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September 10, 2001
Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. May this update find your universe
happy and in order.
The Aspen trees at the 9000-foot elevation have just a trace of
yellow starting to show along the many groves that grace the Eastern
Sierras face. Mornings have a distinct bite to them with air temps
dropping into the upper and mid 30's here this week. Daytime highs
remain very warm with upper 70's and low 80's the last few days. We have
had some periods of wind in all areas, but it looks like a stable
pattern for the forecast.
The Owens Valley remains hot, with highs in the 90's and lows in the
60's. Very dry conditions exist in the valley and in the backcountry
regions. Fire danger is extreme in most areas and this will continue if
the weather persists.
Fishing is spotty in some areas with low water being a factor. Crowds
are light in most areas this time of year especially during mid-week.
The fish are just starting to get "spawny" in some areas. It
will not be long before the first heavy frost or snow starts the fall
migration of some big trout out of Crowley into the
Lower Owens River:
Fair
Flows have been increased this week to 250 cfs. after being 150cfs.
for a couple of weeks. This will affect fishing for a few days as the
fish adjust to the new level. I suggest you fish the early mornings and
afternoons in the wild trout section. Some caddis activity on the
surface will bring smiles on the larger pools. Stick to larva type
nymphs in olive and black #16-18. Grasshopper imitations work well in
all areas this time of year, try a hopper and a bead head dropper in the
riffles.
Upper Owens River:
Fair
The area above the Benton Crossing Bridge known as" Long
Years" is spotty but still worth the effort if the wind is down.
Caddis flies with dark bodies in #18 will do the trick, as will a dry
and nymph dropper combo in the riffles. This area will get better as the
fall rolls upon us. Some fish are staging at the river mouth as we
speak. Plan on some streamer patterns with a light to medium sinking tip
line if you plan a trip within the next 30 days. Hornbergs and spruce
flies are my choice for this area, #8-12.
East Walker River:
Horrid!
Flows are at 80cfs. and the watercolor makes split pea soup look pale
in comparison. The water temp is still high but should be coming down
this week as the air temps are cooling off at night. I do not suggest
fishing here at this time, as tremendous strains will be put on these
trout during a long battle. The Nevada section of the Walker is in
better shape. There are a couple of springs that flow into this area
adding oxygen and cooler water. Get a Nevada license in Bridgeport and
fish this section of the river if you are in the area.
Bridgeport Reservoir:
Poor
The algae bloom is so thick here it has penetrated the entire water
column. The lake level is very low and the fish will all be around the
dam section hanging on for dear life. Think snow!
West Walker River:
Good
The flows are very low, however it is fishing well in the Pickle
Meadow area. You can expect to hit planted rainbows as well as wild
Brook, Browns, and Cutthroats. There are also Mountain Whitefish in this
freestone creek as well. Nymphing was best this week as we had a lot of
wind. This area is prone to gusty westerly breezes so get here in the
morning for optimum opportunities. A dry/dropper nymph is killer. Use 6x
as the water is crystal clear and the fish can be spooky.
Hot Creek:
Fair -good
Although the flows are low and there is a lot of weed to deal with
this area is fishing well when the wind is not flapping your ears off.
The crowds have been light for this area also. We have had good success
on small black midge patterns fished below a strike indicator (small) or
use a caddis or hopper imitation. The caddis flies are dark bodied and
#20. The key to success here is high sticking your rod on a drift, and
keeping as much fly line off the water as possible. Use a long leader
tapered to 6x. Fish the channels in the weed beds and the deeper
holes.
Rush Creek/June Lake Loop:
Fair
The crowds are down on Rush and this is a nice time of year to visit
this area. There will be spawning fish in short order moving up from the
lakes like Silver and Grant. Do not hesitate using some knarly looking
streamers, like zonkers and crystal buggers with a medium sink
tip.
June Lake has been heavily planted recently, so you put and take guys
should have some fun with the stockers. I have had good reports from
streamer fisherman trolling from a tube along the banks here this
week.
San Joaquin River:
Fair -good
This area got hammered over Labor Day, but it has thinned out this
week and is fishing well. The flows are low but there is still ample
riffle water in all areas. Fish have been stocked in and around the
campground areas. I suggest you hike a tad upstream from Upper Soda
Springs and you should find some good fishing on both dries and nymphs
in the deeper pools and runs. Fish upstream and use 5x and 6x
fluorocarbon for best results. Most caddis and mayfly imitations will
work here in #16. Use bead head #16-18 in olive as a dropper for best
results.
Crowley Lake:
Good-very good
The Brown trout bashing that was going on here last week has slowed
down considerably. Fishing remains very good with fish counts as high as
74 to the net in a single day by Jake "the beef" Brower from
Orange, Ca., and his sidekick Daryl "Heavy D" Dworakowsky,
from Anaheim Hills, Ca.
The planting program has begun as of last week with over 40,000 lbs.
of Kamloops Rainbows being stocked at the Crowley Lake Fish Camp launch
ramp. You can expect to hook some small 6"-10" fish in all
areas as they are moving around the lake shoreline.
The algae bloom has become a factor once again this year as water
temps remain in the upper 60's and the lake level continues to fall.
There are still some significant weed beds in the north arm and along
the south shore area near McGee Bay. We are finding fish concentrations
in 7.5-10 feet of water in most areas.
Tubers who plan on fishing Crowley in the near future, SPREAD OUT!!!
There are fish in many areas. I saw what looked like the 405 frwy. this
weekend along Green Banks and there are fish everywhere. The fish are
smacking what is left of the perch fry spawn in the mornings and then
slurping #16-20 olive/gray chironomids when the hatch goes off. You will
get more grabs fishing the nymphs all day so keep this in mind if you
only have a one-rod system.
The weather has been a factor this week with a lot of east and south
wind coming on around noon. The forecast calls for more of the same
through the weekend. Check out the pictures of Lance and Bill Geiger
from Yorba Linda and La Habra, Ca., and the huge rainbow that Guy
Sandeson from Fullerton, Ca., landed while on a trip with us recently on
Crowley. The Browns went nuts this day and Lance and Bill both landed
many Browns to 19", while Guy spanked a 23" Kamloops on a #22
gray bodied chironomid!!! Great day guys, way to go!
You can check out their pictures on the web at http://sierradrifters.com/fish.html
Best fishes to all, be the fly…
Tom Loe, Sierra Drifters Guide Service
Email driftfish@qnet.com http://sierradrifters.com
Phone 760-935-4250
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