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Eastern Sierras
Capt. Tom Loe
May 28, 2003
Eastern Sierras - Freshwater Fishing Report
Memorial Day 2003 Eastern Sierra Fish Report
May 25, 2003
Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. Best fishes to all for this 2003 Memorial Day fish report.
Once again we have major changes to report from the eastern slope of the Central Sierra Nevada Mountains. The runoff has begun in most areas with the freestone streams and watersheds being the most effected by the rising water levels.
The weather has moderated greatly and the much-awaited warm temperatures have significantly influenced fly fishing in most locations here in the Eastern Sierra.
This region is experiencing afternoon thunderstorm activity and this is forecast throughout the holiday weekend. There may be especially gusty winds from time to time and the strong possibility of a brief rain shower after lunch.
The Owens Valley is just plain hot and uncomfortable along the river during the day. If you want to fish it we suggest an early morning or late afternoon outing to avoid the heat.
The Sonora Pass opened this weekend; Tioga Pass through Yosemite is still closed.
Crowley Lake: Good
Still water nymphing really picked up since Mothers Day as the water temperatures have nearly reached the 60-degree mark this week. The chironomids have been hatching on a regular basis and although there have been few days that the “bite” goes all day; the fishing has been steady slow to medium for the most part. Sandy Point and Leighton Springs have been the most consistent areas in 11-14 feet of water. Some two year olds (trout) have been fooled by our midge patterns recently and the lucky folks that set the hook on these rascals got to look at what backing is on a fly reel other than in the fly shop! Our copper pupa #18-20 and the always-reliable “gillie” #18-20 have been the most consistent during the hatch. Crystal tigers and zebras #16 and 18 will get grabs when fishing right off the bottom or suspended along a drop-off.
The Sacramento Perch are in spawning positions along most of the 10-17 foot depths, especially in the Leighton Springs and Green Banks areas. Those who have been trolling leech patterns slowly near these areas have been picking up significant numbers of the “greenies”.
Huge numbers of anglers converged on Crowley this weekend; this hammering may effect the short term fishing next week. The algae is just beginning to show in some regions of the lake but is not of yet a factor for fly-fishers.
Louie and Gordie Zimm, both accomplished members of the San Diego Fly-Fishers Club spent several days on Crowley as the first major midge hatches came off and it was all about Gordie in the big fish category. Check out the Zimm’s gorgeous “10 ply” rainbows caught on our chironomid imitations.
Stu Reeder, Art Hiett and first time fly-fisher Rich Avalos booked a trip on the new 24-foot “fish magnet” recently and Stu got big fish honors with a rainbow that had an awesome paint job. The trio caught and released over 30 chunky trout that day while stillwater nymphing for the first time. Fun day guys!
You can view our fish report photos and others by visiting our website at: http://www.sierradrifters.com
Lower Owens River: Good, but hot down here.
The flows have remained around 310 cfs. for a time now and the upper sections including the wild trout area have been providing good fishing when the weather is not oppressive. Caddis activity in the afternoons and mornings are your best bet for both surface and nymphing presentations. Wading can be tricky at this flow and you will need darn near a tire counter weight to get those bugs down to the trout. The drift boat sections have not been fishing well due to extensive free drifting weed and even higher water flows in the lower sections of the river below the confluence of the Bishop Creek. Concentrate on fishing this region during low sun periods. Keep an eye out here for cooler weather. The flows are stable right now and the fish will become very active during this situation. This will be a good choice if it cools down soon.
Upper Owens River: Fair
There are still some late spawning rainbows present in the upper sections. These fish are good sized and will give you all you can handle if you are fortunate enough to hook up. The water is becoming off colored and does have some weed problems, especially below the confluence of Hot Creek. If you are not having any luck nymphing with roe patterns, San Juan Worms or mayfly imitations, switch to a light to moderate sink tip and tug streamers along the undercuts. Our baitfish imitation like the Loeberg #10 will work wonders in this area when the fish get snotty for the traditional presentations.
East Walker River: Fair
The flows are going up and this is good news for the trout. Current releases are indicating 200 cfs. This increase will substantially expand the habitat of the river channel, which has been under drought like flows for two seasons now. More water means more food and oxygen which =more fish!
Reports are mixed here and it will be hard to give an accurate description of what you may encounter in the near future. Numbers are definitely down for this potentially great piece of water but some very nice browns are being fooled during stable periods. Nymphing is still your best choice using mayfly imitations with some flash incorporated into the pattern or crystal tiger and zebra midges fished with a tandem rig under an indicator.
West Walker River: Poor
My apologies if any of you ventured up here last week. The river is very high and muddy, pretty much “yucky” by fly-fishing standards. The Chris Flats campground has some quieter water that may give you a chance for a presentation, also some of the big pools in the Pickle Meadows area will give you an opportunity but I suggest you by-pass the West Walker until the water stabilizes.
Rush Creek, June Lake Loop: Fair-good
Lower Rush is still fishable and running clear as of this report. Upper Rush is high and a little off colored with the recent run-off. The lakes are fishing better this week as the weather warmed surface temps and got the fish more active. Streamers are your best bet for the planters and Alpers trout stocked in these areas. Most patterns will work in #6-12. The key is getting the flies down to the trout with a full or heavy sinking tip line and most importantly locating the “herd”. Holdover fish will be dispersed throughout the lake and trolling your streamers along inlets, drop-offs and bays will produce. Otherwise, stick around the launch ramps where the hatchery trucks dump em’.
San Joaquin River: Closed until mid-June
Reports from Mammoth Lakes say the road is scheduled to open on June 14th.
Hot Creek: Very Good
Steady action here, as the water in Mammoth Creek is not affecting this spring creek as of this report. Nymphing with small mayfly and midge imitations #18-22 will get the job done. Keep a look out for the afternoon hatches of caddis and P.M.D.’s if the wind is not hooting. Some great surface action can be had on dries and emergers. The area has been very popular this weekend and you may find the fish a tad skittish until it thins out down here.
Rock Creek: Good
Plenty of stockers to keep you interested in the creek. Flows are rising so stick to the big pools and meadows. Two fly nymph rigs will work better with the higher water levels. Copper tigers, and crystal tigers are deadly in this area.
Pleasant Valley Reservoir: Fair
Very warm down in the canyon. May be a good choice if the weather cools down a lot for a couple of days. Use full sinking lines if you plan on tubing, get those flies down 15 feet minimum. The river can be fun this time of year if the powerhouse is not generating. Use a dry/dropper combo with a #12-14 dry and a single bead head nymph #16-18 about 2-3 feet under the dry.
Bridgeport Reservoir: Fair
The run-off has been bringing the lake level up this week. There is algae present and the weeds are starting to become a factor in some areas. I have not received any great reports from fly fishers here but there are some nice browns and good scores of fish being removed by the conventional gear anglers. Contact Bridgeport Recreation Area at 760-932-7001 for current conditions.
Mammoth Lakes:
The road to Lake Mary opened this weekend but there is still plenty of ice on the upper lakes. They will thaw quickly if this warm weather continues and those who wish to do some “freeze tubing” may have some fun with the Alpers and DFG holdovers.
You may purchase our guide flies at the following fine fly shops: Stroud’s Tackle in San Diego, Malibu Fish’n Tackle in Thousand Oaks, The Troutfitter in Mammoth Lakes, and the Crowley Lake Fish Camp tackle shop. There are links to all of these locations at www.sierradrifters.com
Be the fly, Tom Loe
Sierra Drifters Guide Service
Email [email protected]
www.sierradrifters.com
Phone 760-935-4250
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