FISH'N CONDITIONS UPDATED FEBRUARY 21, 2012

FISH'N CONDITIONS UPDATED FEBRUARY 21, 2012

This is not a Trinity River steelhead. This is first time fly fisher Carly Amatisto and an
Upper Owens Troutzilla that looks like a steelhead!
Eat your heart out guys, what a fish! Way to go Carly & Two Bug this is the fish of the year so far, congratulations.

Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. Best fishes to all for the late winter Fish’N Conditions from the Eastern High Sierra. I have plenty to report for this update beginning with the continued mild and dry winter weather pattern that appears to have anchored itself over central & northern California. There have been a few insignificant disturbances that have dashed through the region, but not the sustained or substantial storms that will alter the weak snowpack thus far. It has been great for winter fly fishing in the region but the "piper" will be paid this summer and fall with low water in many rivers and creeks. The good news is the reservoirs in this area remain very full from last season’s torrential precipitation and we should have a very good spring and summer in these areas although you will see the levels decrease this year instead of rise as they did last season. Both Crowley and Bridgeport have been "ice free" since mid-January; this is far from the norm. Look for flows to increase substantially by early March on the Lower Owens and East Walker Rivers. The Upper Owens and Hot Creek will come up as it gets warmer, however you will not experience the huge flows we saw last season unless a major dump occurs in March at lower elevations.

Carly’s dad Mike Amatisto also got into some trophy rainbows recently on the Upper Owens.
The weather resembles fall conditions instead of winter here.

Upper Owens:

This has been an exceptional year on the Upper Owens with regards to the mild weather and incredible fishing overall for migratory rainbows and browns moving up from Crowley Lake. Access has become good to the UO, however many of the two track roads leading down to the river are frozen in the morning but mud pits when it thaws. You need to closely evaluate where you drive or expect a hefty towing bill.

Flows remain higher than normal and the water can be off color at times, especially when it gets above freezing in the mornings. The fall run rainbows and browns are beginning to thin out substantially and I have seen numerous hens that have dropped their eggs and are spawned out. The next wave of spring bows (Kamloops and Eagle Lake strain) are beginning to arrive with the much smaller population of Cutts not far off if this weather pattern holds. The numbers of smaller fish have also decreased substantially and are returning back to Crowley. This migration shift is about a month earlier than normal due to the mild winter. Good midge activity on the high pressure days, with some baetis popping on the warmer days after 1:30 pm. Nymphing with an Under-cator has been the best means of getting into the bigs and a variety of patterns will get you grabs. I have always believed it is the "archer", not so much the arrow - in this type of fly fishing. Remember the three "P’s"- Positioning, Presenting, and Playing. This rule will get you a shot at seeing one of these gorgeous fish.

We have been getting fish on everything from midges to mayflies with a side of "ham & eggs" (Roe and a San Juan Worm) patterns. These spawning fish are not looking to feed folks; it is a programmed behavioral response that gets them to take a fly. Because they are cold blooded, their metabolisms will rise or fall with the water temperature. They are very stoic at times and will not move far to take a fly. Redundant drifts in front of their snouts are what will get you opportunities.

Art Prangley had a huge day on the Upper Owens with an incredible flurry of bigs coming in the late afternoon.

Archer Arthur Prangley punished the fish using dark Assassin’s as his "arrows" and executing the three "P’s"
"Tom, Thanks. It was a great day...strike sideways...important lesson. Best, Art"

Vint Varner keeping the Bakersfield "Bako" boys in the report with several of these hogs.

Steven Moore all smiles with this beautiful Upper Owens hen.

Michael Biggins got a "bigg’N". Check out the choppers on this buck!

Mark Kaupp back in the report, he spanked them recently on the Upper Owens

Lower Owens:

Get it while you can folks. Crowley is full pool and you can expect the discharges to go up significantly in early March. Flows are perfect at 125cfs. below PV Rez currently. I will post changes on my Facebook page (see link at top) when needed. The real-time online gages for the LADWP are not working in several areas. I do not know why or when they will be accurate again. Wading is very good in the wild trout section and the Blue Winged Olive (BWO) hatch is the highlight of the day, if not the entire season currently. The baetis begin popping after noon and continue for a couple hours most days. The wild fish are focused on this emergence and one may find slower fishing before and after this hatch. Use mayfly nymphs as your imitations if you do not see the high winged adults floating in the suds.

Drift boat fishing has been on and off despite ideal conditions. My own theory is that many fish migrated upstream during the extended period of flood last season to escape the silt and debris in the lower sections and have not returned. We have had some good trips using streamers like my Spruce-a-Bu and Punk Perch and sinking tip lines. We are also targeting the afternoon mayfly hatch at times and getting into some fun surface action.

Conor Richards landing one of his many rainbows on the Lower Owens recently.
Conor had bragging rights for all categories this day as his father Bill and Grandpa Chuck look on.
"Hi Tom, Thanks for the photos. I'm sure I'll never hear the end of it from Conor, which
is the best I could ask for. We all had a great time. All the best, Bill"

Scott Okamoto showing off one of several nice bows he caught on a recent drift trip with us.
"Hey guys, Tim Pagnotta and I had a great time drifting with Doug. It was Tim's first time fly fishing
and he is now hooked. You can teach an old rock star new tricks, after all.  Looking forward to fishing
Crowley this summer. Thanks again for a great time, Scott"

Robbin Okamoto hanging on to a leaping fish while Steve Soldo watches the fun.

The Bako boys hit the Lower Owens and had a great day.
Kevin Hoover is big time bendo while Skip & son Hunter Barnes look on.

Gary Deaton tight to a nice fish with an incredible scene in the background.
His pal Terry Oliver about ready to hit one while using the "dip & strip" method with streamers.

East Walker River:

This will be an interesting season on the EW. Bridgeport is super full & Jeffery at the lakes "finest kind" of marina is keeping a life jacket handy if it gets any higher! The flows as of this report are at a trickle (19cfs) this is very low, even for winter releases. I prefer not to fish it at this level. The irrigation people are holding water back until the last minute due to the poor snowpack. You can expect flows to go up soon and condition’s to improve after the fish adjust to the new levels. Typically early March is when water demand begins to increase.

Flows have been at 25cfs most of the winter and during the warmer days the BWO hatch was very strong with active fish. The warmer winter has kept the fish feeding and overall reports here have been pretty good. Nymphing the deeper pools near the dam section or Miracle Mile have been productive. Midges and mayfly imitations with or without an Under-cator, and BWO adults after lunch.

Hot Creek:

It has been fun fishing the BWO emergence after 1pm. Flows are still fine and nice drifts in the slots will produce decent numbers. Access is good with very little ice and snow along the banks. The trails leading down are clear. If you had to choose one month to fish HC I would take March first, with September being a close second. The fish here are bonkers for baetis and if you like to fish adults on top this is prime time. Nymphing the "holes" with small midge or mayfly patterns is also working during off hatch periods. Try a scud pattern #18 for a shot at one of the bigs here.

Pleasant Valley Reservoir:

It has been disappointing the last two weeks here in the transition area due to very high lake levels that have this sweet section flooded into the trees. The gage for the lake level is not correct here, it is currently 4387’ plus most days. The small river section below the powerhouse has been great using dry dropper bead head or emerger patterns & BWO or para midge adults, but it is not large enough to spend an entire day on, especially if there are other anglers on this section. Tubing has been fair near the inlet and around the launch ramp, but it got pounded over President’s Day weekend so a truck load or two of DFG fish will need to get dumped to get numbers back up again. Full sinking lines and streamers fished along the drop-offs on the west side are best. Still water nymphing here will also produce-stay down 10-13 feet and rig like you would for Crowley using midge and mayfly imitations.

The Gorge:

The late winter and early spring periods here are prime time. The flows will remain constant here even when they increase in other areas. This section is open year around and not subject to runoff or seasonal fluctuations. Moderate hiking and rock hopping are mandatory, wild browns kinda on the small side- but as pretty as you will see anywhere. The BWO hatch is the "thang" right now and these fish are eager to take dries. You need to approach from a downstream position casting upstream in order not to spook these wild browns. Keep your patterns in the #14-18 range; a 3-4wt rod is perfect.

Eagle Lake:

We remain hopeful that Eagle will get more rain and snow this season; however at this time I am holding off bookings until the end of March. I will put out an email asap if we decide to go this spring. There have been some positive changes to keep as much water in Eagle as possible-a long standing battle with an irrigation pipe has been resolved with the valve to this drain closed recently. I have been told that the lake is coming up despite the poor winter and that the fishery is in good shape by the resident DFG biologist. Keep your fingers crossed!

Be the fly friends, Tom Loe Sierra Drifters Guide Service  

Online fly sales request  Check out the hottest flies around!  The broken back “Black and Blue Midge” #18 and the broken back Dark Zebra Midge #18.  These smaller sized versions of our time tested and deadly broken back #16 patterns are a must for still waters as well as moving waters that hold trophy trout.  The new colors give you additional options for the ever changing water and light conditions. Click on the Online Fly Sales Request Tab at the top of this page.

SD “Two Bug Doug’s” Under-Cator (patents pending) is currently available online, the shops listed below and to wholesalers. 

Two Bug’s vision has led us to come up with the ultimate strike indicator/bobber.  It is now available online, and in stores February of 2010.  This versatile strike indicator comes in two popular sizes and can be used by fly fishers or spin casters.  It is high riding and easy to see - never needs floatant or drying, adjusts quickly and easily without slipping, and casts beautiful. Unlike others it needs NO tools or torque wrenches to install on leaders or lines from 25lb.-7X.  It won’t slip, kink, or damage your line like others.  A user friendly custom thumb screw (patents pending) locks the Under-Cator onto your leader or line securely and easily!  

This strike indicator/bobber has gone through extensive guide testing and trials on both still waters and rivers for over a year. It is the most innovative and versatile of its kind available. 

"Hi Tom, I had a chance to try one of the Under-Cators last summer. A friend of mine had a couple. They are by far the best indicator I have ever tried. I used to use thingamabobbers, but they always slipped down the leaders. I would like 4 packs of the 3/4" size. Michael from Milford, Maine"

The Sierra Drifters Flies are available at the following great fly shops and stores now: The Crowley Lake General Store in Crowley, Bob Marriott’s Flyfishing Store in Fullerton (Limited Selection), Eagle Lake RV Park at Eagle Lake, Kittredge Sports in Mammoth Lakes, Malibu Fish’n Tackle in Thousand Oaks, The Fishermen’s Spot in Van Nuys, Stroud’s Tackle and the So Cal Fly Shop in San Diego (Limited Selection). There are links to these locations at the resources tab above.

Gift Certificates and Fully Customized Trip Outfitting

Available Upon Request

Contact us to customize a special fishing adventure or to

 buy a gift certificate for that special person. 

Sierra Drifters Hats & Shirts are also available to order-click here