Eastern Sierra Fly Fishing Report
We seem to be off to good start with the weather. Here is the current local forecast. Of course, read it with a grain of salt, anything can happen but it does appear that the Sierra will be heading into a prolonged period of wet weather. For the next week the Town of Mammoth could receive 5-8 feet of snow, 12-16 feet of snow at the higher elevations! You read that correctly. A lot of the storm totals will depend on how warm or cold the front is once it rolls in off of the Pacific. The moisture is being pulled out of the tropics. After 5 consecutive years of drought, it is nice to see predictions measured in feet, not inches. The more snow we get now, the more runoff we will have in the spring. Trout love cold, pure water. We’re keeping out fingers crossed.
Lower Owens River
The Lower Owens is ambling along at about 75 cfs. This is on the lower side but it makes the wading easy. You can walk and wade just about anywhere. The trout are still in there, perhaps lethargic with the cold water temperatures, but they still like to eat. With the background peaks cloaked with fresh snow, Bishop is a nice place to wet a line. Try a hopper-dropper combo with either a black zebra midge or micro mayfly on the bottom. There is also a nice midday surface hatch along the foam lines to anticipate. Small, sized 18-20 bwo’s work great. I love when the browns start looking up. I usually use a 2 or 3 wt rod. You can throw super delicate presentations and fight feisty browns on a nimble rod-reel setup. Try an Adam’s or a hackle stacker. It is really fun!
Upper Owens River
The Upper O is snowy, be careful where you drive. I would recommend having a high clearance 4 WD vehicle. A towing charge will be astronomical even with AAA. With the surface of the reservoir freezing, the trout start their winter migration to spawn and to seek more oxygen. The fishing can be hot or cold. One day the river is really grabby, then the next it can punish you. I’ve had good success nymphing with a soft hackled pheasant tail, copper johns, and black zebra midges. Egg patterns work well too. The key is that the trout are moving up the river which means you should do the same. The fish are really spread out through the system. If you are not getting bumps, walk to the next run. The flows are low and clear, currently running at 52 cfs. Be stealthy. The sun angle is low now which means you cast a long shadow. Try to keep your shadow off the water and walk quietly to the river’s edge. If you see fish, they can see you.
East Walker
Keep an eye on the flows, they’ve been all over the map the last couple of weeks but I believe they are settling into the winter mode. This morning it was about 28 cfs. If the river sits at below 50, I avoid the East Walker to give the fish a break. Just saying’….
Jim Stimson
760.935.4264
760.209.4300
office@jimstimson.com
http://flyfishing.jimstimson.com/
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