December 10, 2007 

Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters.  Best fishes to all for this “winter trout fest” fish report from the Eastern High Sierra.  2007 has been a memorable season with the future looking even brighter, and we would like to thank all of our clients and friends for their patronage and support.  We wish all of you good health and a prosperous New Year. 

The Eastern Sierra has just recently received its first substantial snow fall of the season and it is most welcome!  The high valleys had accumulations of about 6 inches, with the upper elevations reporting up to 18-24 inches.  The Owens Valley got some much needed rain with the snow level staying above the 6000 foot elevation.  You can expect a more seasonable weather pattern to develop for the remainder of this month according to NOAA.  Old Man winter has made his debut, be well prepared if you are planning outdoor activities. 

I would like to thank all of you that attended the seminar held at the Fishermen’s Spot recently.  It was great to see so many of our treasured clients and long time friends along with all the new faces. The guide crew of Sierra Drifters wishes all of you an “epic” holiday season. 

Lower Owens River: Good 

The epic days have passed, however the “catching” remains good during the warmer weather cycles with more large fish showing each float.  Flows are holding a tad over 100cfs with the water temps dipping into the low forties and upper thirties after the passing cold fronts. 

Nymphing is the best method of angling in the wild trout section using midge patterns in the #18-20 range.  You may still see a few baetis mayflies (BWO) emerging in the late afternoon periods but I would not bank on it for the next sixty days. 

The drift boat sections are fishing best casting streamers and “strymphs” using the dip and strip technique with moderate sinking tip lines.  Spruce-a-Bu’s, Loebergs, and Vanderleeches #8-12 are all getting grabs. 

Craig “the heron” Holmes made a perfect cast into a deep, dark hole that had Brownzilla written all over it.  His presentation was, as usual seductive and precise.  The “heron” is on the Lower Owens most hated trout list and is a long time Sierra Drifter.  The take was strong and Homey realized this was no average fish!  Homey looked over his shoulder and told me to get the net out baby, this is a webfish!  I agreed and could not wait to see this monster brown.  The battle waged for over ten minutes before we saw some deep color.  The yellow tint confirmed it was a not a rainbow.  The giant gold fish was not foul hooked but had indeed engulfed the Punk Perch.  Sometimes you are the windshield, sometimes the bug!  Right size, wrong model! 

Craig "the heron" Holmes 

Although not Brownzilla, Steve (the weasel) Weasel from Florida did get a nice brown on the same drift and on several occasions reminded the Heron what they looked like!  I am still sore from laughing on this one guys.  Happy New Year!

Steve "the Weasel"  

Some things never change.  Buz Brown can attest to this.  The father and daughter team fly fished for the first time on a drift boat trip with us and Abigail got the big fish once again.  Buz had a big smile as I took the picture.  Way to go Ab!

Abigail Brown

" Thanks for a special day that ranks as one of my best-of-the-year highlights :)" Abigail
 

Aaron Britton took a drift with “Two Bug” Doug Dolan and schooled a really nice rainbow using the dip and strip recently.  Way to pull that one up the chimney Aaron.  Early X-mas present from trout-a-claus for sure!

Both reside in Temecula, Ca. "Two Bug" 

Talk about being a quick study.  Justin Karr may be the drift boat/dip and strip rookie of the year.  Veteran Sierra Drifter Chris Aldritt had all he could do to stay even with JK on this drift.  I must say Chris did very well despite using the “rubber” hook that he discovered was tied on after lunch!  These guys had big numbers on their float.  Hope those hand cramps went away guys…

Justin Karr & Chris Aldritt "Double"

Upper Owens River: Fair 

Upper Owens River 12-9-07

Timing will be the key during the winter months and I suggest you hold off fishing this area until conditions improve some with regards to access.  It has become very winterish in the Long Valley Caldera and the dirt roads are iced up with snow along the banks here.  Check out this picture of the Upper Owens taken on 12-9-07.  If you decide to fish here a 4WD vehicle is mandatory to access most of the area upstream from the Benton Bridge.  You can easily walk in and fish upstream if you have winter fishing gear.   I have observed some jumbo rainbows holding in the deeper pools.  There are also a few browns still hanging around but most of them are retreating back into Crowley after spawning.  Midges, streamers, and a thermos of hot chocolate spiked with Kahlua would be my suggestion! 

The Upper Owens is open UPSTREAM ONLY from the Benton Crossing Bridge to Big Springs. 

It is true. Tim and Pam Alpers have recently sold the Owens River Ranch.  The property is being purchased by the current owner of the former Arcularius Ranch.  The end of an era here indeed.

Guide Tip: Winter footwear 

If you opt to fish areas that have snow or ice on the ground in addition to freezing air temps, I strongly suggest that you invest in rubber soled wading boots and leave the felts at home.  Felt soles are about the worst you can have for winter wading.  The ice sticks to the felt and accumulates when the boots are out of the water.  Rubber soles do not have this issue. 

Snow drifts along the banks will mask the true edge especially along the channel, or deep side. Carrying a wading staff is wise so you can probe the true foundation of the bank.  Approach the rivers edge with caution using your staff to locate solid ground.

You will find that on many days in the upper valleys the water will be far higher in temperature and be comfortable to wade or cross.  As always; keep wading and crossing to an absolute minimum in all creeks and rivers to minimize damage to the river beds habitat. 

Hot Creek: Very Good 

A picture is worth a thousand words.  Jake Holt can attest to this.  Check out this gargantuan rainbow he recently fooled here on one of our crystal zebras.  Merry X-mas Jake!   

Jake Holt with his gargantuan rainbow...

"It is time for you to leave the temple grasshopper Jake"...well done, Tom

After we talked to you Friday morning, I was fishing with a dry-dropper set up as you suggested.  However, it was too windy for me to cast into the section where the fish were holding.  So, I immediately switched up to a Sierra Drifter’s Crystal Zebra Midge 2 feet under a Sungicator.  After 2 casts, Troutzilla emerged from the deep and the fight was on.  With the glare, it looked like just a nice 22-incher.  However, once I got the fish into the shallows and the net, I knew it was Troutzilla!!!  It was about 29 inches long and I am guessing between 8 and 10 lbs.  My personal best on the fly...Jake

Hot Creek and the Upper Owens are geothermal spring creeks.  Water temps in these fisheries are far above what other creeks and rivers would be during the winter months because of this fact.  Trout are cold blooded creatures and their metabolisms respond directly to the temperature of their environment.  Other aquatic organisms adhere to this fact as well.  When the weather permits you will have good fishing here all winter.  Midges in the #18-22 range rock here currently.   

I have provided a picture of what HC currently looks like.  4X4 vehicles are mandatory, and by all means check out the NWS forecast before you plan a trip here.  The road leading into the canyon section can be a real mess if there is over a few inches of fresh snow.  It is NOT plowed!   

Hot Creek 12-9-07

We suggest doing half day days this time of year.  Make freshies in the powder during the morning while skiing or boarding; cast flies to trophy trout in the afternoons.  Nirvana has arrived in the Sierra! 

Pleasant Valley Reservoir: Good

Hard core “freeze tubers” are doing well in the inlet area tugging streamers like the (Spruce-a-Bu) and strymphs; these are crossover flies that can be fished as streamers or nymphs-hence the nickname strymphs, Punk Perch or Vanderleech Patterns are precisely this.  Fish your favorite imitations down 8-10 feet to find the “sweet spot” It has slowed down here the last few days due to the cold air temps.  PV is a shallow body of water as reservoirs go and the weather will influence this area greatly.  The inlet section in the transition zone is also an excellent choice this time of year.  Dry dropper combos or strike indicator rigs using a copper or black crystal tigers as the nymph #16-18 will be “money” most days.

There is ice along the edges but no snow has accumulated here as of this report.

The Gorge: fair

The upper sections may have some snow and ice especially on the east and north facing slopes.  This area has also slowed down as the air and water temps have cooled off significantly due to the last storm.  Midges are your best bet here as well.  Dry dropper bead head combos are good choices to start with.  I prefer olive or green colored bodies in the #16-20 range with darker heads for my nymphs.

East Walker River: Slow

Flows remain low and if you factor in the low water temps on Bridgeport Reservoir this fishery is one to avoid for the time being.  If we get a warm period of Pacific storms the flows can increase as well as the temps and the bite will kick on big time here.  Once again the emphasis is on fishing areas when the conditions are right.  The morning lows here can be absolutely brutal, going below zero at times during clear high pressure periods with no wind to mix up the air.

The EW is open DOWNSTREAM ONLY from the dam to the Nevada Stateline.  Year round fishing is legal in the Nevada section but you will need to purchase a Nevada sport fishing license to fish below the border. 

Sierra Drifters flies and “Sungicator” strike indicators are only available at the following great fly shops and stores (don’t be fooled by any of the imitations out there!): Crowley Lake Fish Camp at Lake Crowley, Crowley Lake General Store in Crowley, Kittredge Sports in Mammoth Lakes, Bridgeport Reservoir Marina in Bridgeport, Malibu Fish’n Tackle in Thousand Oaks, Stroud’s Tackle in San Diego, The San Diego Fly Shop 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 at the resources tab above.

We pride our Guide Service & Products on Innovation not Imitation!

Be the fly friends…Tom Loe

Sierra Drifters Guide Service    

760-935-4250

Driftfish@qnet.com 

and Michele Loe Michele@MammothLakes.com