August_8

August 8, 2004

Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. Best fishes to all of you for this Eastern Sierra fish report.

There are no significant changes to report in most areas here this week. Summer has peaked and the days are getting noticeably shorter. Warm and dry daytimes have been the constant since our last update and the forecast is calling for more of the same. The Owens Valley continues to be hot however not unbearable. The upper valleys remain comfortable although very warm with cool and pleasant mornings still remaining above freezing. Afternoon winds can be expected below the passes and in the upper elevations. There has been no T-storm activity in the region for quite some time and the forecast has no immediate activity in sight.

Fire danger is EXTREMLY high in most areas, especially in the back country. Keep this in mind when camping or smoking please!

East Walker River/Bridgeport Reservoir: Poor

Those of you who have had the opportunity to see the EW in its glory days know how great this fishery can be. Years of drought have impacted this fishery in a negative manner and this season will not be an exception. The high water temperatures and low dissolved oxygen content this time of year put tremendous stress on the trout. It would be a good “thang” to hold off fishing this tailwater until conditions improve in the fall.

Bridgeport Reservoir is not fishing well for fly fishers and with the water levels this low already do not expect any great changes until well after Labor Day. This fishery is a sleeping giant and those of you who have hit the “Bridge” when they are stacked up at the airstrip know what I mean. This fishery is capable of kicking out 20 lb. browns and in my opinion is the best big brown trout fishery in the Eastern Sierra. There is limited open water by Rainbow Pt. and the dam section is choked with algae and weeds most days. Keep an eye and ear on this one when the water levels get up for a couple of back to back years. It Will be in the news.

West Walker River: Very Good

This freestone river is fishing great right now. The campgrounds are being planted with catchable rainbows on a weekly basis and if you do some moderate walking you can get into some superb dry fly action in the canyon and the section above Pikel Meadows. Hoppers, #14-16 Adams patterns, #14-18 caddis imitations will all get grabs in the pocket water and below the riffles. Although the fish tend to be on the small side here do not be surprised to stick a 16 inch wild trout in one of the larger pools. This area is wading great right now but will be faced with low water again this fall.

Upper Owens River: Good

Good??? Yeah, it is good for those chucking a hopper and dropper combo in the upper sections above the confluence of Hot Creek. There are a fair number of fish migrating upstream from Crowley into the monument section also but you will find anything but dry fly presentations here to be tough due to the excessive amount of free floating weed that fouls nymph or streamer rigs. The wind is a common afternoon occurrence here and it may not be a good choice for novice fly casters. Fish are on the small side, but plentiful in the larger pools and below the riffles.

Hot Creek: Good

DFG estimates have this spring creek holding 7000 fish per mile. They must eat to survive. My estimates have up to 200 anglers/mile in a day during some weekends. Most of us must fly fish to survive! There are plenty of ripped lips here by this time of year so you must be a tad more “accomplished” to have an epic day here. Conditions remain fair for this time of year but the weeds are well above the surface in most stretches and long drifts are not possible now. We find the smaller the better (imitations) this time of year and if you can fish without an indicator and a long leader with a solid dead drift you will catch trout and plenty of them. Dry/droppers are always effective here as well as dry/dry combos. Use mayflies (tricos) # 20-24 in the mornings, do the geologic hot tubs and drink ample amounts of “aiming fluids” during mid-day, caddis in the late afternoons, #18-24 dark bodies.

San Joaquin River: Good

You will not find good “catching” in or around the campgrounds this season. This is due to a lack of planted fish from the DFG which has been hit with budget cuts. The wild fish are eager to take most dry patterns #14-20 in the pocket water and below the riffles. Dry dropper combos with our Drifters crystal tigers and zebras work well in the pools also. The key to success here is “take a hike”! Sotcher and Starkweather Lakes are being planted with Alpers and some DFG fish, but you may need to take a number and blinders to fish here with the crowds.

Lower Owens River: Fair

Flows have dropped for a second time this summer. 300 cfs in August is very low and very fishable in the wild trout section. Plan to fish the low light periods early and then again after the sun goes behind the Sierra’s crest. A rule of thumb here during the summer is to use mayfly imitations in the morning, then take a nap and kick back with a cold one during the afternoon before you whack the place with caddis dries and emergers in the late afternoons. We will begin drifting the river earlier this season due to the low flows so if you are interested in breaking away from the pack and hitting a secluded section of the river on a guided drift boat book a trip with us early!

Crowley Lake: Excellent

I have not seen any gobs of “Barbie Glitter-Captain America-sirloin flavored-gravy sex attract - sparkle stink baits” float by for a week now and it has definitely improved the fishing in ALL areas of the lake. The barbless catch and release season is underway here and it looks to be the best we have seen in several years. Remember, the fishing regulations changed as of 8-1-04 on Crowley. Bait is NOT allowed to be used and only BARBLESS artificial lures or flies are permitted as terminal gear. The bag limit for trout is also reduced to 2 fish in POSSESION with an 18 inch minimum. Please help out the DFG wardens and true sportsman by reporting poachers if you witness any violations.

The chironomid hatch continues to be strong and dependable with the most consistent action occurring late mornings. You may have some lulls in the action from time to time, but overall it has been great. We have found large concentrations of “scorables” (18 inchers or better) in several areas of the lake including the North Arm around Green Banks and McGee Bay 8-12 feet. Sandy Pt. and Leighton Springs also have some fatties rolling on top during the mornings and evenings but not large concentrations. The fish are hunting along the weed lines in search of small Sacramento perch fry and the peak of the damsel fly nymph migration. Get those moderate sink tips out. Our streamers like Loebergs #10, Punk Perch #10-14, Drifters damsels #12, will get you bit in the mornings and late afternoons.

The hot stillwater rig this week has been a Drifters dark crystal tiger or zebra #16-18, and a Drifters gilled chironomid (Gillie) #18-20, or our crystal emergers #18-20. Hang em’ high with the lower fly 2 feet off the bottom during the emergence and then put it back near the dirt as the sun gets higher. Scout your presentation area out in front of you if you are fishing in the proximity of the weed lines. If you are too close to the edge or some stray weed stalks you will not get into the concentrations of cruising fish. Keep those flies clean! There is still an abnormal amount of algae present at times and it can spoil your presentation.

I have seen every imaginable strike indicator known to man being used on Crowley. Some folks are using SI’s the size of children’s life jackets and others putting on bobbers an osprey would have a difficult time seeing and sinking when a damsel fly lands on it. Choose an indicator that provides adequate floatation and excellent visibility WITHOUT having to much resistance during the take. We are making it easy for you by selling a strike indicator that is perfect for stillwater nymphing, as well as other types of indicator fishing methods. It is available at all the fly shops we sell our guide flies and is called the “Shunjicator” Check it out; they are far superior to anything commercially available.

Summer is all about spending quality time on the water with your friends and loved ones. Mike and son Mick Schroeder from Rossmoor, CA got into numerous scorables while on Crowley with us recently, check out this gorgeous rainbow...

Mike & Mick Schroeder

Another father and son team put Lee and son Danny Lenhart from West Covina, CA together for a couple of days on Crowley with Sierra Drifters guide Mickey Baron. Danny got big fish honors every day we are told. Check out the paint job on this one...

Guide, Mickey Baron and Danny Lenhart

First timers Rob Cavenah from Redondo Beach, CA and his uncle Lee Casalicchio from San Pedro have been fishing together for many years. They opted to book sometime with us on Crowley and see what all the fuss is about fly fishing. After catch and releasing over 70 rainbows, browns, and this extraordinary cutthroat that measured 24 inches, they have become believers in the power of the fly. Uncork the wine Uncle Lee, nice fish!

Lee Casalicchio & Guide, Tom Loe

June Lake Loop/Rush Creek/Mammoth Lakes Basin/Bishop Creek-South Lake Area/Rock Creek: Fair

The bulk of planted fish have been released this season and you will have to work harder to get into good put and take fishing in most of these areas. Alper’s trout will continue to be planted as well as some DFG and private resort penstock fish, but the “green wave” of hatchery rainbow trout will decrease as summer reaches its climax and Labor Day weekend approaches. Streamer patterns #10-14 will get you into some big Alpers and DFG brood stock as well as the catchables. The alpine lakes and creeks in the upper elevations have all reached the high water temps this summer and you will find the fish to be deeper (12-20 feet) and lethargic this time of year especially during the high sun angle periods. Trail a zebra midge or one of our pupa patterns #18-20 behind a streamer during the “gray” and you should see better results. Gull, Twin Lakes Mammoth, Silver, and Rock Creek Lake will all have plenty of little snouts popping up after the sun goes down so have a small (#20-22) zebra or tiger midge, or callibaetis cripple ready under a dry or indicator for the sundown snap at theses locations. The water levels are going to be very low this fall and it may put a damper on some of the normally great fishing on some of the tailwaters, outlets, and freestone creeks so be ready to get on the larger bodies of water that will provide a more stable habitat.2004 Alpers Trout and Mono County Dept. of Fish and Game fish stocking schedules http://www.visitmammoth.com/stockschedule/stockschedule.html

You can pick up our guide flies and merchandise at the following fine fly shops: The Crowley Lake Fish Camp, The Troutfitter/The Trout Fly in Mammoth Lakes, The San Diego Fly Shop, Stroud’s Tackle in San Diego and Malibu Fish’N Tackle in Thousand Oaks. There are links to all shops at the resources tab above.

E/Magazine Anouncement:

Dear Pro Staff;

This might be the best one yet. Thanks for your support!!! Please pass this announcement on to all of your fishing contacts in your email address book. Thanks...Larry

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Tim Ekstrom on Long Range fishing

Tom Rothery on kite fishing

Tom Loe on Trout fishing in the Sierras

Mark Wisch on Private Boating, and this time selecting the Perfect Rod

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Mike Long on summer tactics for getting big bass

Jenny Armstrong on maximizing your fun on a family fishing trip

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Enjoy the August Fishing E/Magazine and please pass this email and E/Mag link to your buddies.

Your Friends;

Phillip Friedman