July 13, 2005
Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. Best fishes to
all for this July moon fish report from the Eastern High Sierra.
Summer has finally arrived here in the Eastern
Sierra and with the warm to hot air temperatures the snow pack is melting
in a big way. The freestone creeks and tailwaters are running very high
with some at dangerous and unfishable levels. Exercise caution when
wading above your knees in rivers like the San Joaquin, West Walker, East
Walker, Rush Creek and Lee Vining Creek.
GUIDE TIP: If
you do lose your balance while wading in fast moving water; immediately
flip over on your back and do your best to get your feet pointing
downstream and your head up. Keep your arms out wide and use a backstroke
to gain control. You should have about a minute of good floatation
provided by the air trapped in your waders. Try to work yourself across
and downstream at an angle to slower water and the easiest and safest
bank; do not waste a lot of energy in fast water attempting to swim
upstream. By all means wear a tightly cinched wading belt especially if
you are wearing Gortex or breathable type waders. Water will fill these
type waders and not drain out making it virtually impossible to move or
swim.
I suggest you practice your Brad Pitt “River runs
through it” fish chase in a calm area or swimming pool for your first
couple of times.
Look for the runoff to begin receding by August
and the conditions should be excellent by Labor Day.
The Cogdill Inland Fisheries Bill (AB 7) has
passed another hurdle by making it through the Senate uncontested. It is
looking good for the continuation of the hatcheries fiscal budget and wild
trout funding by mandating one third of fishing license revenue to these
sections of the DFG.
Click these links for DFG news and how to help out
the Hot Creek Hatchery Foundation.
http://www.sierradrifters.com/reports2/DFG.News.htm
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/
www.FriendsofCaliforniaHatcheries.org
Crowley Lake:
Pretty much sucks for fly fishing…
Let us expound on what’s up with the premier fly
fishery in this region.
The near record amount of water dumped by fertile
winter storms that seemingly never ended this season have presented
problems for the people who move water (LADWP) The lake was lowered
immensely this spring prior to the runoff by increasing the outlet flows
on the Lower Owens River. This messed up the fishing on the “O” in late
March and April as you recall. This untimely lowering of the lake level
killed off tremendous amounts of aquatic insects like midges, which live
in the mud in the shallow edges of the lake. They never had a chance to
hatch as the lake was lowered so early on in the cycle. The creeks
located further south in the water shed, Big Pine, Rock, Independence,
Bishop, etc… began to swell with the melting snow. The outlet flows on
the Lower Owens at Pleasant Valley are reduced greatly at that time. The
L.A. aqueduct can only accommodate so much water so Crowley begins to fill
quickly. The rising water level covers the now lifeless bottom as one
will see few insects hatching currently. The trout must feed and they
migrate to deeper water where there is plenty of daphnia (fresh water
fleas) and leeches present. Add the heavy weed beds out to almost 20 feet
and this spells disaster for fly fishers lately. The lake is currently
turning over (later than normal) to boot, this translates to the water
temperatures being warmer in the surface levels than down in the 12-15
foot range. Thick algae mats cover the entire surface and the large
“rafts” of the green goo migrate with the winds on a daily basis depending
on direction.
Alas grasshoppers, do not despair! Things will
improve in the not too distant future. The water level will drop this is
certain, as L.A. SUCKS the water out for power and lawns and nature’s
cycle will once again return to the promised land.
You streamer tuggers should be licking your chops
for sure. The first wave of Sacramento Perch fry will be showing up along
the weed lines in deep water soon and this larger source of protein will
be greedily received by the larger trout that have been snacking on the
daphnia all summer.
The lack of pressure on the lake will also add to
a promising fall season, one which is still at this point protected by
special angling regulations.
Keep the faith all ye Crowley fly rodders, better
times are sure to come.
Bridgeport Reservoir:
Very Good
Ok, here it is. The second fish report back to
back with a favorable report from this “sleeping giant”. Unlike its big
brother Crowley this lake has been full all spring and the aquatic insects
here are flourishing. Check out the pics below of the huge chironomid
hatch and callibaetis mayflies that are dependably hatching on a daily
basis. This place is for real folks; get up here if you are Jones-ing for
a stillwater lip ripping session!
Stillwater nymphing in the late mornings using our
#18-20 Gillies and Drifters Crystal Emergers will get you plenty of grabs
in Buckeye Bay near the inlet. Tigers and Zebras #16-18 as the lower bug
for the off hatch periods. The fish are holding in 6-13 feet along the
weed lines that are not difficult to fish around. The damsel fly
migration is also going ballistic and you tubers making the effort to get
into the flats around the creek mouth will be rewarded with some “super
sonic” grabs and runs from the 12-23 inch rainbows we have caught and
released the last couple of weeks. Jeffery Wenger at the Marina will
provide or arrange a shuttle for a minimal fee. The kick out to Buckeye
is a long one and you will become a “downwing or spinner” by the time you
get there. Get a boat or use this shuttle if you are tubing for
sure. Click on
http://www.bridgeportreservoir.com/ for their contact numbers.
The stillwater nymphing bite is better in the
afternoon when the breeze gets the Drifters “Sunjicators” bouncing but you
will still find enough action in the morning to get you out early. There
will be some slow periods from time to time but hang in there- the bite
picks up everyday late morning.
There are also some larger fish showing up near
the Walker inlet, but not the numbers found in Buckeye. Locate the
channel and fish the edges of the weed lines. The lake is clear with very
little algae in the south end, but it is beginning to bloom on the north
end and off Rainbow Pt.
Talk about a great honeymoon! Newlyweds Denny and
Jennifer Smithgall from Trabuco Canyon spent a day with us and friends
Steve and Delia Pyle on the “Bridge” and the wedding party got into plenty
of eager rainbows including a 20” plus hook jawed rainbow that walked them
down the isle (boat rail) before coming to the net for a photo.
Denny & Jennifer
Smithgall
Bobby Beluomini and his darlin’ Joanne from
Minden, NV had a great day stillwater nymphing with us on Bridgeport
recently with Bobby getting the “hog-O-the-day” award on a #20 gillie
during the hatch. Fun time kids, thanks.
Bob & Joanne
Beluomini
Sierra Drifters newest guide sensation “Fill”
Therrien is shown making it happen with hot shot junior fly fisher Shane
Skelton from Shadow Hills, CA shown going full bendo on a nice rainbow the
other day. The entire fleet of big white fish magnets are all on
Bridgeport these days, come on up and say hi.
Scott and Shane
Skelton with "Fill"
We are pleased to announce the addition of the
Bridgeport Lake Marina as a new location to purchase our time tested guide
flies and merchandise. Stop by the marina and talk to the super friendly
staff here headed by “fearless leader” Jeffery Wenger. You can get the
accurate scoop on the lake and East Walker by speaking with the folks
here. Click on
http://www.bridgeportreservoir.com/ for their contact numbers.
If you need a place to stay there are some
excellent choices and some real nice folk’s to help you out here. Click
on one of these links for info. All of these businesses are involved in
the fisheries enhancement program for the lake and the EW.
http://www.bigmeadowlodge.com/FishEnhancement2005.htm
http://www.calparadise.com/troutproject.html
The air temps on the lake are warmer than Crowley
as it is situated at a lower elevation (6480’). Bring plenty of fluids
and warm weather clothes. Jeeesh, I never thought I would say this after
the winter we had! Check this place out; we are having a blast here.
East Walker River: High
Flows are between 600-700cfs. Tough to koo-koo
wading at these releases. Hit the big slow pools if you must fish here.
Streamers on a moderate sink tip and nymphing with a semi-truck tire rim
for weight will get you down.
Lower Owens River: Good
The catching has been good in the wild trout
section with the release rates being unseasonably low-250cfs this week.
This will change in the near future and the flows will be up well into
fall I dare say. Click on the tab above for the current flows. There is a noticeable lack of caddis here and this may
be attributed to the high populations of NZMS. The midges and smaller
mayflies are still present and these will be your go to patterns. The
weather is very hot in the afternoons here and you can plan on several
offensive assaults from the blood suckers so put the deet on thick if you
are wet wading.
The drift boat sections are not fairing as well as
they are for the most part downstream of numerous springs and the
confluence of the Bishop Creek which is flowing high. Late fall will be
the time to begin the “dip and strip” here.
Upper Owens River: Fair
There are still a few lake holdovers hanging
around in the Long Years section which has better conditions and much less
water than the area below the Benton Crossing Bridge and the confluence of
Hot Creek. Nymphing dry/dropper style here with Crystal Olive Zebra’s
#18-20 below a stimulator as the indicator is a solid rig here. You will
find no lack of weed as the flows are high in both areas making clean
presentations difficult. The section downstream of the bridge is well
planted with DFG and Alpers fish and reports are good from the streamer
fishers here. Loebergs and Spruce-a-bus will get em’.
Hot Creek: Fair-good
The creek is running high as the flows from
Mammoth Creek are adding a lot of water these days. Clarity is not bad
however and I had a local “high line” angler and turbo tube troller (Two
Bug Doug) show me a self portrait of a 23 inch rainbow he took while
nymphing. The thing was a beast and he took several other large fish that
day during the high flows. The fish counts are down here for everybody,
but you can expect better quality for sure this season.
Make certain you have some sort of attractor
pattern as the upper fly on a tandem rig. San Juan Worms, flashback hares
ears or PT’s, stick to crystal zebras as the lower #18-22. There are some
stone flies around so if you have the opportunity to use a dry/dropper rig
keep this in mind.
The Alpine Lakes-June
Lake Loop and Mammoth Lakes Basin, Lundy, Convict, Virginia Lakes, South
Lake and Bishop Creek:
Good
These areas are sanctuary from the high water and
heat of summer. Have a full or heavy sinking line to get those Drifters
Crystal Leeches, Loebergs and Spruce-a-bu’s down to 10-15 feet. The
planting has been heavy this year with both DFG and Alpers rainbows so you
should have no problem getting into some nice hatchery fish while tubing
near the inlets. Bishop Creek is high but clear and well planted. Intake
2 is kicking out mixed stockers of Alpers and DFG’s. I hear North Lake is
good for tubers trolling buggers and leeches with some flash down around
10 feet. The weather has been better this week here.
Rock Creek: Very Good
Flows are way high for this area but the water is
clear and you will find plenty of eager wild and DFG fish near the
campgrounds. Check out the ponds below the lake after a short hike or hit
Tuff campground east of Tom’s Place Resort for a good time with the
stockers and an occasional wild brown or brookie. Drifters Crystal Tigers
whack em’ in this area #16-18. Use the copper heads in the sun, switch to
the dark bead heads in the shadows and lower light periods.
The lake continues to be very good for stockers
around the inlet and cove south of the outlet. We do well with Crystal
Leeches and Loebergs here #10-12 used with a full or heavy sinking tip
line.
West Walker:
Bring a white water raft or kayak. Leave the fly rod behind for a while.
San Joaquin: Very High
Be cautious when wading. This place is ripping.
The campgrounds will be planted this season by the DFG we are told so this
may spare some wild fish for sure. It will be a while before the flows
subside and make wading possible in other than the flats.
The hot ticket down here is tubing Sotcher and
Starkweather Lakes. The Alpers truck has dumped some fatties here as well
as a double shot of DFG rainbows. Most streamer patterns will take these
fish with a moderate full sinking or sinking tip line. Keep moving until
you locate the “herd” These fish have a tendency to pod up and school
together. Hatchery fish have “softer mouths” try to strip set when you
get a grab by pulling your line until you load the rod. Keep your tip
slightly under the water for better feel to the fly.
You can pick up our guide flies at the following
stand out locations: The Crowley Lake Fish Camp and the Crowley Lake
General Store and Deli in Crowley, The Troutfitter/Trout Fly in Mammoth
Lakes, Bridgeport Reservoir Marina in Bridgeport, Malibu Fish’N Tackle in Thousand Oaks, The San Diego Fly Shop and
Stroud’s Tackle in San Diego. There are links to these locations at the
resources tab above.
Looking forward to fishing with you soon.
Be the fly…Tom Loe
Sierra Drifters Guide Service
