December 29, 2006 -Lower Owens River Flow
Update:
After many months of flushing flows the river is finally beginning to
recede. The LADWP reports that the flows will stabilize at 150 cfs below
Pleasant Valley Reservoir after this weekend. Give it a few days for the
fish to reposition and adapt. The long range weather forecast looks good
and we are anticipating a banner remainder of winter and spring. Tom is
out on the river today and reports the flows at about 450 cfs right
now….the DWP flow link has not been updated since 12-26-06. We will have a
more comprehensive report out soon.
December 18, 2006
Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. Best fishes
and holiday cheers to all of you for this X-mas 2006 fish report from the
Eastern High Sierra. We would like to extend a sincere thanks to you all
for your support last season. Have a happy and prosperous New Year.
The weather pattern has shifted into a more
seasonal cycle since our prior report. You can expect cooler and more
precipitous weather the next couple of weeks as the Pacific jet stream has
dropped and will bring the eastern Sierra some substantial storms. To
this point in the season the Owens Valley remains dry and well above
average in daytime high temps and we have enjoyed a pleasant and extended
fall season for sure.
The re-watering of the Lower Owens River (LORP
Project) by the LADWP has finally been realized. After many decades of
removing water from its natural drainage in the area below Tinemaha
Reservoir the water is once again flowing in its natural course thanks to
a judge that had had enough of “extensions” and studies by the embattled
LADWP.
This is a mile stone with regards to restoring a
natural river and riparian system to its primal state. Although this may
not become a great recreational frontier for sometime, it is no doubt a
step in the right direction for outdoor enthusiast’s and a major victory
for wildlife and the ecosystem of the Owens Valley and California. There
will be some winter/early spring trout stocking in this area by the Cal
DFG. As time goes on this area will primarily be habitat for warm water
species like bass and catfish. Waterfowl should become more and more
prevalent and with any luck the old fly ways will once again become
established. The flows in this section are not going to be overly high,
and we are informed they will peak at about 40cfs with periodic “flushing
releases” to create additional habitat like marshes and tulle beds.
Envision about the same flows that are currently running in the Gorge
below Crowley Lake.
The Cal DFG commissioners have recently passed
regulations that are going to allow year round “catch and release” fishing
with barbless artificial lures or flies in several areas of the Eastern
Sierra beginning on March 1st 2007. As of this report the
waters of HOT CREEK, The EAST WALKER RIVER in the California section below
Bridgeport Reservoir and The UPPER OWENS RIVER in the section “UPSTREAM
ONLY” from the Benton Crossing Bridge all the way upstream to Deadman
Creek downstream of HWY 395, will become open to year round fishing
starting on March 1st 2007. The new regulations do not
supersede any of the old regs for these areas during the general trout
season in Mono County, and you should take time to examine the laws before
you get those fly rods rigged. There were also additional quality trout
waters opened in other areas of California. We have included a link to
the new regulations and as usual you can click on the button above at DFG
News.
There are already some protests being filed by
individuals that do not agree with these new regulations and I suspect you
may hear more on this matter soon. These new regulations are part of a
mandated program linked to the “Strategic Trout Management Plan” adopted
by the Cal DFG to enhance and develop new fisheries and angling
opportunities. The DFG admittedly stated it was not widely publicized and
some disenchanted folks feel they were not able to express their opinions
on this matter before it was made into law. They make some good points
for both safety, enforcement, and the well being of the spring spawning
wild trout populations. Get your opinions to the DFG and make your voices
heard.
Can’t speak for you, but I can tell you that this
guide will be casting to fish next March on some quality local waters
unless informed otherwise. YIPEEE!!!
We have had some recent inquires as to whether or
not we would guide spin or conventional fishers on our drift boats.
ABSOLUTELY YES. We are predominately a fly fishing guide service and feel
that the fly is the most productive and most fun means of catching trout
but we do welcome catch and release artificial lure chuckers with open
boats and ready nets! All of our guides are experienced with the use and
presentations of swim bait lures, mini-jigs, spinners, and spoons. So
bring those spinning rods on, we will put you within flip’N range of “Troutzilla”!
Lower Owens River:
Fair
The water temps have dropped into the upper
thirties and low forties and the high flows that have been raging all year
are finally taking their toll on the fishing here. The trout are seeking
the shelter and insulation of the deeper pools making presentations at
these high flows difficult. Redundant casts are needed to get the fish to
commit to streamer or nymph patterns. The great weather we have been
enjoying this winter has helped us out many days warming the water and
getting the midges and some baetis hatches emerging and the fish more
prone to feed.
Wading in the wild trout section remains slow and
there is limited area in which to safely and effectively fish. Three to
four BB shot with bead head midge or mayfly patterns incorporating some
flash in the profile will give you the best opportunity under the current
conditions. Look for the baetis (bwo) hatch after the noon siren sounds
in Bishop and it is then you will have an hour or so of some surface
activity in the larger slower pools.
The drift boat sections have also slowed but are
by far your best bet to get into fish currently as we can access all the
difficult to reach sections that are holding fish. Some of the larger
“beasts” are beginning to show but the high flows are making landings
difficult as the current is a huge ally for the fish during the battle.
The LADWP is telling us that they will continue
high flows throughout the remainder of this year and should “crash” them
by the beginning of January 2007. We can not get a firm number on what
the release will be after then and we have been told as low as 80cfs to
200cfs below Pleasant Valley Dam. There will be a prolonged period of
maintenance on the hydroelectric facility at that time. Historically under
those conditions we will experience some fantastic fishing well into the
early part of next spring. So far this winters snow pack is very light
and if this trend continues we may see low flows well into May or even
June on the Lower Owens for the first time in several years.
Carve this into stone folks. There will be some
EPIC days beginning in January and continuing at times well into the
spring. I have seen this scenario set up only a few seasons in the thirty
years I have been drifting this river. I truly hope you are able to fish
with one of our great guides next year and experience the Owens River from
a drift boat.
The “Linkcredibles” from San Pedro, CA could be
named as trout enemy #1 for their incredible ability to always get the
most out of a fishery. Scott and Chris are pictured with a double on a
recent float with us.
The Linkcredibles
on a double...
Chris “Big City” Henrich and Vince “The fan ”
DiMeglio from Palos Verdes, CA booked a two boat float with their sons
Vince “the walrus giver” D. and Jace “little city” H. The competition was
fierce between the father and son teams with a prime rib dinner at stake
for the winner. Old age and treachery had to pay up to youth, skill, and
cunning after a close battle of the drift boats. Drifters guide “Fill”
Therrien and I needed oxygen after all the laughs we had with this group.
Merry X-mas guys, see ya soon.
Chris "Big City"
Henrich (R) & Vince "Not Again" DiMeglio (L)
The Bonetto’s booked a
trip with Drifters own Mr. “Fill” and son Tom caught and released a
memorable rainbow on their float. Kudos to you Tommy for a kinder and
gentler hold and release for this shot!
Tom Bonetto, Jr.
Pleasant Valley
Reservoir: Good
Freeze tubing is an option for the more hearty and
“robust” fisherman that are properly attired for winter fishing. I would
like to point out at this time there were many skeptics who thought that
opening this area to winter tubing was a death sentence and would “tax”
search and rescue groups too often. This has not been the case and there
has not been a single reported incident involving a tuber here in the six
years it has been open. Having said this please exercise common sense and
dress for extreme weather and prolonged exposure to cold. No fish is
worth the effects hypothermia can cause.
The fishing is best near the inlet area closest to
the transition water between the flow of the river, and the larger body of
water that comprises the reservoir proper. This section changes with the
flows and the wind direction but it is located very close to the first big
bend in the canyon and there is a so-so path marked by a pole that leads
you down to a decent launch pad on the lakes edge. Look for an area of
water with abundant debris and scum on the surface, concentrate on the
edges of this zone. The “launch pad” section will change greatly as the
levels rise and fall so some creativity and a little scouting before you
descend down to the lake from the access road is mandatory.
The browns are surprisingly active in this area
and although you may not find a bunch of Crowley grade slammers here there
are abundant 12-15 inch fish eager to whack a streamer with a perch or
leech pattern trolled or stripped with a full or heavy sinking tip line.
Casting and stripping is superior to trolling here as you may displace
concentrations of fish by trolling over them. Stay put in an area and
cast towards the shoreline moving slowly in and out from the steep banks.
Still water nymphing has also been effective at
times using larger crystal tiger and zebra midges fished as deep as 12
feet below a strike detector. The warmer cycles have the midges and bwos
going off and you will see the snouts poking out in the shadows leaving
rise forms on the glassy days indicating feeding trout. The river sucks
here right now as the flows are raging.
My suggestion is to get here after 10 am and exit
when the sun gets behind the ridge and the shadows cover the entire
breadth of the reservoir for an hour or so. It can get freaking cold and
you will see what we mean by the term “freeze tubing”!
The Gorge: Good
The mild weather has allowed safe access into all
the sections of the Gorge up to this point and there are a few isolated
spots that have ice and snow to deal with in the upper areas only.
Dry/dropper bead head nymph combos will work best
in the larger pools and deeper runs but you may find some eager surface
feeders after noon slurping the tiny trico and baetis mayflies.
If you prefer wade fishing and are not opposed to
a moderately strenuous walk this is a great alternative and provides year
round fishing opportunities that are perhaps best this time of year under
current conditions.
Need a holiday gift for the fly fisher in the
family? Want to flog the water for some trophy rainbows and browns this
winter? We are your huckleberry! Customized gift certificates are
available upon request.
You can pick up our Authentic & Improved Sierra
Drifters Guide Flies, Sungicators & Killer Kits (Great Holiday Gifts)
only at the following stand out locations (don’t be fooled
by any of the imitations out there!): Kittredge Sports in Mammoth
Lakes, Malibu Fish’n Tackle in Thousand Oaks, The San Diego Fly Shop and
Stroud’s Tackle in San Diego, The Fishermen’s Spot in Van Nuys, Bob
Marriott’s in Fullerton, Buz's Fly Shop Too in Bakersfield and online at
www.bigfishhappen.com. There are links to these locations on the
resources tab above. We pride our Guide Service & Products on
Innovation not Imitation!
Be the fly friends…Tom Loe
760-935-4250
Driftfish@qnet.com
