December 4, 2004
Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. Best
fishes to all for this winter fish report from the Eastern High Sierra.
Tis the jolly old time of year when we
separate those whom like to fish; and those whom NEED to fish. Yes indeed, it
is cold. Expect high temperatures in the Owens Valley to hit the upper 40’s if
the sun comes out. Mornings on the water may require a bit of anti-freeze in
your coffee or latte if you catch my drift. Shields up folks! Add another
layer under those waders and shells. Hoods and gloves are necessary.
The forecast is calling for more of the
same with a slight warming trend and a smidgeon of snow in the upper elevations
by week’s dawn. No major storms are predicted to influence this region for at
least a week as of this report.
Despite the cold weather fly fishing has
been good. You do not need to get going at the crack of dawn either! Mid-days
are typically the peak of the bite during weather conditions such as we are
experiencing these days.
So…Where do you fit in? Like to fish, or
NEED to fish? Sierra Drifters Guide Service is here if you are beginning to
display the dreaded withdrawal symptoms this winter’s lack of fly-fishing
causes. We “need” to fish and would be happy spending a quality day with you on
the uncrowded waters the Eastern Sierra provides this time of year.
Lower Owens River: Very Good
The cool morning temps have made the
morning bite a tad slow, but as the sunlight starts to warm the gravel on the
rivers bed the “catching” improves considerably. Flows remain stable at 105-110
cfs below the dam at P.V. Reservoir. The wading is gravy at this release with
exception to the chilly water.
The baetis hatch is pretty much history
until next February. You may still encounter an occasional snout rising well
after noon for a tardy emerging mayfly, but the majority of your grabs will come
on small midges both emergers and nymphs #20-24 fished under an indicator or
“high sticked” in the wild trout section. With the water temps cooling to
below the 40 degree mark you will at times find the trout, especially the browns
to be more tentative and lethargic. Remember trout are cold blooded creatures;
their metabolic rates slow respectively with lower water temperatures. So
what? Lower metabolisms require less sustenance. The critters just ain’t gonna
bite during the coldest periods of the day during the winter. Redundant drifts
near the bottom will get results. Locate the deeper pools during winter. The
depth of the water in these larger bends and sinks will provide additional
insulation with respect to ambient air temperature. Trout will concentrate in
these areas during winter and one can spend over an hour on just one pool at
times without exhausting the opportunities of “hooking up”.
Streamer fishing during the winter can
provide an excellent presentation alternative of getting into fish on the Lower
Owens River. Trout will often take or hit if you will, larger streamer
patterns fished wet or below the surface out of aggression as opposed to
hunger. Our Spruce-a-bu’s, Loebergs, Punk Perch, and Crystal Leeches are all
dynamite patterns to tie on behind a moderate sinking tip line. No lighter that
4X tippet on the L.O.R. Troutzilla lurks here!
We are angering plenty of trout this time
of year utilizing our patented “dip and strip” method of streamer fishing from a
drift boat. The advantages of guided drift boat fishing here are plenty. Easy
access to the hard to reach and secluded sections of the river. No wet wading
needed to get you into fish. Heaters in the boats! Keep those gloves on… Let
the guide take care of releasing your fish, keeping you out of the penalty box
and staging a photo of you and a trophy winter trout!
The Kirkland team of Mike (alias the
“cougar”) and son Darren (the kid) took their first drift with us recently and
“exercised” well over 40 trout while fishing streamers and employing the dip and
strip method. The competition was fierce, and in the end a draw was declared
after the catch and release event; “The cougar vs. the kid” rematch is
forthcoming and we will keep you posted!
Mike Kirkland with son, Darren in the
foreground...
Veteran Sierra Drifters Bill Richards from
Thousand Oaks, CA and father-in-law Chuck Rinehart all the way from Pittsburg,
NY took their annual fall drift with us and these savvy fly fishers once again
hurt the feelings of well over 40 rainbows and browns with “double” hook ups
being common.
Chuck Rinehart (left) and Bill
Richards
Santa and his fly-fishing Elf’s work
closely with us and have offered to provide holiday and custom gift certificates
with your requests. Just email or phone and we can mail one out to your lucky
recipient.
Please remember that this area is NZMS
positive and rotten with the critters. Walk and wade in the streambed as little
as possible, do your moving on dry ground. For more information on the snail go
to
http://www.flyline.com/environmental/nzms
Pleasant Valley
Reservoir: Good
The freeze tubers that NEED to fish are
enjoying typical early winter streamer fishing near the inlet and launch ramp
sections of the reservoir. Good catch and release scores of brown trout are
being netted fishing around the 10 foot depth and along the drop-offs on both
sides. Loebergs and punk perch rock on the res. this time of year. Late DFG
and Alpers plants of rainbows are beginning to migrate into the inlet section
also. Fish the transition water from the river to reservoir as it begins to
slow for the denser concentrations of fish. My favorite rig here is a #14-16
stimulator with a #16-18 Drifters Crystal Tiger or Zebra Midge suspended about
2-3 feet below. There has been ice along the banks until late morning. Studded
wading boots and caution will prevent bruising your caboose whilst wading this
section!
The Gorge: Fair
The “catching” here has slowed since last
reported. Currently the optimum times to drop into the gorge will be between 10
and 3 daily. Dry/dropper nymphing with midge patterns #16-20 will get it done
most days. Cooler water temps have the wild browns on the opposite side of
ravenous. You still have a decent chance of getting these rascals to look up at
a dry here. #16-18 mayfly patterns are a good choice.
Approaches here are the key to success.
Scout out your water from the canyon walls above; then make your approaches
downstream of the sweet spots. Accurate upstream presentations, working both
banks with progressively longer casts are vital. 6X tippet and an 8 foot leader
will get you into more fish.
The weather has most people thinking snow
as well they should and the skiing and boarding is fantastic for this time of
year at Mammoth Mountain. The Mammoth Mountain Ski area
www.mammothmountain.com currently has a 4-6’ base with the earliest opening
in many years! Many take advantage of combining a ski trip with some excellent
winter fishing!
You can pick up our guide flies at the
following stand out locations:
The San Diego Fly Shop, The
Troutfitter/Trout Fly in Mammoth Lakes, Stroud’s Tackle in San Diego, Malibu
Fish’N Tackle in Thousand Oaks. There are links to these locations at the
resources tab above.
Be the fly…Tom Loe
Sierra Drifters Guide Service
