Early Summer “Fish’N Conditions”

Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters.  Best fishes to all for the early summer “Fish’N Conditions” here in the Eastern High Sierra. 

The long days this time of year provide the extended daylight to sample several diverse fisheries in one day if you are willing to make the effort.  For example, you could fish Crowley Lake in the morning watching the sun rise over the White Mountains, head over to the Upper Owens River or Hot Creek for the mid-day snap, and then take a short drive up to one of the beautiful alpine lakes in the Mammoth Lakes Basin, Rock Creek Lake or Convict Lake to do some tubing.  Cap the day off with a great meal in one of the unique restaurants these areas offer and watch the sunset over the Sierra’s crest!  The diverse fisheries the Eastern Sierra provide this time of year offer a variety of angling opportunities for fly fishers. 

The typical weather patterns this time of year begins with morning lows in the forties and the afternoon highs reaching near eighty.  Lots of sunshine!  Afternoon T-storms are not frequent but may occur and one should be prepared for this type of weather as the summer rolls on in the high country.  You should anticipate late morning and afternoon south to southwest winds daily for another couple months. 

Run-off from snowmelt has been low to moderate this year.  The snow level is high, so it has not caused any significant flooding or horrible conditions in many of the freestone creeks that are influenced directly by this run-off.  Although we had a below average amount of snow this year the region looks to be in good shape due to some cooler weather in the spring.  Fall water levels in the creeks should not be poor; however you will see some very low levels in Crowley and Bridgeport for sure.  The word on the high passes to the backcountry is “not yet” in the Central Sierra.  By the middle of July conditions will change greatly according to the packers.  Some areas will open sooner than others for sure, so you need to get information on your specific region or pass before you go. 

The 2008 Still Water Classic at Crowley Lake will take place on August 9^th and is shaping up to be another great event for a worthy cause.  I am impressed by the chunky browns (put in by last seasons donations) we are seeing on a daily basis here and I hope you will participate to raise money for additional fish this year.  Rumor has it the prizes are off the charts this year! Please click here for link to print out the rules and entry form. If you are interested in participating as a donor please contact the Fish Camp soon as possible so they can get you on the sponsor sheet. 

Steve & Carolyn Schwind, owners of Central Reservations of Mammoth are offering a great deal for anyone entering the Stillwater Classic. You can receive a big 20% off on all condo rentals for the weekend of the contest. As well as 10% off any regular prime season rates for any other time you wish to visit Mammoth Lakes. You can check out all their great rentals on the lodging page of www.MammothLakes.com and then call 800-321-3261 to get these special deals.

They are also donating a stay in a Mammoth Lakes Condo which will be a prize at the Stillwater Tournament.

The Western Outdoor News sponsored Double Haul in the fall has been cancelled this year.  Lots of great memories for many and no doubt a tradition that will be missed.  My hopes are that the Still Water Classic will become a tradition with you all for many years to come and with any luck maybe we can do another event in the fall and combine float tubes??? 

The fish survey results have been published by the DFG on Hot Creek and the East Walker River performed last fall.  The guides at Sierra Drifters assisted the DFG biologists with some surveys.  You will be happy to hear the numbers!  Hot Creek had an incredible average of 12,000 (twelve thousand) fish per mile - predominately browns. The excellent DFG biologists that conducted the survey documented Hot Creek as being one of the most densely populated wild trout fisheries in the state.  Another survey will be conducted this fall on Hot Creek to evaluate the impacts of year around fishing.  

The East Walker River shocked out at just under 5,000 (five thousand) trout per mile and also had a dominant population of browns, most of them wild.  There are some huge trout in this river, and way more than you might think!  The EW is truly a world class tailwater. 

I would like to ask all of you who love the East Walker and the Bridgeport areas fisheries to wish one of the nicest guys I know some good luck.  Skip Baker owner of the Big Meadows Lodge in Bridgeport has recently become ill and we need to cast some positive vibes to this special guy.  Skip has been instrumental in several successful fisheries enhancement programs throughout Mono County.  Get well soon Skippy, we miss ya! 

Adobe Pond:  Sierra Drifters exclusive! 

If you enjoy catching large numbers of wild brown trout on a dry or dry/dropper combo, or sight fishing to rise forms, this is your huckleberry!  The fish are not monsters here. Most are in the half a foot range but are scrappy fighters and jump like rainbows.  Drifters veteran client Bill Amans (banged out forty by himself) suggested I emphasize this would be an excellent place for novice fly fishers.  He is correct.  Intermediate anglers will find this a perfect place to hone their casting and hook setting skills with plenty of opportunities on an average day.  We have the exclusive rights to guide this private water from our drift boats.  It is truly a blast. Adobe is a beautiful place with incredible fishing for wild trout.  Please call us if you would like to discuss the details of fishing here, or perhaps owning some of this incredible legacy property.  Click on the Adobe Ranch Link at the top of this page.

"Willy" with one of the larger models....

Crowley Lake:

You have all heard the expression it’s always darkest before the dawn; well I am happy to inform those of you who enjoy fishing Crowley that it appears the sun is once again going to shine here.

There are not “epic” conditions or gigantic numbers being caught by fly fishers but we have had some very good days recently (30-40 to net for the more experienced sticks), with some of the larger hold over fish beginning to appear in the 5-10 foot depths around what is left of McGee Bay.  The average size fish is smaller in length this year for sure, but rather rotund with no lack of bad attitude. No sarcasm intended regarding McGee.  Most of you will be alarmed by how retracted the lake level is for this time of year.  It is freak’N low!  If you have a boat, be very careful to stay well north of Pelican Pt near Big Hilton Bay.  The shoal extends well towards Lifeguard Pt. and is currently not marked with buoys on the outer part of the shoal.  

The spring turnover was two to three weeks later than usual however; the worst of it has passed.  Conditions will continue to improve but there will still be some tough days ahead especially when the winds blow from the east and stack the algae into McGee.  When we have a stiff west wind in the afternoons (coming from Mammoth Mountain or the Minaret’s), the next morning can be great until the algae moves in and slows the bite down. 

The Sacramento Perch Fry are making an appearance as well as an excellent damsel fly nymph migration each morning.  I suggest that for the next two weeks you have some #14-18 bead head PT’s, some #16 Punk Perch, and a few damsel flies #12 in your quiver to get you into fish.  The PT’s are great imitations to use while still water nymphing as they have an excellent profile for the tiny perch fry as well as the few callibaetis nymphs that are emerging.  The damsels and Punk Perch are also solid choices to hang as an upper fly while still water nymphing and may also be used while trolling or stripping with a sink tip or slime line near the surface. 

The chironomids are not nearly as prolific as they should be for this time of year and this is a consequence of the lower than usual water levels.  They are basically “hatched out” but will still be a significant factor until September.  Tigers and zebras #16-20 as your dropper or lower fly, Gillies #18-20, or crystal emergers #18-20 on top. 

Look for a major migration of trout into the north arm of the lake soon.  The influence of the Upper Owens River will be a prevalent factor this season as I have recorded surface temps as high as 80 degrees on the calm afternoons!  You will see up to three less degrees near the inlet here. 

Check out the big cutt Frank Carlsen caught and released in short water recently as well as the screaming double he had with Richard “Pops” Rathcke.

Frank Carlsen... Lake Crowley 7/15/08

Frank Carlsen & Rich Rathcke, Sr.  7/15/08   

Take a few minutes and check out the pictures of some great fish caught & released by Sierra Drifters clients on Crowley recently...

Firefighter, Chelsea Hope bangs out a nice Brown on a slow day in McGee (proud dad, Chuck Hope owner of Treana Winery takes pics..)

Dale Pfost all the way from Pennsylvania along with SD Guide Doug-err 

"Thank you for your excellent help throughout the day.  It is always a pleasure to benefit from someone with such advance expertise and the ability to help share it—you made it fun … I hope to make it back. Thank you for the photo and the memories. Best Regards, Dale"

"

"Wanted to say thanks for another great Sierra Drifters excursion.  Our recent Crowley Lake trip with Fill was awesome and we had great fun.  Mary hooked up on a few nice fish (see pictures) and I couldn't have been happier since it was the first time on Crowley for both of us. 
Thanks again go to Fill.  He took good care of us, showed us his secret hidey-holes and kept us laughing all day as usual. 
We look forward to going again in the fall when the perch fry are out and the damsel's are showing up. 
Enjoy the pics - Way to go Mary!!! Bryan Laws"

East Walker River: 

Lower than normal release rates have made the overall conditions here very stable through early summer.  Bring the hole enchilada here baby!  You could have opportunities to fish tandem midge or mayfly nymphs #16-20 under an indicator or high stick without in the proper water during the early morning, switch to mayflies or caddis adults #16-18 for some sight fishing to rise forms late morning or afternoon.  The wind comes up after lunch - do not despair grasshoppers! Tie on a hopper or Stimulator and work the banks in the big pools.  Terrestrials are dynamite at times on the EW and an ant pattern as a trail fly can be deadly under the right conditions.  Windy afternoons are best!  As the sun sinks below the rim large streamer patterns are often overlooked here and arguably the best way to hang big daddy brown!  The water is comfortable to wet wade, or wear light dryable pants. 

Jim McGill from Temecula with East Walker brown with SD Guide, Doug-err. He caught some nice 17" browns at the end on drys too. He said it was the biggest freshwater fish he's caught as well as biggest on the fly rod.

Bridgeport Reservoir: 

Reports from the DARK SIDE (bait fishers) are good here but those who have seen the light (fly fishers) are not having the same success at the Bridge.  Low water this year has the fish deep making presentations difficult at best for fly fishers.  There were some good days earlier this season thanks to the efforts of the fine folks associated with the Bridgeport Fisheries Enhancement Program here on the browns they planted last season and those rascals are fat and happy!  The next couple of months will be a tough go on the fly but look for better conditions as the water cools in the fall. You can also contact Jeffrey at the Bridgeport link on the resources tab above. 

West Walker River: 

This is the largest freestone creek in the region and is currently running on the high side making some of the crossings difficult in the canyon sections.  Clarity has been pretty good most days and the softer water is very fishable especially in the Pikel Meadows and Chris Flats areas.  Look for improving conditions as July rolls on with the exception being an extended period of afternoon wet T-storms.  This weather condition will make the water rise and become off color quickly here.  You can get away with some larger nymphs here like flashback Pt’s and Tiger midges in the #14-16 range.  Dry dropper combos in the slower riffle water and runs spank the wild fish here, as do dry/dry rigs with a caddis in the equation #14-18 dark bodied.  Mornings are best here this time of year as the wind gets to hooting by 11 am most days. 

Lower Owens River Area: 

If the trend of lower than average flows continue here we could have some incredible “catching” from our drift boat trips as early as September.  350 cfs is way low for early summer but I suspect it will increase again by mid July.  Too hot, too high, too ho-hum!  Go elsewhere for July. 

Upper Owens River: 

Avoid the campground and monument areas on weekends and holidays for the next couple of months, it will probably be a zoo down here at these times.  A good way to check out the area is to stop on the knoll just before you get to the dump turn-off and put your glasses on this area.  A quick check of how many cars and where they are located will save you valuable time and get you casting sooner.  The hot ticket is trucking upstream and fishing the sections above the confluence of Hot Creek towards the section of the river called Long Years.  The dirt road on the north side of the river (immediate northerly turn after crossing the Benton Bridge) will give you good access to all the prime areas here.  Dry dropper rigs using bead head flashback PT’s, crystal zebras, San Juan worms, all in the #14-10 range will get you grabs.  There are a few fatties still on the prowl and should be around most of July, but most of the fish here are the size of your fly rod handle.  The hoppers are around in good numbers and a #16 yellow body Stimulator is a good cross pattern to cover both a large caddis and hopper profile, both of which are good choices in the afternoons.  SKEETER ALERT!!! 

Tyler Hindera from Malibu on the Upper Owens with SD Guide Doug-err.

Hot Creek: 

Hot Creek has been very good all year and it appears that the year around fishing pressure has had little impact on this seasons fishing.  There are a bunch of small rainbows indicative of a fertile spring spawn.  The mornings have been very crowded.  The water levels are receding and although the conditions are good currently you can expect the aquatic weeds to protrude more and more as the summer goes on.  Things are going to get challenging here by August.  Dark bodied caddis #18-20 have been excellent in the afternoons, as well as hopper patterns or Stimulators #14-16.  Dry/ dropper bead head rigs with an olive crystal caddis #18-20 work well also. 

Take a look at Hot Creek and a nice rainbow fooled by fire Captain Jeffery Wenger on a caddis dry.

Jeff Wenger sticks another one on Hot Creek...7/14/08

San Joaquin: 

My favorite of the freestone creeks in the area.  The run-ff has been as well behaved as run-off can be this year and although you may have some difficulties crossing the deeper runs the SJ is fishing quite well. It never ceases to amaze me how aggressive these wild fish here smack a dry!  The usual suspects are eager to hit most high riding dries in the #14-18 range.  The deeper pools will need to be explored with a tandem nymph rig complete with some shot and a strike detector to get you out past your rod tip, the water and air are warm this time of year and you will find ample opportunities in the riffle water, and pocket water if you prefer the dry dropper duo.  PT’s, zebras, hares ear, that nasty looking “whatcha ma call it” nymph that Uncle Festor gave you for your high school graduation #16-18 will all get you grabs if presented properly.  Great time of year down here, do some hiking to avoid the campground congestion.  The trails are well marked and easy to navigate.  SKEETER ALERT!!! 

The Alpine Lakes: 

Like a good wine, finer with time.  As the summer rolls on these areas will become more attractive and productive especially during the tepid parts of the afternoons in the valleys.  Water temps are warming and the short window of summer puts the feeding behavior of alpine trout in high gear as they must amass body fat quickly while food is present.  The multitude of high country alpine lakes in this area offer well stocked and easy to catch rainbows and many have solid populations of wild brook, rainbow, and brown trout.  The planted fish are very opportunistic and flashy colorful streamers #8-14 used in conjunction with a sinking type fly line will work great once you have located the “pod” of ravenous rainbows.  Keep your streamers down 10-15 feet for consistent results catching these rascals. 

The wild ones are a tad more difficult to catch most of the time and you will need to use the still water nymphing, and long leader-dry fly methods with smaller sized imitations than their lower elevation counterparts.  #20-22 zebras and tigers, #20 PT’s, and on some of the alpine lakes that are below 8400 feet in elevation callibaetis imitations both dry and nymphs will work miracles. 

This time of year, Sierra Drifters flies & Sungicators are only available at the following great fly shops and stores (don’t be fooled by any of the imitations out there!): 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 and online at www.bigfishhappen.com. 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