Independence Day 2004 Fish Report July 2, 2004 Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. Best fishes to you all for this Independence Day 2004 fish report. The weather has been the issue in the Eastern Sierra since our prior report and it continues to play a major role in many of the fisheries we provide information about. The consistent trend of afternoon T-storms and gusty southerly winds have made conditions difficult in many fisheries here the last 2 weeks. The forecast is not calling for any significant changes in this pattern for the holiday or into the following week so be prepared for the chance of T-storm activity in the afternoon, with very gusty winds and cooler than normal air temperatures associated with the T-cells. Get on the water early in all regions! Some good news to report from the Eastern Sierra regarding the Hot Creek Hatchery issue. Funding has been approved for this fiscal year and as of now the Hot Creek facility will remain open and in operation through 2005. Crowley Lake: Poor-good Most fly fishers will struggle here as the algae situation has not improved and for the most part has degraded this week. The cooler than normal temperatures for this time of year has allowed the continued “bloom” of the algae and it is very difficult to find water that is open and fishable. The lakes low level is not helping matters much either despite what is the “peak” of the snowmelt. However, if you do find some open and clean water I suggest you be prepared for a rainbow that will take you into your backing! Numbers are down for this time of year but the ones we are netting are all size large. If you plan on fishing Crowley over the holiday look to hit the inlets at McGee, Hilton and Crooked. The south winds have been coming up hard around 10:30-11:00 and it is pretty much over by then. There have been some nice late afternoon calm periods but do not put money on it as the T-storms are forecast to continue for this week. The damsel fly nymph migration is best late morning and if you wish to troll damsel nymph imitations try to locate the thick algae lines and work along the edges. Clean your fly EVERY cast as it will have stuff that looks like guacamole on it! Stillwater nymphing continues to be my choice to get the most grabs. Hang a Drifters damsel as the upper fly and a #16-18 Drifters crystal zebra or tiger midge as the dropper. If you find some clean water there have been some sporadic callibaetis hatches late mornings. The chironomid hatches have been dismal this week, but throat pumps still show the rainbows eating gray and black pupa patterns like our “gillie” #18-22. “First Light” Lance Geiger from Yorba Linda, CA cast his way into some exceptional rainbows this week with this Eagle being the slammer of the day. These Eagle Lake strain rainbows are fairing well here at Crowley and will take you far into your backing. Steve and Elsbeth Roach from Apple Valley, CA are veteran Sierra Drifters and always seen to get the “big uns” Check out these 21 inch models with the deluxe paint jobs! Please click on www.sierradrifters.com/fish.html to view these great pictures. Hot Creek: Good The catching here would be excellent save for the extreme pressure this spring creek is getting every day. Conditions are excellent but you will be taxed to locate quality open water. The mornings are best due to the gusty winds after 11:00 a.m. Late afternoon caddis activity is good if it is not to breezy. Use a dry (#16 stimulator-stone fly)/dropper caddis or midge nymph or emerger with a long leader (8-10 feet) for best results. 5X-7X will get you the most grabs. Fish get smaller here every year for the most part but it remains the most consistent fishery in the Eastern Sierra in spite of the intense pressure. Lower Owens River: Fair If early mornings and late afternoons lasted all day, this would be the best fishery in this area right now. Get your caddis and PMD imitations #16-20 in order if you plan on fishing this tailwater. Flows remain at 300 cfs and are not forecast to increase in the immediate future. Wading is not great at this release but it is not at the “go elsewhere” levels that are common this time of year. If the sun is still above the Sierra crest when you are fishing this area try to locate the shadows and deeper pools and holes. Late afternoons have been best. We will begin doing float trips during the fall. East Walker River: Fair If you are a novice or not experienced in nymphing with above average amounts of weight to get your #20 or smaller flies down this may not be the fishery for you. Late afternoon caddis and PED hatches can get you into some surface action but with the flows being around 250 cfs this tailwater does not have the fish counts to make it easy for the entry level fly fisher. The silver lining here is the larger browns that inhabit the big holes and pools below the riffles. Drifter’s crystal tigers and olive zebras #18-22 are solid choices for those indicator nymphing. West Walker: Fair The west remains high and off color especially during periods of t-storms. Chris Flats and the sections below Pikel Meadows are best during run-off. Have some #14-16 stone fly or Stimulator imitations to use as the dry, crystal tiger and zebra midges for your #16 dropper. Hang em’ at least 24-36 inches below the dry. Rock Creek: Good Good reports from the ponds below the lake as well as the slower moving meadow sections. Flows are not high here and the smaller browns and bows as well as the ample amount of hatchery fish planted at the campground locations are being enthusiastic about hitting the always efficient dry/dropper combo. Crystal olive zebras rock em’ here #18-20 fished below a #16 elk caddis. San Joaquin River: Fair –good The flows are high and the wading can be difficult and cool most of the time but the wild fish are very opportunistic in the slower sections of the river like Pumice Flats and Reds Meadow areas. You will see stone flies and some early caddis here as well as several types of mayflies. Stick to easy to see patterns like parachutes and elk hair wings #14-18. Spend more time on the softer water sections as opposed to the pocket and riffle areas. You may drive into this area with your own vehicle before 7 a.m. but must still pay a $7.00 fee at the entrance gate. Shuttles are available all day and access all of the campgrounds, Starkweather and Sotcher Lakes down to Reds Meadow. Upper Owens: Slow The water is high and off color especially below the confluence of Hot Creek. You will not have any trouble finding free floating weeds that seem to gravitate towards your line in this area either. The water above Hot Creek fishes best this time of year for the wild and holdover fish that are best fooled during low light periods during clouds, mornings and evenings. #16-20 caddis, PMDs and seldom used streamers like our Loebergs #10 will get you grabs here. Have a moderate sinking tip line when using streamers here and use the “dip and strip” method while fishing the undercuts on the deep side of the river. Expect to cover some water on this fishery. We have found that the fish “pod” up here and will favor sections depending on the time of year. Mammoth Lakes/June Lake Loop: Good All is well in hatchery land these days as the Alpers plants and DFG trucks are doing a fine job stocking the put and take areas of the Eastern Sierra. June Lake also has released some of their “pen stock”. These are trout that have been grown in caged areas of the lake. Nice looking fish. Use streamer patterns with some red and crystal flash. Our Spruce-a-bu and crystal leech patterns whack the stockers in most areas. Use a moderate or full sink line while tubing along the drop-offs or inlets to all these lakes for best results. Bishop Creek/South Lake: Good Water levels are up and all the boat launches are open. Stocking has been heavy in this area with both DFG and Alpers rainbows. Moderate to full sinking lines and streamers will get you into the “pods” that cruise near the stocking points. Bishop creek has some wild browns that will hit caddis and ant imitations. Dry/dry and dropper bead head combos #14-18 are fun and a very efficient way to fish this area. Pleasant Valley Reservoir: Poor Tubing is best here early and late with full sinking lines near the dam or inlet areas but overall the catching is slow here. The powerhouse is generating from 9-9 each day which floods the inlet channel and makes conditions very difficult to fish. The Gorge: Good It can be very warm to hot down in the “hole” this time of year so bring along a filter or plenty of bottled water. Caddis anything #14-18, and dry/dropper bead head combos work well. There are rattlesnakes in this area that live along the rock walls look before you put that hand down. You may purchase all our time tested guide flies at the following fine fly shops: Malibu Fish’N Tackle in Thousand Oaks, Stroud’s Tackle in San Diego, The San Diego Fly Shop, The Troutfitter in Mammoth Lakes, and the Crowley lake Fish Camp. There are links to all shops at www.sierradrifters.com/resources.htm Be the fly, Tom Loe Sierra Drifters Guide Service Email [email protected] www.sierradrifters.com Phone 760-935-4250