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Eastern Sierras
Capt. Tom Loe
September 13, 2004
Eastern Sierras - Freshwater Fishing Report
D-Haul Fish Report 2004
September 13, 2004
Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. Best fishes to all of you for this Double Haul in the fall 2004 fish report from Crowley Lake, CA.
We will highlight Crowley Lake this week as the worlds largest fly fishing catch and release float tube event is about to take place on 9-18-04. Hundreds of float tubers and kayakers will be “angling” competitively for prizes and bragging rights on what is arguably the finest trout fishery in California. Western Outdoor News is the primary organizer and sponsor of the event with the management of Crowley Lake hosting the check in on the day prior to the event. Many thanks to WON and Crowley Lake for the superlative job they have done in the organization and advertising of this event and the promotion of fishing in the Eastern Sierra in general.
The mild early fall weather pattern has been the key to some excellent “catching” here in the Eastern Sierra this week with most fisheries peaking during the Labor Day holiday. The warm and mild weather is expected to remain with us during the week; however a trough of low pressure is forecast to dip into the state on Saturday bringing cooler temperatures and the dreaded “W” word into the region for the float tube event.
If you are planning on fishing the event on Saturday I suggest you attend a free seminar that will discuss strategy on where and how to deal with adverse weather conditions if they should occur the day of the D-Haul. We will also detail the techniques we use on the lake for stillwater nymphing and streamer presentations. The free seminar will start around 5:30 p.m. Friday Sept. 17th at the Crowley Lake Fish Camp. There is a catered BBQ dinner prior to the seminar for $15.00 starting about 4 P.M. Come on down to Crowley and enjoy a great meal, pick up some tips on fishing and sign in for the event.
Please contact the Fish Camp at 760-935-4301 for BBQ reservations and sign ups for the seminar.
Crowley Lake: Excellent
If this weeks fishing is any indication of what is to happen for the D-Haul we may be looking at the largest number of scorables ever recorded for this event. The entire lake is on the bite with the exception of Hilton Bay which has been plagued with thick algae all week. McGee Bay has been awesome with the fish spread out in the 5-11 foot range. The weed lines are rapidly decreasing due to the lake level continuing to fall; however there is more weed this season than in years past and the larger fish are still lurking near the remaining edges hunting down the Sacramento Perch fry that migrate here seeking refuge.
The DFG began planting next year’s models last week and they have found their way into McGee and the north arm already. Most of these fish are around 8 inches in length and very aggressive. You will no doubt get into some of these rascals especially while using stillwater tactics. The bigs have shown in Leighton Springs, near the submerged island and along the bluffs at 6 Bays during the mornings and afternoons. You will also find a solid number of scorables cruising near Bart’s Bluff all the way to the gravel pit by North Landing. The old Owens channel has been spotty, but I would not discount this area as I have seen some absolute beasts creaming the perch fry at times in this area.
The algae has all but disappeared in the North Arm, but is still coming and going in McGee Bay at times. The winds have been westerly in the afternoon and if this trend continues look for excellent conditions by this weekend. There are some huge cutts being seen everyday as well as “flagger” sized bows. Look along the south shore of McGee all the way to the boundary line by the floating restroom. If the water is clean you will find more room here and there is still plenty of weed along this edge.
The chironomid hatches have been gigantic recently and there are several species emerging each day, and at various times during the course of the day. If you have a warm, no frost morning look for an early emergence. We have done great with our gilled chironomids (Gillies) #18-20 and our crystal emerger’s #18-20. As the sun gets higher or the wind picks up switch to larva patterns like our crystal tigers and zebras #16-18. Suspend these under a punk perch or crystal leech #12-16. This time of year you will see plenty of red or brown tones in the bugs. The dissolved oxygen is less plentiful in the lower levels of the water column and the larval and pupal stages of these insects have high levels of hemoglobin which makes them appear red. Incorporate this into your patterns and you will see results.
The streamer fishing has been the best I have witnessed in several seasons and you should have a rig set up with a full or longer (18-24 foot) sinking tip line. Last years D-Haul winner Gary Gillingham took first place with a Loeberg #10 tied on his sink tip, and I would not be surprised to see first place going to the streamers tuggers again this year. The punk perch and crystal leech are also solid choices in #10-14. Use these flies as a trailer behind a larger point fly for best results. I got some time myself to do some streamer fishing last week and got 5 fish on 5 casts with a Loeberg from an anchored boat! Plenty of Crowley regulars are reporting 30 fish days while tugging streamers and there have been no lack of 20 inch slammers coming to net.
If you observe emerging mids or see empty “shucks” floating by, break out those stillwater rigs quickly and you will get on the books for sure. Check out the beautiful fall fatties Jesse and Jake Holt from Simi Valley, CA netted recently while doing the “sip and strip” stillwater nymphing method with us this week on Crowley. Good luck in the D-Haul Jake. Green puff down daddy!
The bigs are on the prowl and June Lake local and long time Sierra Drifters ringer Lynn Morton shows off a couple monsters she bested while using our gillies this week in the North Arm near Green banks. Fun day Morty’s see ya soon.
You can see these gorgeous fish photos by visiting our website at http://www.sierradrifters.com
Guide tip:
Significant algae lines that drift with the ever changing wind directions can be a great transition area and an excellent location to target a troll line while streamer fishing from your tube. Many aquatic insects migrate with these “scum” lines using them as a vehicle to move and hide in. The trout will often migrate with these edges and pick off the unlucky victims that fall from the denser areas of the scum. Troll in front and behind these algae lines as long as you can, you will see results!
East Walker River: Good
The flows have once again dropped to perfect (150cfs) for wading here especially below the dam section and with the water temperatures around 60 or below the EW is a good choice as a fall destination for fly casters. Future guide???, Chuck Palmer from Murrieta, CA got into some nice browns the day he booked with us even though the flows went up 40 cfs that morning. Bridgeport Reservoir is very low and the marinas are high and dry so I do not suspect any major flow increases this fall. Look for mayfly spinners in the mornings with a mid-day hatch #20 and with the weather remaining warm a solid caddis hatch for the late afternoon. Midges are always a good choice here and my favorite is a #18-20 crystal tiger, with olive zebra’s #16-20 a close second. There are still plenty of hoppers around so look for a dry/dropper combo to be effective below the riffles and the top of the pools and bends.
We are seeing plenty of small chubs and tiny perch swimming for their little lives; these are the food base for the legendary big browns of this tailwater and what makes this perhaps the best big trout moving water fishery in the Eastern Sierra. Fall is the ideal time of year to do the “dip and strip” here with moderate sinking tip lines if you are looking for that trophy brown. Stick to the big pools, large bends, and shady sections of the river. No less than 3X tippet if you ever want to see the thing that slams your streamer here!
Lower Owens River: Fair
Flows are way up from last week and are holding at 350cfs. Tough wading and you need battleship chain to get those nymphs down at this release. Look for the levels to stay high for a while. Good caddis activity in the late afternoons here and this would be my recommendation if you plan on hitting the LO.
We are scheduled to begin drifting the river next week and are looking forward to a great season on the secluded sections of the river. Last year kicked out some huge rainbows to 10 lbs. They were all released with nothing but their prides hurt. Bigger this year? Come drift with us and find out!
Pleasant Valley Reservoir: Fair
Power generation continues during daylight hours and the word is it will continue even through next weekend. The inlet section is your best bet if you wish to tube it; I would avoid the river section all together. Troll perch imitations along the weed lines #10-14 with a fast to medium sinking line.
Upper Owens River: Good
There are ever increasing populations of fall migrating rainbows moving upstream and “podding” up in the choice gravel runs and larger pools. The end of September, the section of river from the Benton Crossing Bridge downstream to the posted rock fishing monument will close to ALL anglers so some of the fall trout can spawn in peace. The river upstream from the bridge and downstream from the monument will remain open with long time angling restrictions and special regulations.
There is some good caddis dry fly action to be found on the still afternoons with baetis mayfly emergences in the late mornings and if you can cast in the wind, hoppers are still on the trout’s menu here and should be until late September. I like to pull streamers here under the cut banks from this time of year until closing. The aggressive behavior of spawning rainbows and browns have an exclamation mark behind every grab now, use the dip and strip method with Spruce-a-bus and Loebergs and a medium sink tip. Keep a low profile and quiet approach and you will get more opportunities.
There are mud snails here. Clean or freeze your gear after use, avoid wading please.
Hot Creek: Fair
Low water makes it tough for the average fly fisher to get on numbers here as the protruding weeds interrupt sloppy drifts. The fish are more selective and fishing with tiny patterns and long leaders without strike indicators will get you more grabs. Small mayfly spinners in the mornings, caddis activity will continue to be strong in the afternoons well into early October. Try to locate pods or individual fish and you will do better than blind casting here. Do not overlook the fish holding on the near bank to you. This is a common occurrence here and many opportunities are lost by walking up on these fish like a thirsty water buffalo!
San Joaquin River: Fair
The flows are very low and continuing to drop here. Look for the fish to be holding in the deeper pools and shady runs. There will be limited riffle and pocket water and the tailouts to the pools are very shallow and not holding many trout. The Alpers truck put some large fish in Sotcher and Starkweather Lakes, these small bodies of water are ideal for beginning tubers. Our Spruce-a-bu and Loeberg streamers #8-10 whack Alpers and DFG brood stock trout in the alpine lakes throughout the Eastern Sierra. Rig up with a full or medium sinking tip line to get you down 8-10 feet.
You may drive your own vehicle in without time restrictions after Labor Day.
Rock Creek:
The ponds below the lake continue to be excellent for small wild trout eager to whack just about anything that even looks like a caddis fly #16-18. Hang an olive crystal zebra midge #18-20 below the dry here and sight fish for the cruising trout that are plentiful in the ponds. The lake is still kicking out plenty of stockers near the inlet with an occasional big in the mix. Get your steamer patterns down 10 feet or more and use the trail fly rig. A crystal leech trailed behind wooly buggers, matukas, or Loebergs will get grabs.
West Walker River: Good
The water flows are getting pretty skinny here as well but conditions are still very good in the Pikel Meadow section of the river. DFG is planting the campgrounds and the “parking lot” section of this area. Dry dropper combos with our #16 crystal tigers and zebras under a stimulator or caddis will get you grabs here. Get away from the more trafficked areas and you can get into some larger hold over and wild trout in the 14-16 inch range. With the flows low this river is easy to wade, but I do suggest studded boots or at least felt soles if you wish to wet wade here.
Mammoth Lakes/June Lake Loop/South Lake, Sabrina/Lundy Lake/Virginia Lakes/Convict Lake: Fair-good
2004 Alpers Trout and Mono County Dept. of Fish and Game fish stocking schedules http://www.visitmammoth.com
Depending on which lakes got planted the week of your trip will usually dictate the “catching” as always in these put and take dependant fisheries. Tubers can fool those big hold over Alpers with streamer patterns #6-12. Our light Spruce-a-bu pattern we have nick-named the “dumb blonde” or “Kelly Bundy” has proven to be deadly on Alpers fish and large DFG rainbows. These alpine lakes are best fished with a full or heavy sinking tip line and don’t worry about these rascals being leader shy. 3X tippet is the rule as they have not usually played the game before and it is a matter of locating the school instead of exact and skilled presentations.
You can pick up our guide flies at the following stand out locations:
The Crowley Lake Fish Camp, The San Diego Fly Shop, The Troutfitter in Mammoth Lakes, Stroud’s Tackle in San Diego, Malibu Fish’N Tackle in Thousand Oaks and the Crowley Lake Store and Deli. We have exclusively used the services of this fine family run operation to furnish the outstanding deli style lunches we provide for our clients on full day trips. (The pizzas and pastries here should be made illegal they are so good!) Stop by the store and say hello to Dan and Cleo the next time you need local flies, get hungry and need gas or groceries while in the vicinity of Crowley Lake. They are located 1/4 south on the Crowley Lake/Hilton Creek exit off Hwy 395.
There are links to these locations at www.sierradrifters.com
The Crowley Lake Store can be reached at 760-935-4666.
Be the fly…Tom Loe
Sierra Drifters Guide Service
Email [email protected]
www.sierradrifters.com
Phone 760-935-4250
If you visit these links be sure to tell them Sierra Drifters sent you…
Mammoth Lakes Real Estate: http://www.mammothrealestateonline.com
Mammoth Lakes Lodging: http://www.mammothlakes.com/ml2/Lodgingx.html
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