July 2, 2004
Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. Best fishes to
you all for this Independence Day 2004 fish report.
The weather has been the issue in the Eastern
Sierra since our prior report and it continues to play a major role in
many of the fisheries we provide information about. The consistent trend
of afternoon T-storms and gusty southerly winds have made conditions
difficult in many fisheries here the last 2 weeks. The forecast is not
calling for any significant changes in this pattern for the holiday or
into the following week so be prepared for the chance of T-storm activity
afternoon, with very gusty winds and cooler than normal air temperatures
associated with the T-cells. Get on the water early in all regions!
Some good news to report from the Eastern Sierra
regarding the Hot Creek Hatchery issue. Funding has been approved for
this fiscal year and as of now the Hot Creek facility will remain open and
in operation through 2005.
Crowley Lake: Poor-good
Most fly fishers will struggle here as the algae
situation has not improved and for the most part has degraded this week.
The cooler than normal temperatures for this time of year has allowed the
continued “bloom” of the algae and it is very difficult to find water that
is open and fishable. The lakes low level is not helping matters much
either despite what is the “peak” of the snowmelt.
However, if you do find some open and clean water
I suggest you be prepared for a rainbow that will take you into your
backing! Numbers are down for this time of year but the ones we are
netting are all size large. If you plan on fishing Crowley over the
holiday look to hit the inlets at McGee, Hilton and Crooked. The south
winds have been coming up hard around 10:30-11:00 and it is pretty much
over by then. There have been some nice late afternoon calm periods but
do not put money on it as the T-storms are forecast to continue for this
week.
The damsel fly nymph migration is best late
morning and if you wish to troll damsel nymph imitations try to locate the
thick algae lines and work along the edges. Clean your fly EVERY cast as
it will have stuff that looks like guacamole on it!
Stillwater nymphing continues to be my choice to
get the most grabs. Hang a Drifters damsel as the upper fly and a #16-18
Drifters crystal zebra or tiger midge as the dropper. If you find some
clean water there have been some sporadic callibaetis hatches late
mornings. The chironomid hatches have been dismal this week, but throat
pumps still show the rainbows eating gray and black pupa patterns like our
“gillie” #18-22.
“First Light” Lance Geiger (below) from Yorba
Linda, CA cast his way into some exceptional rainbows this week with this
Eagle being the slammer of the day. These Eagle Lake strain rainbows are
fairing well here at Crowley and will take you far into your backing.
Steve and Elsbeth Roach (below) from Apple Valley,
CA are veteran Sierra Drifters and always seen to get the “big uns” Check
out these 21 inch models with the deluxe paint jobs!
Hot Creek: Good
The catching here would be excellent save for the
extreme pressure this spring creek is getting every day. Conditions are
excellent but you will be taxed to locate quality open water. The mornings
are best due to the gusty winds after 11:00 a.m. Late afternoon caddis
activity is good if it is not to breezy. Use a dry (#16 stimulator-stone
fly)/dropper caddis or midge nymph or emerger with a long leader (8-10
feet) for best results. 5X-7X will get you the most grabs. Fish get
smaller here every year for the most part but it remains the most
consistent fishery in the Eastern Sierra in spite of the intense
pressure.
Lower Owens River: Fair
If early mornings and late afternoons lasted all
day, this would be the best fishery in this area right now. Get your
caddis and PMD imitations #16-20 in order if you plan on fishing this
tailwater. Flows remain at 300 cfs and are not forecast to increase in
the immediate future. Wading is not great at this release but it is not
at the “go elsewhere” levels that are common this time of year. If the
sun is still above the Sierra crest when you are fishing this area try to
locate the shadows and deeper pools and holes. Late afternoons have been
best.
We will begin doing float trips during the fall.
East Walker River: Fair
If you are a novice or not experienced in nymphing
with above average amounts of weight to get your #20 or smaller flies down
this may not be the fishery for you. Late afternoon caddis and PED
hatches can get you into some surface action but with the flows being
around 250 cfs this tailwater does not have the fish counts to make it
easy for the entry level fly fisher. The silver lining here is the larger
browns that inhabit the big holes and pools below the riffles. Drifter’s
crystal tigers and olive zebras #18-22 are solid choices for those
indicator nymphing.
West Walker: Fair
The west remains high and off color especially
during periods of t-storms. Chris Flats and the sections below Pikel
Meadows are best during run-off. Have some #14-16 stone fly or Stimulator
imitations to use as the dry, crystal tiger and zebra midges for your #16
dropper. Hang em’ at least 24-36 inches below the dry.
Rock Creek: Good
Good reports from the ponds below the lake as well
as the slower moving meadow sections. Flows are not high here and the
smaller browns and bows as well as the ample amount of hatchery fish
planted at the campground locations are being enthusiastic about hitting
the always efficient dry/dropper combo. Crystal olive zebras rock em’
here #18-20 fished below a #16 elk caddis.
San Joaquin River: Fair
–good
The flows are high and the wading can be difficult
and cool most of the time but the wild fish are very opportunistic in the
slower sections of the river like Pumice Flats and Reds Meadow areas. You
will see stone flies and some early caddis here as well as several types
of mayflies. Stick to easy to see patterns like parachutes and elk hair
wings #14-18. Spend more time on the softer water sections as opposed to
the pocket and riffle areas.
You may drive into this area with your own vehicle
before 7 a.m. but must still pay a $7.00 fee at the entrance gate.
Shuttles are available all day and access all of the campgrounds,
Starkweather and Sotcher Lakes down to Reds Meadow.
Upper Owens: Slow
The water is high and off color especially below
the confluence of Hot Creek. You will not have any trouble finding free
floating weeds that seem to gravitate towards your line in this area
either. The water above Hot Creek fishes best this time of year for the
wild and holdover fish that are best fooled during low light periods
during clouds, mornings and evenings. #16-20 caddis, PMDs and seldom used
streamers like our Loebergs #10 will get you grabs here. Have a moderate
sinking tip line when using streamers here and use the “dip and strip”
method while fishing the undercuts on the deep side of the river. Expect
to cover some water on this fishery. We have found that the fish “pod” up
here and will favor sections depending on the time of year.
Mammoth Lakes/June Lake
Loop: Good
All is well in hatchery land these days as the
Alpers plants and DFG trucks are doing a fine job stocking the put and
take areas of the Eastern Sierra. June Lake also has released some of
their “pen stock”. These are trout that have been grown in caged areas of
the lake. Nice looking fish. Use streamer patterns with some red and
crystal flash. Our Spruce-a-bu and crystal leech patterns whack the
stockers in most areas. Use a moderate or full sink line while tubing
along the drop-offs or inlets to all these lakes for best results.
Bishop Creek/South Lake:
Good
Water levels are up and all the boat launches are
open. Stocking has been heavy in this area with both DFG and Alpers
rainbows. Moderate to full sinking lines and streamers will get you into
the “pods” that cruise near the stocking points. Bishop creek has some
wild browns that will hit caddis and ant imitations. Dry/dry and dropper
bead head combos #14-18 are fun and a very efficient way to fish this
area.
Pleasant Valley
Reservoir: Poor
Tubing is best here early and late with full
sinking lines near the dam or inlet areas but overall the catching is slow
here. The powerhouse is generating from 9-9 each day which floods the
inlet channel and makes conditions very difficult to fish.
The Gorge: Good
It can be very warm to hot down in the “hole” this
time of year so bring along a filter or plenty of bottled water. Caddis
anything #14-18, and dry/dropper bead head combos work well. There are
rattlesnakes in this area that live along the rock walls look before you
put that hand down.
You may purchase all our time tested guide flies
at the following fine fly shops: Malibu Fish’N Tackle in Thousand Oaks,
Stroud’s Tackle in San Diego, The San Diego Fly Shop, The Troutfitter in
Mammoth Lakes, and the Crowley lake Fish Camp. There are links to all
shops at the resources tab above.
Be the fly,
Tom Loe
