Sierra Drifters Guide Service
Guided fly fishing trips for Crowley Lake, Grant & Silver Lakes, the San Joaquin, Upper and Middle Owens Rivers, East Walker River, McGee Creek, Pleasant Valley Reservoir, Hot Creek, & the Gorge located near Mammoth and Bishop Ca. will give you opportunities to catch trophy rainbows and browns while being guided by expert fly fishing pros. Sierra Drifters guides utilize top of the line center console bay boats, drift boats, float tubes, and high quality fly fishing tackle to guide you on these blue ribbon trout waters.
Fish’N Conditions 1/16/19
The snow is heading our way once again. As of this report, it’s falling pretty steady now at the Sierra Drifters HQ in Crowley Lake. The next few days are forecasted for a good amount of snow with the possibility of blizzard conditions Wednesday night into Thursday. This could go either way as a massive dump or a lighter than thought snowfall. It is leaning more toward the heavier side though. So far this season as well as the past several, most major storms have moved the fish up river in the Upper Owens. This is great news considering the good amount of fish that have taken up lies in the usual spots already. We may even be breaking out the snow wagons for this one after all is said and done. Soft eggs have definitely been the game changer on these fish recently, with the occasional streamer/strymph fly thrown into the drift mix. It has been drive in access for most of the river, and the temperatures have been fluctuating but consistently staying on the cooler side. The East Walker River has also been giving up some nice ones as they are still huddled in the deeper pools of the river. Bridgeport may see a good amount of snow after this week as well. The Middle Owens River has fish in the soft water in the deep pools and along the slow and deep undercut banks. Most of the fish have been located at the tailouts of the pools and the bigger fish have been coming on streamers. Hot Creek has been fishing well in both areas. Nymphing and dry/dropper setups have been the most productive.
We have a new contact email address so please make a note of this: sierradriftersgs@gmail.com
***We are currently updating and improving some pages on the website. There may be temporary issues as we work on the site. You can always contact us at 760-935-4250, or email at sierradriftersgs@gmail.com.
Sierra Drifters is a guide service based near Mammoth Lakes, CA. There is no retail shop to visit, but our time tested fly patterns are available to purchase at select locations. Click here to purchase our patterns online or here to view our list of stores that carry our flies
Middle Owens River (Bishop Area) 1/16/19
The river is holding at 88 cfs. This has come up a bit which is good for watering the river to move the fish around a little. With flows at their winter release rates for the past couple of months, it has become easier to locate bigger pods of fish. Some nice wild browns have been making a showing in the slower pools around the bends in the river. Streamers like Loebergs, Spruce-a-bu’s, Punk Perch, and Agent Orange have been fooling some nice fish recently. We can fish up to 3 anglers per boat and offer half day trips (4.5 – 5 hours) or full day trips (7 hours) to meet your needs.
Arman Nersessian displays a typical wild brown while on the drift!
Upper Owens River 1/16/19
It’s game on here folks, as a solid batch of new fish have entered the river during the last storm session. Couple this with another big storm arriving this week and we have the making for some epic winter trophy rainbow fishing. There are still some big browns being caught in the pool sections as well. It has been solid action on these big fish for the past couple of weeks. It may be time to drop the snowmobiles on the river after this next storm cell rolls through. This should in turn keep more of the angling pressure off the river. The section from the Benton Crossing Bridge down to the fishing monument is now closed. Flows are now at 87 cfs. Crystal eggs, #14-16 San Juan worm red, #14-16 Level Crystal Leeches, #14-16 Parallel Assassin Dark and Light, and #16 Broken Back Copper Tiger Midge getting the most bites!
The section upstream from the Benton Bridge is open year-round with special regulations. Seasonal closures and angling restrictions apply downstream from the bridge, check regulations before fishing in this section. We walk and wade guide here. During winter we will access the UO with snowmobiles.
David Liebhart battled it out with this one after a few heartbreaks this day!
Ron Ortiz is back again to take on some of the river’s gifts!
Chris Street fished with Doug Dolan and had a great day!
Ron with another gem from a frigid morning!
Kelly Liebhart got into some great ones too!
Rick Radtke got into them good with Two Bug Doug!
Hayden Street shows off his trophy while out with Two Bug!
Rick with another stellar fellar!
And Hayden with another beast of a fish!
Hot Creek 1/16/19
Flows now at 7 cfs. A change in tactics has been called for but small nymph and egg rigs have been getting the fish to bite here. Midges and mayflies have been showing up daily. Larger size trout have been keying in more on nymphs, strymphs, and worm and egg patterns. It can get crowded here while the weather is mild so finding a good spot on the creek can pay off. #18 mayflies, #18-22 midges, #20 Brassies, and egg and SD worm patterns have been getting some serious looks and takes from the resident trout.
This is a year around fishery with special regs in place. We walk and wade guide here.*Tom Loe, Doug Rodricks, Doug Dolan, and Hans Grotewold are under permit from the Inyo National Forest Service to guide Hot Creek.
Rob Dolan gets his first fish on the fly with Two Bug’s assistance!
East Walker River 1/16/19
Still going pretty solid here in the deepest sections of the river. Flows down to a meager 19 cfs but knowing where to fish can yield some real solid fish right now. The fish tend to concentrate in the deepest water this time of year as frigid temperatures and low water have them seeking out slightly warmer water. Lots of juvenile perch have been washing through the pipe and stacking up below the dam area. A good mixed bag of fish sizes are biting on properly presented flies. Target the deepest pools and runs and you can be rewarded with some real beauties. #18 Copper Tiger Midges, #14-16 Parallel Perch, #14-16 Level Leeches, and Assassins dark and light both Parallel and normal have been great patterns to hang. #18 flashback hare’s ears, #18wd 40’s, and SJ worms also working well.
Pyramid Lake 1/5/19
Lots of fish moving in tighter to the beach. Good opportunity now for fly fisherman.Water temperatures have now reached the 52 degree mark and the big cutthroat trout have moved in shallow. We have been seeing fish to 14.5 lbs with some even pushing the 20lb mark. Popcorn Beatles, Midnight Cowboys,#12 Copper and Black Tiger Midges, Parallel Assassins, and Spruce-a-bu’s working well. Call for more info.
Balanced patterns are the new rage for nymphing, & streamer fishing. We have been guide testing these patterns for several years, & I can honestly say they are the most significant improvement in fly design in over a decade. They are truly superior to conventional fly designs. The flies ride “parallel”; or “level” to the bottom giving them a far more realistic profile. The jig style hook becomes more effective as it seldom gets snagged on the bottom, & sets efficiently in the fishes mouth. These flies are intended to fish as your bottom fly in a multi-fly; or tandem rig. They are deadly fished solo as a streamer. Add these patterns to your quiver for all fisheries that you still water nymph; or cast streamers. Click on “fly sales” on the nav bar above, hit “menu” first from a mobile device to access the nav bar.
You can pick up our flies & Under-cators at Reagan’s Sports in Bishop, the Crowley General Store (not at the lake), Ricks Sport Center in Mammoth (limited selection), Bridgeport Reservoir RV Park (currently closed for winter), Stroud’s Tackle in San Diego, & Malibu Fish’N Tackle in Thousand Oaks.
Thank you for visiting our website and checking out our report. Be the Fly…. Tom Loe, Sierra Drifters Guide Service
Sierra Drifters Guide Service © is trademarked & copyright issued May 4th 2013. No part of this website may be reproduced, duplicated, or distributed without direct consent from Tom Loe.