Thanksgiving Fish'N Conditions 2010
Capt. Tom Loe
November 17, 2010
Eastern Sierras - Freshwater Fishing Report
Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. Here are the latest Fish'N Conditions (updated 11-18-2010) from the Eastern High Sierra.
The weather is forecast to change significantly as a series of cold winter storms begin to influence the region. One can expect major accumulations of snow in the upper elevations and high valleys before Turkey Day. The weather had been incredibly pleasant for most of the early part of November with the last few days of the general trout season being downright "balmy"!
We are offering gift certificates for that very special fisher you wish to give some holiday cheer. A guided fishing trip is a great way to give, & the memories will last forever! Contact us & we will customize a gift certificate for you.
The "drift'N" has been so much fun Michele & Strider Loe had to get out and do some catching recently. Yup-she caught more than I did as usual. (Pictures on website).
Click here to see pictures of the super people & the great fish they fooled along with real time flow data in the areas we have been guiding by visiting our website at http://www.sierradrifters.com/fish.htm
Lower Owens River:
Open year around and fish's best from the fall through early spring. The flows remain very high for this time of year and I am told there is work being done on the dam @ Crowley that necessitates lowering the lake level to allow this. With release rates above 300cfs wading remains difficult in the wild trout section, however the drift'N is good with all our nine runs available to float.
There is still some lingering caddis around but they will be out of the picture after the winter weather makes its mark. Look for a good mid-day Trico mayfly hatch, and the last generation of BWO's for opportunities on the surface. #18-22 for the adults with the Trico's being smaller. Stick to small midge patterns and flashback PT's in the #18-22 range as well if you plan on nymphing. Streamer fishing is also deadly this time of year as the wild browns are very aggressive during the spawning cycle. You will need a heavy sinking tip or a weighted streamer to get your presentation down at current flow rates. I expect the flows to begin dropping soon as Crowley is extremely low. We have had some really great days drift'N recently with only a few slower ones due to the wind & a sack full of BANANA's! The willows are dropping their foliage and the leaves fall into the water on the windy days making it tough to get the trout to look at your flies. It is well documented that bananas & boats do not mix by those of us who have paddled around on the oceans for a living. I would not leave the dock when I was commercial fishing if I suspected a crew member smuggled aboard, or had eaten a banana before a trip. The curse of the bananas made a horrible mark recently on a drift trip…that's my story and I'm sticking to it!
Tracey P. with a leap'N rainbow that was trying to escape "death by banana" Fun times with bro Shane P. & wife Carol as well.
Mikey & Joe B have been drift'N with us since 1999 & with the "teach" Michael P. make up the infamous trout gang dubbed the "tres amigos" Nice double guys!
Tate R. with a hot energetic rainbow, father Andy & bro Kanan watch the show.
Three generations go fishing with SD Guide, Fill T. and make some memories. Pictured are Dave Bridgeman (Dad) Chris (son), and Claude (grandpa). (pictures on website)
East Walker River: open year around
With the weather remaining on the warm side for most of early November the "catching" has been very good. The flows have been dropped to winter release rates and if it gets cold for an extended period look for a slow down on this hot bite. Stick to nymphing with San Juan worms, broken-back midges, & flashback PT's below an Under-Cator. Two Bug is also getting fish on streamers in the larger pools with a light sink tip.
Paul C. & Two Bug Doug with another trophy EW brown that fell to the "evil wicked worm".
Check out the kype (hooked jaw) on this Salmo Trutta MAXIMAS!
For some the adventure of fly fishing is just as important as the catching! Sierra Drifters long time clients Joe S. & Chris "Wildman" show us the lighter side of fly fish'N!
This looks way too much fun!!! Notice the fly rod racks on the hood…
How the heck did they stay on the truck after that jump??? Unbelievable! (pictures on website)
Upper Owens River: open year around above Benton Crossing Bridge
With all the great weather we have had the catching should have been better here. So far it has been slower than normal and the fall migration has not amounted to much as of mid-November. Dropping the lake level so dramatically has not helped either. I am really looking forward to snowmobile trips into this area after we get enough white stuff on the ground. Check out our Snowmobile video link on the web please www.sierradrifters.com/fish.htm. December/January are the best to book. Say you want to sled for "snow-bows".
Flows will be higher than usual here this winter as the LADWP will be moving water from Grant down to Crowley in the future. I like streamer fishing in the deeper runs during low light periods, fishing the Trico & Baetis hatches mid-day. Nymphing for the fill in periods. SJ worms are always a good attractor as the upper, tie a bead head midge or mayfly pattern as the dropper #14-18.
Hot Creek: open all year
If the "big one" hits as predicted HC will be pretty much done for a while unless you are into the snow shoe/Sherpa adventure. It has been very good this fall with a nice surface show daily. The warm weather really kicks this place off especially in the winter. The Trico hatch is awesome & those of you who like to fish #22 stuff will get into solid numbers. SJ worms & broken backs also spank em'. Try nymphing here MINUS the Under-Cator. Dead drift your bugs right along the bottom and concentrate to keep your rod tip directly over the flies with as little slack in your leader as possible. There will be instances where you may not be able to position yourself properly to accomplish this; (please do not fully wade and stand in the middle of HC), however in sections where it is feasible-you will whack them as it is a very productive technique!
Pleasant Valley Reservoir: open all year
For those who just can't get enough of the still water thing…PV is your huckleberry. Fishing the inlet section and near the launch ramp are the primary areas and have the most consistent results. I coined the phrase "freeze tubing" many years ago after the LADWP allowed the rez to have access by float tubes. You will see what I mean if you decide to fish here in December/January. It can be awesome for numbers as well as some really nice trophy sized fish migrating towards the inlet and river section below the powerhouse. Dry/dropper bead head combos work well as long as the powerhouse is not generating. Full or heavy sink tip lines get you down to where the fish hang as the water cools. Most streamer patterns get it done in the #6-12 range.
Be the fly friends, have a great holiday season!
Tommy Loe, Doug-R, Fill T., Two Bug Doug D. & Chris B.
www.sierradrifters.com
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