Tom Loe of Sierra Drifters guide service in the Eastern Sierra has issued his New Year's Eve fly-fishing report for the region. For those who don't subscribe, here it is, slightly abbreviated:
--Lower Owens River: Tough here toward the later part of December. Frigid weather and fluctuating flows at times have attributed to some very slow days in the drift boat and wild trout sections. Water temps have been in the thirties at times and this has made the fish very lethargic. Zero activity on the surface save for a sporadic midge hatch on the very warmest mornings. Our best days involved fishing streamers #6-12 near the bottom and getting them to hit the flies more out of aggression than hunger. Nymphing on the bottom will produce some fish in the very deepest pools using midge and caddis larva patterns #18-20.Look for the fish to hold in the softest, deepest water you can locate in any given stretch. Looking into the crystal ball I see a warming trend developing in the first part of January and this could be the catalyst to get the fish feeding consistently once again.
--Upper Owens River: Please exercise caution if you decide to drive on any of the two-track roads that lead to the river. There are some substantial snow drifts currently, and others may develop quickly with any amount of wind making the roads impassable as you will become “high-centered” when you hit them.
I have been fishing this area a bunch this winter and have been rewarded with some of the best trophy-sized rainbow trout the area has to offer. The scenery is spectacular, the solitude is wonderful; however, it is not for everyone and you should be prepared for some brutal cold and ice in your guides (and on your guide) most of the day.
The flows have gone up here and are currently running over 125cfs leaving the river off-color and over the banks. This has made getting down to the fish much more difficult. Numbers are down from last winter at this time, but the fish we’re seeing for the most part are trophy-sized and fight like pit bulls! Indicator nymphing with broken back patterns #16-18, flashback PT’s #16-20, and copper tiger midges have been working well. It is not so much the fly, as it is the guy and how he or she gets the bugs down to the hogs holding in the deeper pools. The high flows have the fish out of the tailouts and streamer fishing has not been as effective under these conditions as nymphing along the bottom.
--Hot Creek: Fishing has been sporadic here as well. There have been quite a few people fishing and waterfowl hunting despite the cold weather. The canyon walls are slippery, with funky trails. Do not hike in your felt wading boots!Hot Creek and the Upper Owens are spring-fed creeks and have inherently higher base water temps due to geothermal heating. The fish do not become as lethargic in the winter in these areas, and neither do the aquatic insects that hatch year around in both areas. Midges and smaller mayfly patterns are your best choices this time of year; keep the imitations in the #18-22 range.
--East Walker River: Conditions need to improve in the California section. A prolonged warm snap could turn this area on big-time in late January. The area is receiving a fair amount of early snow and this is good news opening the door for the possibility of increased flows earlier than usual. We are perched like vultures waiting for the change!
--Pleasant Valley Reservoir: Disappointing. The reservoir level is too high for good inlet fishing. There have been several areas in 2009 that have had bastard conditions during what is normally a good time of year to fish. It needs to drop three feet for good access at the inlet. The small river section is fishing OK, but has been heavily fished over the holidays. Dry/dropper bead head rigs are best here.
Freeze tubers are tugging on decent numbers, but they are working for them. Full sinking type 4&5’s used with “strymphs” and streamers trolled along the drop-off on the west side near the launch ramp and south of the first big bend near the inlet are good locations.
--The Gorge: Substantial amounts of ice and snow will keep you focused while hiking and walking along the creek. Hit the deeper pools only, nymphing is best with bead heads in the #16-20 range.
Photo: Ventura angler Joe "Big Fish" Ruffner displays trophy-sized Owens River rainbow. Credit: Sierra Drifters
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