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Eastern Sierras
Capt. Tom Loe
October 6, 2006
Eastern Sierras - Freshwater Fishing Report
Fall Fish Report...
September 25, 2006
Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. Best fishes to all for this beginning of fall fish report from the Eastern High Sierra.
Cool crisp mornings and comfortable afternoons are pretty much the norm here this time of year with a weak cold front or two dashing through the region giving us some strong winds and some light precipitation. The deciduous trees foliage is beginning to turn incredible shades of yellow and orange and the high canyons are becoming ablaze with this seasonal change. It is without a doubt the most picturesque time of year to visit the high country and most certainly one of the prime periods to fly fish the region.
The “catching” is very good in most areas with the only exception being the Lower Owens River due to excessive flow releases (600cfs) at this time. The freestone and spring creeks are running at ideal flows with crystal clear visibility.
As the sun begins to have a lower arc on the horizon and the daylight periods shorten, the trout’s biological clock alerts the fish to begin a more aggressive and opportunistic feeding pattern in preparation for the long, lean days of winter. This event coupled with the fall spawn for several species that thrive in this region will multiply your odds for getting into larger and historically more numbers of fish in any given fishery. Prime time has arrived in the Eastern Sierra people, come on up and rip some lips! (Gently of course.) We have had a couple of recent cancellations and do have guides available on short notice for 9-28 through 10-2 if you can make a quick trip up…please call or email. And then also do still have openings in October, November & December….
Crowley Lake: Excellent-poor-excellent-poor
It has been a roller coaster ride here on Crowley this season. The record snowfall of last winter has left the lake at very high levels and with all the water we have a lot of nutrients present that accelerate and promote huge algae blooms. In the long term this is very good for the lake and its aquatic organisms. In the periods of bloom, this is a far less than ideal condition for fly fishers. Under the right wind and weather conditions you will find some extraordinary streamer and still water nymph fishing for fall holdovers. If you are unfortunate enough to be the recipient of some prolonged east wind conditions you will have a tough time keeping your flies clean currently. The good news is that the water surface temps are cooling rapidly and the bloom is abating slowly but surely.
This has been the best season is recent years for those casting or trolling streamers in all areas of the lake. Heavy sinking tip or moderate full sink lines are very effective right now and are less affected by the algae most of the time. We have had a blast casting Sierra Drifter’s Loebergs, Punk Perch’s, Agent Oranges and Blood Sucking Vanderleeches during the periods the rascals will not take the Sunjicators down. The stillwater method is also providing some great action at times with chironomid larva patterns like our tigers and zebras in the #16-20 range most effective as the bottom fly. I like a punk perch or leech as the upper fly and you will get plenty of grabs on the top if you take the time to tie your dropper to the hook eye as opposed to the upper hooks bend. This technique of rigging your still water set up insures that the upper hook suspends perpendicular to the leader allowing a more natural presentation and when you get a grab on the upper, more of the fly penetrates the mouth area increasing your odds for a solid hook set. Some folks struggle at getting the dropper section of the leader through the hook eye. Have a sharp set of nippers and cut the tip at an angle to make it easier to thread the eye. Make sure you move the existing knot to the side of the eye allowing more room for the threading process.
Drifter’s guides have been hitting fish in most areas of the lake depending on the conditions. The Hiltons are coming on and there are some big fish cruising along the weed lines here as well as Sandy Point and the east section of Six Bays. McGee is still my favorite area but there are more consistent numbers on a daily basis in the North Arm in the river channel area with an increasing number of fish showing at Green Banks outside and inside of the weed lines. Eight to twelve feet in all areas.
You will encounter some of the new arrivals as the DFG has already put a few hundred thousand dinks in for the annual fall planting of Crowley. Please release these fish with extra care…they are the future “Troutzillas”!
The management at Crowley has asked us to put the word out on a special fall offer for fly fishers this season. If you rent one of the flat bottom boats from now until the Marina closes you will get a 20% discount on any Sierra Drifters Flies purchased at the time of rental. With the way the lake is changing on a day to day basis a boat is by far the way to most effectively fish this lake right now. These are really clean and stable rigs. If a guide trip is not in your budget I suggest you check this option out. www.crowleylakefishcamp.com
Big men, big fish! The Newman family’s annual fall trout classic saw some great fishing on the first day with Rob and Guy catch and releasing some incredible Crowley slammers. Check the pics out by visiting our website at http://www.sierradrifters.com
Double Haul in the Fall contestants had to deal with some very tough weather conditions prior to the event. The morning before the event saw thirty knot winds blasting the surface of Crowley and many contestants heading back to their condos or hotels. Larry Daniels and Rob McCartney trusted the 24 foot custom Ranger flats boat I guide out of to take them safely and comfortably to the promised land as we were the ONLY fly fishers in McGee Bay until joined shortly there after by another Drifter’s guide Mickey Baron until noon when the winds abated. Larry and Rob had a sensational morning with scoreable fish caught on streamers at first and then a flurry of big fish caught while using the still water nymph technique. Way to hang guys, nice fish! Check out the pics on www.sierradrifters.com
Bridgeport Reservoir: Fair
Conditions will improve here as the heavy weed dissipates with the lowering of the lake level. The best area for fly fishers right now is immediately in front of the marina and along the north shore line towards the public launch ramp. The drop off adjacent to Rainbow point angling towards Buckeye Bay is also kicking our some quality browns for streamer fisherman according to “Sheep Miester” and marina owner Jefferrreee Wenger. Look for a great October here as the big browns will be on the prowl!
www.bridgeportreservoir.com
East Walker: Very Good
The flows are at an optimum level right now and the reports from many fly fishers are great. There is a link to the current river flows at www.sierradrifters.com
Big fish are chomping streamers (Spruce-a-bu’s rock here) during the low light periods and the nymphing is very good with #18-22 crystal midges and flashback pt’s or hares ear patterns. Look for some hopper activity to continue for another couple of weeks and a hopper/dropper bead head combo is deadly on the right riffle currently. The bwo mayfly hatch will be getting more substantial as the fall rolls on and with a little cloud cover you may experience some awesome dry fly action.
The EW is fishing as good as we have seen it in several falls and with the shot of fish from the DFG and the great local business folks who have supplemented this fishery with a lot of blood, sweat and beers…this is a must do if you are a fly fisher right now.
There is a fly fishing tourney on the EW that is in its second year being held on October 8th. Registration and rule info is provided below. Come on up to the EW and support this event. The proceeds will go into the much needed fisheries enhancement programs.
News from the Bridgeport Fisheries Enhancement Program:
The East Walker Wild Trout Fly Fishing Trout Tournament
Sunday, October 8th 2006
Come out to an exciting fly fishing event sponsored by the Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce. There are two divisions for you to enter. The starting time for both divisions is 7 a.m. The cut-off time is 2:30 p.m. sharp!
Hey guys…Go to www.bridgeportfishenhancement.com and www.bridgeportcalifornia.com and check out our website updates that include online entry forms, donations and Program information. Thanks, Skip Baker
West Walker River: Excellent
This freestone river is peaking right now and is well worth the effort to fish with a fly. My personal choice is a dry/dropper bead head nymph rig with a crystal tiger or olive zebra. You may have opportunities to fish it with dry/dry combos as there are plenty of caddis and hoppers around currently. If you do not want company go hike into the canyon sections upstream from the Hwy 395 Bridge or park at Pikel Meadows off the Sonora Pass exit and walk upstream from the improved parking area here.
San Joaquin: Awesome
The crowds of summer have gone and you will find some excellent conditions and solitude here in most areas of the Joaquin. Most dries with a little red incorporated into the pattern, Trudes, Coachman’s, Stimulators, will all get grabs on the top. Dry dropper rigs fished in the deeper pools are also a slam dunk right now. I like a crystal tiger or olive zebra as the nymph #16-20.
Upper Owens River: Good
The fall migration is going on as we speak and there are solid numbers of rainbows with some larger browns beginning to move upstream towards the gravel beds. The section below the Benton Crossing Bridge to the fishing monument remains open until 9-30 and then closes to all fishers for the remainder of this season. You may fish upstream in the special regulation section, or downstream of the monument until 11-15.
Conditions are good right now in all areas of the Upper O and you will see a strong baetis hatch daily with a solid showing of afternoon caddis most days. Hoppers are still present as well and should be around for another week or two. I like streamer fishing the undercut banks this time of year using the “dip and strip” method. Fish the deep side and swing your fly in laterally from an upstream position into the cut bank. Plunge the rod to get the fly down. 2X daddy! Loebergs, Spruce-a-bu’s, and red throated Matukas rock em here.
Hot Creek: Very Good
Identifying the clear channels and achieving a drag free drift with your leader staying free of the protruding weeds this time of year can be a challenge. The dry fly fishing right now is well worth the effort and you will see some great afternoon caddis shows with a solid bwo hatch late morning. Good hopper activity for those windy afternoons as well, dry dropper nymph or emerger rigs are deadly in the riffle water and tailouts of pools.
Alpine Lakes: Good
Plenty of stocked fish still to be had in most of these areas with some double digit Alpers and DFG models to add to the pot! Streamers rule and most popular patterns in the #6-12 range colored purple, black and red, and orange will get you takes. Getting your flies down to the fish is the key and your choice of line is very important depending on the lake you are fishing. I suggest a heavy fast sinking tip line or a moderately weighted full sinking line for these areas. The fish will be more concentrated along the shorelines and drop-offs and near the inlets this time of year so focus on these areas if you are struggling to find the rascals.
Lower Owens River: Poor
Prior to the flow increase we had some very good fishing in the wild trout section and drift boat slices of the river. The river is not wadeable at this time due to the 600cfs being released below PV Dam. The high release rates will be around for a time and will be above average this fall. There is a link to the river flows at www.sierradrifters.com
The fish will adjust to this and we are expecting a very good drift boat season after mid- October. The river has been untouched for the vast majority of this season and I suggest you book a trip early and be amongst the first to hit some “virgin” water this fall.
If you are new to the sport of fly fishing or need a jump start as to some of the hot patterns that work in this area, stop by and visit our good friends at the following great fly shops and locations and ask for our “Killer kits” These kits are composed of our most popular and deadly streamer and midge patterns and have been arranged in a good quality ripple foam box for your convenience. They make great starter boxes and perfect gifts for the fly fisher.
You can pick up our Authentic & Improved Sierra Drifters Guide Flies, Sungicators & Killer Kits only at the following stand out locations (don’t be fooled by any of the imitations out there!): Crowley Lake Fish Camp & Crowley Lake General Store/Deli in Crowley, Kittredge Sports in Mammoth Lakes, Bridgeport Reservoir Marina in Bridgeport, 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, Bob Marriott’s in Fullerton, Buz's Fly Shop Too in Bakersfield and online at www.bigfishhappen.com
. There are links to these locations at www.sierradrifters.com We pride our Guide Service & Products on Innovation not Imitation!
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
Have a great finale to this season folks. See ya on the water!
Be the fly…Tom Loe
Sierra Drifters Guide Service
760-935-4250
[email protected]
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