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Eastern Sierras
Capt. Tom Loe
November 16, 2003
Eastern Sierras - Freshwater Fishing Report
Season Finale 2003 Fish Report
November 16, 2003
Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. We hope you all had the opportunity to visit the Eastern Sierra during the closing days of the general trout season. The waters of the Lower Owens River below the Crowley Lake Dam and Pleasant Valley Reservoir remain open year round with some areas having special regulations and all having reduced bag limits.
The season finale was highlighted by a series of storms that limited fishing to the lower lakes and streams due to cold and snow. Most areas we fished and checked in on had good fishing when the weather was cooperating. Low water levels and winter like conditions plagued several locations making the extended season a mute point. For future reference, HOT CREEK was very good most days as the mid-day baetis hatch spurred some excellent surface and emerger fishing. The UPPER OWENS RIVER provided steady action for both surface and wet fly fisherman. A large concentration of 18-inch plus fish did not materialize, but there where enough around to make you keep a SIERRA NET COMPANY catch and release net handy! The fish “podded” up in select pools and covering a lot of ground was the key to success here. Fishing improved noticeably here this season overall. CROWLEY LAKE fizzled out with the first couple of major cold snaps as the fish moved into deeper water. The die-hards who trolled streamers in the deeper sections of the North Arm did get into some nice browns and rainbows but combined with the extremely low water fishing was slow after Halloween. The EAST and WEST WALKER RIVERS suffered from low water conditions and did not fish well in November. The D.F.G. and Alpers stocking programs helped out the “put and take” lakes and streams such as ROCK CREEK, MAMMOTH LAKES BASIN, JUNE LAKE LOOP, CONVICT LAKE, tremendously in late October. Some good-sized brood stock provided, and are continuing to provide the chance for one to get into a 3 lb. plus fish (even though it may or may not have a full or even partial tail…). State budget cuts did not appear to affect this area, as for the future??? The road into the middle fork of the SAN JOAQUIN RIVER closed after the first snow and was no big deal as the water level was very low in this region also. The LOWER OWENS RIVER is fishing very good right now as flows remain stable and a little high for this time of year at 250 cfs. Solid baetis activity, especially on the cloudy days will give you a shot at fooling some wild browns on #20 b.w.o. patterns. Stick to nymphing with #18-22 crystal tiger and olive zebra midges, flashback hares ear or RS-2’s under your bobber, (oop’s) strike indicator. Drifting the LOWER OWENS from a boat is the best way to access the heavily brush lined banks of this small but deep river. We at Sierra Drifters pioneered and perfected methods of pulling streamers in the winter and spring months from drift boats on the LOWER OWENS that will get those lethargic trout out from under the cut banks and deep pools. The “dip and strip” technique has been working well for us since the flows backed off in October. LOEBERG’S and SPRUCE-A-BU’S will get you grabs when used in conjunction with a heavy sinking tip line. It is possible to employ the dip and strip while wading or walking, but one must align his or herself on the deep side of the river channel. This can be difficult at current flow rates here. Keep your streamer near the foam lines or current along the transition zone next to the softer water or bank. Speaking of using streamers, PLEASANT VALLEY RESERVOIR has turned on primarily due to the recent heavy planting of D.F.G. brood stock and some Alpers trout. You will also find some eager wild browns in the river directly below the powerhouse. The generation facility has been operating sporadically and if the “thing” is running, grab your “freeze tubes” and head to the reservoir proper near the inlet. Fishing in the river during power generation sucks and can be dangerous if you must cross during the time when the water levels begin to rise. The water level has been changing greatly in recent weeks and this will dictate where the trout will hold. Move around until you see signs of feeding fish. They stack up in this area. My favorite rig in this section is a large dry fly like a Stimulator with one of our crystal tiger midges #16-18 as the dropper, suspended about 3 feet beneath the large dry #12-14, which is used as a bobber (oops) strike indicator and will often get grabs especially in the riffle water sections. Included in the water open year round is the section of the Owens called the GORGE. A small tail water fishery that fishes more like a freestone creek and is difficult to access due to its mini-Grand Canyon like nature and heavily brush lined banks. If you do not enjoy “rock hopping” and “dabbing” with a fly rod this may not be your cup of tea. However this is one place you can enjoy some very good fishing for smaller wild browns that will hit darn near anything that floats or drifts by if not spooked by the cast or on approach. #16-20 nymphs and dries with 6X tippet are best. This is a good location to avoid the masses on weekends and holidays. Prepare to fish this area by running several marathons, ascending Mount Whitney in full float tubing attire (fins optional) and doing the Zen thing; “BE THE MOUNTAIN GOAT!”
Brock and Carmela Arstill from Cardiff, CA rolled the dice and booked a November birthday trip with us on the Upper Owens hoping for decent weather and a chance to get into some big fall run browns and rainbows. After landing a gorgeous big brown, Brock followed it up with an even nicer rainbow. Brock expertly deployed our Loeberg fly using the dip and strip method while walking and wading the banks of this spring creek fed river. Way to be the fly Brock!
Sierra Drifters veterans Austin and Rocky Taylor from Dana Point, CA used our patented “dip and strip” technique while on a recent drift boat trip in which Austin caught and released a beautiful big rainbow he skillfully bested with cheerleading and netting provided by Rocky. Keep on singing Rocky!
Winter conditions on the Lower Owens equates to big trout. Check out the hook jawed “creature” caught by Harv Evans from Woodland Hills, CA fishing with his pal Pete Hustad while on a guided drift boat trip with us. We are getting larger fish on a regular basis; you should have seen the monster that slipped the net that day!!! Nice going guys. Check out the pictures at www.sierradrifters.com
And some final looks at the magnificent trout of Crowley Lake provided by Mr. John Shumway from Encino, CA and Mr. Bud Dudman with a gorgeous thick-bodied rainbow that went well into the backing before “Shum” brought him to net.
Mel “the terminator” Abert, Mike “Mac” McIntire from Hermosa Beach, CA, accompanied by Lee “the old guy” Matthes all got back-to-back fatties while fishing the final midge hatches in the Six Bays area. Great trip guys, uhhhh…. ehhhh… sorry you missed it Peter, but you can check out one of Mel’s Crowley Lake hogs on our website at: http://www.sierradrifters.com
You may purchase our guide flies at the following fine fly shops:
Malibu Fish’n Tackle in Thousand Oaks, Stroud’s Tackle in San Diego, The TroutFitter in Mammoth Lakes. There are links to all shops at www.sierradrifters.com
SIERRA DRIFTERS HATS, SHIRTS AND GIFT CERTIFICATES for full or half-day trips are available and can be mailed before the holidays! Contact us by phone or email.
Be the fly…Tom Loe
Sierra Drifters Guide Service
Email [email protected]
www.sierradrifters.com
Phone 760-935-4250
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