Shuttle Service to Reds Meadow and Devils Postpile begins on Saturday, June 13, 2009. The first bus leaves the Adventure Center at approximately 7:30 a.m. and the last bus out departs Devils Postpile at 7:45 p.m., and Agnew Meadows at 8:00 pm, arriving back at the Adventure Center by 8:30 p.m.
Fish Stocking Begins This Week in Mammoth Lakes
Five hundred pounds of Alpers Trout (average weight 3 to 5 pounds) will be stocked in the Lakes Basin each week, beginning this week through September. Grab your fly rod, hire a local guide and reel in that Eastern Sierra Trophy trout!
PV Reservoir:
Fishing has been steady to great here with a dry/dropper setup, nymphing, or pulling streamers. There is some heavy midge activity in the morning followed up by mayflies, and caddis. Fish your patterns in the river before it enters into the reservoir for some feisty little rainbows and browns and don't be surprised if a 20" model comes by and surprises you. Pulling streamers in the reservoir from a float tube has been very good. Make sure you have a moderate to heavy sink tip or full sink line to get those bait fish imitations down.
Wild Trout Section:
From Chalk Bluff Road downstream the fishing has been good as long as you get your nymphs down. Use more weight in the deeper sections and seek out the areas where wading is a little easier. Fish the deeper pools and the slower water close to the banks. During the right weather conditions, the dry fly fishing can be unbelievable. BWO's, caddis, and midges are the standards here and go with different midge patterns, Copper John's, WD-40's, and mayfly emergers for your nymphs in size 18-20.
We hope to see many of you on the water soon and wish everyone best fishes this summer season.
Tight Lines!
Doug Rodricks
Adobe Pond:
Awesome! The fish are in great shape this season and it is on fire here during the morning hatch of midges and callibaetis. We fish this private still water from our drift boats and sight cast to rising wild browns most of the time. It is truly a special place with gorgeous scenery and eager fish. We have exclusive rights to guide Adobe, please call if you are interested. http://www.sierradrifters.com/AdobeRanch.html
From Peter Piconi at the So Cal Fly Shop in San Diego:
Dear Friends,
Tom Loe's presentation for this weekend will be rescheduled for Saturday, September 26th. This promises to be an informative event, be sure to mark your calenders!
Eastern Sierras - Tom Loe
Speaker Tom Loe - Sierra Drifters Guide Service
When: Saturday, September 26th
Where: So Cal Fly Fishing
(Directions can be found at www.socalflyfishing.net)
The So-Cal Fly Shop is currently stocked with the hottest Sierra Drifters flies for you to use this summer here in the Sierra. Stop by Peter Piconi's awesome fly fishing store and get the hot scoop for this region, as well as other prime fisheries he caters to. http://www.socalflyfishing.net/
We have finally got SD guide Chris Basso's new "Broke Back" articulated midge patterns to most of the great fly shops that carry our time tested guide flies. They are listed below and have been updated. The Pac Fly people have been working overtime to keep up with the orders! These patterns are truly superior to most midge imitations and really spank the trout when you have a small chop, or nervous surface condition. We are also selling flies online this season for your convenience. http://www.sierradrifters.com/Fly%20Sales.htm
The 2009 Sierra Drifters Flies are available at the following great fly shops and stores: Crowley Lake Fish Camp at Crowley Lake, Crowley Lake General Store & Deli in Crowley, Kittredge Sports in Mammoth Lakes, Bob Marriott's Flyfishing Store in Fullerton, Malibu Fish'n Tackle in Thousand Oaks, The Fishermen's Spot in Van Nuys, & Buz's Fly Shop Too in Bakersfield. There are links to these locations at www.sierradrifters.com/resources.htm.
Be the fly friends…
Tom Loe
Sierra Drifters Guide Service
760-935-4250
[email protected]
and Michele Loe, Sales Associate Prestige Properties of Mammoth [email protected]
Eastern Sierra Real Estate…. http://www.mammothlakes.com/mlRE/Agent_Michele.html
The Sierra Drifters Website & Email content is copyright © by Sierra Drifters Guide Service. No part of this site or page may be
Reproduced or redistributed in any way without written permission. All rights reserved.
© 1998-2009 Sierra Drifters Guide Service (Trademarked) all rights reserved
More Fishing Reports:
