February 18, 2008 

Howdy friend and Sierra Drifters.  Best fishes to all for this Presidential Fish Report from the Eastern High Sierra. 

The weather has been great recently in sharp contrast to the winter conditions we had just a short time ago.  However, the forecast is once again calling for a significant change to begin about mid-week and continue throughout much of the full moon period.  The Owens Valley will not be as affected by these late winter storms, but you can plan on some windy and cooler days the next week or so down here. 

Please take a look at some current pictures of the Upper Owens River and Hot Creek.  The dirt access roads into these areas are closed and impassable to vehicles and blocked by snow banks.  The road into the canyon at Hot Creek is a single lane only and ends abruptly in front of the HC Ranch (which is currently closed to all, please respect this.) The thirty minute hike into the canyon from here is not overly difficult as most of the snow has been packed by a good amount of anglers taking advantage of the warmer weather recently.  The dirt road leading to the Interpretative Site is also closed to vehicles due to snow.  One to three feet of snow with deeper drifts around HC.

Road Leading in to Hot Creek "Snowbound" ~ Feb. 17, 2008

The entire Owens River road loop is closed to vehicles past the “OLD” Alpers Ranch, and not accessible by the “tubs” entry.  The east side dirt access road (entry is close to the Benton Crossing Bridge) to the UO is also blocked by a snow bank and is not passable.  You can park near the bridge and hike upstream. A foot or two of hard packed snow around the banks here.

Upper Owens East Side Access, "Not" ~ February 17, 2008 

The East Walker is the most accessible and has less than a foot of hard packed snow on its banks.  The dirt roads that lead to the parking areas and turnouts near the river are passable but muddy and icy in some spots. 

East Walker River

The Owens Valley has been really warm and dry last week and most of the serious mud and tank traps are history along the rivers edge. 

Gazing out at Crowley Lake I am observing how thick the ice and snow is this winter that is blanketing Crowley and Long Valley, I am dreaming of warm summer days and something other than white to look at!  It is going to be a late spring with substantial May and June run-off that will last well into early summer.  Look for the alpine regions and upper elevations to be a winter like catacomb well into May through July in elevations above 9000 feet. Conditions will be great later on this summer and fall and most of the lakes should fill nicely this summer. 

Lower Owens River: Good 

The big news down here this week is the very good fishing on the surface with the ever increasing BWO may fly hatch.  We have been having fun from noon to two most days and the fish are really keying in on this pop.  The weather has been incredible and very mild with highs around seventy over the holiday weekend. 

The midge activity is also off the charts as the water temps are well into the upper forties and low fifties by the afternoon.  The low flows are making wading very easy in the wild trout section.  Make sure you have a selection of #16 BWO patterns as well as some midge cluster imitations in the #20-22 range for the surface party.  PT’s, WD-40’s, crystal tiger midges, and olive crystal zebra midge patterns are solid choices for nymphing in the #16-20 range. 

The streamer fishing has been only fair recently and I attribute this to the fish keying on the daily baetis hatch.  The noon through two thirty period is by far the best time of day right now on the LO.  We are doing 10-30 fish a drift using the dip and strip method with streamers and it will pick up for sure as the water continues to warm up. 

Veteran Drifters David Kendrick and Jerry Neve had a better than average drift recently with nearly thirty chunky rainbows coming to the net.  David went bendo a bunch dip’n and strip’n; Jerry took big fish honors on the very last stop of the day!  Great weather, fun day guys, way to stick em’!

Dave Kendrick & Jerry Neve... "Bendo"

Dave Kendrick... "Dip & Strip Bow"

Jerry Neves "Tie Breaker!"

Bill Stock and Robert Champagne had a good mix of streamer and dry fly opportunities on their way to thirty rainbows and browns during a recent float with me.  The fish were tough on the top this drift but Bill managed to school some nice BOW’s on BWO’s, while Robbie spanked some really sweet rainbows on our Spruce-a-Bu prior to the hatch.

Bill Stock..."Bow on a BWO" 

Bobby Champagne..."Husky Rainbow"

Bill “Willy” Amans had to scratch and claw his way to twenty on his drift, but nailed ten browns in one pool during a short but sweet baetis hatch.  Tank top and summer clothes kind of weather combined with great shots of the local wildlife (inside joke) made this an incredible day to be on the LO.  Nice shooting Willy!

Bill Amans..."Brownie on a BWO"

Pleasant Valley Reservoir: Good 

The nice weather had large crowds lining the banks over the holiday weekend and there are quite a few less fish in the Rez currently I am sorry to report.  Tubers will still enjoy some good fishing from the launch ramp to the inlet casting streamers with full or heavy sinking tip lines, or using the still water nymphing method along the edges in the Rez proper.  Tigers, zebras, Gillies, and crystal emergers #16-20 under a “Sungicator” (strike indicator) work great with all the midges coming off right now. 

Dry dropper bead head nymph combos in the river section as well as streamers with light sink tip lines will get you away from the bulk of the people and into some fine fish in the heavy brush.  Hang a PT or tiger midge below a Stimmy or Mayfly #16-18. 

The Gorge: Good 

The dry fly action exploded last week in some sections here as the fish really went off on the baetis hatch.  The snow and ice are gone from middle down currently.  Dry/dry rigs during the mid-day emergence would be my call here.  You got about two hours for this hatch so you can sleep in or ski the morning and hike down for the pop after lunch. 

Hot Creek: Very Good 

Great opportunities for those willing to make the effort.  It is not going to be as easy as last spring here and it will be after March, and perhaps April before you can drive to the pullouts in the canyon here.  I have current pics of the conditions above. PT’s, WD-40’s, BWO’s, and small crystal tigers and zebras are all good right now. #16-22.  Try pulling a streamer through the larger water for some vicious takes!  Keep those leaders nine or more feet. 

The Interpretative Site located between the HC Ranch and the hatchery is the easiest area to fish right now, and is jugged with fish.  It is ILLEGAL to fish on the west side of HC at the immediate confluence of Mammoth Creek.  Mammoth Creek is currently closed until the opener on April 26^th.  You must walk down to the Kiosk here also as the road is closed. 

The pressure picked up over the holiday weekend for the first time this winter and rivaled that of a summer weekend for sure.  

East Walker: Good 

If you are Jones-N for some less trafficked and easier quality water to fish the EW is your huckleberry. Drifters guide Two Bug Doug Dolan reports good things here with the conditions by far the best for the newly opened year around waters.  Light crowds even over the holidays.  Flows remain low with no bed ice present.  Nymphing the larger pools and runs with water at least three feet are your best bet.  PT’s, SJ worms and a crystal olive zebra or tiger.  A popular local nymph that is relatively new called the “silver streak” #18-22 is making a name for itself on the EW.  You can pick it up at Ken’s in Bridgeport.  There is snow along the banks but the pull outs are all accessible by vehicle. 

Upper Owens: Fair 

The quest for the elusive migrating “Snow Bows” is beginning.  There are some really nice rainbows holding in select pools right now but do not expect to find a huge population of runners currently.   

All the access roads are closed to vehicles into the region above the Benton Crossing Bridge and you will half to hoof it to find the rascals.  The prime waters are along ways up river and at this juncture of the game I suggest you hold off for another couple of weeks before making the effort to get to Long Years, or at least above the confluence of HC.  It is gonna be an awesome spring run here; unfortunately if the roads remain snowbound it may be mute this year. 

Upper Owens ~ February 17, 2008, "the quest for snow-bows"

Guide tip:  New Fly Lines 

There has been some revolutionary new technology in fly lines very recently and you owe it to yourself to look into getting these newly designed lines.  I must say that any sceptisicism you may have will immediately disappear after you cast one.  These lines are extremely soft with no memory right out of the box.  They are subtle even in cold water (which has been the curse of cold water floating lines since time began.)  Your trusty old stick will find new life, and if you have taken the quantum leap into the new fast action rod technology my guess is you will be casting FIFTEEN FEET further with the new lines.  They are truly that good and my favorite is by far the Rio Gold series of floating lines.  They are not inexpensive by any means costing about 90 bones.  Well worth it if you need a new line that will put you out sixty feet on a single haul. 

Too often we overlook this essential part of our terminal gear and as the season approaches I suggest you take a hard look at your floating line and make the investment that could potentially get you to that fish you have never been able to get to!      

Sierra Drifters original guide flies will be discounted for the 2008 fishing season.  Please stop by your favorite fly shop and stock up on these time tested Eastern Sierra patterns.  

This time of year, Sierra Drifters flies & Sungicators are only available at the following great fly shops and stores (don’t be fooled by any of the imitations out there!): 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 and online at www.bigfishhappen.com. 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