December 26, 2005
Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. Merry
“Fishmas” to all of you from the guide team here at Sierra Drifters.
The weather has been extremely mixed in the
Eastern Sierra vacillating from a mixture of snow and rain down onto the
Owens Valley floor recently, then evolving suddenly to spring like
conditions with daytime highs reaching into the low 60’s in Bishop. The
forecast for next week is looking to be unstable with a solid chance of
snow and cooler temps on the Eastern side of the Sierra. Be prepared to
fish in severe weather and bring tire chains for your vehicle especially
if you plan on doing the “fish and ski” thing.
The Fisherman’s Spot in Van Nuys is hosting a
freshwater seminar on January 28, 29 of the New Year. This fly fishing
only store has a reputation for having some of the most knowledgeable
people in the industry. We are ecstatic to have this fly shop as one of
our premier carriers of the flies and products we offer.
We are pleased to announce Chris Basso as our
newest guide to the Sierra Drifters team in
2006. Chris has extensive experience in the Eastern Sierra as a fly
fisherman and has been making life difficult for the trout on Crowley Lake
and the Eastern Sierra for many years. He is currently in the
entertainment profession and has a super friendly, very upbeat
personality. Chris has developed a reputation of breaking from the pack
and finding his own water. He is an excellent teacher and has a new 21’
Champion flats boat to get you on the drag burning fish of Crowley Lake.
Chris has been guiding for us on the side for a couple of seasons now and
he will be a great asset to our group for sure.
Chris and other Sierra Drifters guides will be
available for questions and “fish talk” during the weekend of the
Fisherman’s Spot seminar. Stop by the shop and get the latest scoop and
free guide tips during the seminar. Click here to go to their website
http://www.fsflyfishing.com
Lower Owens: Excellent
The flows are currently being released at 150cfs
below Pleasant Valley Reservoir and are forecast to hold here for a
while. As predicted we are having some incredible days on the river
especially with the warm periods between storm fronts.
The wild trout section is good for those braving
upper thirty degree water whilst wading and willing to fish midge nymph
imitations under an indicator. Olive and black bodied zebra midge’s
#18-22; along with tiger midges in the #18-22 sizes will get grabs in the
deeper pools and bends. Redundant drifts are the key during winter time
fly fishing. Look for slower, deeper water this time of year to insure
success in this area. Browns are more lethargic as the water cools and
may need numerous looks at your presentation before going on the grab.
If the weather is mild and above freezing during
dawn, you will encounter a decent baetis hatch (BWO #20) around noon and
after. Although it is not great in numbers you will have ample
opportunities to cast a dry to some eager snouts.
All about Bakersfield this report folks!
The drift boat trips have been excellent recently
and we have had a tremendous early season thus far. 30-70 fish days are
common with the highlight this week being caught by a first time fly
fisher from Bakersfield, CA. There was some serious smack talk going on
in this two boat guided group between boats (way fun!). Ron Holbert put
on a big Xmas fly fishing party (Bakersfield’s own JoRonCo) for his two
nephews Joey and Ben with bride Jen. “BROWNZILLA” was captured on a
Loeberg #10 after a lengthy and skillful battle by Jen. This is the
nicest brown we have got a picture of in many moons. You go girl, nice
fish!
Jennifer Holbert
with "Brownzilla"
One hundred and thirty trout to the hand in two
days in mid-December? Please wake me up! Jim Moses and Chris Aldritt
from Bakersfield did just that during a recent “dip and strip” clinic.
Very memorable trip guys, thanks.
Jim Moses
Chris Aldritt
Carlo Marchese also from Bakersfield and friend
Doug Spieske from Redlands (oops) hit a sixty fish day recently also.
They are first time Sierra Drifters and did a great job dipping and
stripping with a high percentage of their grabs coming into hand. High
fives guys.
Doug Spieske
(left) & Carlo Marchese
Spruce-a-bu’s #8 have been hard to beat, but we
have had some of the larger fish falling to Loebergs #10 recently.
Pleasant Valley
Reservoir: Excellent
The locals who have been fishing here this week
(Drifters guide Mickey Baron in particular) have threatened to obtain a
gag order to keep me from putting this on the internet. “Epic” streamer
fishing with our Punk Perch patterns near the inlet transition zone has
been off the charts. Don’t tell Mickey you heard it from me please!
Freeze tubing and tossing streamers is best here
right now and there have been numerous reports of some nice browns being
had while trolling streamers with full or heavy sink tip lines near the
inlet and launch ramp sections. Most of the fish you will get are DFG
rainbows and holdover fish that migrate into the inlet this time of year.
Sacramento perch flourish in this stillwater just like its big brother
Crowley and if you tug imitations like our Punk Perch and Loebergs you
will get into some of the nicer fish the Eastern Sierra has to offer.
Access here is great for tubers as there are several trails leading down
to the Rez. Layer up excessively under your waders and shells as it can
be down right wicked here on the water if the sun is not out.
The inlet section is fishing so-so with the higher
water levels. The slower water immediately below the powerhouse is best
using a dry/dropper bead head combo with a tiger or zebra midge.
The Gorge: Fair-good
During the warmer periods of weather you will have
a good time sticking the wild browns down in the pit. Most of your grabs
will be had while nymphing, but if you choose a dry dropper combo do not
be surprised to find several of the rascals coming up to hit your
stimulator or mayfly point fly. There is no snow or ice to deal with as
of this report, but with the current weather forecast calling for a low
snow level next week be sure to look before you hike down into this area.
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 on the Resources tab above.
