November 3, 2007 

Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters.  Best fishes to all for this “Trout Opener” fish report from the Eastern High Sierra.  Huhhh???  Opener you say?  Roger that, opener.  The DFG Commission has recently approved the year around opening for Hot Creek, the Upper Owens River in the section above the Benton Bridge to Big Springs, and The East Walker River below the Reservoir to the Nevada border for 2007/2008.  These sections were open in March of this year and proved to be incredible additions to the Lower Owens River as specially regulated year around catch and release fisheries. A well respected LOCAL DFG biologist presented the Commission with a preponderance of scientific and survey data supporting the decision to open these waters year around.  This was coupled with data from other year around cold water fisheries illustrating how the year around angling would have minimal, if any negative impact on the fisheries.     

The guide team at Sierra Drifters has supported and promoted the opening of these waters from the start. We attended the meeting in Sacramento on Nov.1st to voice our opinions and show support for this new regulation.  We applaud the Commission for their decision, and wish to thank the DFG biologists who presented a most excellent and informative argument as to why these fisheries should remain open year around.  In our opinion these recently opened year around fisheries will provide great angling opportunities and take some pressure off the limited waters we currently have for catch and release fishing.  

We look forward to assisting you with your guiding needs for the new “trout opener” and will be guiding these waters through this winter, weather and water conditions permitting. 

One other tid bit of information regarding Hot Creeks fish population…It is alive and well.  A very recent survey done on Hot Creek indicated that population densities have increased dramatically since the last survey, and that one section of the creek had a density of 14,000 fish per mile, with another section holding 7,000!   This analysis should be taken with a grain of salt due to the historically high density of fish in one of the areas, but it does illustrate the healthy nature and resiliency of this spring creeks ecosystem.  In addition, there were a substantial number of juvenile fish indicating a solid spawn. Hot Creek opened on March 1st this season, two months earlier than the season before.  It appears that the early opening had little impact on the spring spawn ehhh? 

The DFG will also survey the East Walker River in the near future and we will get an assessment of how the critters in here are doing as well.  Sierra Drifters guides will assist the DFG in this survey. 

The sport and commercial fishing family has recently lost one of its finest emissaries and Captain’s.  Captain Bruce Dexter died from a brain aneurism at the age of 62.  I fondly adopted Dex as my big brother over thirty years ago and we have many mutual “cross fishers” as clients. He most recently owned the Pacific Clipper operating out of Cisco’s Landing.  The memorial was done at Channel Islands Harbor near Cisco’s and Bruce was put to rest near Anacapa Island, one of his favorite haunts.  There was a huge gathering of close friends and family. To my knowledge Dex never made an enemy and was liked by all.  He was a skilled fisherman and master with a “fillet knife” sharp wit who assisted and taught many young seaman (myself included) how to care for, and properly run a boat.  We will miss him immensely.   

Lower Owens River: Excellent 

Flows have bounced around a bit but are currently at 115 cfs below the dam at Pleasant Valley.  Ideal for wading the wild trout section and drifting the lower sections of the river.  It is awesome down here right now and is a must stop if you are visiting the area. There is a link above to the DWP flow rates. 

The trico hatch is a mid-day event and you will be rewarded with numerous snouts appearing in the foam line around mid-day.  These are tiny may flies and I suggest you stick with no larger than #20’s for the best imitation.  You may see some fish hit a larger pattern like a Stimulator in the #16 range as there is also a significant amount of fall caddis around.  Having this knowledge in your quiver…use a dry/dry combo so you can see that freaking small trico pattern near the larger Stimmy.  It is fun here, don’t miss it! 

The guided drift boat trips are sensational right now and are as sure a fishing thing as I have ever seen.  Honest.  It is sick right now!  We are taking most of the fish on streamers but having opportunities to fish the hatches when we get the opportunity.  A major reason for the great fishing here other than the ideal water conditions is the enormous amount of quality planted fish coming from the Hot Creek Hatchery.  The HCH is NZMS positive and those fish are being planted in snail positive waters only. 

We are partial to our streamer patterns like Loebergs, Spruce-a-bu’s, and Punk Perches, but to be quite honest with you it is so darn good here right now you could even get numbers with those rusty old streamers that you have not used for several seasons! 

Jim Scanlon from Camarillo, CA and Doug Simons of Westlake Village, CA drifted with us for two days and ended up with close to a hundred rainbows and browns they caught and released under blue skies.  Numerous double hookups and lots of leaping trout.  Nice shooting guys!

Jim Scanlon "hooked up" along with Doug Simons on the Lower O.... 

Derek and Richard Oldenburg from North Hollywood, CA teamed up to “dip and strip” fly fish from a drift boat for the first time.  Seventy five caught and released in a single drift baby!  These guys became the fly by noon.  Great day with lots of laughs.    

Derek Oldenburg with his "chunky rainbow" 

From: Derek Oldenburg
Sent: Saturday, October 20, 2007 9:34 AM
To: be-the-fly@sierradrifters.com
Subject: Thank you for Drift trip on Owen River 

Dear Tom; Id like to personally thank you for the wonderful trip my Dad and I had with you last week. My Dad had a blast! Since he can no longer drive he is stranded at house. He really enjoyed getting out and catching lots of trout that day. We will do it again for sure. Might even take you up on suggestion to fish Crowley in may. Again thanks for being so patient with us rookie fly fisherman.  Thanks again Derek

Richard Oldenburg "fighting one of many"

We have experienced drift boat guides available who can put you on some of the finest trout water the state has to offer.  Let’s go “catching” together! 

Upper Owens River: Very good 

The weather has been very mild and looks to hold for at least another week or so.  Good news for you, bad for the fish.  It is very good on the UO right now and if you cover enough water you have a great opportunity to hit a large migratory brown.  Largest concentrations of fish are in the section closet to the lake below the fishing monument.  Best bet for a trophy, the section above the confluence of Hot Creek. 

The UO is closed from the Benton Bridge to the Monument.  It is open year around above the bridge to Big Springs with special regulations.  The section from the monument to Crowley will close on Nov 15^th. 

What are we getting em’ on?  I dig streamers like Loebergs or Spruce-a-bu’s used in conjunction with the dip and strip method.  This tandem is especially deadly in the lower section near the lake.  A light sink tip will suffice.  3X is the lightest tippet I would use here.  Nymphing is another great option with PT’s, Tiger’s and zebras in the #16-20 range.  Have some flash or red in your patterns. 

The hoppers have split but you will still see occasional caddis activity with an increasing baetis may fly hatch #18 around mid day.  I bring two rods here this time of year.  A fast 4 wt. with a floating line, and a medium 6wt with a sink tip.  Resistance is futile if you pack this arsenal!  Go get em. 

Herold Ginder from Glendale, CA and son Eric Ginder from San Diego, CA fished the Upper Owens recently with SD guide “Two Bug” Doug Dolan spanking a whole bunch of rainbows.  The versatile Ginders caught fish on dries, nymphs, and streamers seeing steady action all day. 

Eric Ginder and "Two Bug" Doug

Herold Ginder and "Two Bug" Doug 

Hot Creek: Good

Small may flies.  #20 or less and you will get into fish during the hatch.  Low flows and challenging conditions but overall good fishing for experienced anglers. 

Hot Creek will remain open through the winter and we will be here if you need a guide.  I suggest half day trips weather permitting. 

East Walker River: Slow 

Flows are down to 20cfs.  Although this has been designated as a year around fishery I suggest you give the EW a break at this time.  We will not guide this area until conditions improve.    A DFG survey will be conducted in the near future and we will give you the scoop ASAP. 

Crowley Lake: Poor 

Crowley remains open until Nov 15^th.  The Fish Camp and the boat launch have closed for the remainder of the season.  Stick to the areas of the lake that have deep water close by.  Six Bays, Crooked Creek, Sandy Pt.  It has been very slow as the lake is in its winter turn over.  Covering the ledges near the steep drop-offs with streamer patterns is your best bet under these conditions.  Full sinkers will get you down more efficiently.  My choice would be a blood sucking Vanderleech #10-14 stripped very slowly in the 10-15 foot range near a ledge. 

Bridgeport Reservoir: Poor 

The trout here are also staying deep and are not aggressively feeding.  Trolling leech patterns at 15 or more feet near the dam is your best bet. 

Pleasant Valley Reservoir: Excellent

This is another area that is benefiting from the extra fish being stocked from the Hot Creek Hatchery.  Conditions here are perfect and the inlet section is ripe with aggressive trout.  Dry dropper combos with a #16-18 tiger as the nymph are money right now.  Streamer fishing is also off the charts.  Anything in the #8-12 range will get grabs with a medium sinking tip line.  The afternoon shadows may also provide opportunities for some fine surface action with may fly spinner patterns #18-20.  Not the most picturesque area in the Sierra to fish, but this area is jugged with trout! Click on Closer Look above for links to this area.

Alpine Lakes: Good 

The last plantings have been taking place and according to reports there are some very large Alpers trophy rainbows being seen in the June Lake Loop and Mammoth Lakes Basin.  Convict Lake has also been stocked with some hogs.  These areas will remain open until Nov 15^th.  The mild fall weather is providing a rare opportunity to fish these alpine lakes late. Streamers are best fished with a full sinker down about 12-15 feet.  Troll and strip the drop-offs on the deep side. 

San Joaquin: Road closed for the winter. 

West Walker: Very low water. 

Sierra Drifters flies and “Sungicator” strike indicators are only available at the following great fly shops and stores (don’t be fooled by any of the imitations out there!): Crowley Lake Fish Camp at Lake Crowley, Crowley Lake General Store in Crowley, Kittredge Sports in Mammoth Lakes, Bridgeport Reservoir Marina in Bridgeport, 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