February 11, 2007
Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. Best fishes to
all for this Presidents fish report from the Eastern High Sierra.
We are finally receiving much needed precipitation
on the east slope and the weather models are indicating a moist jet stream
through next week. The cold dry air mass that has been anchored over the
Sierra has finally moved out and a more seasonal pattern is developing
bringing warmer temps and ideal conditions for a strong baetis emergence
in short order. Have those bwo patterns ready, we are gonna have some
great dry fly activity soon!
On March first of 2007 (yup, next month!) catch
and release anglers WILL be able to fish the waters of Hot Creek, The
Upper Owens River above the Benton Crossing Bridge and the East Walker
River below the Bridgeport Reservoir Dam. There was some local opposition
to the new regulations that was recognized by the DFG Commissioners
meeting in Monterey recently and they have put a spot on the agenda in
July to evaluate the new regs and amend them if data to support negative
impacts warrants the change. We strongly encourage you to make your
opinions known to the Commission; do not assume that others are doing it!
There is a link provided to contact them. We have year round professional
guides available to assist you in these areas. Come on up and be one of
the first to experience early spring fly fishing on several of our blue
ribbon trout waters!
Guide tips for winter time
catch and release fishing:
Below freezing air temperatures can harm the gill
filaments and eye lenses on trout. When fishing in freezing conditions
try not to remove the fish from the water, and do what ever is necessary
to keep the heads of the trout fully submerged when executing a release
and revival. Do not net or “bounce” them on a snow or ice bank, it is a
death sentence.
Do not fish rivers or streams that have “bed ice”
or thick anchor ice that has formed below the surface of running or
moderately moving water. This happens when air temps get below or near
zero for a prolonged period of time. The fish are under extreme stress at
this time and struggling to hold in deeper pools, their metabolisms are
very slow and they need to be left alone without being “spooked” from
vital holding areas. They are not feeding at all during this time and it
is foolish and detrimental to attempt fishing during this condition. This
type of condition is also not pleasant to fish in and can be hazardous to
wade in. A slip or fall in this temperature will transform you into a
“fish sickle” and can put you in the hospital with hypothermia or
frostbite.
If your rod guides freeze do NOT break the ice off
with your fingers. Insert the rod into the water and let it melt off.
Quickly false cast the water off before it refreezes. This will get you
back in business for a while. Chipping the ice off the guides by hand
will eventually damage your guides and may end your day.
If your fly fishing “guide” freezes you may
consider chipping the ice off him or her, do NOT insert your “guide” in
the water, this will definitely end your day during a winter guided fly
fishing trip! Hydrate him or her with copious amounts of warm, mildly
alcoholic beverages and give them a hug!
The Hot Creek Hatchery has tested positive in some
areas for the NZMS. It is currently in quarantine status according to the
hatchery manager and DFG biologists conducting comprehensive examinations
of the entire facility. We have been told that although this is a serious
situation and the invasion of the snail here will alter some regimented
schedules, business should be “pretty much the same” this summer with
regards to stocking of local waters. We will keep you informed as
information is released.
Sincere thanks go to the San Diego Fly Fishers and
the Stroud’s for hosting my Sierra Fly Fishing presentation last week.
Great turnout, I actually got a little stage fright!
If you missed the San Diego show you can see
future presentations at the following:
Tom Loe is on the road again and will be visiting
Buz’s Fly Shop Too in Bakersfield on Saturday February 24th
2007 for their “Grand Opening” at the new location. Loe will be doing a
Power Point presentation on fishing the waters of the Eastern Sierra as
well as some major BS-ing with all in attendance. Owner Larry Goates will
be inviting other pro fly fishing personalities to attend this party.
Come on by and shoot the breeze, win some door prizes and get some free
guidance on fishing the waters of the Eastern Sierra. The shop opens at
nine and will close at 4 in the afternoon. The Power Point show starts
around eleven and will be about an hour in length. Contact Buzs at 661-395-0032
or email them at
buzsflyshop@yahoo.com
Tom will also be doing a Power Point seminar on
March 31st 2007 at Bob Marriott’s Fly Fishing Store in
Fullerton. This show will be in conjunction with Bob’s Sierra preview and
there will be other industry pros and great gear on sale to get you ready
for the new Sierra trout season. Put this one on your calendar and come
by and talk trout, pick up guide tips and pointers on fly fishing trout in
the Sierra. Contact Marriott’s at 800-535-6633 and ask for Kevin Bell, or
visit Bob’s web at
http://www.bobmarriotts.net
Lower Owens River: Very
good-good
We have enjoyed some fine “catching” during the
last two weeks mostly due to the stable water flows and a moderate weather
change that has warmed the water temps back into the low forties most
days.
Releases at the Pleasant Valley dam are currently
125cfs and holding. The LADWP link from our website is currently
accurate. Flows are forecast to decrease even further we are told around
February 20th. There will be major repair being done to the
aqueduct and even the gorge release is forecast to be lowered.
The wild trout section has been like an episode
out of the Twilight Zone and do not be surprised if you see Rod Serling
wading here with fly rod in hand. Some guys are getting into fish with
consistency; others are just flat failing. I would like to suggest that
when you fish a trout stream or river during the winter, it is vital that
you alter your methods and key on presenting your imitations in
alternative water. With rare exceptions you will find trout holding in
distinctly different lairs in colder water than you would, say water that
is in the 47 degree range and up. Look for “softer, deeper” water in the
larger bends. A pool that offers a significant riffle leading into a
large oxbow bend with a long deep tail out will hold more fish than a long
riffle, a plunge pool, an overgrown undercut bank, etc... During low
flows and cold water you will observe that 90 percent of the fish will
congregate in less than ten percent of the water. This is the reason that
some anglers are getting into fish here, and others are just going through
the motions.
As the daylight periods increase and the water
warms leading into spring, you will see the fish move into more
opportunistic holds. We have already seen several substantial baetis
hatches this month and with the consistent flows this emergence will only
become more prevalent. Have tandem nymph rigs ready with midges and may
flies for the morning, a dry fly rod with your favorite bwo #18 pattern
during the afternoon hatch, and get the nymph rig out again in the late
afternoon.
The guided drift trips are rocking and we are
seeing some of the larger models on the majority of the days. These lower
sections of the river fish differently than the immediate tail out and we
have better results fishing streamer patterns, switching to dries for the
hatch if the conditions warrant. The Spruce-a-bu has saved our bacon
numerous times recently and has attributed to a number of big rainbows and
browns. If you choose to fish this pattern I suggest that you incorporate
plenty of lengthy pauses or hesitations in your retrieve. Grabs will come
on the stop, or as you begin to tug after the pause. “Dip and strip.”
Learn it. Do it. Believe in it!
Joe Richey with guide, “Fill” Therrien
Joe Richey from Thousand Oaks, CA brought his pal
Dave Herrmann out from Pennsylvania to drift the Owens River and show him
what a great winter time trout fishery this tail water can be. Drifters
guide “Fill” Therrien got Joe the money fish on this trip. Great day
guys, thank you!
Larry Daniels (holding fish) and Rob McCartney
Veteran Sierra Drifters Larry “LD” Daniels and
Robert “Robby” McCartney from the San Berdo, CA region punished the
rainbows and browns recently with “LD” getting big fish honors on their
way to over forty to the net!
Bill Amans…. “Willie’s Slug!”
Bill “Willy” Amans from Lakewood, CA had a dream
day on the Lower “O” recently while drifting solo. Willy had a ten fish
stop in one pool alone!
Bob Futrell (holding fish) and Jim Fricks….”OK” Bob, ya got a nice one!
Longtime Drifters Jim Fricks and Bob Futrell from
the “OC.” have had some memorable days on the river with us over the
years. Baaab… Jeeem… I want to emphasize that you need to establish your
prior trip as a baseline for future fishing endeavors, OK! (inside joke
here) They whacked em’!
Jeff Woolsen – “custom paint job”
The Jeff Menius from Ramona, CA and Jeff Woolsen
show took their annual “dip and strip a thon” with Wooley spanking several
jumbo fish on a Spruce-a-bu pattern in the morning to get bragging rights
this trip. “JM” proved the “left side” is a good thang… in the afternoon.
Fun day guys, thanks!
Pleasant Valley Reservoir:
Good
The inlet has really picked up but with the
reservoir level still high for this time of year there is still limited
access for fly fishers. The short river section is fishing great at times
in some sections and a dry/bead head dropper combo is the way to go.
Tiger and zebra midges rule here #16-18.
Freeze tubers are getting into some chunky Alpers
rainbows trolling and stripping streamer patterns near the dam, launch
ramp, and transition water near the inlet. Moderate to heavy sink tips,
or full sinking type fours will get you into the “sweet spot.”
Loebergs, blood sucking Vanderleeches, and Agent
Orange patterns are solid choices.
The Gorge: Good
Do some moderate hiking and you will find the
effort worth the while. Dry dropper combos or just a FAT bwo pattern
presented in a seductive manner will get you looks all day here. No ice,
no evil nettle, no competition.
You can pick up our Authentic & Improved Sierra
Drifters Guide Flies, Sungicators & Killer Kits 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 at
www.sierradrifters.com/resources.htm. We pride our Guide Service &
Products on Innovation not Imitation!
FISH ON BABY!!! Now that I have your undivided
attention we need you all to write the Cal DFG Commissioners and express
your approval of the new regulations opening sections of the Upper Owens
River, Hot Creek and the tailwater section of the East Walker River to
year round fishing beginning on March 1st 2007. We have
included a link to the new regulations and as usual you can click on the
button providing important DFG news by visiting our website at
www.sierradrifters.com. DFG commission info at
http://www.fgc.ca.gov/
We at Sierra Drifters Guide Service support the
new regulations and feel the additional year round water will benefit all
catch and release fisherman with little impact on the fisheries,
enforcement or search and rescue organizations. Get the word out friends
we need to make our opinions heard.
Be the fly friends…
Tom Loe
Sierra Drifters Guide Service
760-935-4250
Driftfish@qnet.com
