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Eastern Sierras
Capt. Tom Loe
February 14, 2003
Eastern Sierras - Freshwater Fishing Report
President's Holiday 2003 Fishing Report
February 13, 2003
Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. Best fishes to all of you for this President’s Day fish report.
It is said amongst locals in the Eastern Sierra that if you want the weather to change, wait an hour. Change it has; gone are the spring like conditions that prevailed throughout most of January and into the first few days of February. Seasonal weather has returned to the region bringing colder days and at long last some very much-needed moisture to the Owens Valley and the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
The forecast is calling for a series of small cold fronts to pass through this region into the middle of the following week. You should plan on the likelihood of precipitation during this time frame and bring winter layer type clothing.
Fishing has slowed overall since our last report due to the drastic changes in the weather pattern. The fishing remains good when we experience a stable cycle, or mornings that do not dip into single digits. The trend of lower fish counts overall and a larger grade is once again occurring in the areas that we frequent with the drift boat on the Lower Owens River near Bishop, CA.
If you are planning a trip during the coming holiday expect above average crowds in all areas. It appears cabin fever has taken hold of a good number of folks that want to visit the Eastern Sierra the next 10 days or so. We suggest you call ahead if you need a motel; many lodges are booked for the week.
Lower Owens River: Poor-good
Pretty wide gap in the rating for this area I know, however this is normal when you have huge variations in the weather. The river outflow at Pleasant Valley Dam remains at 125 cfs. and this stability in the flow has really helped us stay on the fish when weather conditions improve.
The cold snap last week lowered water temps back into the upper 30’s and made for some tough fishing in the mornings. The last few days have the air milder and with the addition of the clouds we have a good amount of baetis activity once again around 1:15-2:30 each day. The browns in the wild trout section are very much in tune to this emergence. We suggest you have some #18 blue winged olive mayfly imitations handy and prior to the hatch some baetis nymphs like RS-2’s or flashback bird’s nest or P.T. patterns. #18-22 for the nymphs will work better and get more grabs. Have a good selection of Tiger or Zebra midges handy also #16-22 for those off days, and morning hours.
Streamers are still my personal choice for getting a photo opportunity with “Troutzilla” or one of its brethren. #8-10 baitfish patterns in olive, brown and white will work when used in conjunction with a moderate to heavy sinking tip line. Fishing a streamer in the conventional manner on the Lower Owens can be a lesson in futility due to the heavy foliage lining the banks and forming an almost impenetrable canopy over the prime holding spots that trout hide in. Practice our “dip and strip method” of casting downstream adjacent or opposite where you deem the trout to be holding. It is important that you do NOT cast on top of the holding area. Let the fly swing into your target zone. The sink tip will aid in getting the fly down below the brush line and closer to the trout. “Dipping” the rod tip below the surface accomplishes several things, most importantly assisting the line in bringing the fly to the fish. Your presentations should vary in length, starting close and working progressively further downstream by either making a longer cast, or by downstream mends with the running line. “Stripping” the streamer in short, erratic jerks of the line will duplicate the motion of the small baitfish you are imitating. When you get a grab…set the hook by pulling or stripping the line in until the rod loads up with the weight of the fish. If the hook does not set, or Heaven forbid, you miss a take, drop the fly back a foot or so instantly and most of the time the trout will reposition and nail the fly again.
Veteran Drifters Marty Mullins from (what happened to the Raiders?) Oakland, CA and Bob Kent of Irvine, CA spent some time floating the river while tugging streamers and the guys “dipped and stripped” into numerous trout that day with Marty catch and releasing a nice rainbow. Reel nice Marty!
Ray Labadie from Newport Beach, CA and fish’n buddy Gary Rivers of Mission Viejo, CA also drifted with us recently with Ray loving and leaving a gorgeous bow that was fooled by one of our flies called a “Spruce-a-bu.”
You can get a look at these fish and the “Spruce-a-bu” streamer by visiting our website at http://sierradrifters.com
Our guide flies are available at the following excellent fly shops:
Malibu Fish’n Tackle in Thousand Oaks, Stroud’s Tackle in San Diego, The Troutfitter in Mammoth Lakes.
Pleasant Valley Reservoir: Fair
The level here has been yo-yoing all winter and the concentrations of trout move with the changing water elevations. You will find fair numbers of fish holding in the transition area between the lake and river inlet. The level is up to the point where you must take caution while wading along the bank. The depth in many areas is shoulder high very close to the edge, so use caution when moving in areas that you see have a drop-off close by. Try nymphing with midge larva #16-20 patterns like our crystal Tiger midges or Zebra midges fished under a small indicator or larger dry fly. Streamer patterns cast quarter up or downstream fished with a moderate sinking tip line also work well in the slower, deeper sections of the inlet area.
The warm weather made tubing fairly enjoyable a week or so ago but alas, it is back to the ice ages and “freeze tubing” once again. The dam area up to the launch ramp is best this time of year. Use tandem streamer rigs, soft hackles or a streamer and a nymph trailer fly with a full or heavy sinking tip line for best results. #6-12 patterns in olive, black or orange will get grabs. There are some good-sized Alpers trout planted at the launch ramp and they will hit streamers very aggressively.
Be considerate of the shore anglers lining the rocks. There have been “confrontations” between tubers paralleling the shoreline and the “bankies.” I have found the best fishing to be on the far shoreline away from the crowds, especially after the sun gets over and a shadow forms from the south rim of the canyon. Be sure to use the existing tube access paths at the dam end and near the inlet area. They are crude, but have been created exclusively for the use of float tubers entering and exiting the reservoir.
There will no doubt be a significant amount of anglers in this area over the holiday period, being courteous and friendly will make it enjoyable for everyone.
The Gorge: Fair
This will be the place to evade the crowds, however it will not come without some effort. Hard to say right now if we will have significant ice and snow in this area after the current storms pass. This is something to consider when hiking in here. I suggest you walk in something other than felt soled wading boots if there is any snow present. A slide on your “caboose” can ruin your whole day. Plenty of baetis here around 1-2 p.m. The bugs here are a tad smaller than those on the Lower Owens tail water section but if you manage to get a presentation that does not spook the fish I have found just about any reasonable imitation #16-18 will work. B.W.O’s are best but Adams in light olive are fine. Hang a bead head dropper #18-20 off a #16 parachute dry for the deeper pools.
Be the fly…Tom Loe
Sierra Drifters Guide Service
Email: [email protected]
www.sierradrifters.com
Phone: 760-935-4250
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