March 26, 2005
Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. Best
fishes to all for this Easter 2005 fish report from the Eastern High Sierra.
Enough rain and snow already! Mammoth
Mountain is reporting they have received over 500 inches of snow already this
season and there is a chance for more on the way by the beginning of next week.
The holiday weekend looks to be pleasant with perhaps some gusty winds
developing on Sunday over the ridge tops and down in the Owens valley.
As I write this report Crowley Lake is
still 95 percent frozen with the inlets to McGee Bay and the Upper Owens the
only ice free areas. Look for many of the lakes above 8000 feet to be snowbound
and the roads to the creeks will more than likely be closed or have snow and icy
conditions for the opener. The road into Reds Meadow and the San Joaquin will
open much later than usual and plan on very high run-off during July. High
water will be a major factor this season in the early and mid-summer months in
all the freestone creeks and tailwaters like the East and West Walker Rivers,
Rock Creek, Rush Creek, Bishop Creek, Mammoth Creek, Hot Creek, Upper and Lower
Owens River, etc. The backcountry will have a shorter season than in years past
as the high passes will not be open until mid-late July. This year will be
great for Bridgeport Reservoir and The EW as it will finally have sufficient
water to keep it healthy into the fall. You may have to fish the alpine lakes
more than normal as these areas will be stable. The fall will be very good this
season and different than the last several years as the river flows and lake
levels should be ideal instead of low.
We are anticipating an epic season on
Crowley, Eagle, and Bridgeport lakes as the water levels will remain high into
the summer. We have added another brand new custom Ranger 23 foot flats boat to
the Sierra Drifters guide fleet in anticipation of this season, as well as
another top notch guide Phil Therrien; to pilot you and your group to the reel
“wrecking” trout on these fine fisheries. I suggest you book early as these
fisheries will be the place to go this summer when other areas are flooding and
dealing with high water. For more information on Lake Crowley...www.crowleylakefishcamp.com
Conditions have changed for the worse I am
sorry to report with regards to the fishing on the Owens River. The incredible
moisture this area has received has prompted early substantial increases on the
Lower Owens River and this has adversely affected the fly fishing that was
excellent prior to the floods. The LADWP tells us that flows will continue to
go up after some work gets done on the aqueduct next week.
In other news the LADWP is also planning to
close Haiwee Reservoir to the public stating there is a substantial security
threat by allowing public access. If you recreate in this area you need to
write the LADWP and make your concerns heard. You can also contact Frank Y. at
youso@iwvisp.com for more information from the public point of view.
The financial situation for the Cal DFG
hatchery system is also once again in jeopardy due to the loss of about 4
million dollars given to, and then taken back by the state and the city of Long
Beach. Jeeesh! There is currently a new bill (AB 7) being regurgitated by
Assemblyman Dave Cogdill that was overturned last year. Apparently the DFG is
being audited to see exactly where YOUR license money is going. What a profound
and novel idea!
I do not like to editorialize on the fish
report, but please read the small print before you pass judgment on this crucial
issue facing the sportsman of California.
Hatchery fish are necessary in the Eastern
Sierra. Without them you would have few viable fisheries within a short period
of time here and those that are able to sustain themselves naturally would be so
over fished it would be only a short period of time before they too would be in
trouble. There are NO native species of trout known to exist in the backcountry
lakes, drainages, reservoirs and tailwaters of the Eastern Sierra aside from the
Little Kern Golden Trout. I strongly believe it is imperative that we get
legislation passed to insure a healthy and growing hatchery and enforcement
program, but NOT at the expense of compromising and enhancing existing wild
trout, salmon and steelhead programs. Prudence and clarification of where and
what our license monies are spent should be addressed before we make into law
what could adversely affect other fundamental programs in the DFG. The DFG is
asked to wear a lot of hats. They are responsible for water pollution control,
regulation and enforcement, endangered species protection; fishery and wildlife
migration studies, formal EIR’s and their budget comes primarily from license
sales. They are not subsidized.
Private funding in the Hot Creek Hatchery
appears to be helping in the initial stages and this could be the hatchery
systems salvation in the long run. Expansion of this pilot program should be
considered and initiated in other hatcheries before re-doing the financial
infrastructure of the DFG. Anglers and businesses who benefit from and utilize
hatchery fish should be primarily responsible for the monies that support them
and must understand that it costs more to “plant” fish than it does to have
natural propagation. How about a HATCHERY TROUT stamp for those fishing in
planted waters? If you fish the wild fish /catch and release areas you should
not be taxed for the additional costs the hatcheries are putting on the system.
This action may further lead to an increase in fisheries that can sustain
themselves with C+R regulations. The financial future and the recreational
opportunities for anglers of many areas are currently being challenged by budget
shortfalls. Take time to examine the facts and link to the DFG news and other
information we provide on this report please.
o
www.dfg.ca.gov
o
www.ladwp.com
o
www.caltrout.org
o
www.FriendsofCaliforniaHatcheries.org
Lower Owens River:
Poor
The untimely increase in flows has squashed
what could have been an epic spring. The LADWP kept the flows at extremely low
levels during the fall and winter to do maintenance on their hydroelectric
generation facilities. This event combined with the record precipitation
California has received has attributed to some horrid conditions on this
otherwise excellent tailwater. Release rates at Pleasant Valley Dam are
currently at 300cfs. You can expect this to do nothing but increase in short
order. Power generation is occurring most days for about 10 hours and this is
expected to increase in the near future as repairs are being completed on the
aqueduct downriver currently.
Prior to the flow increases we had some
incredible hatches on the “O”. The caddis, stonefly and baetis activity were
excellent and the water temps on the river climbed into the 50’s during the
mid-day emergence. You will not see much going on as of late on top and bring
along some battleship chain or an old car battery to get those nymph patterns
down to the fish in the wild trout section. Check your flies EVERY cast as
there is plenty of debris free floating down the river making it difficult to
get a decent presentation. Wading is tough and will become even more
challenging. The good news is as the water temperatures start to warm once
again, the wild browns and rainbows will begin to move closer to the riffle
water. Use shorter leaders and less weight.
Streamers are a good choice right now as
there is enough wood coming down the river to build a log cabin. Moderate to
heavy, longer sinking tip lines are best. Use patterns with some flash and red
or orange for best results #8-12.
Check out the pics of Ron Obray from
Auburn, CA as he expertly nailed over 20 browns and bows on a dry/dry rig using
a Stimulator and elk caddis before the flow increase recently. The caddis hatch
was incredible that afternoon and the wild trout responded to the emergence with
reckless abandon!
Ron Obray
San Diego Fly Fishers Jack Bentley and Bob
Miller have gone to the ends of the earth to get into big rainbows. They both
landed trophy fish using the dip and strip method whilst on a two day drift here
on the Lower Owens.
Bob Miller
Jack Bentley
Craig Holmes from Hawthorne, CA can be
forever classified as the “TERMINATOR” when he is fishing streamers from our
drift boat. Homey nailed numerous big fish in several days of drifting. He
wiilll be baaack!
Craig Holmes
Steve Shaffer from Van Nuys, CA thinks
big. This veteran Sierra Drifters client has ripped plenty of lips in search of
a web fish. Shafe got to buy the gang dinner with his big bow caught on a
Drifters punk perch pattern #12 recently.
Steve Shaffer
Pleasant Valley
Reservoir: Fair
It does not take a rocket scientist to
figure out what will happen when you put 600 “stink bait” anglers on this small
body of water on a single weekend.... The Blake Jones Classic was the March 12th
weekend. The
powerhouse is generating during the late mornings into dusk most days. I hear
the beer can/Styrofoam recycling business can be very lucrative here. Tubers
will do alright from the launch ramp towards the inlet. Fish the section where
the water is moving slow as the turbines push food down the river into the
“rez”. The trout will stack up here at the start of this cycle. Loebergs #10,
Drifters Crystal Leeches #10-12, and a trailing nymph like our “Gillie” or pupa
patterns #18 work great.
The Gorge: Good
There will be more people here than normal
this time of year but it will be your best bet to get into consistent and
productive fishing currently. Dry/dry and dry/dropper nymph combos #16-20 will
all get grabs if the wild browns are not spooked prior to your presentations.
The “evil nettle” is not horrid as of yet and the weather is great for a hike
into this section. Bring along plenty of water.
Guide tips:
First aid on the
water
It is cold and dry and your finger tips
have cracks and splits in them like the San Andreas Fault. The big trout are on
the bite and you NEED to fish. No time to put your hands in skin lotion and bag
balm. This calls for an instant remedy. I always have a small tube of
cyanoacrylate glue. Zap-a-gap, Crazy glue, all the same. This stuff bonds skin
instantly and I have used it for years while commercial fishing and guiding to
“mend” small abrasions and cuts on your hands that keep you from fishing. This
stuff is always handy to have in your vest for rod tip and reel seat problems
should they occur also. Be careful not to get the stuff anywhere near your
eyes, and use only a drop for all applications. There are some commercial
products available at drug stores that basically do the same thing.
Your all time favorite fly fishing buddy
has just demonstrated his casting prowess by showing you his double haul with a
#4 blood sucking leech. Bummer. The blood sucking leech is currently embedded
in your left cheek due to an errant back cast. After apologies and the promise
of paying for the entire trip your “pal” offers to remove the hook. If he
reaches into his vest and pulls out a pair of Vise Grips…RUN!!! If he snips a
12 inch section of strong tippet and tells you to relax as he makes a loop
around the hook bend gently, you should listen. The leader section should be
against the inside bend of the hook and his opposite hand should be gently
pressing down on the eye of the shank. On the count of one, two,..he should
pull the tippet quickly while pressing down on the eye simultaneously. The tip
of the hook will come out easily and quickly if done properly. This is what the
doctors do at the hospitals for most hook removals. If the hook is around a
sensitive area like the eyes or deeply embedded in the bone or bleeding
profusely, get professional medical help a.s.a.p.
Fun day on the water, it was warm and you
fished until the sun is over the crest and going down. The waders are going off
and it is time to break that multi piece high dollar composite rod down and put
it in the case. Ugggh! Another pull. Errrgh, uhhh! No luck. The tip section
is not coming off. Stop. Put the rod tip or any other sections that are stuck
in the water for a minute or so, and then twist the sections apart. The lower
water temp will assist in the composite fibers shrinking and the pieces will
separate easily under most circumstances saving you a costly and untimely repair
bill.
You can pick up our guide flies at the
following stand out locations: The San Diego Fly Shop, The Troutfitter/Trout Fly
in Mammoth Lakes, Stroud’s Tackle in San Diego, Malibu Fish’N Tackle in Thousand
Oaks. There are links to these locations at the resources tab above.
Looking forward to fishing with you soon.
Be the fly...Tom Loe
