Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters.  Best fishes to all for this “pictures are worth a thousand words fish report” from the Eastern High Sierra. 

February 12, 2006

The last two weeks will go down as one of the most awesome flurries of big trout caught in recent memory.  Like a juggernaut the bite kept building with the unseasonably warm weather that covered the Owens Valley with spring like conditions and T-shirt type days.  The water temperatures climbed into the high forties from the middle thirties almost overnight and the “bigs” went on a rampage for us on the drift boat sections.   We implore you to take some time and click on our website to load the numerous pics of the hogs that have been caught recently.  There are a bunch of photos; it is the only way to do this EPIC bite justice.  The Sierra Drifters guides are still buzzing over this current condition and we are fired up each morning before our drift trips knowing that “Troutzilla” is on the prowl around the next oxbow.  Enough said, let the pictures tell the story! 

Lower Owens River wild trout section: Very good 

Flows remain at 125cfs below Pleasant Valley Dam.  Fly fishing has picked up a bunch with the warmer water temps and the conditions are much more like late March and April here recently.  The baetis (bwo) and midge hatches are in high gear each day and you will also see some small yellow stone flies and even a few early light bodied caddis on the right day.  Nymphing with crystal tiger and zebra midges, birds nest, wd40’s and flashback pt’s will all get grabs when the rascals are feeding near the bottom.  Look closely at the water immediately at the base of a long riffle and even in the riffle water for feeding fish during the mayfly emergence beginning shortly after noon. 

The word from the LADWP is flows will be going up around the end of the month as some major repair work on the LA Aqueduct is being completed.  How much of an increase is not being forecast but we will keep you posted as soon as we know. 

Pleasant Valley Reservoir: Good 

Tubing has been hit or miss depending on where you put in.  The dam area and launch ramp sections have been the most consistent for tubers.  Full sinks or heavier sink tips will get you down to the 10-15 feet zone where the bulk of the fish hold this time of year.  Loebergs and Spruce-a-bu’s are solid choices for this area.  The rez level remains high and the inlet/transition area remains difficult to fish from the bank.  The upper river section just below the powerhouse has been good using a dry/dropper combo with a stimulator and crystal tiger or olive zebra midges #16-20 suspended 2-3 feet below the stimmy. 

The Gorge: Very good 

The warm weather has the wild browns here very active and the snow and ice that covered the canyon is no longer a factor.  The thick foliage along the river bank is still minimal and this is a very good time of year, especially with the warm days to get away from the crowd and get into some fine 1-4wt dry and light nymphing down in the pit.  BWO patterns, Adams and sparkle duns will do the trick #16-20 on top.  #16-18 birds nest, crystal olive zebras and tigers and flashback pt’s will get grabs while nymphing.  Bring along plenty of water or a filter during this warm spell.

Lower Owens River Drift Boat Trips: We thought we’d let our recent clients do the talking this time….

TOM!

I JUST WANTED TO DROP YOU A LINE (NO PUN INTENDED) TO LET YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I ENJOYED FISHING WITH YOU.  I LEARNED SOME NEW TECHNIQUES AND TIPS AND HAD A GREAT TIME CATCHING SOME VERY NICE FISH.  I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER MY TRIP TO THE HIGH SIERRAS AND THE GREAT TRIP YOU PROVIDED.

TIGHT LINES FOR EVERYONE!

BRIAN DONOVAN, Barrington, New Hampshire

WARREN BUZZELL, New Durham, New Hampshire 

(1-31 & 2-1-06 drift trip with Tom Loe)

Warren Buzzell & Brian Donovan (holding fish)

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Tom, Thanks again for another awesome journey down the Owens River!!

What a Trip!!!! I think about it everyday!!!!! 

We had so much fun!!!!!!!! Austin and I both agreed that was one of the best days fishing we have had!!! You are an awesome guide!!  We really enjoy fishing with you!! 

The pictures are great! 

Thanks for the photos.

Scott wants to drift again in March.

We're addicted.

Chris & Scott Linkletter, San Pedro, CA 

(2-7 & 2-8-06 drift trip with Tom Loe) 

Mrs. Linkcredible

Thanks for the great pictures.  We had a great time.

Neil & Kent Cameron, Bakersfield, CA 

(2-9-06 drift trip with Tom Loe) 

Jeff Menius, Ramona, CA and Jeff Woolson, Carlsbad, CA

Get your camera ready…the two Jeff’s will be ready for the bigs….

Thank you Tom.  After all I had heard about you it was finally great to fish with you.  Your professionalism, the banter, the stream knowledge, the photo sessions...it was one of the best guided trips I've ever been on.  Not to mention a personal best with that 24" hog. 

Wooly

(2-10-06 drift boat trip with Tom Loe) 

Jeff Woolson & Jeff Menius (holding fish) 

Jeff Menius & Jeff Woolson (holding fish)

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Tom , just wanted to drop a line and say my son and I had a fantastic trip....again. Phil was a great guide and got one of us on some big fish…story of my life...Bill Jr. always seems to nail the big ones...maybe I should go solo next time?? Seriously though, we had a great time, caught fish, had beautiful weather and surroundings. Doesn’t get much better than that. Extend our appreciation and thanks to Phil. Looking forward to the next time…

Bill Darbee, Sr, Bakersfield, CA

Hello Tom and Michele,

What a trip! You guys are a class outfit...Of course I am still on a "caught a big one" high, but I am writing this to you not just out of gratitude for our success. My dad and I really enjoyed our day on the river. Phil is an outstanding guide.  From the minute we loaded up in Phil's truck we knew it was going to be a great day. He is very easy going and I could have listened to him and my dad swap jokes all day! Oh wait a minute I did! :) He genuinely loves his profession and the sport/art of flyfishing. His passion for the outdoors is very contagious and while anxious to begin catching fish, we began by just listening and enjoying the river and nature that surrounds it. With Phil's knowledge of the river and the elusive trout that inhabit it, we got into some fish. My dad and I lost two large trout early on and were kicking the can. Phil assured us that they were just scrappy six inch browns!! HaHa As we pulled into a spot where Phil knew big fish swam we became pretty excited. In our anxiety, I was able to see Phil was serious about this spot and prepared us in case we got lucky. We landed a couple beautiful

18-19 inchers....and then it was strip, strip, hang on boys it's "wally the whale". After an attempt at ramming our boat, I was able to catch up to the creature from the deep. Although excited, Phil was a cool character and instructed me perfectly. This was a task considering the expletives we were listening to from my dad when he saw the fish!

Estimated at over 8 lbs and 25 inches, fish of a lifetime… But when it comes down to it what made the day was the company...I look forward to fishing with Phil again. I believe half the Bakersfield Police Department might be calling you to book some trips…I have been sharing the photos and the story with my coworkers.

Bill Darbee Jr., Bakersfield, CA

(2-3-06 drift boat trip with Phil Therrien)

Phil Therrien & Bill Darbee, Jr (holding fish)

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Pat Kelly (holding fish) and Dave Grubbs

Dave and I really enjoyed today on the Lower Owens.  Fill Therrien was a real pro and fun to spend the day with.

Patrick Kelly, Clovis, CA

Phil,

Thanks again for the experience and the lessons. I'll be back. And I'll be better.

Dave Grubbs, Fresno, CA

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 at the resources tab above. 

 

Call Sierra Drifters at: (760) 935-4250 
or email us at:
 be-the-fly@sierradrifters.com

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