April 23, 2006
Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. Best fishes to
all for the Eastern Sierra trout season of 2006.
The general trout season and opener, (well sort
of) - is upon us and the first day you can wet a line is Saturday, April
29. The reason I say sort of, is that there will be many fisheries that
will remain legally open, but will be difficult if not impossible to fish
until the massive amounts of snow and ice melt in elevations above 8000
feet. The winter of “aught six” has been unprecedented in regards to
total snow fall and the moisture content within the snow pack here on the
eastern slope of the Sierra. With Mammoth Mtn. boasting a 16-18' base
there will be skiing from Main Lodge until the 4th of July! You can bank on high water in all the rivers
and creeks especially when the snow begins to melt in June. Many of the
Alpine lakes are still blanketed with ice and snow and some of the roads
leading into these locations are still closed with road crews working to
plow them open. The snow level is higher but denser than last year and
the weather has been much warmer in the upper valleys, which in my opinion
will set the stage for some EXCELLENT early season fishing on Crowley and
Bridgeport Reservoirs. The hard ice has been off both lakes for 6-8
weeks. This is far different than last season when the ice came off
Crowley in mid-April. This winter has dragged on and on…however, the
weather guru’s are forecasting a significant pattern change beginning the
end of this week and it looks to be setting the stage for a pleasant and
mild opening weekend.
The spring spawning migration of rainbows into the
tributaries is in its last stages with significantly less fish being
observed in or on the redds than last season at this time. Never the
less, please be extra careful when crossing or wading on the gravel beds
so as not to disturb or damage potential spawning areas.
Sierra Drifters is proud to announce the addition
of Bob Marriott’s Fly Fishing Store in Fullerton, CA to its list of
outstanding shops that carry our time tested guide flies and accessories.
Many consider Marriott’s to be the ultimate fly fishing shop in the west.
The pro’s here have a longstanding reputation in the industry for
friendly/expert advice and with the shops unsurpassed fly fishing
inventory, this is a must location to visit before you hit the water
anywhere!
http://bobmarriotts.net/
We have added several new patterns and have
implemented some great improvements on a few of the “go to flies” that
work everywhere in the Eastern Sierra. Be sure to stop by one of the fly
shops we passionately endorse and check out the new weapons prior to your
first fly fishing adventure this season.
We have done a lot of leg work the last few days
scouting out the areas we feel will be your best choices for the first
week or so of the new season. There are many areas we were not able to
get first hand information due to road closures or too much snow. Many
resorts and road crews are working long hard hours trying to get their
facilities open. Have some patience this early season folks, it will take
time and warmer weather to help open many areas this year. Be extra
careful walking around lake shorelines and creek areas with substantial
snow on the ground. It can be deceptively soft and deep after you break
through the crust. Avoid walking or standing next to large rocks or tree
wells with snow around them. It is usually much softer here and will
collapse quickly when you get near the object. Snow and ice will be the
thickest on the north and east exposures. The weather is forecast to
improve, but be prepared for some drastic changes this time of year.
Spring storms are hard to predict and can form quickly in the high
country. Be prepared to encounter ice on mountain roads, especially on
the north and shady exposures. The snow melts and freezes on a daily
cycle and you will find this to be the case on many roads this spring
making for some hazardous driving conditions.
Crowley Lake and
Bridgeport Reservoir:
These areas are looking to be the best we have to
offer for the start of this season. There have been chironomid hatches in
both areas the last several weeks and unlike last season fly fishers
should get into fish right off using the stillwater nymphing method. Both
lakes are very full with receding water levels due to high release rates
on both the Lower Owens R. and the East Walker R. If you are driving up
to the waters edge be aware of this as you will find some hideous mud on
the banks in both areas. Stick with tigers and zebras in the larger
sizes. NINE –TWELVE feet should get you close enough. The inlets and
drop-offs will be the place to start early on. Hatches will begin after
noon most days right now on the warmer cycles and rising barometers. Have
those “gillies” and crystal emergers ready for this. The weeds or algae
are not a factor in either area right now and although you will not have
to look far to find another angler in both lakes, there should be plenty
of open and fertile water for everyone. Both lakes got full allotments of
sub-catchable DFG rainbows last season and Bridgeport got a shot of trophy
DFG and Alpers fish to spice up the already juicy pot here.
http://www.crowleylakefishcamp.com/index.html
http://www.bridgeportreservoir.com/index.html
Both of these lakes will have excellent conditions
throughout the entire season with a strong period of epic streamer fishing
beginning with the damsel fly nymph migration in July and eclipsing with
the perch fry annihilation in August and continuing through fall. Have
some Loebergs and Punk Perch ready for this; it will be awesome!
Upper Owens, Big Springs,
McGee Creek:
As mentioned before, the early thaw got the
rainbows getting romantic earlier this season. You will find fair numbers
near the inlets with decreasing numbers the further you go upstream. The
Upper Owens R. may be off color below the confluence of Hot Creek. It was
a couple of days ago and I saw only a few larger fish in the inlet
section. Remember…A section of the river is closed to ALL anglers until
late May from the Benton Crossing Bridge downstream to the monument
located about 1/4 upstream from Crowley’s shoreline (see the picture on
our web fish report). If you see people fishing around Brown’s Campground
call the fish cops!
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/enforcement/caltip.html
California Dept. of Fish & Game Regs…
http://www.fgc.ca.gov/html/fishregs.html
Upper "O" Looking
Good
"The Monument"
We had a difficult time scouting Big Springs (see
the pics) due to the heavy snow pack around the edges but did find some
disco dancing rainbows in the upper sections. Glo-bugs, San Juan Worms,
streamers, will all work well this time of year in the tributaries. McGee
was in great shape and had decent numbers of 15-18 inchers grouped up in
the lower sections with good numbers of smaller fish in the big pools in
the upper sections. The walking will be easy with only a few bogs that
are easily avoided if you can see them. Be careful if you are not
familiar with this area or if you are planning on a trek in the dark.
There are some areas you can get stuck in the meadow.
"Snowbound"
McGee Creek
"Finest Kind"
Lower Owens River:
The flows have been at flood for a week and are
currently over 600cfs. Wading is not practical (nor intelligent) at this
flow. You can get into a few fish in the largest pools with a chunk of
battleship chain to get your nymphs down. Use crystal tigers and zebras,
flashback pts and hares ear patterns. Hatches have been irregular and
below normal for this time of year.
We are not drifting at this time due to the poor
conditions. It can only get better here if conditions change!
The Gorge:
Perhaps the best moving water fishery for fly
fishers currently. This small tailwater fishes best this time of year and
is not influenced by releases on the Lower Owens R. Dry dropper/dry-dry
combos are deadly here. This area is not a “tailgate” kind of spot and
requires some moderate to heavy hiking. The friendly gang at the Trout
Fly/Troutfitter in Mammoth Lakes will provide accurate information and get
you flies to fish this area.
The Walker Rivers:
I for one am eagerly looking forward to the
continued improvement of the EW this season. There will be some difficult
fishing due to high release rates at times but when things settle down and
stabilize you will see why this rivers reputation for kicking out huge
fish and great numbers is not just hype. Drifter’s clients spanked some
amazing trout here last spring and fall. Despite the current high flows
experienced fly fishers working the year round waters in Nevada are
reporting very good results while nymphing with midge and mayfly nymph
imitations. Adequate weight is essential to get your bugs down to the
fish in the quieter sections. Rumor has it the DFG has a stash of browns
that are slated to be planted here. This factor along with the tremendous
efforts of 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 PDF file
to open a copy of their donation letter. Or
see
www.bigmeadowlodge.com for program information.
The WW will have some class fives by July during
the peak run-off and I suggest you hit this place in May unless you are
into white water rafting. Conditions are good right now and you will find
very good numbers of eager wild and planted fish around the campgrounds
and in the canyon sections. This area is snow free for the most part and
is a great choice for a moving water option in the near future. Streamers
(try our blood sucking Vanderleech here), tiger midges, and San Juan worms
will work well.
Hot Creek:
Bill Nichols at the Hot Creek Ranch is reporting
excellent conditions on the private water for the opener and I concur with
him. It looks very good here right now with a little higher water than
normal and very good clarity (see the pic of the crick). Hot Creek will
be blown out this summer when Mammoth Creek gets cranking but for the time
being it will be a hoot! BWO and PMD patterns will get looks on top,
smaller zebra midges, San Juan worms and birds nest nymphs are solid
choices for nymphing. Please keep wading to an absolute minimum if at
all. The NZMS is still an ominous presence in this fishery and we need to
prevent its spread. The gate was still locked just up the road from the
ranch and folks have been hiking into the geologic site for a swim. The
road is expected to open soon. One reason for the late opening of many
roads is that it has been snowing without stop in Mono County and the
crews are using their resources and equipment to keep the main roads
open.
"Hot Crick"
"Be Snail Wise!"
June Lake Loop:
The loop road was still closed a day ago and is
currently being plowed. June and Grant are in great shape and have been
ice free for a good while. Silver will have some broken ice but will be
open totally. Lower Rush looks great and is not high currently.
"June Ready to
Rock"
Bishop Creek, South Lake
The creek will be it and is slated to be heavily
planted until the lakes open up.http://bishopcreekresort.com/fish/index.htm
Rock Creek:
The lower sections are fine with scattered snow.
The road is being plowed and you will find a whole bunch of snow the
higher you go. It will be a while for this area to fully open up. The
creek is a little high and clarity is good.
http://www.rockcreeklake.com/
Twin Lakes Bridgeport:
Ken’s Sporting Goods in Bridgeport is the
authority on this area and is reporting great conditions with clear roads
leading up to both lakes.
http://www.kenssport.com/default.aspx?p=700
The ice has been off LT for almost a month, with
UT having some ice floaties on it a few days ago, but overall clear. You
will have substantial snow along the shorelines here. Full sinking lines
and big nasty white or light olive flashy patterns fished at least twenty
feet down. Once again we are forecasting this area to be the location of
several double digit browns being caught and released (we hope!)
We at Sierra Drifters Guide Service want to extend
a warm welcome to those of you planning on fishing the Eastern Sierra this
season. See you on the water!
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 the resources tab above.
