April 4,
2006
Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. We have some
NOT so good news to report regarding the flows on the Lower Owens River.
The recent storms have dumped record amounts of snow on the Sierra’s and
according to the LADWP it is necessary to further increase flows this
month to make room for all the water this summer. Flows are forecast to
go over 500cfs or more by the middle of the week. This is pretty much the
death blow for a while and we are cancelling drift and wade trips on the
river until the later part of the month.
On the bright side we can look forward to plenty
of water this summer and fall. We will keep you posted if any major
changes occur in the near future.
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 PDF file
to open a copy of their donation letter.
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
lusardi@caltrout.org or by phone at 760-924-1008. Or click on
PDF file to open a copy 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.
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.
Craig & Stephanie
Holmes
Barry Gamdarana & Tom Loe
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!
Steve Shaffer &
Dave Hale
Dave Hale & Tom Loe
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!
Brad McClain &
David Glass
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!
Marty Little
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/servlet/catalog.CFPage?appID=94&storeID=9
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 or
Gil Bourdon
gilbour@cox.net
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.
