August 6, 2005
Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. We want to
give you a quick update on some important changes that have recently
occurred on several fisheries here in the Eastern Sierra.
There are also some significant T-storms forecast
for this weekend in Mono County so keep advised by the weather services
especially if you are planning a trip into the high country.
The wet winter has prompted a memorable hatch of
mosquitoes. Have repellant on, or an armor suit before you get out on the
river or lake, they are ravenous in the meadows right now.
Crowley Lake: Good-Fair
The “epic” fly fishing period we experienced for
over a week has slowed down in part due to the afternoon weather and the
changing water levels at the lake. Fly fishing remains good here but you
may experience some dead periods. The fish are moving around and one day
we find them out in 16 feet along the weeds, the next day we are on the
flats along the channel in 7 feet. There is a good mix of fish in McGee
with the Crowley grand slam a definite possibility right now. Rainbows,
browns and cutts are all being seen on a day to day basis.
Crowley is once again being drained after a
lengthy period of high water. The lake remains in excellent condition
with regards to clarity and level for this time of year and it is my
opinion that the lowering levels in time will certainly help to establish
a more potent midge hatch by September. You will find no lack of aquatic
trout food swimming around if you are planning a trip up to Crowley. The
perch fry are in the 1/8 to 3/4 inch range and have migrated in big
numbers along most of the substantial weed lines all over the lake. The
damsel fly nymphs are also prevalent in the mornings and the trout are
keying on them during their migration into the weeds for the emergence.
Callibaetis and baetis (bwo) mayflies are emerging in numbers in the north
arm of the lake which is beginning to have increasing numbers of rainbows
working the flats near the inlet from the Upper Owens. You will encounter
heavy weed at the 9 foot depth all the way out to 19 feet here. This will
not change for a while off Green Banks.
The chironomids are light for this time of year
but are still a staple food source and stillwater nymphing is still the
mot effective way to get into good numbers around McGee and Hilton Bays.
Drifters Gillies, Tigers, Crystal Emergers and Zebras are all working
during different stages of the hatch #16-22.
I fished all over the lake in the last 2 days and
McGee is still the most consistent. The inlet at the Owens has plenty of
fish chasing perch fry and damsels, but they are moving around like wolf
packs and difficult to stay on in the shallow water. Leighton and
Alligator are weeded in but trolling a streamer in the morning or late
afternoons will get you grabs. Our Punk Perch and Damsel fly patterns in
the smaller sizes work well if you find open water or a channel in the
weeds.
Sandy Pt. had a few fish on tigers but there is
only a small area to work in for the stillwater method, it will be a while
here. Hilton is my next choice but only in the mornings if you can find a
spot. This is a popular tubing area with the kick to McGee being so
distant. It can be crowded here and the fishing tapers off quickly.
In a short time the perch fry will be at the
perfect size to key on with larger imitations. Have some Loebergs and
Punk Perch handy, these flies will be dynamite this year; ask a couple of
Double Haul in the Fall winners and numerous scorers about it. Use the
dark hackles in the low light periods, the lighter colored heads in the
sun or mid-day.
Watch the east wind here just before noon if you
are in a tube. It is getting nasty around this time in McGee.
Lower Owens River: Go
elsewhere
Flows are up to 600cfs and will stay here for a
prolonged period we are told. They are generating all day so Pleasant
Valley inlet is not a good choice either. There is a link to the water
flows above.
Look for conditions to improve here in the fall as
usual. The fish will be ready for what looks to be a great drift boat
season this winter. We should have plenty of water to make all our runs
available insuring you “fresh” water to dip and strip in. We have three
full time river pros with large (4) person custom aluminum Willie Drift
Boats to guide you on the Lower Owens this winter.
East Walker River: Fair
at best
Flows are back up to 460cfs. This tailwater is
very high and difficult to fish at this release. We have a real time link
at the top of the fish report page to click on for current levels.
This river changes a lot and it would not surprise
me to see the flows drop to fishable levels in the near future. The water
temps are up but with the high levels this summer the fish are not in
jeopardy of low oxygen. Nevertheless, please take extra care when
releasing a fish here in the warmer months as it is under severe stress
already.
The EW is on the mend and we should have an
excellent fall season when the flows drop and stabilize.
July 31, 2005
Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. Best fishes to
all for this Fishmas 2005 report from the Eastern High Sierra. What is
Fishmas you ask? It is a jolly old time of year when the trout stack up
like cords of wood in McGee Bay on Crowley Lake and bite the flies into
pieces, the weather is absolutely divine and bait fishing is NO LONGER
allowed as of August first (Fishmas day). Finished, done, kaput, out of
here. Yippee!!!
The California DFG regs are posted at
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/
More good news for fly fishers at Crowley. The
management has purchased the Tube Tenders pontoon boat which is rigged up
to transport your tubes to hard to reach locations on the lake. Manager
and licensed Captain Lane Garrett will shuttle you out. In addition to
the pontoon shuttle boat the Fish Camp purchased 10 brand new flat bottom
boats that can easily accommodate three fly fishers. These are heavy duty
rigs, complete with casting decks and 4 stroke engines on them. Not quite
as nice as our “fish magnet” guide boats but a super alternative to
kicking out in the weeds to McGee Bay.
This seasons Crowley Fish Camp group are by far
and away the most fly fish friendly employees the lake has ever seen.
Some of the shop folks are guides, all are avid fly fishers and will be
happy to set you up with the hot rigs for both stillwater and streamer
fishing. We of course sell our time tested guide flies and merchandise
here and they have all the basics needed for a quality day on the finest
stillwater fishery the Eastern Sierra has to offer. Their website is
www.crowleylakefishcamp.com and phone number 760-935-4301.
Crowley is red hot right now and we believe it
will be a fantastic remainder of the season. Get your caboose up here!
The overall fly fishing picture continues to
improve here in the Eastern Sierra with many creeks having high but
reducing and very fishable flows. The tailwaters continue to be above
average but are not raging at this time.
As forecast the late summer and fall seasons here
are going to be excellent. Book your trips ASAP as the word is out. Have
plenty of sunscreen, insect repellant and polarized sunglasses. I suggest
a week or two at the gym prior to visiting Crowley. Work on your rod arm
muscles, you will need it!
Thunderstorms are in the forecast most days this
time of year and we are having an above average year for the rascals. The
upper elevations are more prone to severe weather but the high valleys
have not been spared from their wrath. The weather can change quickly and
with little warning. Avoid being caught on open water or open meadows.
Get into the thick trees or back to the marinas BEFORE the cells arrive.
Crowley: Epic-very good
Still water nymphing has been awesome this week
and we have had some days where the grabs are coming less than a minute
apart at times. Do not leave your rod unattended with flies in the
water, they are so thick at times in McGee Bay we have had to dive to save
rods from getting pulled over while netting fish or taking pictures.
It has been very crowded in McGee this week due to
the incredible catching and this being the final days of the “worm.”
Conditions on the lake are excellent with water clarity being very good
all over. Thick weed lines can be found everywhere out to the 20
foot depth so make sure you scout out the area in front of your cast
before setting anchor.
The perch fry are running ¼ to ¾ inch in length
and are showing up in throat pumps. The damsel fly migration is
peaking around noon and the trout are going bonkers on them. Tubers
are having a tough time trolling imitations for these trout snacks because
of the number of boats anchored in and along the prime areas. I
suggest you stick to the deeper weed lines out around 20 feet if you want
grabs on streamer patterns. Use our Punk Perch #12-14, or Loebergs
while fishing the 8-12 foot region of the water column.
Gillies rule during the emergence #18-20, Drifters
Crystal Emerger’s #18-20- tigers and zebra’s #16-18 as the lower flies.
Money baby. Keep them a foot off the bottom with a Sunjicator and
you WILL get grabs.
Fifty fish days are common right now, but the
T-storms may mess up your day after noon as they are forecast to be around
throughout next weekend.
Little Hilton and Whiskey Bays are also kicking
out fish in the mornings and late afternoons, but the bite fizzles out
mid-day here. North arm has been slow for stillwater fly fishers but
there have been some decent scores from streamer tuggers in the deeper
water off north landing.
The list is long for picture fish taken on Crowley
as of late. Please check out the standout fish these lucky folks caught
and released while on guided trips with us recently.
Mike Shade and friends from Brea, CA booked Sierra
Drifters ace Crowley guide Mickey Baron and had an epic day with lots of
big rainbows while stillwater nymphing in McGee Bay. High fives all
around to you guys!
Mike Shade
Mel Abert from Manhattan Beach, CA is a long time
Sierra Drifter and gifted fly fisher. He always seems to get the “money
fish”. Mac-Man see it and weep!
Mel Abert
First time fly fisher and “X” worm drowner Chris
Hoffman from Palmdale, CA got into plenty of nice rainbows with us in
McGee Bay while stillwater nymphing. Way to put the wood to em Chris!
She is a candidate for rookie fly fisher of the year award.
Chris Hoffman
Bill Amans from Lakewood, CA is back in the report
again. After spanking the fish on Bridgeport Reservoir the week before
Bill got this awesome brown on Crowley and a drenching from an afternoon
T-storm! Nice shooting Willy even without “Big Red” (inside joke).
Bill Amans
Bridgeport Reservoir:
Very good
You can escape the crowds on Crowley and get more
open water and some great stillwater and streamer fishing here. The
awakened sleeping giant is continuing to provide very good fly fishing
opportunities especially in the late afternoons in Buckeye Bay.
Conditions continue to be great here near the inlet areas and you will
find less competition for sure if you bring a fly rod and stillwater or
streamer gear along. Our chironomid patterns like the Gillies #18-20,
Tigers and Zebras #16-18 are a sure bet while setting up near a weed line
or in the creek channel. Streamer tuggers have more room to move here
than Crowley and a Loeberg #10, Punk Perch #10-12, or Drifters Crystal
Leech will get you “bendo” using a medium sinking tip line in Buckeye
Bay. This lake is very much like Crowley and has an identical aquatic
insect base with perhaps more callibaetis mayflies. The damsel fly
migration is awesome during the late mornings and this is the pinnacle of
steamer fishing in my opinion as the grabs are off the charts.
The Bridgeport Lake Marina carries all the
Drifters fly patterns you will need to fish the lake. The fly fish
friendly and worldly staff will be happy to shuttle your tubes out and set
you up with the hot rigs. Just say Baaahhh, when you see Jeffery at the
shop. You can get the accurate scoop on the lake and East Walker by
speaking with the folks here. Click on
http://www.bridgeportreservoir.com/ for their contact numbers.
If you need a place to stay there are some
excellent choices and some real nice folk’s to help you out here. Click
on one of these links for info. All of these businesses are involved in
the fisheries enhancement program for the lake and the EW.
www.bigmeadowlodge.com
www.calparadise.com
East Walker River: Fair
The flows are almost double of average for this
time of year and are currently over 400cfs. Tough levels for crossing and
wading. The water temps are also very high so please take extra care when
releasing and reviving your fish as they will be under a lot of stress at
these temps. Nymphing with a couple of bb shot will get you down to the
larger fish in the softer pools. Use nymph patterns with flashbacks or
crystal tails-yup we make them. Our Tiger and Zebra Midges or Gillies
#16-22 are a sure thing here. Late afternoons can provide some dry fly
opportunities using caddis dries in the transition water and big bends.
Wait for the shadows to cover the river for this.
West Walker River:
Improving
Clarity is much better here this week but this
freestone drainage is still running very high and difficult to fly fish in
the canyon section. Pikel Meadows by the Marine base is your best bet for
fly fishing as there is plenty of slower water and oxbows to fish during
the high water. You will also find several species of trout in and around
the riffle sections and pocket water. Your takes will be quick and
aggressive if presented correctly. Be ready for an instant take. Have
some stonefly and caddis imitations for a dry/dropper rig. Tiger and
Zebra Midges as well as flashback PT’s and hares ear patterns will be your
bugs for nymphing.
Lower Owens River: Good
You need to hit the morning hatch of mayflies and
be off the water and sipping a cold one by say…eleven. It has been wicked
hot down here in the afternoons. Be back for the late afternoon caddis
snap when the sun gets over the crest. The flows are still holding around
360cfs and although this is high for the river it is not horrible and the
fish have had ample time to adjust to this level. This is in the wild
trout section just below the dam. The lower sections are much higher in
levels and are not fishing well. Have your bloodsucker shields up before
you get out of the car, you will need it. There is a link to the DWP water
flows above.
San Joaquin River/
Sotcher Lake: Good
The hot weather earlier this month melted off the
snow pack rapidly and conditions have improved greatly here this week.
The river is high but totally fishable and the DFG has planted the
campgrounds this season so you will find better overall fishing this
season in this area. You will find a plethora of aquatic insects that
thrive here and this is a wonderful spot to take smaller sized wild fish
on a dry this time of year. Pocket waters and transition strips are key
to your success. Keep an eye on the T-storm activity. This area is prone
to rapid rises in water flows during a dump. Bring along plenty of bug
spray or your blood type if you forget!
Sotcher Lake has a solid damsel fly population and
the holdover fish will eagerly grab a Damsel Nymph or Punk Perch imitation
#12-14 fished with a medium sink tip line from a tube. Fish along the
tulle beds and use a fast strip with lots of jerks and short pauses. Keep
your fly moving. This is a great place to spend a warm summer afternoon
tubing. You will see plenty of folks on the banks but will have ample
open water to work your streamers here. Check out the pictures of both
these areas on the web at
http://www.sierradrifters.com/fish.html
There is a mandatory shuttle requirement 7am-7:30pm
and always a $7 per person entry fee in to this area. You can drive your
own vehicle if it is before or after the above hours.
Hot Creek: Good
The creek is at a nice level right now. Fish
counts are down this year but the ones you get into are larger for sure
this season. Morning mayflies and afternoon caddis, nothing new here.
The weed beds are still below the surface making longer drifts possible.
Water clarity is excellent and if you can get a juicy section during a
cloudy afternoon, yah man! Pressure is heavy during the mornings and
weekends. Try a sundowner here for a change if the wind is light.
June Lake Loop: Very Good
Silver has been hot in the mornings and late
afternoons. Loebergs and Spruce-a-bus have fooled plenty of fish using a
full or heavy sinking tip line. The T-storms have wrecked a few days this
week but ride them out on the banks. The barometer rise after the cell
passes is always a great time to be on the water especially if the clouds
are masking the sun. Rush Creek continues to be high but tubing the
channel above Grant has been on lately.
Rock Creek area: Fair
Fishing has slowed here a little, lots of
pressure. I still prefer the creek immediately below the lake. The
campground areas are well planted and if you get into a larger pool or
slow section should have no problem getting hookups while nymphing. The
dry dropper rig is deadly here using our Olive Crystal Zebra. Tubers
fishing the inlet are doing well if they do not get hit by a chunk of lead
and a gob of stink bait. Give the shore fishers some room while trolling
the drop-offs in a tube. Spruce-a-bus, Crystal Leeches, Loebergs, MONEY!
Virginia Lakes: Good
Stillwater nymphing or trolling a streamer pattern
from a tube, you will get into fish. The weather has played a factor at
times here so keep abreast of the forecast in the afternoons. Twin tigers
fished below an indicator have worked well for several groups recently
near the drop-offs. Hang the bugs 7-10 feet. Some nice Alpers fish are
being fooled on streamers fished with a full or heavy sinking tip line at
the 10-15 foot depth.
Mammoth Lakes Basin: Good
Heavy plantings weekly help keep the “catching”
good in this area. You will find a lot of shore pressure in all the basin
lakes as this is a pleasant and popular spot to fish during the warm
summer days. Hop into your tube and get those sinking lines down to the
10-15 foot level with a Spruce-a-bu or Loeberg. Short aggressive strips
while trolling in your tube will fool a big Alpers or DFG trophy trout in
one of the basin lakes. I like to fish the “stumps” in Mary, and the
inlet at Mamie.
Kirman Lake: Fair
Had a report of just fair fishing up here with
several good sized brookies in a half day of fly fishing. Conditions are
good for this time of year and I expect this place to be very good this
fall for the spawn. The brook trout up here are very chunky and resemble
a football with a tail! A local biologist tells us these fish die from
clogged arteries and obesity due to the rich concentration of scuds.
Tubes are necessary to hit the best areas here adjacent to the thick tulle
stands, and you can get some fine brookies and a very large cutthroat from
time to time. Scud patterns are best for stillwater nymphing #14-18.
Have some damsel fly imitations this time of year if you are using a
streamer setup. Check with Ken’s Sporting in Bridgeport for current
information here.
You can pick up our guide flies at the following
stand out locations: The Crowley Lake Fish Camp and the Crowley Lake
General Store and Deli in Crowley, The Troutfitter/Trout Fly 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. There are links to these locations at the
resources tab above.
Looking forward to fishing with you soon.
Be the fly…Tom Loe
Sierra Drifters Guide Service
