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Eastern Sierras
Capt. Tom Loe
March 26, 2005
Eastern Sierras - Freshwater Fishing Report
Easter 2005 Fish Report
March 26, 2005
Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. Best fishes to all for this Easter 2005 fish report from the Eastern High Sierra.
Enough rain and snow already! Mammoth Mountain is reporting they have received over 500 inches of snow already this season and there is a chance for more on the way by the beginning of next week. The holiday weekend looks to be pleasant with perhaps some gusty winds developing on Sunday over the ridge tops and down in the Owens valley.
As I write this report Crowley Lake is still 95 percent frozen with the inlets to McGee Bay and the Upper Owens the only ice free areas. Look for many of the lakes above 8000 feet to be snowbound and the roads to the creeks will more than likely be closed or have snow and icy conditions for the opener. The road into Reds Meadow and the San Joaquin will open much later than usual and plan on very high run-off during July. High water will be a major factor this season in the early and mid-summer months in all the freestone creeks and tailwaters like the East and West Walker Rivers, Rock Creek, Rush Creek, Bishop Creek, Mammoth Creek, Hot Creek, Upper and Lower Owens River, etc. The backcountry will have a shorter season than in years past as the high passes will not be open until mid-late July. This year will be great for Bridgeport Reservoir and The EW as it will finally have sufficient water to keep it healthy into the fall. You may have to fish the alpine lakes more than normal as these areas will be stable. The fall will be very good this season and different than the last several years as the river flows and lake levels should be ideal instead of low.
We are anticipating an epic season on Crowley, Eagle, and Bridgeport lakes as the water levels will remain high into the summer. We have added another brand new custom Ranger 23 foot flats boat to the Sierra Drifters guide fleet in anticipation of this season, as well as another top notch guide Phil Therrien; to pilot you and your group to the reel “wrecking” trout on these fine fisheries. I suggest you book early as these fisheries will be the place to go this summer when other areas are flooding and dealing with high water. For more information on Crowley Lake…www.crowleylakefishcamp.com
Conditions have changed for the worse I am sorry to report with regards to the fishing on the Owens River. The incredible moisture this area has received has prompted early substantial increases on the Lower Owens River and this has adversely affected the fly fishing that was excellent prior to the floods. The LADWP tells us that flows will continue to go up after some work gets done on the aqueduct next week.
In other news the LADWP is also planning to close Haiwee Reservoir to the public stating there is a substantial security threat by allowing public access. If you recreate in this area you need to write the LADWP and make your concerns heard. You can also contact Frank Y. at [email protected] for more information from the public point of view.
The financial situation for the Cal DFG hatchery system is also once again in jeopardy due to the loss of about 4 million dollars given to, and then taken back by the state and the city of Long Beach. Jeeesh! There is currently a new bill (AB 7) being regurgitated by Assemblyman Dave Cogdill that was overturned last year. Apparently the DFG is being audited to see exactly where YOUR license money is going. What a profound and novel idea!
I do not like to editorialize on the fish report, but please read the small print before you pass judgment on this crucial issue facing the sportsman of California.
Hatchery fish are necessary in the Eastern Sierra. Without them you would have few viable fisheries within a short period of time here and those that are able to sustain themselves naturally would be so over fished it would be only a short period of time before they too would be in trouble. There are NO native species of trout known to exist in the backcountry lakes, drainages, reservoirs and tailwaters of the Eastern Sierra aside from the Little Kern Golden Trout. I strongly believe it is imperative that we get legislation passed to insure a healthy and growing hatchery and enforcement program, but NOT at the expense of compromising and enhancing existing wild trout, salmon and steelhead programs. Prudence and clarification of where and what our license monies are spent should be addressed before we make into law what could adversely affect other fundamental programs in the DFG. The DFG is asked to wear a lot of hats. They are responsible for water pollution control, regulation and enforcement, endangered species protection; fishery and wildlife migration studies, formal EIR’s and their budget comes primarily from license sales. They are not subsidized.
Private funding in the Hot Creek Hatchery appears to be helping in the initial stages and this could be the hatchery systems salvation in the long run. Expansion of this pilot program should be considered and initiated in other hatcheries before re-doing the financial infrastructure of the DFG. Anglers and businesses who benefit from and utilize hatchery fish should be primarily responsible for the monies that support them and must understand that it costs more to “plant” fish than it does to have natural propagation. How about a HATCHERY TROUT stamp for those fishing in planted waters? If you fish the wild fish /catch and release areas you should not be taxed for the additional costs the hatcheries are putting on the system. This action may further lead to an increase in fisheries that can sustain themselves with C+R regulations. The financial future and the recreational opportunities for anglers of many areas are currently being challenged by budget shortfalls. Take time to examine the facts and link to the DFG news and other information we provide on this report please.
o www.dfg.ca.gov
o www.ladwp.com
o www.caltrout.org
o www.FriendsofCaliforniaHatcheries.org
Lower Owens River: Poor
The untimely increase in flows has squashed what could have been an epic spring. The LADWP kept the flows at extremely low levels during the fall and winter to do maintenance on their hydroelectric generation facilities. This event combined with the record precipitation California has received has attributed to some horrid conditions on this otherwise excellent tailwater. Release rates at Pleasant Valley Dam are currently at 300cfs. You can expect this to do nothing but increase in short order. Power generation is occurring most days for about 10 hours and this is expected to increase in the near future as repairs are being completed on the aqueduct downriver currently.
Prior to the flow increases we had some incredible hatches on the “O”. The caddis, stonefly and baetis activity were excellent and the water temps on the river climbed into the 50’s during the mid-day emergence. You will not see much going on as of late on top and bring along some battleship chain or an old car battery to get those nymph patterns down to the fish in the wild trout section. Check your flies EVERY cast as there is plenty of debris free floating down the river making it difficult to get a decent presentation. Wading is tough and will become even more challenging. The good news is as the water temperatures start to warm once again, the wild browns and rainbows will begin to move closer to the riffle water. Use shorter leaders and less weight.
Streamers are a good choice right now as there is enough wood coming down the river to build a log cabin. Moderate to heavy, longer sinking tip lines are best. Use patterns with some flash and red or orange for best results #8-12.
Check out the pics (www.sierradrifters.com/fish.html) of Ron Obray from Auburn, CA as he expertly nailed over 20 browns and bows on a dry/dry rig using a Stimulator and elk caddis before the flow increase recently. The caddis hatch was incredible that afternoon and the wild trout responded to the emergence with reckless abandon!
San Diego Fly Fishers Jack Bentley and Bob Miller have gone to the ends of the earth to get into big rainbows. They both landed trophy fish using the dip and strip method whilst on a two day drift here on the Lower Owens.
Craig Holmes from Hawthorne, CA can be forever classified as the “TERMINATOR” when he is fishing streamers from our drift boat. Homey nailed numerous big fish in several days of drifting. He wiilll be baaack!
Steve Shaffer from Van Nuys, CA thinks big. This veteran Sierra Drifters client has ripped plenty of lips in search of a web fish. Shafe got to buy the gang dinner with his big bow caught on a Drifters punk perch pattern #12 recently.
You may click on http://www.sierradrifters.com and check out the digital pictures of these lucky folks.
Pleasant Valley Reservoir: Fair
It does not take a rocket scientist to figure out what will happen when you put 600 “stink bait” anglers on this small body of water on a single weekend. The Blake Jones Classic and the Mammoth Gay ski weekend coincided with all those involved very happy I understand. The powerhouse is generating during the late mornings into dusk most days. I hear the beer can/Styrofoam recycling business can be very lucrative here. Tubers will do alright from the launch ramp towards the inlet. Fish the section where the water is moving slow as the turbines push food down the river into the “rez”. The trout will stack up here at the start of this cycle. Loebergs #10, Drifters Crystal Leeches #10-12, and a trailing nymph like our “Gillie” or pupa patterns #18 work great.
The Gorge: Good
There will be more people here than normal this time of year but it will be your best bet to get into consistent and productive fishing currently. Dry/dry and dry/dropper nymph combos #16-20 will all get grabs if the wild browns are not spooked prior to your presentations. The “evil nettle” is not horrid as of yet and the weather is great for a hike into this section. Bring along plenty of water.
Guide tips:
First aid on the water
It is cold and dry and your finger tips have cracks and splits in them like the San Andreas Fault. The big trout are on the bite and you NEED to fish. No time to put your hands in skin lotion and bag balm. This calls for an instant remedy. I always have a small tube of cyanoacrylate glue. Zap-a-gap, Crazy glue, all the same. This stuff bonds skin instantly and I have used it for years while commercial fishing and guiding to “mend” small abrasions and cuts on your hands that keep you from fishing. This stuff is always handy to have in your vest for rod tip and reel seat problems should they occur also. Be careful not to get the stuff anywhere near your eyes, and use only a drop for all applications. There are some commercial products available at drug stores that basically do the same thing.
Your all time favorite fly fishing buddy has just demonstrated his casting prowess by showing you his double haul with a #4 blood sucking leech. Bummer. The blood sucking leech is currently embedded in your left cheek due to an errant back cast. After apologies and the promise of paying for the entire trip your “pal” offers to remove the hook. If he reaches into his vest and pulls out a pair of Vise Grips…RUN!!! If he snips a 12 inch section of strong tippet and tells you to relax as he makes a loop around the hook bend gently, you should listen. The leader section should be against the inside bend of the hook and his opposite hand should be gently pressing down on the eye of the shank. On the count of one, two,..he should pull the tippet quickly while pressing down on the eye simultaneously. The tip of the hook will come out easily and quickly if done properly. This is what the doctors do at the hospitals for most hook removals. If the hook is around a sensitive area like the eyes or deeply embedded in the bone or bleeding profusely, get professional medical help a.s.a.p.
Fun day on the water, it was warm and you fished until the sun is over the crest and going down. The waders are going off and it is time to break that multi piece high dollar composite rod down and put it in the case. Ugggh! Another pull. Errrgh, uhhh! No luck. The tip section is not coming off. Stop. Put the rod tip or any other sections that are stuck in the water for a minute or so, and then twist the sections apart. The lower water temp will assist in the composite fibers shrinking and the pieces will separate easily under most circumstances saving you a costly and untimely repair bill.
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
Looking forward to fishing with you soon.
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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