Capt'n Ron...Brown on a Broke Back Gillie...

Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters.  Best fishes to all for this early summer Fish’N Conditions update from the Eastern High Sierra.

There are significant changes to report in most of the key fisheries.  The run-off has escalated immensely in some areas and even the tailwaters have begun to increase release rates to accommodate the rising water levels.  If you are planning to fish any of the creeks or drainages here on the Eastern slope you can bank on seeing off colored water with significant turbulence.  The air temperature and weather will greatly affect the levels and run-off this time of year.  A cold snap can improve conditions quickly, while a warm T-storm at the upper elevations can cause flooding in short order. 

Alpine lakes and large reservoirs are more stable environments and less affected by periodic weather cycles this time of year.  I suggest you consider fishing still waters for more consistent results until the run-off begins to abate.  

The So-Cal Fly Shop is now currently stocked with the hottest Sierra Drifters flies for you to use this summer here in the Sierra.  Stop by Peter Piconi’s awesome fly fishing store and get the hot scoop for this region, as well as other prime fisheries he caters to. http://www.socalflyfishing.net/. Mark your calendars... I will be hosting a seminar at the shop on September 26th. Contact Peter at the shop for more details.

We have finally got SD guide Chris Basso’s new “Broke Back” articulated midge patterns to most of the great fly shops that carry our time tested guide flies.  They are listed below and have been updated.  The Pacific Fly people have been working overtime to keep up with the orders!  These patterns are truly superior to most midge imitations and really spank the trout when you have a small chop, or nervous surface condition.  We are also selling flies online this season for your convenience.  

Crowley Lake: 

Capt'n Ron...Big Bow Bites the Broke Back Tiger...

Midge Mania!

Guide Fill T & Bert S on Crowley...

It has been very inconsistent here.  The catchable sized fish are holding very deep despite some excellent chironomid hatches and overall water conditions on Crowley.  Typically you will see concentrations of rainbows around Sandy Pt., Layton Springs, the Hiltons, and for sure around Green Banks in the 11-13 foot range most seasons during the month of May.  This has not been the case many days and it has been a struggle to locate concentrations of trout in any of the areas I mentioned.  Most days you will pick up a handful of grabs in any spot and it will shut down for extended periods of time. 

Sonar readings indicate large bodies of very small fish holding in the 25-35 foot range in these areas.  This is consistent with the fact that the DFG put a large volume of “tiny” trout (21 to the pound) in last fall and early this spring.  These fish are feeding on daphnia and will not be pulling those indicators down until mid-summer. 

There are some larger fish being fooled in the 15 foot range and this is about as deep as you should fish them if you wish to safely catch and release.  Bringing a fish in from twenty feet of water is really tough on a trout and not advisable for C+R angling.  Even at the 15 foot range I am seeing some fish showing signs of hemorrhaging capillaries.  You will observe blood squirting out the gills after they are in the net.  The dissolved oxygen decreases exponentially at depths below 10 feet and the high alkalinity from last seasons very low water levels have left residue on the gill filaments that make them less efficient and in some instances lethal to the trout.   

Fish the drop-offs but do not suspend your still water nymph rigs deeper than 13-14 feet.  The cooler morning periods will have the fish holding in this range, and they have acclimated to the depth.  You may also suspend your rigs at the 13-14 foot depth in deeper water without causing significant trauma during the rise to the surface.  Keep the head of the trout fully immersed after the fight and allow a longer recovery time after the release.  You can also assist the trout to get back down by holding its tail and giving it a shove downward after reviving. 

The Sacramento Perch are on their spawning redds and you will get some target practice while S.W. nymphing.  They fight about as good as a wet gym sock but make those indicators go under during the slow periods.  

Guide T-Loe & Ron B... Big Bow at the Buzzer!

Guide T-Loe & Bill S... Old age & treachery overcomes youth & skill every time!

Looks like Robin & Dennis C had a fun day on Crowley with guide Doug-R

Lower Owens River: 

The flows are low for this time of year and the catching has been good on recent drift boat trips.  You will encounter a significant amount of “river snot” or angle hair algae that are drifting with the current making a clean presentation difficult especially during the mornings.  Keep your fly clean and you will get grabs.  Loebergs have been the hot fly used with a heavy sinking tip line.  The flows will be increasing in short order, you can check out the LADWP real-time flow data at the top of this page. 

The wild trout section is also very good and the flows remain great for wading.  Nymphing with flashback PT’s, crystal olive caddis larva, tiger midges, broke back midges, and hares ear patterns in the #16-20 range will all get you into fish.  My 2009 bead head nymph patterns are made with tungsten beads and they get down much faster than the plated brass or nickel ones.  Make sure you have sufficient weight to get near the bottom. Alter the depth of your strike detector if you fish the deeper pools, don’t get lazy and keep a uniform depth at different locations! 

There are also some great opportunities to fish mayfly, midge, and caddis adults each day on the surface.  PMD’s #14-16 in the mornings along with midge cluster imitations #20, caddis in the afternoon’s #16-18. 

Chad D. & Katie C... Dip & Strip Bow...

Katie's Tie Breaker Brown...

Adobe Pond: 

Awesome!  The fish are in great shape this season and it is on fire here during the morning hatch of midges and callibaetis.  We fish this private still water from our drift boats and sight cast to rising wild browns most of the time.  It is truly a special place with gorgeous scenery and eager fish.  We have exclusive rights to guide Adobe, please call if you are interested. You can click on the link above for more information on Adobe Ranch.

Capt'n Ron @ Adobe Ranch...

East Walker River: 

Despite a significant increase in flows the EW remains very good.  The current release rate remains below historical averages.  It is being heavily fished this spring and if you choose to fish the section immediately below the dam you better get there early for the choice riffle water. 

Nymphing is the most effective means of getting consistent grabs here however, casting dries on the tailouts and riffle water will get you into fish that nymphing will not and you can see some huge numbers this year.  Chironomid adults #18, just about any may fly adult profile in gray, olive or sulfur will work #16-18, caddis adults (dark bodies #14-18) in the afternoons will get fish to light off on the top. 

Flashback PT’s, BB midges, olive crystal zebra and caddis larva patterns in the #16-20 range work well while nymphing.  I like the olive dubbed body on one of the patterns I offer here. It has a black tungsten head and has been a very consistent fly this season. 

With the increase in flows one can also do well while tossing streamers early in the morning, or again late afternoon when the sun gets off the water.  Damsel fly nymphs, perch fry and chub patterns are all good choices. 

Art P... working one on a classic EW riffle...

West Walker River and other freestone creeks: 

Blown out.  Conditions will improve if it gets cooler.  Look for the flows to begin dropping by July this summer. 

West Walker... Blown Out!

Alpine Lakes: 

The Mammoth Lakes Basin is now open, as are the majority of the other “drive to” beautiful alpine lakes we have in the Sierra.  There will be some snow lingering along the shorelines for a tad longer but it is coming off quick.  Tubers trolling or casting full sinking lines and steamer patterns will find decent fishing in most of the lakes.  Get those flies down at least 10 feet along the drop-offs or near the inlets or outflows. 

Most of these lakes have good numbers of planted fish that are very aggressive and “opportunistic” when hot off the truck.  You should choose high visibility patterns that have a lot of flash, red or orange in them to draw attention as they get trolled through the water.  Agent Orange, Spruce-A-Bu’s, Loebergs, flash-a-buggers, are all good choices in these types of lakes. 

The road to Reds Meadow is expected to open June 5th and the mandatory shuttle to start on June 13th. For more information you can contact the Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center at 760-924-5500.

Hot Creek: 

Mammoth Creek is flooding at times during warm weather and this will greatly impact HC on a daily basis.  As I have stated earlier the trend currently is for flows to be on the rise, but you will have periods this time of year when the temperatures remain cool at the upper elevations and this will reduce the impact of run-off.  If the low temps in Mammoth are above forty five or fifty, look for increased run-off.  If they get down into the low or mid thirties you will see less snowmelt in the mornings.  Fish dry dropper combos in the slack water along the edges, or you can cast streamers in the deeper pools and runs using a light sink tip, or floating line.  I like a clear slow sinking line made by Rio called the Aqualux for conditions like this.  Our Punk Perch in olive or gray and Loebergs #10 are good choices for hanging a hog this time of year with high water conditions. 

Pleasant Valley Reservoir: 

Tubers are doing great here.  Streamer fishing has been excellent near the inlet and towards the launch ramp.  Still water nymphing along the far bank drop-off has also been paying off with BB gillies and tigers, or crystal emergers and pupa patterns #16-18. 

Upper Owens and Crowley Tributaries: 

The entire public sections of the UO are now open to fish.  There are special regulations above the Benton Bridge so check them before you cast.  Good numbers of planted fish being landed from the campground to the monument.  It has been slower with mostly smaller fish being seen on the upper sections and Long Years.  You will see some off colored water along with a fair amount of weed during this time of year especially down steam of the HC confluence and some of the larger irrigation canals. 

Caddis patterns both on the surface and while nymphing work well this time of year.  Hang a San Juan Worm, or broke back tiger as the upper fly on a tandem rig.  Tie on a crystal caddis larva, or flash back PT #16-18 for the dropper while nymphing. 

Most of the fish are returning back into Crowley after the spring migration.  The high water flows at times are also making fishing tough on McGee and Convict Creeks. 

Bridgeport Reservoir: 

I have good reports from tubers fishing near the launch ramp and around the dam trolling streamers outside and along the weed lines.  Perch fry patterns, damsel fly nymphs, and callibaetis nymphs are good choices.  Tie a SD Killa-baetis nymph as a dropper behind a Loeberg or Punk Perch here and fish in the channels.  Get here early there has been a lot of wind by lunch time this season.  Crowley has also had a bunch more wind than usual for that matter. 

Sierra Drifters Flies are available at the following great fly shops and stores: Crowley Lake Fish Camp & The Crowley Lake General Store in Crowley, Bridgeport Marina at Bridgeport Reservoir, Kittredge Sports in Mammoth Lakes, 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, & Crosby Lodge at Pyramid Lake, Nevada.  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