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Eastern Sierras
Capt. Tom Loe
December 15, 2003
Eastern Sierras - Freshwater Fishing Report
Happy Holidays 2003 Fish Report
December 14, 2003
Happy holidays friends and Sierra Drifters. Best fishes to all of you in the coming New Year.
It is currently storming here in the Eastern Sierra and this looks like the punctuation mark in a series of Pacific storms that have left in their wake a carpet of white in the elevations above 6000 feet. Skiers and boarders rejoice! Let the season begin. The Owens Valley has remained relatively dry with very little moisture making it to the valley floor. The forecast is calling for a more stable weather pattern to develop this week.
Eagle Lake Special Fish Report:
We took the “fish magnet” up to Eagle Lake (located in Lassen County near the city of Susanville) during the last part of November and into the first 10 days of December to check out the fabled hog rainbows that migrate into the shallows during the late spring and fall. Several groups of hard-core Sierra Drifters clients layered up for winter fly-fishing on this gorgeous natural lake that holds huge Eagle Lake strain rainbow trout. The lake abounds with leeches, freshwater shrimp and Tui-chubs making it the ideal fishery for streamer presentations. We found the fish here to be incredible with regards to their girth. An 18-inch fish will weigh darn close to 3 pounds this time of year. The average fish we caught and released was 18-19 inches and the largest fish that came to the net were several in the 22-inch 4-5 pound category. Some of the fish looked wild as these fish are considered to be native to this lake, but the majority appeared to be born in the hatchery and released as sub-catchables, just like the fishery at Crowley Lake.
We experienced several days of gruesome winter like weather in which the conditions did not allow us to fish the prime areas located near the central and southwest side of the lake. Despite the inclement weather the hardy groups still caught fish. The remainder of the 2 weeks saw a mixed bag of conditions with very cold mornings and pleasant afternoons with light to moderate winds. We fished entirely from our big flats boat, but other fly fishers opted to beach their boats and cast from shore while wading waist deep in the 40-degree water. NOT!!! The lake was uncrowded and we had most locations entirely to ourselves.
The bulk of the fish fell to our punk perch and crystal leech patterns while blind casting to water along steep drop-offs and rocky shorelines. We used 6 wt. rods and a moderate sinking tip line hooking 15-25 fish a day on average in 6-20 feet of water, with the larger fish seeming to hold around the 8-10 foot region.
Our stillwater nymphing technique proved to be fatal to these trout as well and we are NO DOUBT coming back next season in both the spring and again in the fall to further exercise these big rascals on the lighter rigs. This is an incredible fishery located in a beautiful setting. Pine trees surround the lake and the shoreline is rocky and in some areas lined with tulles. The water clarity is excellent with visibilities down to 15 feet. If you are interested in fishing the lake with us we will be happy to answer any questions you have regarding future trips.
Please check out the “album” of gorgeous fish caught on Eagle Lake by Dirk Westfall from Temecula, Bill Sidenfaden from Dana Pt., Lee Margfolia of Sierra Madre, and Jim Moses and Dale McBride from Bakersfield. Looking forward to next season lads, thanks again. Click on www.sierradrifters.com/EagleLakeAlbum_12-03.htm
Lower Owens River: Good
The fishing remains good in both the wild trout sections and drift boat areas of the river. Solid baetis (blue winged olives) #18-20 are present everyday from noon until about 2 p.m. The cloudy days will have the more substantial hatches with the fish more eager to come to the surface to sip the duns and spinners in the foam lines and eddies. Nymphing with #20-22 bead head crystal zebra and tiger midges with black or olive bodies will get the job done most days. Flashback hares ear and P.T.’s are also a solid choice. Keep those tippets to 5x and 6x for better presentations. 150 cfs. is currently being released below the dam at Pleasant Valley Reservoir. Wading is gravy at this flow. The water is 40 degrees; use plenty of wool or fleece on those tootsies to keep them happy and warm!
The big fish start to become more numerous as the fall turns the corner into winter on the river and this year will not be an exception it appears. We are whacking em’ on the streamers used in conjunction with a heavy sinking tip line while using our “dip and strip” method.
We created the Spruce-a-bu streamer pattern 20 years ago to fool these fish and it is still a “go to” fly especially for the larger fish that hold in the big pools and under the cut banks in the difficult to reach areas of the river. If you plan on fishing streamers this time of year here, have this one in your arsenal for sure!
Check out the picture of Jim Taibi from Santa Ana, CA holding a fat rainbow after being enlightened to the “dip and strip” method from one of our drift boats by Sierra Drifters guide Brad McClain on a recent float down the Lower “O”
Denny Kamens from Minden, Nevada and his pal Mick Micheli of Sprechels, CA took a drift with us recently and along with 40 other rainbows and browns got into a jag of really big rainbows that all fell to their well placed casts and our Spruce-a-bu. Fun times guys, thanks!
Marty Little from Las Vegas, NV took his darling Jill on a drift trip to show her how to catch the big ones. Check out (JILL’S) big rainbow Marty is displaying with her. The couple had 40 other trout caught and released for Jill’s first time with a fly rod! Super day kids, Merry Xmas!
Take some time and download the pictures of the Eagle Lake trout and others by visiting our website at http://www.sierradrifters.com
Pleasant Valley Reservoir: Fair-good
The inlet section is not fishing as well as in years past due to several factors. Low water levels and until only recently constant power generation during the afternoons. There was a good jag of brood stock planted before the Thanksgiving Holiday but other than a small amount of Alpers trout tossed in, this area has not received the gross amount of hatchery fish it traditionally gets before Xmas. Fish a streamer pattern like our Loeberg, punk perch or crystal leech #10-12 in the slower deeper water near the inlet to the reservoir proper with a light sinking tip line or my choice would be a dry dropper bead head crystal tiger or zebra #16-18 about 3 feet below a Stimulator used as the strike indicator. The riffle section above the inlet is a tad skinny on fish for the most part I fear. You will find some nice browns holding in the deeper pocket water and pools if you cover the harder to reach sections.
Freeze tubers will fare better at the dam along the far or west shoreline and around the launch ramp located about the middle of the reservoir. You can use a full or heavy sinking line in these areas for best results. Try casting and trolling parallel to the shoreline as opposed to perpendicular. The fish seem to like a fly riding along the drop-off. When you get a grab note the length of line you have out and the location in relation to the shoreline. Hit this sweet spot again and you will find the fish more times than not.
Big crowds hammer this area during holiday periods and weekends. If you want solitude this will not be a good choice.
Be alert to the frozen mud in the mornings and on the colder days especially near the inlet area. This stuff makes you look like your doing the moon dance on a roller coaster if you loose your footing!
The Gorge: Good
This is a good location for those seeking some untouched water and quiet this time of year. You may have some issues with snow and ice above middle gorge if the weather continues to stay cold and wet. The willows have lost their foliage and the “evil nettle” is less a threat to your sanity this time of year so access is better along the banks of this small but potent small wild brown trout fishery. I suggest midge or caddis larva patterns #18-20. A small strike indicator or a #16 or larger dry is best for nymphing here. A two fly rig works best. You will only need some weight in the deepest pools. There is also a baetis hatch everyday after noon. Have some #18 b.w.o.’s handy if the heads start to show.
You may purchase the above-mentioned flies at the following fine fly shops:
The Troutfitter in Mammoth Lakes, Stroud’s Tackle in San Diego, and Malibu Fish’n Tackle in Thousand Oaks. 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.
Upcoming Events:
We will be presenting a Slide Show Program For Downey Fly Fishers on January 13, 2004, 7-9 pm…Apollo Senior Center, 12458 Rives Avenue, Downey, CA. Please contact Zino Nakasuji at [email protected] for more information about the club and attending the slide show. Non-members are welcome.
The slide show will include information on fly-fishing opportunities from a boat in the Eastern Sierra including entomology and fishing techniques used specifically from boats.
Be the fly…Tom Loe Sierra Drifters Guide Service
Email [email protected]
www.sierradrifters.com
Phone 760-935-4250
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