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Eastern Sierras
Capt. Tom Loe
March 31, 2006
Eastern Sierras - Freshwater Fishing Report
Spring 2006 Fish Report
March 30, 2006
Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. Best fishes to all for this “Black Thursday” spring 2006 fish report from the Eastern High Sierra.
We no longer need to hold our breaths waiting for the flows to come up on the Lower Owens River near Bishop Ca. The water lords have unleashed the hounds and you will see releases in the wild trout section running at 400cfs by the afternoon of 3-30-06 we are informed. The silver lining to this dark cloud is that we have been told that 400cfs will be the highest release for the distant future and NOT the blow-out we experienced last season. We have cancelled guided trips during the initial increase because it will pretty much SUCK for the first 48 hours after the increase. The conditions will improve as the level stabilizes and we are anticipating a very good April so long as the flows do not keep elevating on the Owens River.
Please, please, will this winter never end! As mentioned in our prior fish report; do not put that winter clothing in storage quite yet folks. We are having another phenomenal and lengthy winter with the snow pack being well above normal. The Mammoth Mountain Ski area has received over 540 inches this season and is forecast to receive additional moisture over the next week. The seven day forecast continues to show an unstable and cooler than normal period with valley rain and mountain snow all a possibility next week.
This coming season will parallel last years in regards to high spring run-off with great summer and fall fly fishing opportunities as we look into the Drifter’s crystal ball. Check out our prior fish reports posted from last season to assist you in your plan of fly fishing attack this season. This should help you format what will be hot and what will be NOT as the spring rolls into summer and fall. Crowley Lake is as full as it gets and is ice free as of last week. Bridgeport Reservoir and the Walker Rivers are also postured for an incredible season thanks to another great winter and the efforts of some tireless individuals and their aggressive fisheries enhancement program we are proud to be a part of. Click on www.sierradrifters.com to open a PDF file of their donation letter. Or see www.bigmeadowlodge.com for program information.
We are unleashing several new weapons this season, with some major improvements to our existing time tested guide flies this season. Look for a versatile new “light colored punk perch” imitation tied on the hot new Tiemco 760 TC hook that will absolutely be the “bomb” on Crowley and Bridgeport next season during the perch fry migration into the weed beds; as well as a new flavor of streamer nicknamed “agent orange”. This is a potent fly that has been used and fished exclusively by us the last couple of seasons. My personal favorite in the improvement category happens to be named after my good friend, radio personality (Rod & Reel Radio extra sports 690 / 866-690-1150) and my dearest insurance agent Stan Vanderburg. The “Blood Sucking Vanderleech” is one of my go to flies and will be available soon. In addition to the new flies we will also be offering “Killer kits” (priced under $50.00) for both our streamers and nymphs. They will come packaged in a labeled, sturdy and functional floating fly box and will contain a variety of our most popular and effective flies to get you started or to give as a gift. These new flies and “killer kits” will be available in May of 2006 at the following fine fly shops and locations.
Cal Trout needs our help with some crucial clean-up, and survey events slated for the Eastern Sierra. Please contact Rob Lusardi at [email protected] or by phone at 760-924-1008. Or click on www.sierradrifters.com to open a PDF file of their volunteer letter.
Lower Owens River: A river in transition…
Black Thursday has arrived and you will find an all together different animal along the banks of the Lower O. Wading and crossing will be significantly more difficult and you will need a couple of bb shot to get down in the deeper pools while nymphing. The visibility in the first few days will be very poor making reading the water and crossing hazardous. The trout will be seeking different holding locations for the next several days and there will be progressively larger amounts of floating debris as you venture further downstream from the dam. We are told the flows will level off at 400cfs for a good duration of time and may be reduced a little in May or June. This is great news (if true) and we could have a great April as the river stabilizes and the fish adjust to the higher levels. Hang in there! It will get better soon and the flushing flows provide a necessary part of natures cycle on the river.
Shields up! Look out for the bloodsuckers from here on out. These little terrorists are beginning to show up on the warmer days and are going to be heavy this season along the wet meadows everywhere in the Sierra.
The infrequent warmer days are getting the #16 dark bodied caddis flies hatching and this combined with the steady baetis (blue winged olive #18) emergence during the afternoons are providing some excellent surface opportunities for the eager wild trout. Look for increasing stone fly activity #14-16 yellow bodies.
The always present midges are coming off in clouds at times and you will see the trout feeding on clusters of the little critters in the late afternoons. A #22 Griffith’s Knat is a good imitation for this event. Crystal tiger, olive or black zebra midge’s #16-22, WD 40’s and RS-2’s are also a good choice for nymphing as well as a selection of flashback pheasant tails or birds nest patterns #16-18. You will need a chunk of weight to get those bugs down at the current release rates and if you choose to fish under a strike indicator I suggest you check out the “Sungicator” (patents pending). My good friend and Crowley fly fisher Sunji Nishimaura helped us develop this very durable high visibility, high riding multi- colored poly yarn indicator with a unique and ingenious fastener to make leader attachment and depth changes quick and simple with no slipping during casting. It is pre-treated with a dry silicone floatant that will last all day.
The drift boat fishing has been very good with many large rainbows continuing to be fooled by the dip and strip method while fishing streamers. We have had a spectacular season with numerous large fish being caught and released on a daily basis. It is not possible to feature them all in a single report! Have some patience if you got a “Troutzilla” with us; we will catch up to you in a future report. Click on www.sierradrifters.com to view these beauties...
Veteran Sierra Drifter’s Craig “the heron” and daughter Stephanie, “the heroness” Holmes of Hawthorne, CA with Barry Gamdarana “the long ranger” from Hendersen, NV spent several days recently terrorizing the trout of the Lower Owens while casting dry flies and streamers. The trout are very happy they have gone home. The “Homey herons” and the “ranger” were unleashed! I’m still grinning kids - that was way too much fun.
The “dip and strip” method of fly fishing streamers requires a deft and subtle touch, a disciplined strip set and a Zen like feel for reading the water grasshopper. Blind ass luck helps too!
Steve “ Mr. Silky” Shaffer from Van Nuys, CA with long time pal Davey “drop’n it back” Hale from Valencia, CA have mastered the dip and strip and are long time Drifters that have long payed their dues for a shot at an EPIC day on the Lower Owens. The boys stepped on the drift boat that faithful morning and called it before the first cast! The first pool produced a handful of grabber’s on Loeberg’s #10 and we all knew it was on. The bigs came out to play this day and I will long remember what a hoot we had on this drift. Let’s do it again, see ya in April!
David Glass from Rancho Cucamonga, CA wanted a trophy trout. He was not denied. Drifters guide Brad McClain put Dave on “troutzilla’ along with numerous other fatties on a recent float with us. The hot fly was our new “agent orange” available this May. Stellar paint job on this one-check her out. High fives to you Dave!
Fly fish’n/legal eagle Marty Little standing at 6 feet 6 inches from Las Vegas, NV another long time Drifter has once again made the fish report with another big rainbow he skillfully caught and released after a lengthy and nervous battle that had the fish winning during the first several rounds on the day the water flows began to rise. Marty hooked the huge bow on our dark Spruce-a-bu #8. The streamer bite slacked off as the water levels rose and a winter storm came rolling into the valley. Marty took advantage of a great bwo hatch and saved the day with a flurry of browns on the dries. Check this two footer out, it is awesome!
The Gorge: Very good
The flow increases on the Lower Owens River will not affect this small tailwater fishery at this time. In addition, this is the optimum period of the year to fish this area. Rock hopping, bramble breaking and trail making are all mandatory to fish this area in the more productive sections. The small wild browns here will eagerly grab dry flies and dry/dropper nymph rigs that are properly presented and approached with stealth. Bring in water or a filter and insect repellant.
If you get a bummer on the Owens in the near future take a half day and fish this section with a 0-4 wt. It is a hoot and will bail you out if the flows hamper your efforts on the “O”.
Pleasant Valley Reservoir: Fair
Power generation will be ever increasing as the days get longer. Tubing will be your best bet and when the “thing” is running hit the inlet section and the increased flow it provides. Stick to the launch ramp or dam section otherwise. A full sink or heavy sinking tip line will be best to get those streamers down to the 10-15 foot level the bulk of the trout are holding in right now. Blood sucking “Vanderleeches” #10-12 are hot right now.
ROAD TRIP!!! Sierra Drifters guide, Tom Loe will be doing a seminar and slide show for the combined groups of the Las Vegas FFF, TU Vegas Chapter and the Las Vegas/Henderson Fly Fishers at 6:30 pm on April 18th 2006 at the incredible Bass Pro Shop facility in Las Vegas. http://www.basspro.com
The show will include Stillwater nymphing tactics from a boat or float tube, as well as instruction on the “dip and strip” method of fishing streamers from a boat or pontoon. Areas focused on will be the Eastern Sierra’s Crowley Lake and the Lower Owens River near Bishop California. The public and friends are invited to attend at no charge. Donations however, would be greatly appreciated to the above mentioned clubs. This will be an informative, really fun show and we are looking forward to a large turnout of friends and clients from all over. Come to Vegas and say hi!
www.lasvegasflyfishingclub.com Gil Bourdon [email protected]
You can pick up our guide flies this time of year at the following stand out locations: 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
Be the fly my friends,
Tom Loe
Sierra Drifters Guide Service
760-935-4250
[email protected]
www.sierradrifters.com
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