Eastern Sierra Fish’N Conditions for March 2009 

It has been a long time since I have used the word “epic” with regards to the fishing on any body of water here in the Sierra.  There are two areas that currently fit this description; the Lower Owens River and Pleasant Valley Reservoir. 

A combination of ideal conditions have attributed to the great fishing in the Owens Valley recently.  Low and stable water levels on the river and at the rez, warmer than usual air and water temperatures, and last but certainly not least…an abundant amount of stocked fish! 

We have been experiencing a wet weather pattern this February that has replenished much of the snowpack that was depleted last season in the upper elevations.  The snow sports are excellent with light crowds.  This is a great time of year to do a “cast and carve” kind of thing around Mammoth.  The Owens Valley has been spared significant snowfall, but has received measurable rain the last few storms.  The extended forecast is calling for “potential instability” into early spring this year. 

Lower Owens River: 

Nothing short of spectacular.  I recently did three guided drifts that had a combined total to the net or hand of 227 trout for two anglers.  It has been several years since I saw 100 to the net in a single day on a drift trip.  Scott L. and Andy R. achieved this fly fishing trout milestone in regulation time in late February.  The “dip and strip” with #6-8 Punk Perch patterns also fooled numerous fish over twenty inches.  We have drift boat guides available in March if you want to fish the most productive and secluded sections of the Lower Owens. 

Andy R. & Scott L...100 to the Net!

Andy R.

Scott L. & Andy R.

Mrs. Linkcredible strikes again!

In addition to the fine streamer fishing occurring on the Lower Owens, you may also have the opportunity to fish on the surface with Blue Winged Olive mayflies, or baetis #16-18.  The hatch peaks at 1:30pm but you may see the adults (they look like tiny sail boats) floating upright in the suds or foam as early as noon.  This is the optimum time of year to fish baetis.  BWO’s have grayish colored upright wings and a prominent forked tail.  After emerging they float helplessly and delicately downstream in the current as their wings dry just long enough to lift them off the water.  They are extremely vulnerable at this time and the trout know it very well.  The hatch is short and sweet, and one must be ready and located to take full advantage of the emergence.  Position yourself at the base of an extended riffle or the tail-out of a large, slow moving pool with a riffle dumping into it.  The trout lock and load on the BWO emergence this time of year so be prepared to toss some dries in the suds! 

Baetis Adults in the Suds...

The Base of a Riffle is Best...

Nymphing with bead head pheasant tail patterns, especially those with some flash #16-18, birds nest in dark olive or brown preferably with some crystal flash built in will get you grabs most of the day in the wild trout section.  Flows are 100cfs (give or take) at the PV Rez outlet as of late February which makes the wading safe and easy.  We provide a real time link to the LADWP flows at the top this page.

Mike C. & John N... 70 to the Net!

John N.

"Tom, just wanted to say thanks for a great trip. John and I had been wanting to drift the Lower Owens for years. We definitely hooked up with the right guide. You are just as crazy about trout as we are, maybe crazier. Even with some serious wind, you put us on the fish. Your trip had it all. Lots of fish, double hook ups, and a few troutzillas. We're already talking about taking you up on a Crowley trip. Tight lines, Mike C."

"Had an awesome time on Saturday with Phil. Thanks so much and I look forward to another trip later in the year. Keep up the great service. Thanks, Michael N."

Pleasant Valley Reservoir: 

This is a slam dunk using a dry/ bead head nymph dropper rig in the stream section below the powerhouse.  #12-16 Stimulator or Sofa Pillow as the upper-hang a Drifters crystal tiger or zebra midge #16-18 one-three feet below-MONEY!   

The DFG has put copious amounts of large and small planters in the rez proper and they have migrated towards the food and oxygen rich flows that the river provides.  The rez level is also conducive to wading at this time.  The mud along the banks can be treacherous, and I do not suggest felt soles in this area.  You need to be cautious of the sticky, deep mud near the bank also.  It will suck a grown mans wading boots off as quickly and surely as the Gov’t takes your taxes if you are not careful! 

I guided this area a while back and we did (seventy) fish to hand or net in a half day session with the finest kind O fly fishing father and son team of Ken and Paul T.  It was sick, and a drift without a grab or fish was uncommon that day.  Ken got a trophy bow, his largest ever this day.  Way fun, hope you can fish it with us. 

Paul T.

Ken T.

This area can be crowded especially on weekends; it is a popular locals spot.  It can look like Hot Creek at times and you will see some bait, and lure chuckers enjoying the excellent fishing in the mix as it is legal to do so.  However, there is a large area of fish currently and you should have little trouble finding a “honey hole” or two for yourself. 

The tubing is also excellent.  A full sink or a heavy sinking tip will effectively get you into fish.  The percentage of larger fish being caught by fly fishers in the rez area is from a tube.  Loebergs, Spruce-A-Bu’s #8-10 are my favorites, but most popular steamer patterns in the #6-12 range will work.  The warm weather also has the midges out in force and if you like still water nymphing bring your chironomid box and an indicator along for the morning emergence.  Suspend your rigs on the drop-off adjacent to the west bank of the rez for consistent take downs. 

Upper Owens River: 

The weather turned nasty for much of February and the UO was not my first choice as a fishing destination during this time frame.  The ice has really come off Crowley as of late February and large numbers of the school sized rainbows are migrating back into the lake.  There are significant numbers of larger spring run bows staging to spawn in the pools right now, but the masses of catchable sized rainbows have for the most part returned back into Crowley.

CROWLEY will be HOT early this year for sure, with solid chironomid activity by mid April.  This will be a different scenario from the last couple of seasons due to extended ice. 

If you are head hunting, fish the deep pools and runs with a streamer and nothing shy of 3X.  The larger fish are definitely “size classing” and hanging out together.  Having said this, if you hook a large fish there is high probability another is nearby.   

Not all the pools are holding, and covering a lot of water with a few casts is a better strategy than pounding one pool continuously when hunting for trophies while chucking streamers or wet flies. 

Nymphing or fishing tiny midge or BWO adults will get you into fish on the warmer days, and will be more productive for numbers under these conditions.  The weather pattern should only improve as March rolls on, and I forecast some incredible days on the UO this spring. 

The Upper Owens is open UPSTREAM ONLY from the Benton Crossing Bridge at this time.  ZERO LIMIT, BARBLESS ARTIFICIAL LURES OR FLIES ONLY.  Report poachers! 1 888 DFG-CALTIP (888 334-2258), 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Hot Creek: 

Carve some turns in the morning; cast some flies in the afternoon!  It has been good on the warmer cycles.  The gate remains closed for access but the hike to the trailheads leading into the canyon is not difficult for most. 

Some nice browns being fooled by streamers, and the midge fishing is very consistent.  Last March was epic here; I see no reason why this one should be anything less. 

East Walker River: 

The warmer weather towards the end of February provided an opportunity to scout out the holding water on the EW, and it paid off for EW fanatic- Sierra Drifters own “Two Bug Doug Dolan.”  Two Bug focused on streamer fishing the large pools and deeper runs.  Check out the self portraits of these monster browns he fooled recently. 

Flows will increase as March evolves, and the fish will not be concentrated in individual pools.  The EW will be one of the top fisheries in the region in early spring and we are looking forward to fishing this area on a regular basis. 

TwoBug Doug & his monster Browns...

The Gorge: 

Jugged.  Not for everyone, but really good fly fishing for wild browns in the 6-12 inch range.  Those willing to hike and rock hop shall be rewarded with big numbers of eager trout.  Dry dropper rigs, dry/dry #14-18 all do it here.  From now until May-ish is prime time to fish the here. 

I am sorry to report that long time SD client and friend Nick “the quick”  “Chumash”  “LDR”  “No mud too deep” Mamer has unexpectedly passed away recently.  A superb person and fly fisherman, he truly shall be missed.  I had the privilege of guiding Nick for a decade and am not exaggerating when I say the world is worse off without him.  All who spent time with “LDR” benefited from his humor and unique personality.  My sincere condolences to the friends and family of Nick Mamer. 

Lance G. and Nick M.

Sierra Drifters Flies are available at the following great fly shops and stores: Crowley Lake Fish Camp & The Crowley Lake General Store in Crowley, Bridgeport Marina at Bridgeport Reservoir, Kittredge Sports in Mammoth Lakes, 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, & Crosby Lodge at Pyramid Lake, Nevada.  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