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Eastern Sierras
Capt. Tom Loe
June 6, 2003
Eastern Sierras - Freshwater Fishing Report
Early June 2003 Fishing Report
June 6, 2003
Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. Greetings from the Eastern Sierra for this early June fish report update.
The big news from this region is that the snow is melting rapidly. We went from winter to summer in a heartbeat, with a very quick transition period. The late spring storms that deposited above average amounts of snow in the upper elevations have vanished and in the wake, an above average string of warm, sunny days that have got the snow pack melting and most freestone creeks at or near flood levels. If you are planning a trip to this area we suggest you stick to the lakes and tail water fisheries as most other moving waters are high, off colored and not fishing well for fly casters at this time.
The weather forecast is calling for continued warm conditions with an occasional chance of thunderstorm activity especially in the upper elevations. Look for hot and dry conditions in the Owens Valley.
Crowley Lake: Good
This is your best opportunity to hit a solid day of fly-fishing in the region at this time. The water level has been rising for the last week and water clarity is very good. You may find a “dog day” or two here and there but overall put Crowley on your must do list if you are going to fish this region.
We have found the trout to be deeper than normal, 14-18 feet and this will pose some casting problems for you stillwater nymph fishers using leaders long enough to measure “offside” football penalties!
Sandy Point, Leighton Springs, and Sometimes Bay have been the most productive areas depending on weather conditions.
The chironomid hatch has been exceptional, with a significant amount of daphnia showing up in throat pumpings. Water temps are high for this time of year, 66 degrees afternoon surface readings. The damselflies are already showing and you may find some rolling trout on the surface as they attack the migrating nymphs. Streamer tuggers use a sinking line to fish in the 2-5 foot range for damselfly imitations. Concentrate along the leading edge of significant weed or algae lines free floating on the surface this time of year for this presentation.
Rig your stillwater nymph set-ups for 11 feet. We have had consistent results using copper tiger midges #16-18 and #18-20 gillies or copper pupa patterns as the upper fly.
The Sacramento perch are in full spawn as we report to you and you will get some grabs from these “lethargic” game fish. Good hook setting practice and rumor has it they make great fish tacos!
Wally Sinner and Steve Long from Rancho Cucamonga, CA spent a couple of awesome weather days with us recently on the new 24 foot “fish magnet”, catch and releasing almost 60 fish while stillwater nymphing in the above mentioned areas of Crowley lake. Check out Steve’s big bow he bested during an early morning emergence of chironomids. Let em’ run guys!
Bart and son Parker Clemens from Santa Barbara, CA set the hook on numerous trout while on a recent outing with us on Crowley. Upstart fly caster Parker showed his dad he had “game” by landing the fish of the day, a slab sided Kamloops rainbow caught on one of our midge patterns. Way to go Parks!
Check out these lucky anglers photos and others by visiting our website at http://www.sierradrifters.com
You may purchase our guide flies at the Troutfitter in Mammoth Lakes, Crowley Lake Fish Camp, Malibu Fish’n Tackle in Thousand Oaks and Stroud’s Tackle in San Diego. There are links to all shops at www.sierradrifters.com
Upper Owens: Poor
High, off colored water here, especially below the confluence of Hot Creek. The spawn is over and the resident trout are more concerned about getting washed downstream than feeding at this time. The “Gauntlet” section is now open around Benton crossing and you may encounter some hatchery trout to fool if you are behind the stocking truck.
Lower Owens: Good-poor
The wild trout section is good in the mornings and late afternoons using caddis imitations both above and below the surface. You must cope with the heat during mid-day, as also do the trout. The drift boat sections are not fishing well below the confluence of the Bishop Creek as a “flushing flow” in this section has made for bum conditions here. Flows are stable directly below the Pleasant Valley Dam at 300 cfs and although at this flow wading can be challenging, the trout MUST eat and due to a prolonged period at this level fishing has been good during the lower light and cooler air temperature periods. Nymphing with caddis pupa and larva patterns #16-18 in the mid day periods and #18-20 dark bodied caddis dries during the mornings and late afternoons will get you some grabs.
East Walker River: Fair
The conditions are excellent here as we write this report. The water release is 200 cfs. below Bridgeport Reservoir with good water clarity. We have found the trout here to be of excellent size overall, but lacking in numbers on the California section. A steady mayfly emergence during late mornings, with a good number of caddis flies coming off have the trout not lacking for food. It appears the low water flows over the last several seasons have impacted this blue ribbon fishery more than expected and the conditions have thinned the overall population of fish in the immediate tail water. Use #18-22 midge and mayfly patterns for the mornings and mid-day sessions; tie on a flashback hares ear or pheasant tail #16-18 the remainder of the time for nymphing. Parachute Adams #16-20 and olive bodied caddis #16-20 dry imitations will get you grabs when you see the snouts poking up through the surface film. Do not expect a big numbers day for this area, but you may hook the brown of your dreams with a solid presentation.
Bridgeport Reservoir: Good
The water level is rising rapidly here with good water clarity, and the evil “weed” beds have yet to become a serious deterrent to the fishing. The few fly casters that are fishing here are stillwater nymphing near the dam and launch ramp area in the 12-15 foot range. Crystal tigers, zebras, #16-20 with copper pupas #18-20 have fooled some nice thick-shouldered rainbows here. Numerous favorable reports from lure trollers, worm drowners, and “power rangers.”
West Walker: High water, go elsewhere
June lake Loop: Fair-good
The lake fishing here has picked up as the weather and water have warmed. Trolling streamers in 10-15 feet are your best bet #8-12 in olive, black and orange, with some crystal flash in the pattern. You will catch mostly stockers with the occasional Alpers trophy trout or holdover fish. Rush Creek is very high in both the upper and lower sections, go elsewhere.
Mammoth Lakes: Good
The ice is off and although the water is very cold, fishing is good in most of the lakes with the best choice for fly fishers being below the falls on Twin Lakes. I like a dry dropper with a hares ear or tiger midge #16-18 below a #14-16 callibaetis dry used as a strike indicator. A 3-foot dropper will be sufficient during the lower light periods. Otherwise troll our Loeberg’s or Spruce-a-bu’s from a tube around the submerged tree stumps on Lake Mary or near the inlet on Mamie.
Rock Creek area: Fair
The ice is off the lake and fishing is improving here as the water continues to warm. Tube the inlet and outlet sections with olive streamers #10 staying in the 15-foot depth for best results. The creek is running very high but clarity is improving daily. Stick to the meadow sections where the water runs slower for best results. Copper and black tiger midges #16 rule here this time of year fished under a strike indicator.
McGee, Convict, Mammoth, Lee Vining, Lower Rush Creeks: Poor
High water. Give it a while to settle in these sections.
Hot Creek:Fair
The water is very high here and tough to fish at this time, however you will find some unique opportunities to fish streamers in the deeper than usual channels between the weed and grass lines and may encounter one of the big browns that become less wary during the off colored and high water periods. Use a light to moderate sinking tip or weighted fly to accomplish the correct presentation to these predators. A standard Hornberg #10 or our Loeberg pattern will suffice during this high flow situation. Use a San Juan worm with a bright bead head as a dropper under an indicator for nymphing the fast water.
San Joaquin: Closed.
The road will open June 14th
Bishop Creek & South Lake:
The lake is very low but rising as the flows have been reduced recently from the Bishop Creek. Good reports from those hitting this region early with full sink lines and a wide variety of #6-10 streamers. No lack of stocked fish here, and a good number of Alpers still in the mix.
Tioga and Sonora Passes are both open at this time.
Be the fly…Tom Loe
Sierra Drifters Guide Service
Email [email protected]
www.sierradrifters.com
760-935-4250
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