Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters.  Best fishes to all for this Trout-tober 2008 fish report from the Eastern High Sierra. 

This report is dedicated to Steve Shaffer, his family, and his close friends.  Steve passed on recently and is deeply missed by all who had the honor of spending time with this gentle, fun loving guy.  Shafe had a way of making all around him happy and in the best of spirits.  Many of us in the Sierra Drifters family had the privilege of being his guide from his first days as a fly fisherman, and his skills greatly improved as the seasons passed on.  Shafe loved the Eastern Sierra and participated in fisheries enhancement programs including the Still Water Classic together with his best friend Mark Cirksena. We will miss you big guy…may a river run through it. 

Aside from a few windy days the weather pattern for early fall has been mild and dry.  Look for this trend to continue with the mornings getting progressively cooler as the month of October rolls on. 

The “fall colors” show will be taking center stage for the next several weeks.  The fall spawning browns, brookies, and rainbows are displaying their gorgeous paint jobs, and with any luck “falling” onto your flies this autumn. With the mild weather we have been experiencing this fall most of the prime fisheries will be accessible and fishing well the remainder of the general trout season. 

The “Skip Baker” annual trout enhancement derby for the Bridgeport area is slated for Sunday October 12.  The proceeds for this event go directly to the fisheries of the East Walker River and Bridgeport Reservoir as well as other areas in the region.  Please participate to Skip’s dream insuring the quality fishing we are accustomed to for this region. 

http://www.bridgeportfishenhancement.com/october-tournament.htm

http://www.bigmeadowlodge.com/Home/tabid/494/Default.aspx

Lower Owens River: 

As forecast the LO is kicking out great numbers and some large fish this season.  Drift boat trips are the way to go here as the flows remain a tad too high for good wading conditions.  If you want to get into fish this fall-this is your huckleberry in the Sierra.  The brush is very thick along the river and we can access the lucrative and hard to reach areas that hold most of the fish this time of year.  We have had excellent results using the “dip and strip” method of pulling streamers recently.  Loebergs #10 are whacking the rainbows.  This fly is a great imitation for the small chubs that are prevalent in the LO this time of year.  Punk Perch patterns #10-14 are also good choices currently. Click this link to view our latest drift boat video clips. http://www.sierradrifters.com/video/video1.htm

We provide a link to the LADWP real time website above. 

When the flows begin to subside we will fish more conventional methods during the warmer periods this fall.  High stick nymphing and dry fly fishing will be sure things in the coming days on the LO. 

The wild trout section will be very good towards the end of this month but is currently hard to wade.  Solid caddis activity for the afternoon dry fly enthusiast, with the mornings providing a fair Trico mayfly hatch.  Caddis are light bodied #16, the tricos are #20 and gray/olive.  You need a couple of BB shot in most pools to get those nymphs down if you choose to fish under a strike detector.  Bead head  PT’s and crystal midges #16-20 here. 

Rob J. (shown holding one of the larger models) and Gary T. had a great drift recently with the bulk of the fish hitting in the afternoon.  Loebergs did the trick all day on this float.  The two put on a “strip setting clinic” that had me smiling by the days end and I was impressed by their hook set percentage.

Rob & Gary

Doug R took Captain Greg B. and his wife, Lorraine out for a drift recently for a great day on the river. 

Doug R. & Greg B.

Adobe Pond:  Sierra Drifters exclusive (private water)

Call for booking availability please. Click on www.sierradrifters.com/AdobeRanch.html for more information on this unique property. 

The afternoon bite has been excellent here when the winds are light.  Check out the sunset scenery at Adobe.  Hopper and dropper combos are setting the stage for plenty of opportunities (including owning some incredible property) on Adobe this fall. 

Adobe Sunset

We will be booking trips here until the season ends Nov.15^th.  Arguably the best wild brown trout fishery in the Sierra, this is a must if you enjoy wild fish on the top!  We fish this still water from our drift boats and have many opportunities for sight fishing and casting to rising fish.  It is an absolute blast! 

Tim N, and Robert C. enjoyed steady action on an afternoon session at Adobe recently.  Rob got big air from one of the many feisty browns he set the hook on here.  Fun times guys, thanks!

Upper Owens: 

On fire.  It has been crowded at times but if you work upstream from the confluence of the Hot Creek canals, it gets less traffic.  The section of the UO will close between the Benton Bridge and the Monument after Sept. 30th to ALL fishing .  It will remain open year around above the bridge.  The fall run fish are beginning to migrate upstream as I write this report and the UO will only get better as the fall stretches into winter.  Dry/dropper rigs using our crystal zebra midges or bead head flashback PT’s in the #18 range as nymphs will get it done.  Stimulators are the most consistent/versatile dry fly ever created for this region and I suggest you have several sizes in your box #12-16 with yellow or orange bodies.  Hang your dropper about 2-3 feet on average for best results. 

You will also get into some larger fish tugging streamers along the deep undercut banks this time of year.  Spruce-A-Bu’s and Loebergs are dynamite this time of year #8-10.  If you are looking for trophy fish this is the best way to hit the jackpot for “troutzilla!!!”  Use a light sinking tip and the “dip and strip” method along the deeper cuts.  Keep your shadow off the water you are fishing if possible.  The lower light periods are best for the larger fish, but you will have more numbers during the morning hatches which include small mayflies, #18 caddis, and #14 hoppers. 

Gene S. and Mike H. hit big numbers recently on the UO using the dry/dropper rig I described above.  Gene is shown with one of the many rainbows he bested on his guided trip.

Gene S.

Veteran Sierra Drifters Steve and Elsbeth R. spanked a whole bunch of chunky rainbows and browns on a guided trip I had with them recently.  High fives kids, nice casting.

Steve R.

Crowley Lake: 

The twilight is upon Crowley this year.  It has been a tough season with low water and below average numbers and size overall.  The “allotment” of DFG fish has been below AVERAGE the last two seasons and this has become very apparent.  Crowley had some very good periods, however I must report this has been the poorest year we have had in two decades on Crowley for sure.  Many of our long time clients and Crowley addicts have asked what the @#$% happened here this year?    

The DFG started to plant the dinks (and I mean dinks) a while back.  You will see some of these 4-6 inch models in all areas.  Fish’n conditions have improved a tad in late September, but the lake has a substantial algae bloom that shuts down the bite if the wind blows from the east.  The bottom line is that Crowley is a reservoir and in years such as this, it will suffer from the lack of water.  We need a big winter for all of California for sure.

Crowley Lake Marina

We have had consistent action at times in the north arm around Green Banks and Alligator Pt.  Stay in the 8-11 foot range.  #16-18 black tigers and Gillies are the most consistent patterns.  Punk Perch and Loebergs #10-14 are getting fish in the afternoons for the tubers trolling streamers.  If you put your tubes in at Layton Springs you do not have to pay the use fee. 

Expert fly fishing angler Keith and bride Leslie R. got into some quality fish on Crowley recently while still water nymphing.  Check out Keith’s “blimpish” shaped bow that went well into backing near Green Banks.  Sweet fish kids!

Keith R.

If you frequent this report you have no doubt seen the Geiger family (Geiger Jewelers located in Orange County).  “First Light” Lance and father Bill (top dog baby!) have been with us for a decade.  They are exceptional people, as well as extraordinary anglers.  The annual fall fly fishing trip on Crowley has provided many memories of great fish and fun times.  Check out the pics of this trip, they are special. Veteran SD client Brian W. accompanied the Geiger boys and the trio nailed the “Crowley Slam” in a tough season.  Love you guys, thanks for all the memories.

Lance G.

Bill G. & T-Loe

Brian W.

And the Rob J. group also had a fun day on Crowley with "Fill"

"Fill" and Gary T.

Rob J. and "Fill"

East Walker River: 

There will be good seasons, there will be less.  The flows are down here and the CA. section has seen better days.  The Nevada region of the river is fishing much better and if you are planning a trip here the first part of Oct.  I suggest you visit this section of the EW.  Flows will only decrease as the fall rolls into winter and we will not guide this area until late fall or early spring next year. 

The Bridgeport Fisheries Enhancement people are holding a fly fishing event on 10-12.  Click on the link above for details and sign up. 

Hot Creek: 

The open/weed free areas are fishing great.  Do not “bank” on a full day here, especially near a weekend.  There are limited sections of clean water in the public section.  The trico hatch is at full throttle, and there are still plenty of caddis and hoppers around for those who prefer larger patterns.  The BWO (baetis) mayfly emergence is beginning and the first generations are typically larger #16-18.  Look for the first significant snow that falls down to the Long Valley Floor that will trigger an incredible hatch on HC and the UO. 

Bridgeport Reservoir: 

Check out the picture of the marina.  We are bummed.  The fish will be towards the dam area.  Please help out with the Bridgeport enhancement programs and beg for SNOW!  The RV resorts are open and in great shape in this area and they are managed by the nicest people in the Sierra.

Bridgeport Marina

Pleasant Valley Reservoir: 

Great tubing for 10-15 inch fish.  Hit the low light periods this time of year for best results.  Full sinks and heavy sink tip lines trolling streamer patterns are best.  Still water nymphing near the inlet and along the drop-offs along the western shore will also pay off.  Tiger and zebra midges #16-18, crystal emergers, pupas, and Gillies as the upper #18-20 under a strike detector will work in the 7-10 foot range along the bank. 

San Joaquin: 

The road is open with no restrictions.  Water flows are very low and the fish are stacked in the deepest pools and runs.  Not much riffle water here.  Sotcher Lake is your best bet in this area.  Troll streamers with a moderate sink tip. 

West Walker: 

Very Low water here as well.  Dry dropper rigs are best in the deeper pools. 

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