October 15, 2005
Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. Best fishes to
all for this “browns are around” fish report from the Eastern High
Sierra.
The general trout season is winding down and with
few exceptions the fly fishing this fall has been very good. The vast
majority of the creeks, rivers and lakes are in excellent late season
condition. The weather has been on a typical seasonal trend with some
windy and cool days, followed by some “Indian summer” like patterns that
look to repeat throughout next week. Look for a nasty cold front to pass
the next several days with a period of nice weather to bring in the
following week.
This is a magical time of year in the Eastern
Sierra with the trees “glowing” and the contrasts in light spectacular.
The icing on the cake is the excellent fishing this region has to offer.
Bring your camera and budget some time to enjoy the gorgeous scenery the
eastern slope displays this time of year between moves to the infinite
fishing opportunities you will have.
Top of Conway
Summit
Yippee! AB7 was approved recently and no doubt
this is great news for fly fishers in California. The wild trout thank
all of you that participated in the lobbying for this bill initiated by
Congressman Cogdill. The bill will also insure that a third of YOUR
license fees will go to the states hatchery program.
East Walker River: Very
Good
It has been a long while since this tailwater has
been at the top of the fish report. When this river gets ample water
throughout the summer, it has the potential of being the premier moving
water fishery in the region. Flows have been dropping this week and are
currently at a “juicy” 105cfs below Bridgeport Reservoir.
The browns are hammering perch fry and most
aquatic creatures that get in their sights. The streamer fishing has been
off the charts in the evening gray bite according to Mammoth Lakes
Troutfitter guide Scott Flint in the “miracle mile”. Light to moderate
sink tips using our Punk Perch #10-14, Spruce-a-bus #8, and Loebergs #10
“slap casted”, then “dip and stripped” (see our guide tips on our website)
to the crashing beasts in the larger pools will get you into a monster
fish right now. You will also have an excellent baetis hatch (bwo) with a
showing of caddis and a few lingering hoppers if you make a trip soon.
Check out the exceptional brown and huge rainbow
veteran Sierra Drifter and accomplished author Jefferson Parker, from
Fallbrook, CA spanked this week while on a trip with us. These rascals
got fooled by excellent dead drifts and our Crystal Tiger Midges and Olive
Zebras #16-20. Jeff and his buddy Rick Raeber from Tuscon, AZ tight lined
numerous browns and rainbows on their way to a great day on the EW. Way
to smoke em guys!
Jefferson Parker
Jefferson Parker
The EW is fishing the best I have seen it in a
couple years and with the flows lowering it could get even better. Check
this out folks.
Crowley Lake: Good
The wind blows hard and the barometer drops - it
sucks. The wind stops the mercury rises - it is great. You will find a
mix of “dinks” and slammers this time of year. The lake has been heavily
seeded with the sub-catchable rainbow trout that will make Crowley once
again the premier fishery in this area. It is difficult to avoid these
critters in any area of the lake right now. Please take extra care when
releasing the littles.
The weed lines are very prevalent and the larger
fish are targeting on the dwindling perch fry that are seeking refuge in
the forests. The larger browns are cruising the prominent weed beds
hunting for the perch and it is here that you will do best with both
streamers and still water nymphing.
There is a significant amount of algae at times in
most areas and we have had excellent results using our Crystal Leech as
the upper fly #14-16. This fly has the same profile as the Punk Perch but
is tied in a black and red that gives it better contrast in the deeper and
off colored water this time of year. Hang a #18-16 Drifters Crystal Tiger
or Zebra Midge as the lower fly and you will get grabs. Most consistent
stillwater nymphing has been in 10-15 feet. Tubers trolling streamers
have found the Punk Perch and Loeberg to be extremely effective in
#10-12. Try the two flies together as a tandem rig with the Punk or its
cousin the Crystal Leech as the dropper. Hang on!
The North Arm and Upper Owens River channel have
been hot at times. Fishing along 6 Bays has been spotty as the algae here
has been pretty bad some days. Leighton has had good days and the
proverbial “banana” at times also. Big Hilton has been steadily improving
and it is here we nailed some awesome browns over a three day period this
week.
Mike “Mac attack” McIntire from Hermosa Beach,
CA. Lee “the old guy” Matthes from Ojai, CA and Mel “where’s mine” Abert
from Manhattan Beach, CA hit the big browns and numerous other large
Crowley trout this week during some excellent fall weather.
Mike McIntire
Mike McIntire
Lee Matthes with
guide, Tom Loe
The Crowley Lake Fish Camp and marina will close
to all on October 31st 2005. The lake however will remain open
until November 15th 2005.
Lower Owens River: Fair
Flows continue to be at 608 cfs but water clarity
has improved a bunch this week. We expect the levels to begin falling in
a couple of weeks and fishing conditions will be awesome. Even at these
high flows the fish have adjusted to the levels and you can get into some
decent dry fly action with caddis imitations in the wild trout section
during the late afternoons. Nymphing is not fun at these release rates
but if you like to fish with chunks of bulldozer tracks go for it! Use
midge patterns, hares ear, or PT imitations #18-20.
With the lack of pressure on the drift boat
sections this past year I expect us to have a tremendous season. The
higher flows will also allow us to drift a more diverse section of the
river and will enable us to “rest” the more popular runs. We have the
three most “luxurious and functional” drift boats in the area that can
ride three passengers for guided trips this season. We will begin “dip
and stripping” in the near future and will keep you updated on any major
changes on the Lower Owens. I am excited to see the high water for a
change and am looking forward to taking your picture with “TROUTZILLA”!
The Lower Owens River remains open year round for
fishing and the fall, winter and spring months are typically the best for
the drift boat season. The general season in the Eastern Sierra closes
November 15th.
The Gorge: Good
When the weather sucks up the hill - this is a
great option for fly fishers this time of year. You will still find some
nasty vegetation that may put a damper on your “Mojo” but the wild browns
down here are eager to hit most dries in the #16-20 range. 5X and 6X will
work better with a 7-9 foot leader. 2-4 wts will give you the most fun.
Upper Owens River: Good
The Long Years section is kicking out some larger
lake run rainbows with a few browns moving in as well. Streamers work
well this time of year and my choice would be Spruce-a-bu’s #8 used in
conjunction with a light to medium sinking tip and our patented “dip and
strip” method of retrieval. Nymphing is proving to be more effective in
the lower sections from the monument to the lake as there is still a
substantial amount of floating weed that can wreck your presentation on
most casts and retrieves. PT’s, crystal olive zebras and tiger midges,
and hares ear patterns #16-22 will all get grabs here. Look for a good
showing of heads during the calmer evenings as the wild fish are smacking
the fall caddis. The windy afternoons will also provide opportunities for
the hopper and a dropper combo that can be lethal in this area.
The lower section nearest the lake can be a tad
crowded at times. Go west fly fishers! (upstream). There is virgin water
here in the Long Years section above the confluence of Hot Creek.
There are three sets of regs in the public section
here and the area between the Benton Bridge and the monument is currently
closed to ALL fishers. New markings on the riverside signs have been
posted by a dedicated local warden (thanks Diane); please read the regs
before you fish here if you are not up on the law.
San Joaquin River: Good
Fly fishing continues to be good here as the flows
are sweet in most sections of the river. Dry dropper bead head nymph
combos are a sure bet in the deeper pools and runs, with the wild trout
still active on the warmer afternoons on surface imitations such as caddis
and mayflies #16-20. Get away from the campgrounds 20 minutes hike or so
for better quantities of wild fish and a shot at the “Sierra grand slam”!
West Walker: Good
Fall conditions here. The scenery along the way
itself is worth the drive alone. I like a dry/dropper bead head for the
deeper water here as well as the cut bank areas in the meadow sections.
Still some good opportunities for dry fly action in the canyon “pocket
water” and riffles as the flows are just right.
Bridgeport Reservoir:
Good
The trout are beginning to get more aggressive
especially on streamer patterns like our Loebergs and Punk Perch #10-12
fished along the drop-off from Buckeye Bay towards rainbow Pt. The launch
ramp area in 10-15 feet will also be holding some larger rainbows this
time of year. You will also find cruising fatties looking for perch fry
along the diminishing weed lines in Buckeye.
Good reports from a few locals using a new type of
fly that is found or sold only at the Bridgeport Lake Marina. Its primary
material is a rare strain of goat or sheep hair found only in the
Bridgeport area. For those of you needing flies, information and this
rare strain of sheep and goat hair for fly tying materials (looks like the
color of Jeff’s fur- I mean hair, for some unknown reason) go see Jeffery
aka the “Dali Lamb-A” for the area. There are links on the resources tab
above or click on
http://www.bridgeportreservoir.com/photogallery.htm
Hot Creek: Good
Low and clear water requiring precise
presentations with smaller flies necessary for good results. The wind in
the afternoons have been a factor this week in the overall “catching” but
with the forecast being favorable to fly fishers in the future look for
better overall conditions here and more consistent fishing. Baetis and
trico mayflies, with a few lingering hoppers hanging around for the windy
afternoons.
Alpine Lakes: Good
When the weather gets nice you will see very good
fishing on some of the upper lakes as the fish are experiencing cooling
water and shorter durations of daylight that is triggering a biological
instinct that makes them feed more aggressively at times during this time
of year. Streamer patterns with red or some flash and blue in them will
get grabs on most of these lakes when used with a full of heavy sinking
tip line. Late mornings and afternoons are best in these areas as the
fish get more active with the rise in surface water temperatures.
Spruce-a-bu’s #10, Drifters crystal leeches #10-12, and the always
reliable Loeberg #10 will get you into fish in these areas right now if
you are willing to troll from a float tube.
You can pick up our guide flies at the following
stand out locations: The Bridgeport Lake Marina in Bridgeport, The Crowley
Lake Fish Camp and the Crowley Lake General Store and Deli in Crowley, The
Troutfitter/Trout Fly in Mammoth Lakes, Malibu Fish’N Tackle in Thousand
Oaks, The San Diego Fly Shop and Stroud’s Tackle in San Diego and the
Fishermen’s Spot in Van Nuys. There are links to these locations on the
resources tab above.
