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Eastern Sierras
Capt. Tom Loe
November 22, 2005
Eastern Sierras - Freshwater Fishing Report
Turkey Day 2005 Fish Report
November 22, 2005
Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. Best fishes to all for this turkey day 2005 fish report from the Eastern High Sierra.
Hard to believe it is late fall with the current weather we have been experiencing in this region. The Owens Valley has been unseasonably mild during the shortening days and there has been no moisture since our previous report. The inversion layer has been strong and you will encounter very cold temperatures along the river and low points in the valley during the mornings with the lows here being down in the teens. As the sun comes up it will warm rapidly as the morning progresses. Look for the highs to be well into the upper 60’s throughout the holiday week with a slight cooling trend forecast for the weekend with no mention of a storm front approaching the area. Winds along the valley floor have been mild recently. This fall had been quite the opposite of last years record parade of storms. It has been warm and dry with the long range forecasts not looking great for skiers and boarders at this point. We have even had some “issues” with the bloodsuckers (mosquitoes) during the afternoons, have some repellant available for sure. We still suggest that you dress and pack for the worst, and hope for the best if you are planning a trip to the Eastern Sierra. Conditions change rapidly this time of year and you must be prepared for some inclement weather and adverse fly fishing situations during the early winter season. Please note that the waters of the Lower Owens River, Pleasant Valley Reservoir and the small but fertile tailwater of the Gorge remain open to fishing year round. We provide year round guiding of all these locations with the “flagship” program being our drift boat float trips down the Lower Owens River.
Lower Owens River: Very Good
The “catching” has remained pretty much the same for us since our previous update and the larger fish are beginning to get more frisky as the days get shorter. Flows continue to be high for this time of year and the LADWP is releasing 510cfs at the outlet from Pleasant Valley Dam. The Edison people are also cashing in on last years snow pack and are letting out 165cfs on the Bishop Creek. What this means to fly fishers is tough wading conditions along the river in the wild trout section and near impossible bank access below the confluence of the Bishop Creek. However, we are doing just dandy from the drift boats! The flows have been high all year and the clarity is excellent with the fish adjusting to the higher water after six months of flooding. Heavier sink tips are a must with presentations cast into the softer transition zones producing better results for sure. The warm weather has definitely helped the situation keeping the water temps higher than usual and the fish and aquatic insects more active for this time of year.
Nymphing with heavily weighted tandem midge and mayfly rigs will get you into some fish with patience and proper location on the larger bends and oxbows in the wild trout section. Our crystal olive zebras and tigers are solid choices here #16-22. The key is to get your bugs down. 1-2 bb shot will do it. With this much weight it is difficult to find a strike indicator that will alert you to a grab a AND be able suspend the rig without the handicap of casting like an entire “turkey” attached to your leader. We have developed just such an indicator and it is easily adjusted and can be trimmed to fit your nymphing requirements. Labeled the “Sunjicator” named affectionately after one of my favorite engineers and Sierra Drifters…this is the last strike indicator you will ever need. Check it out, you will agree or your money back!
The weather has made this fall a total blast while doing the “dip and strip” and we have had several trips in the shirts off (gentleman only of course) category! Numbers are also good with the average drift being in the 30 to net range. The Spruce-A- Bu has been the hot fly these days with the “Ginger and Mary Ann” patterns doing a number on some of the larger trout recently. Don Williams from Bakersfield, CA always knew there were big fish in the Lower Owens and finally got into one of the rascals while on a drift with us this past week. Don and his brother Mike got over twenty nice rainbows and browns on a days drift while tugging Spruce-A-Bu’s and using the dip and strip method.
Veteran Sierra Drifters Rob Newman and Evan Aldrich from Santa Clarita, CA whacked over seventy to the net in a two day rip lipper with Rob getting big fish honors for the second straight year. Rob made the report last year with an exceptional rainbow caught in the fall. His “alien” ability to keep the rod tip underwater is the key to his success in my humble opinion. Nice “dipp’n” big guy, see you in the spring.
Dave Hale, from Valencia, CA likes and catches browns. He made the fish report on Crowley with a nice one and here he is again with a pretty Lower Owens model caught on a Loeberg while on a recent drift boat trip with us. The browns are on the spawn and we are getting good numbers of the critters while tugging our streamer patterns along the softer water edges this week. Please click on www.sierradrifters.com to view their great pictures.
The Lower Owens River is open year round and 2005-06 will be a memorable season here when the flows inevitably recede here in Dec. Get your arms in shape folks!
Pleasant Valley Reservoir: Good
This area will improve greatly when the power generator gets shut down in Dec. The reports from fly fishers who have hit this area in the few times when the “thing” was not turning have had excellent results in the inlet area to the rez. Tubers have had mixed results along the dam and inlet sections with the most consistent catching being near the inlet while the flow was moving water into the rez near the “big bend”. Punk Perch and Loebergs are always great flies here while trolling and stripping. Heavy sinking tips or full sinkers are best from the tubes. I like a dry dropper combo of a Stimulator #14-16 and a Drifters Crystal Tiger midge #18-16 or olive zebra in the transition area or river section above the rez.
This area is the best kept fly fishing secret in the Eastern Sierra and if you enjoy nymphing and streamer fishing in an inlet area this is your huckleberry. We guide this region year round and spend more than a few of our days off fishing here. Guide tip here folks.
The Gorge: Very Good
The fall and early spring months are the optimum time to fish this small tailwater fishery. You will find good numbers of eager wild brown trout willing to engulf most dry fly patterns in the #16-20 range. The dry/dropper bead head nymph enthusiast will get the lion share of grabs in most areas here especially in the deeper runs and pools.
The foliage along the banks is less dense during the fall and spring periods making access easier. You must still look out for the “evil stinging nettle” this time of year as it will put a damper on the whole day if you should happen to place a hand or forearm into its reach.
The hike into the gorge requires some work and is not for everyone. This is not a “tailgate” kind of spot and that is why the numbers of fish here are far better than most fly fishing areas in this region. Bring in your drinking water and a 2-4wt. rod with floating line and 5-6X tippet.
Mild winters equate to great fly fishing in this area and if the skiing and boarding is not up to snuff, give a guided drift boat or wade trip along the Owens a try this winter.
Sierra Drifters Guide Service is a full service outfitter…we can arrange for your real estate needs, lodging accommodations, etc, anything to make your stay here, either temporary or permanent more enjoyable. Michele Loe, Sales Associate – Prestige Properties of Mammoth, [email protected] or (760) 937-5666. She’ll be happy to assist you. There is also a link on the resources tab at www.sierradrifters.com
Starting your holiday shopping? We offer gift certificates for your favorite angler…just call or email to order….
You can pick up our guide flies at the following stand out locations: 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 and the Fishermen’s Spot in Van Nuys. There are links to these locations at www.sierradrifters.com
Happy Holidays and looking forward to fishing with you soon…
Be the fly…Tom Loe
Sierra Drifters Guide Service
760-935-4250
[email protected]
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