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Eastern Sierras
Capt. Tom Loe
December 26, 2004
Eastern Sierras - Freshwater Fishing Report
X-Mas 2004 Fish Report
December 26, 2004
Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. Happy holidays and best fishes to all for this X-mas 2004 fish report from the Eastern High Sierra.
The weather pattern is expected to change dramatically this week with an extended period of unsettled and potentially wet conditions expected to arrive Monday. Look for cloudy and breezy conditions all week with limited sunshine and snow flurries on and off especially in the upper elevations. The Owens Valley is forecast to have a chance of rain with gusty southerly winds throughout most of next week. There are weather links at www.sierradrifters.com
Up until this point the weather has been dry with cold mornings and plenty of sunshine. The bite has been very good in the afternoons after the gravel beds warm the upper 30 degree water temperatures a few clicks. The big fish are showing on a regular basis and we have had some memorable days last week with a flurry of large rainbows hitting streamers while using our dip and strip from the drift boat.
A reminder to all fisher folk… You will need to obtain a new sport fishing license after 12-31-04. They are currently available at all locations. There is NO grace period for an expired license! Please go to http://www.dfg.ca.gov for complete information on the current DFG regulations.
Many folks like to combine a ski/snowboard trip with a winter fishing trip this time of year….give as a call or email to check our availability and then check out Mammoth Mountain Ski Area at www.mammothmountain.com
Lower Owens River: Excellent
Winter is the ideal time to fish this river and the “catching” recently has been indicative of stable water flows and aggressive trout. You will not experience mega hatches as seen here in the fall, spring and summer, but you will experience solid midge activity with periodic baetis emergences on the warmer, cloudy days. The wild trout section is fishing well in the afternoons after the water warms up. Look for the fish to be holding in the deeper pools, with a fair amount of the more exuberant fish moving towards the tailouts of these pools as the afternoon sun gets them more active and looking to feed. Small mayfly and midge imitations #18-24 will get it done here fished with a dry/dropper combo or under a small strike indicator. With the flows holding around 105 cfs you will not find it necessary to use battleship chain to get down where the trout are holding. Redundant dead drifts along the seams on the “softer” side of the current lines will get results while nymphing. Look for gentle takes this time of year. Any suspicious movement of your indicator should warrant a set with your rod motion DOWNSTREAM then upwards. You will hook more grabs using this setting motion.
When the water temps start to fall below 40 degrees the aquatic insects that abound here are not as active in their hatch cycles. This is the time of year when we rock the larger rainbows using our “dip and strip” technique with heavy sinking tip lines and our time tested streamers developed for the waters of the Eastern Sierra. My favorite streamer (developed specifically for the dip and strip from a drift boat) nicknamed the “Kelley Bundy” or light Spruce-a-bu has been deadly this week and proved irresistible to numerous large rainbows caught by veteran Sierra Drifters who know winter is the time for a “hog hunt” on the Lower Owens. Drifter’s crystal leech #12 also whacked a fair amount of fish recently when David Clemson of Yorba Linda, CA could not talk “Kelley” into wiggling right for the trout. Santa gave David a handful of large rainbows on his way to a 40 fish day solo! Check out the choppers on David’s big male by clicking onto our website at http://www.sierradrifters.com
Radio icon “Let’s Talk Hook Up” Mighty 1090 AM personality and host Pete Gray with friend Lolly Thard spent a day with us this week and Pete once again nailed a trophy sized rainbow on the fly. Best fishes and hurry up and get back on the water to co-host and friend Marty Milner who is recovering from heart surgery. www.hookup1090.com
X-mas came early for Don Klahs from Valencia, CA and friend Gary Gilbride also from Valencia, in the package of numerous huge rainbows on a bright sunny day recently. Don and Gary both got into a slug of winter trout while tugging our Spruce-a-bu’s. Word has it the trout are lobbying to make the “Klahs pause” illegal Don!
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 trout are consistently being found near the transition water by the inlet. Both nymphing with our crystal tiger and zebra midges #16-18 and stripping streamers with a trail fly or solo are providing plenty of “bendo” for those working this section.
“Freeze tubing” the launch ramp and inlet areas will also get you into some nice winter time trout. A sinking line that will get you down 5-10 feet is sufficient this time of year. Loebergs, Punk Perch, Crystal Leeches, are all good choices here #10-14.
Be cautious of the frozen mud during the mornings around the inlet section. It is nasty and if not considered will land you on your caboose!
The Gorge: Fair
You may find the wild trout section a tad too crowded this holiday week and if you want to get away from it all a hike into the “pit” will get you some solitude. It will be cold here until the very late mornings and there is no need to do the dawn patrol here this time of year. Stick to midge and smaller mayfly imitations #18-20 with a dry/dropper rig. Snow levels are forecast to drop down to the 5000 foot level by the beginning of the week, if this occurs it may not be wise to hike into this area as the footing will become dangerous.
The fly fishing community lost a tremendous friend and wonderful person recently with the passing of Bob Camp from San Diego. I had the honor of guiding and being with Bobby and his dear friend Paul Williams for his last casts while doing a drift boat trip in Sept. of 02.
Bobby has been a role model for me and many others as long as I have known him and his wisdom, humor and kindness will never be erased from our memories. In my heart and mind Bobby is the patron saint of fly fishing and will hold a special place in my heart. We send our sincere condolences to family and friends.
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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