June 20, 2004
Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. Best fishes to
all you fly fish’n daddy’s out there from us at Sierra Drifters Guide
Service here in the Eastern Sierra.
The conditions are pretty much normal for this
time of year in all the fisheries located in the Eastern Sierra. The
early summer run-off is not severe and with only a couple exceptions you
should not encounter any adverse fishing conditions in this area.
The weather pattern is setting up to be very
typical of early summer and this weeks forecast is calling for a slight
chance of afternoon T-storms with moderate winds. Look for a warming
trend towards the weekend with a decreasing chance of T-storm activity.
It will be very warm in the Owens Valley during the afternoons so plan on
fishing the Lower Owens in the early mornings and again after the sun goes
behind the Sierra Crest in the late afternoons. If you are planning on
fishing any of the alpine lakes or creeks in elevations above 7000 feet
bring along some rain gear for the outside chance of an encounter with a
T-storm.
The mosquitoes are an unpleasant factor that you
should be prepared to deal with this time of year in almost all areas here
in the Eastern Sierra, so bring along some repellant.
The fish hatchery bill (AB 2280) is moving along
with positive results. It will
next go to the state Senate on June 29th. The bill which was introduced by Assemblyman
Dave Cogdill (R-Modesto) will insure 33 percent of license sales will go
directly into funding the state hatcheries. This bill did very well in the
State Assembly (thanks to all your support) but opposition groups are
already lobbying the Senators against the bill. So please take some time
and contact Senate Members and the other officials at the link below. This link was sent to us by
Brad Willis. He is the elected representative of all rank and file state hatchery
workers. He has been helping Assemblyman Dave Cogdill get the word out
about AB 2280
www.stormsource.org/ab2280/
Tim Alpers and his famed rainbow trout are back in
all areas of this region after a temporary quarantine was put on his
stocking program due to the New Zealand Mud Snails appearance in several
of his fish. For more information on the snail go to
www.flyline.com/NZ_mudsnail.htm
The DFG is still struggling to find a solution to
the eventual control and eradication of the intrusive slug which is
showing up in fisheries in ever increasing numbers.
There is now conclusive evidence supporting the
demise of the endangered Yellow Legged Frog is attributed directly, but
NOT totally to the introduction of planted trout in high country alpine
lakes. Good news for the frog, bad news for many stocked back country
lakes and those who enjoy fishing them.
Crowley Lake: Poor-good
The lake is smack dab in the middle of turning
over the last week or so and is in a normal transition period which can
make conditions less than perfect for fly fishers. The algae bloom is
becoming a factor, as are the weed beds which have not quite broke the
surface making it difficult to locate channels and open areas in which to
present a fly.
McGee Bay has been the most consistent area as the
fish are gravitating towards the more oxygenated and cooler water near the
inlet. The Hiltons are also solid options depending on weather and
surface conditions.
Chironomid hatches have been minimal lately and
the trout are keying on the “wretched daphnia” and the damsel fly nymph
migration during mid-mornings. Tubers using full sinking lines along the
drop-offs at Sandy Pt. and Six Bays are doing fair tugging damsel fly
imitations #12.
The good news on the lake is that those who can
locate a channel in the weeds and get a spot of clean water can expect to
hit some 18-21 inch slammer rainbows in 6-10 feet of water. When these
bows move into short water they will typically make long runs which will
take you into that funny colored skinny line at the bottom of your reels
spool (backing). Rig up a damsel fly nymph or #18 “gillie” as your upper
fly and hang a Drifters crystal zebra or tiger #18 as the dropper if you
plan on stillwater nymphing. Keep that lower fly 6-10 inches off the
bottom. It is essential that you inspect your flies each cast for weeds
or algae and clean them before your presentation.
Kevin Frost from Rancho Santa Margarita booked
with Sierra Drifters guide Mickey Baron recently and Kevin got into some
really sweet rainbows while stillwater nymphing off Mick’s flats boat.
Nice fish Kev!
The father and sons team of Guy, Robert and Steve
Newman hit some excellent fishing just prior to the lake turning over
while on a guided trip with us. Guy got big fish honors with a fat
Kamloops that earned Guy the rights to buying dinner…and a buck or two
from the boys!
Hot Creek: Very Good
The flows here are up this week submerging the
aquatic weeds, but not high enough to affect the clarity and caddis
activity. It is all about caddis recently so have a selection of dark
bodied #16-20 dries, #18-20 emergers and some insect green larva patterns
#18-20. There are also some #16 light bodied stones fluttering about so
have a Stimulator or two handy for the dry in a combo rig used in
conjunction with your bead head caddis nymph. The late afternoon caddis
activity has been excellent especially on days that the winds are light.
You may find more open water here this time of day as mornings can be
crowded.
East Walker River: Fair
Flows remain perfect for mid June at 200 cfs.
Don’t expect great numbers in the Cal public section, but you have a
better than average chance to hang a 20 inch brown if you present a #18-22
tiger or zebra midge while nymphing the larger pools. Look for the heads
popping during the mornings and then just before dusk.
Upper Owens: Fair
The spring Eagle Lake and Kamloops rainbow trout
spawning migration is over here and in the other tributaries flowing into
Crowley. There are some tough conditions downstream of the confluence of
Hot Creek (lots of weed and high water). #18-20 mayfly imitations for
both the dry and nymph imitations in the mornings and caddis patterns #18
during the afternoons will get you some grabs from the wild trout here.
Cover some water here, there are definitely some pools that hold more fish
than others and you will see working fish if you approach slowly and with
a plan of attack!
West Walker: Fair
This is the one fishery I would avoid until the
flows decrease. The river is cranking and off color but appears to be
peaking and should be improving by the end of next week unless we get a
significant period of T-storms. The Chris Flats area is in the best shape
to wade and there are plenty of stocked rainbows here.
Lower Owens River:
Fair-Good
We are done drifting the river this time of year
as it is torture to be floating during the mid-day heat and non existent
bite after 8 in the morning. The wild trout section is still fishing well
for those who fish the low light periods. Caddis activity is going full
blast and the gray bite in the evening has been excellent in the large
pools and bends. Flows are 300cfs and at this release wading can be tough
for all but the longest and strongest limbed individuals. Hang an emerger
or #18-20 bead head off your #16-20 caddis dry and fish at the base of the
riffles and tailouts during early mornings and late afternoons.
San Joaquin River:
Fair-Good
The road opened on June 12th. If you plan on
taking your own vehicle into the middle fork you must get there before 7
a.m. You must park and ride the shuttle after that. Remember, there is
an access fee charged no matter if you drive your vehicle or take the
shuttle. The river is running very high but not screaming. Forget the
pocket water fishing here for now, and wading all but the slower meadow
sections will get you the chance to do your Brad Pitt imitation as he
bounced down the rapids chasing a fish in the movie “A River runs through
it”. Pumice Flats and Reds Meadow have some really nice slower sections
that offer opportunities for the fly caster. You will see Caddis, stone
flies and mayflies this time of year. #14-18 patterns on top and #16-20
for the nymphs will get it done here. Look out for the skeeters!
Bridgeport Reservoir:
Fair
Tubing from the launch ramp towards the dam with
moderate sinking tip lines are best for tubers trolling damsel fly nymphs
#12 doing the dip and strip. Damsel fly nymphs are fast and erratic
swimmers that wiggle like a snake on crack! Bring life to that imitation
and be prepared for a savage grab. Check your fly every cast, the algae
and weeds are always a challenge here this time of year.
Green Creek: Good
This is a small freestone creek that has many
complexions. There are meadow sections (my personal favorite) and some
sweet pocket water areas that hold some decent sized wild trout. Have a
selection of #16-20 mayflies and #18 bead heads. A 1-3 wt rod is
sufficient for this area. The DFG stocks the campgrounds and Dynamo
Pond. You will need waders to fish the meadow section this time of year
as it is often flooded and has no lack of mosquitoes.
Rock Creek: Very Good
Flows are high but not brutal. Heavy stocking by
the DFG in all the campground areas will insure you get into some fish. I
like a dry/dropper combo using a Stimulator and a #16 Drifters crystal
tiger midge. You may even use a streamer like our Loeberg #10 with a
light sink tip or floating line in the larger pools this time of year. The
lake is fishing well near the inlet but you need to get that streamer down
10-15 feet until late afternoon as the water is still a tad cool on the
surface.
Mammoth Lakes/June Lakes
The Alpers truck has planted these locations as
well as the DFG. Tubing using streamers and moderate to full sinking
lines this time of year will get you into these fish. Hatchery fish “pod”
up. When you get into a fish, note the area and depth (length of line)
and set up your route to come through this piece of water again. More
times that not you will get bit here again.
You may pick up our time tested guide flies and
merchandise at the following fine fly shops: Stroud’s Tackle in San Diego,
The San Diego Fly Shop, Malibu Fish’N Tackle in Thousand Oaks, The
Troutfitter in Mammoth Lakes, and the Crowley Lake Fish Camp.
There are links to all locations at the resources
tab above.
Be the fly…Tom Loe
