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Eastern Sierras
Capt. Tom Loe
October 15, 2005
Eastern Sierras - Freshwater Fishing Report
Browns Are Around Fish Report 10-15-05
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.
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!
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. Check out these magnificent fish and others by visiting our website at http://www.sierradrifters.com
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 of www.sierradrifters.com or click on
http://www.bridgeportreservoir.com
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 at www.sierradrifters.com
Looking forward to fishing with you soon…
Be the fly…Tom Loe
Sierra Drifters Guide Service
760-935-4250
[email protected]
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