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Eastern Sierras
Capt. Tom Loe
January 6, 2003
Eastern Sierras - Freshwater Fishing Report
Bows in the Snow! New Years 2003 Fish Report
January 6, 2003
Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. Happy New Year and best fishes to all in 2003.
The Eastern Sierra has been blitzed by a series of potent Pacific storms over the last two weeks leaving behind significant amounts of snow in elevations over 7000 feet. The Owens Valley also received well above average amounts of rain and snowfall during this period. Snow pack gauging stations have indicated over 200 percent of normal in the Southern Sierra and over 100 percent of normal in the central regions. This is great news for all of us here in California. This is only a solid start; hopefully the wet trend will continue insuring plenty of water for our fisheries and reservoirs, which are in serious need of replenishment. The short range forecast is calling for a dry period next week with some gusty northerly winds in the Owens Valley and above average temperatures.
We sure hope you can take advantage of the break in the weather and come visit us here in the Eastern Sierra. The fishing has remained good with the skiing and boarding being described as EPIC!
You will need to purchase a new fishing license for the 2003 season. Last years licenses expired on 12-31-02. There is NO grace period!
Lower Owens River: Good-Fair
Some very cold days attributed to passing cold fronts, slowed fishing down during these recent storm periods. Water temperatures fell into the upper 30’s making the trout lethargic. During the warmer days we had some exceptional fishing especially in the drift boat sections. Streamers have been the key to our success fished with moderate sink tips while doing the “dip and strip” in the deeper pools and runs. The flow rates have remained at 125 cfs. This stability has a tendency to make the trout; especially the rainbows “pod” up in the larger holes. There is a good chance during conditions such as we have now to hit multiple fish in one section or area of the river, but not find anything in another pool close by. #8 and 10 baitfish imitations like our “Loeberg” and “Spruce-a-bu” have been working well. These patterns resemble the forage fish found in the Owens. I like to select a darker colored fly for the cloudy day or low light period and a brighter imitation during the clear, sunny afternoons. You get better contrast by employing this strategy. Hornbergs, Dark spruce flies; Matukas are all good choices this time of year in addition to the above-mentioned patterns.
Redundant drifts are necessary this time of year if you are nymphing. Go small! Midges hatch year round and the trout will feed during the larger emergences. #20-22’s will get more attention. Zebra and Tiger crystal midges are solid picks. There are still baetis coming off the water after 1:00 p.m. but do not expect a bonanza surface frenzy.
If you are planning a visit in the near future be cautious where you park and drive off improved dirt roads. The two track dirt roads are frozen and do not pose a problem in the mornings, but when they have thawed out in the afternoon they can become a quagmire! On another note, the B.L.M. is asking for voluntary co-operation regarding vehicle use and foot traffic in the Chalk Bluff area from now until this summer. There will be signs posted and periodic patrols here to assist the nesting Raptors that frequent this region. Recent studies indicate a decline in populations attributed to increased traffic in this nesting location.
Check out the double hook up photo with “snow bows” showing veteran Sierra Drifters Bill Richards from Thousand Oaks, CA and Chuck Rinehart from Pittsford, New York. These Conejo Valley Fly fishers had a tremendous day recently netting close to 100 trout. Way to “be the fly” guys!
Our December bookings were largely repeat “Drifters” because they know it is a great time to fish the Lower Owens. Dan Edwards a part time fly fishing guide from Parowan, Utah and Dirk Westfall from Temecula, CA returned for a float here recently and Dan had an incredible day netting three fish in the 4-5 lb. Range. The two landed over 40 other rainbows and browns. Take a look at one of Dan’s big “snow bows” that he bested with the “dip and strip” method and a Spruce-a-bu streamer. Click on http://www.sierradrifters.com to look at these photos and others on our website.
Chuck “the millennium man” Hunt and Mary Jochum both from Goleta, CA and members of the Santa Barbara Fly Fishers booked their annual New Years Day drift trip with us and Mary landed the first trout of 2003…a nice 13” Rainbow. Nice way to bring in the New Year Kids!
You may purchase our flies at Stroud’s Tackle in San Diego, Malibu Fish’n Tackle in Thousand Oaks and The Troutfitter (Snowfitter) in Mammoth Lakes.
Pleasant Valley Reservoir: Good-fair
This area received tremendous pressure over the holidays and fishing here has slowed since our last report. Many of the fish have been relocated to frying pans and freezers in other areas. It is being planted at least twice per month with some Alpers trout in the 1/2 –5 lb. Range. The good news is that the water level has been lowered in the reservoir making the fish that are currently holding near the inlet section very accessible. You will see good feeding activity during the warmer days in this area as the fish are working the midge hatch aggressively here. If you plan on fishing this section be extra cautious of the footing along the banks. It is in my humble opinion the most slippery mud known to man on the face of this earth and you will find thyself on your caboose if you do not use a wading staff or studded boots!
Streamers #8-10 in olive are a good choice. Use a medium sink tip for best results here. If you see the fish working the midges, tie on a #14 Stimulator or elk caddis and add a 3-foot dropper with a crystal tiger or zebra midge #16-18 and drift the rig in the feeding lanes. This set-up works killer on these fish in the slower water.
Freeze tubers are having some success near the inlet with a full sinking line trolling streamers. With the water level dropping you can expect the fish to migrate into deeper water near the launch ramp and dam if the trend continues.
The Gorge: An adventure…
This area has consistent fishing for one reason. It is difficult to reach many stretches of water. The recent storms have added another hurdle to the obstacles fly fishers must overcome, ice and snow. If you manage to get into the canyon without a compound fracture or severe trail rash due to a face plant in the shale, put on a 2 fly rig with a small indicator or larger dry fly using midge larva or #18 may fly nymphs like a pheasant tail or RS-2. A 3wt. is more than enough rod to handle the wild brown “firecrackers” here. Much of the snow melted this week here so the ice age factor will be less of an influence in the future.
Water fowling / Cast & Blast Update:
Water fowling remains very slow to spotty along the Lower Owens River. A few more birds, mostly Mallards have shown up on the river but not in any significant numbers. There are a few more birds along the canals and irrigation ditches in Long Valley around the Hot Creek area. Lake Crowley is frozen all the way to the north arm of the lake. If you find some open water in that region you may find a few scattered birds. We’ve run a couple of cast & blasts on the river recently with nothing noteworthy to report. The warmer weather and drying out period hasn’t really helped things out for you hunters recently.
Upcoming Events:
We will be presenting a slide show and seminars for the Fly Fishers Club of Orange County on January 23, 2003 and the San Diego Fly Fishers on February 3, 2003. The shows will include information on fly fishing opportunities from a boat in the Eastern Sierra including a brief fly tying demonstration, entomology and fishing techniques used specifically from boats. There are opportunities for non-members or those wishing to join the organizations to view the shows. You may contact the clubs if you need additional information; the public and non-members are invited.
Fly Fishers Club of Orange County – www.ffcoc.org
Terry Imlay [email protected]
San Diego Fly Fishers – www.sandiegoflyfishers.com
Marty Reed [email protected]
Be the fly…Tom Loe
Sierra Drifters Guide Service
Email: [email protected]
www.sierradrifters.com
Phone 760-935-4250
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