 |
Eastern Sierras
Capt. Tom Loe
July 1, 2005
Eastern Sierras - Freshwater Fishing Report
Independence Day 2005 Fishing Report Update
June 30, 2005
Howdy Friends and Sierra Drifters. Best fishes to all for this Independence Day fish report update from the Eastern High Sierra. We have some changes to report in some areas that may assist you in picking a spot to fly fish over the holiday weekend.
The weather is forecast to become more seasonal finally with warm daytime temperatures and above freezing lows in the upper Valleys and hot days and warm evenings forecast in the Owens Valley. You may experience gusty afternoon winds in the upper alpine areas in the afternoons. Yippee! Summer may be here kids.
Bridgeport Reservoir: Very Good
We have been fishing the lake all week and have had very steady action in the inlet section around Buckeye Bay using the stillwater nymphing method. The best fishing most days comes in 5-7 feet of water along the weed lines and then in the afternoons out in 14-17 feet towards Rainbow Pt. along the deep weed edges. Gillies #18, 20 will match the huge chironomid emergence. Drifter’s Crystal Leeches #14-16 have been the best. There is a good damsel fly nymph migration most days and if you want to get rocked on the strip with a medium sink tip start tugging a damsel nymph imitation #12-14. You will also see a substantial callibaetis mayfly emergence late morning #14-16 and we are waiting for that cloudy, still day to whack them on the top. The lake remains in excellent condition with lots of water, very little algae and very little pressure…with eager mixed species of rainbows in the 12-16 inch class with a few toads hitting the net to 23 inches. Check out the choppers on Brian Smith’s 23 inch bow taken recently on the lake on a #20 Drifter’s Gillie. Click on www.sierradrifters.com
Bridgeport has been re-born with the great water year and this is a nice place to fly fish with incredible views if you have never been here. The Bridgeport Lake Marina has a new owner - Jeffery Wenger who is friendly, knowledgeable and eager to get some fly rods on the lake. If you need a place to stay there are some excellent choices and some real nice folk’s to help you out here. Click on one of these links for info. All of these businesses are involved in the fisheries enhancement program for the lake and the EW.
http://www.bigmeadowlodge.com
http://www.calparadise.com/troutproject.html
East Walker: Fair at best
The flows will most likely yo-yo around 350-700cfs for the remainder of the summer. Currently they are at 550 and holding. This is tough wading water (wear your wading belts tight for sure) and you need battleship chain (2bb shot) to get your bugs down to the fish when nymphing. Use some flash in your patterns to make them stand out. Good time of year for caddis imitations here. I have been impressed with the average size of the trout on the EW this season, not so much with the numbers however. If you are a novice this will not be your huckleberry to be honest. Try casting streamers with a 150 or 200 grain 24 foot sink tip in the deep sections. I like our Spruce-a-bu #8. Work it along the transition lines and under the willows in the softer water while using the “dip and strip” from an upstream position.
Hot Creek: Good
Flows continue to be high but clarity is good. Higher water here opens up more opportunities and allows for longer drifts than when the weeds are protruding the surface. Caddis nymphs and emergers, some #16 golden stones, always the midges. Good reports using scuds #18 here also. Streamers will pay off on the larger models for sure at this level. Small to medium length type 2-3 sink tips will be sufficient. Loebergs or Spruce-a-bu’s work well here.
Upper Owens River: Fair
The water is way better this week all around and you can have some fun with the residents on caddis dries late afternoons. Stick to streamers if the weed is not clogging the foam lines in the lower sections below the bridge. Plenty of stockers here.
Rush Creek /June Lake Loop: Fair-good
Rush is rushing. Lower Rush is blown out (check out the pics on our website) www.sierradrifters.com I suggest you stick to the lakes - June, Silver, Grant or Gull from a tube will all produce if you put in the time with a full sink and troll along the drop-offs or inlets. Crystal Leeches #10-14, Punk Perch#10-14, and Spruce-a-bu’s all shine in these lakes. With the weather forecast good for the next 5 days this area will be nice to fish from a tube.
Crowley Lake: Poor
It has been a struggle here this week. The weed lines are out to 17 feet in most areas and the fish have not shown up in numbers inside the edges near the inlets yet. The midge hatches have been weak, this due in part to the whacko management of the water levels this season by the LADWP. This was forecast by us to happen around the opener and it unfortunately has come true. You will still find some nice fish in deeper water in Hilton and McGee with a few fish showing in the channel but it will be a struggle until the water starts to drop significantly. Things will pick up soon here as the flows have come up plenty on the Lower Owens recently. I still believe the special regulation season (8/1/05 – 11/15/05) will be excellent and that we are seeing the low point of the year right now.
San Joaquin River: ???
The road into Reds Meadow will open this weekend and we will let you know how it is fishing. The water will be very high here initially for sure.
You can pick up our guide flies at the following stand out locations: The Crowley Lake Fish Camp and the Crowley Lake General Store and Deli in Crowley, The Troutfitter/Trout Fly in Mammoth Lakes, Malibu Fish’N Tackle in Thousand Oaks, The San Diego Fly Shop and Stroud’s Tackle in San Diego. 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
More Fishing Reports:
|
|
|
|
