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Eastern Sierras
Capt. Tom Loe
May 21, 2006
Eastern Sierras - Freshwater Fishing Report
Fish Report...Memorial Day 2006
May 21, 2006
Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. Best fishes to all for this Memorial Day 2006 fish report from the Eastern High Sierra.
You must look way back in the log books to find a more pleasant and mild May for the eastern slope of the Sierra. It has been down right nice here for the initial part of the trout season and there is not a whole bunch of change forecast for the future. A cooling trend is in the works for next week. Thunder storms have been popping up this week and with them some gusty and shifty winds. This situation has not helped the already swollen creeks and rivers and you should plan on “variable conditions” for the next week or so.
The fishing has slowed overall this week on the rivers and creeks due to the above average air temps and the associated inevitable run-off. At this time most of the moving waters in the entire Sierra are rising, off-color and not fishing well. The lakes and reservoirs that are ice and snow free have been incredible thus far and in my opinion, remain the best place to cast a fly without any doubt.
We have had a record amount of snow fall this season and in addition very high water content within the snowfall. The experienced and wise fly fisher will look for more stable and regulated waters to fish during the run-off periods. The mid summer through fall season will be nothing short of spectacular and it will be during this time that the rivers and creeks will be at their best.
GUIDE TIP:
The early summer season of 2006 will pose some difficult challenges to moving water fly fishers. The most important of which will be the safety issue. Some of the rivers and creeks will be at or above flood levels in the near future and we suggest a prudent wading strategy especially in the larger waters. The East Walker, West Walker, Lower Owens, San Joaquin, Rush Creek, Bishop Creek, Rock Creek, etc…could have the potential of being on the dangerous side during peak run-off periods. If you are wearing breathable type waders make sure you have a snug wading belt. A wading staff or stout branch can be very helpful in crossings. Never wade in swift water above your knees. Firmly plant and stabilize your foot after every step. NEVER shuffle or walk normally across moving water. If you do slip or fall, try to get on your back, head up, with your feet pointing downstream. Do not try to fight the swift current and stand up. Use your arms to backstroke and move at an angle towards the closest safe shoreline. “Buddy wading” is a great method of crossing or working towards more productive and softer water during high flow conditions. Begin the wading or crossing at an upstream position, angling downstream to your casting position. The best holding spot is in the middle of the back, securing your hand to the center of each others cross straps or the combined seams of your waders and the top of a vest. Do NOT hold hands or inter lock elbows. Polarized glasses are a must. Be safe and you will have fun.
We are really exited to announce the addition of Kittredge Sports in Mammoth Lakes as one of our premier locations to purchase our time tested guide flies and merchandise. Kittredge has a long time reputation for being one of the largest and best equipped stores in Mammoth for all outdoor activities. The very friendly, laid back personalities of this outstanding mountain sports store give you the impression you are in a lodge with a personal guide instead of a sales person to help you find the right equipment and put you on the fish. The well equipped fly shop carries top of the line products and if you want to give fly fishing a try on your own, the gang will set you up with waders, tubes, rods and reliable information. Need a guide? This is the right place. Sierra Drifters has teamed up with the Kittredge staff to put you with a pro for an educational and memorable day on the water. Do yourself a favor and stop by this terrific shop the next time your in Mammoth, you will be back! http://www.kittredge.net
Popular Sierra Drifters Guide Brad McClain has been punishing the fish with his drift boat prowess on the Lower Owens for several years now. Check out his new “fish magnet” custom flats boat that will guide clients to the drag wrecking trout on Crowley and Bridgeport Reservoirs this season. This sled is a nice ride and will get you on the fish comfortably, safely and real FAST!
Crowley Lake: Excellent
We have to go back to the summer of ‘99 to encounter such a great start to the Crowley season. The numbers have been above expectations most days with 12-14 inch “footballs with tails” the average size rainbow being caught and released. These chunky fish pull like nothing else and are a hoot on a 5wt.
The water clarity remains excellent and there are only a few weed beds popping up in some of the bays. At this time the lake level is rising slowly as the flows on the Lower Owens River are still holding at 370cfs. The weather has been a mix of perfect with some T-storms and very gusty winds emerging in the afternoon. It has been unseasonably warm and mild for May.
Look for the best concentrations of trout to be in the 11-15 foot range most days. Sandy Pt. the Hiltons and Alligator have been the most consistent areas. McGee Bay has been spotty, but is good when it’s on. The perch are thick this season and you will have flurries of the rascals that will provide you with “target practice” in hook setting while still water nymphing. The chironomids are hatching in big numbers and make sure you have a #18 or 20 Drifters Gillie or Crystal Emerger tied to the upper hook during this period. Crystal Tigers and Zebras #16-18 are deadly as the lower fly; keep them 10 inches off the bottom.
The first callibaetis mayflies have shown up and if you choose to tug a streamer I suggest a Hares Ear or one of our new styles of light Punk Perch patterns #14-16. The callibaetis nymph is a swimmer and will be found near the inlets here on Crowley. The gulpy, aggressive splashes you witness in the morning are evidence of trout feeding on the emerging mayfly. The low light periods are best for this type of fly fishing as the fish go deeper and are bottom grubbing mid-day.
Be prepared for the perch fry annihilation this August and September. Streamer fishing will be as good as it gets along the weed lines this summer and fall.
The lake has been empty mid-week and there are plenty of really nice flat bottoms available to rent at the Fish Camp if you choose to do it on your own. The staff at the Fish Camp will set you up with the right Drifters flies and put you in a clean, well equipped rental. Call 760-935-4301 for information. www.crowleylakefishcamp.com
The “possum” Anthony Vuoso from Rolling Hills Estates, CA has become quite the predator the last few years and his main target is the brown trout of Crowley Lake. The browns have been on the scarce side this May but leave it to the “possum” to get a nice one in the net!
Karl Schoenbaum from Calabasas, CA had a Zen like feeling he and his family would hit it big on Crowley recently and made a bonsai last minute trip to check out the great early season run we have had. The mighty “turtle” Drifters own Mickey Baron guided Karl to a very nice rainbow and he watched as his son Cole spanked over twenty fish by himself in a days outing with the turtle. Way to use the force Schoenbaums! Check out all the pics at www.sierradrifters.com
Bridgeport Reservoir: Good
Back to back years of superb water conditions equate to excellent fly fishing conditions on this fantastic high desert reservoir. The big story here is the way above normal amount of browns being landed on streamers. Rich Leever from Yorba Linda, CA spanked 20 trout from his tube recently. Check out the big “brown critter” that ate a Loeberg #10 to punctuate a super day at the Bridge. This is a special fish; Rich measured it at 23 inches. High fives to you Rich!
Stillwater nymphers have also reported good results working the drop-off between Rainbow Pt. and Buckeye Bay in 11-15 feet. Jeffery at the marina will set you up with the current hot patterns. Buckeye, Robinson and the EW inlets remain cloudy and off color due to the high run-off. The marina and launch ramp sections have been off and on with trollers doing well in the mornings.
The hatches of chironomids and callibaetis are huge right now and the conditions are very good and should continue throughout most of the summer. If you have not fly fished this lake in recent years, now is the time. Please support the trout enhancement program and go check out the “tomato bin” of trout at Paradise Shores. Super nice place to stay if you have an RV…FYI. http://www.bridgeportreservoir.com
The Bridgeport fisheries enhancement program should set the stage for a stellar season on the EW. Please support the efforts of this innovative and tireless group of concerned sportsman/businessman by donating to this worthy cause.
Click on www.sierradrifters.com to open a PDF file of their donation letter. Or see www.bigmeadowlodge.com for program information.
East Walker: High flows
The EW is a big tailwater and can fish well even during high water (900cfs) if you are a strong wader and skilled at fishing heavily weighted nymph rigs. The current flows are very high and this is NOT a place for the novice fly fisher. There is limited water even in the meadow section located directly below the dam. Clarity remains excellent and this is one of the best times of year to fish here. Use mayfly and midge patterns with plenty of flash in the imitation. Proper weighting is the key and if you like fishing with 4 BB shot you have a good chance of hitting a 20 inch plus fish this time of year in one of the softer sections of the river.
Hot Creek: High and muddy
It will be a while before this excellent spring creek gets back in shape. Mammoth Creek is currently flooding into the meadows and making for less than perfect conditions in this area.
The good news for the future here is the fantastic action we saw before the run-off messed it up. “Brownzilla”, the huge brown trout caught by the now famous trout ninja, Cary Kutzke is still lurking in her lair and has tortured several other clients before giving them the proverbial “fin” after throwing the hook.
We did get a picture of a spectacular rainbow caught by Drifters client David Kendrick from Irvine, CA. David had a special day on Hot Creek before the snow began melting. He nymphed his way to thirty fish using a combination of our Crystal Olive Zebras and flashback pt’s in the #18-22 range. Somewhere in the middle he caught and released the largest trout of his life and it is a fish you must see. Congrats David, what a fish! www.sierradrifters.com
Lower Owens River: Fair-good
The levels are slowly going up this week and are currently at 365cfs. Not horrid, not great. Fish the mornings and late afternoons and you will get into some fish here while nymphing with caddis, mayfly or midge imitations. Olive and black zebras will cover the lower fly in a tandem rig nicely, use a pt, hares ear or birds nest for the upper and you will have an effective rig. Look for caddis adults in the late afternoons for the best opportunity to fool some fish on the surface.
Drift boat trips have been only fair with the best snap in the mornings due to the unseasonably warm mid-days. Slim pick’ns in the heat of the day. The bloodsuckers are a force to be reckoned with down in the valley right now as well. Bring along plenty of repellant and remember to re-shield after you wet wade!
Upper Owens River/Crowley tributaries: Poor
High and muddy water. There are still plenty of fish in all the tribs, just poor conditions to fish the rascals. I would not hold my breath waiting for the clarity to improve in the near future to be honest with you.
Rush, Rock, Lee Vining, Convict, Bishop Creeks, etc…
These creeks are going to be very high for quite a while during the run-off. We will let you know when conditions begin to improve.
San Joaquin River:
The road to Reds Meadow should be opening sometime around June 23rd. This river will be dangerous to wade or cross until August. The meadow sections will be fishable.
Tioga Pass:
We here that this will not open until mid-July!
Mammoth Lakes Basin:
Lake Mary Road should be plowed by June 10th. There will be a whole bunch of snow and ice for quite sometime above 8500ft. this season.
And passing on an email from Rob @ Cal Trout:
Hi all- please see attached Golden Trout Project volunteer activities for this summer.
The introduction of non-native trout into the Golden Trout’s native range has inadvertently subjected the Golden Trout to hybridization, predation, and competition for habitat. Additionally, historical poor grazing management has also damaged the sensitive high elevation habitat of the Golden Trout. The Golden Trout Project is a collaborative effort between California Trout, California Department of Fish and Game, the US Forest Service, Trout Unlimited, and US Fish and Wildlife. This cooperative project is dedicated to improving Golden Trout habitat in California and subsequently rebuilding sustainable populations of the state fish in their native waters.
The primary objectives and goals of the Golden Trout Project include: 1) rebuilding sustainable populations of the Golden Trout in their native waters of the south fork of the Kern and Golden Trout Creek drainages, 2) reducing the risk of extinction by preventing unauthorized fish stocking, securing fish barriers, and removing non-native trout, 3) restoring degraded and riparian and instream habitat within the native range of the Golden Trout, and 4) expand cooperative partnerships and volunteer involvement in the Golden Trout restoration activities.
If you’re interested in getting into the Golden Trout Wilderness this summer and helping out with these critical projects, please take a look at the attached document and sign up early. Project time and dates are subject to change and events fill up quickly. All projects, volunteer forms, and urgent updates can also be viewed at: http://www.caltrout.org
2006 California Trout Volunteer Opportunities in the Eastern Sierra
Deadman Creek Restoration Project- June 10th- Volunteers needed!
In cooperation with Friends of the Inyo and the USFS we will be rehabilitating and restoring the Deadman Creek dispersed campground areas impacting the riparian and watershed qualities of this headwater and the Owens River. Please contact Rob Lusardi at [email protected] or (760) 924-1008 or Jamie Anderson of Friends of the Inyo at (760) 873-6500 for more information or to sign up.
2nd Annual Protect Our Headwaters Day on the Owens River headwaters- July 8th- Volunteers needed!
Last year this event brought together a diverse group of NGOs, agencies and volunteers. This year, we will continue our work on the north side of Deadman Creek by rock barricading OHV (off highway vehicle) routes, raking out proliferated routes along the Deadman Creek floodplain, and facilitating riparian vegetation recruitment. We will also be joined by a local aquatic entomologist from the Sierra Nevada Aquatic Research Lab who will give a streamside talk about the native invertebrates and potential impacts from aquatic invasive species such as the New Zealand Mud Snail. This event is in cooperation with Friends of the Inyo and the USFS. Please contact Rob Lusardi at [email protected] or (760) 924-1008 or Jamie Anderson of Friends of the Inyo at (760) 873-6500 for more information. Please sign up early!
Glass Creek Meadow Hike- September 9th
Recently featured in Southwest Fly Fishing Magazine as one of the premiere destinations in California, Glass Creek meadow is one of the largest sub-alpine meadows in the entire Sierra and home to a sustainable wild brook trout fishery, as well as expansive views of the Sierra Crest and San Joaquin Mountain. The area is also rich with biodiversity and contains the headwaters of the upper Owens River. We will meet at 8am at the Obsidian Dome parking lot off Highway 395, north of Mammoth Lakes and head out from there. Please bring your hiking boots, plenty of water and a packed lunch. Approximate time for roundtrip is 4 hours and the hike should be characterized as moderate to strenuous. For more information or to get involved, please contact Rob Lusardi at [email protected] or (760) 924-1008.
Note: all dates are subject to change and dependent on weather, so please stay tuned!
Best,Robert A. Lusardi
California Trout
Eastern Sierra Manager
ph: (760) 924-1008
fax: (760) 924-1009
www.caltrout.org
I hope to see you out there this summer! --Rob
You can pick up our guide flies at the following stand out locations: Crowley Lake Fish Camp & Crowley Lake General Store/Deli in Crowley, The Troutfitter/Trout Fly and Kittredge Sports in Mammoth Lakes, Bridgeport Reservoir Marina, Malibu Fish’n Tackle in Thousand Oaks, The San Diego Fly Shop and Stroud’s Tackle in San Diego, The Fishermen’s Spot in Van Nuys and Bob Marriott’s in Fullerton. There are links to these locations at www.sierradrifters.com
FYI…CALIFORNIA'S SECRET WITNESS PROGRAM TO HELP STOP POACHING AND POLLUTING 1-888-DFG-CALTIP
(1-888-334-2258) http://www.dfg.ca.gov
California Dept. of Fish & Game Regs… http://www.fgc.ca.gov
Or you can also call the Mono County Sheriffs Dept.
760-932-7549 / 760-935-4066
Be the fly my friends,
Tom Loe
Sierra Drifters Guide Service
760-935-4250
[email protected]
www.sierradrifters.com
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