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Eastern Sierras
Capt. Tom Loe
December 5, 2004
Eastern Sierras - Freshwater Fishing Report
Winter 2004 Fish Report
December 4, 2004
Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. Best fishes to all for this winter fish report from the Eastern High Sierra.
Tis the jolly old time of year when we separate those whom like to fish; and those whom NEED to fish. Yes indeed, it is cold. Expect high temperatures in the Owens Valley to hit the upper 40’s if the sun comes out. Mornings on the water may require a bit of anti-freeze in your coffee or latte if you catch my drift. Shields up folks! Add another layer under those waders and shells. Hoods and gloves are necessary.
The forecast is calling for more of the same with a slight warming trend and a smidgeon of snow in the upper elevations by week’s dawn. No major storms are predicted to influence this region for at least a week as of this report.
Despite the cold weather fly fishing has been good. You do not need to get going at the crack of dawn either! Mid-days are typically the peak of the bite during weather conditions such as we are experiencing these days.
So…Where do you fit in? Like to fish, or NEED to fish? Sierra Drifters Guide Service is here if you are beginning to display the dreaded withdrawal symptoms this winter’s lack of fly-fishing causes. We “need” to fish and would be happy spending a quality day with you on the uncrowded waters the Eastern Sierra provides this time of year.
Lower Owens River: Very Good
The cool morning temps have made the morning bite a tad slow, but as the sunlight starts to warm the gravel on the rivers bed the “catching” improves considerably. Flows remain stable at 105-110 cfs below the dam at P.V. Reservoir. The wading is gravy at this release with exception to the chilly water.
The baetis hatch is pretty much history until next February. You may still encounter an occasional snout rising well after noon for a tardy emerging mayfly, but the majority of your grabs will come on small midges both emergers and nymphs #20-24 fished under an indicator or “high sticked” in the wild trout section. With the water temps cooling to below the 40 degree mark you will at times find the trout, especially the browns to be more tentative and lethargic. Remember trout are cold blooded creatures; their metabolic rates slow respectively with lower water temperatures. So what? Lower metabolisms require less sustenance. The critters just ain’t gonna bite during the coldest periods of the day during the winter. Redundant drifts near the bottom will get results. Locate the deeper pools during winter. The depth of the water in these larger bends and sinks will provide additional insulation with respect to ambient air temperature. Trout will concentrate in these areas during winter and one can spend over an hour on just one pool at times without exhausting the opportunities of “hooking up”.
Streamer fishing during the winter can provide an excellent presentation alternative of getting into fish on the Lower Owens River. Trout will often take or hit if you will, larger streamer patterns fished wet or below the surface out of aggression as opposed to hunger. Our Spruce-a-bu’s, Loebergs, Punk Perch, and Crystal Leeches are all dynamite patterns to tie on behind a moderate sinking tip line. No lighter that 4X tippet on the L.O.R. Troutzilla lurks here!
We are angering plenty of trout this time of year utilizing our patented “dip and strip” method of streamer fishing from a drift boat. The advantages of guided drift boat fishing here are plenty. Easy access to the hard to reach and secluded sections of the river. No wet wading needed to get you into fish. Heaters in the boats! Keep those gloves on… Let the guide take care of releasing your fish, keeping you out of the penalty box and staging a photo of you and a trophy winter trout!
The Kirkland team of Mike (alias the “cougar”) and son Darren (the kid) took their first drift with us recently and “exercised” well over 40 trout while fishing streamers and employing the dip and strip method. The competition was fierce, and in the end a draw was declared after the catch and release event; “The cougar vs. the kid” rematch is forthcoming and we will keep you posted!
Veteran Sierra Drifters Bill Richards from Thousand Oaks, CA and father-in-law Chuck Rinehart all the way from Pittsburg, NY took their annual fall drift with us and these savvy fly fishers once again hurt the feelings of well over 40 rainbows and browns with “double” hook ups being common. Check out the pictures of these lucky fishers and others by visiting our website at http://www.sierradrifters.com
Santa and his fly-fishing Elf’s work closely with us and have offered to provide holiday and custom gift certificates with your requests. Just email or phone and we can mail one out to your lucky recipient.
Please remember that this area is NZMS positive and rotten with the critters. Walk and wade in the streambed as little as possible, do your moving on dry ground. For more information on the snail go to http://www.flyline.com
Pleasant Valley Reservoir: Good
The freeze tubers that NEED to fish are enjoying typical early winter streamer fishing near the inlet and launch ramp sections of the reservoir. Good catch and release scores of brown trout are being netted fishing around the 10 foot depth and along the drop-offs on both sides. Loebergs and punk perch rock on the res. this time of year. Late DFG and Alpers plants of rainbows are beginning to migrate into the inlet section also. Fish the transition water from the river to reservoir as it begins to slow for the denser concentrations of fish. My favorite rig here is a #14-16 stimulator with a #16-18 Drifters Crystal Tiger or Zebra Midge suspended about 2-3 feet below. There has been ice along the banks until late morning. Studded wading boots and caution will prevent bruising your caboose whilst wading this section!
The Gorge: Fair
The “catching” here has slowed since last reported. Currently the optimum times to drop into the gorge will be between 10 and 3 daily. Dry/dropper nymphing with midge patterns #16-20 will get it done most days. Cooler water temps have the wild browns on the opposite side of ravenous. You still have a decent chance of getting these rascals to look up at a dry here. #16-18 mayfly patterns are a good choice.
Approaches here are the key to success. Scout out your water from the canyon walls above; then make your approaches downstream of the sweet spots. Accurate upstream presentations, working both banks with progressively longer casts are vital. 6X tippet and an 8 foot leader will get you into more fish.
The weather has most people thinking snow as well they should and the skiing and boarding is fantastic for this time of year at Mammoth Mountain. The Mammoth Mountain Ski area www.mammothm.com currently has a 4-6’ base with the earliest opening in many years! Many take advantage of combining a ski trip with some excellent winter fishing!
You can pick up our guide flies at the following stand out locations:
The San Diego Fly Shop, The Troutfitter/Trout Fly in Mammoth Lakes, Stroud’s Tackle in San Diego, Malibu Fish’N Tackle in Thousand Oaks. There are links to these locations at www.sierradrifters.com
Be the fly…Tom Loe
Sierra Drifters Guide Service
www.sierradrifters.com
[email protected]
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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