Jim Stimson reports on 1.28.2016

As Jon Snow says on Game of Thrones, “Winter is coming”…. with just a few days left in January, it looks like a hoser coming in this weekend. One of them “pineapple connections,” an “atmospheric river,” whatever….. in other words, it looks like it could be wet and nasty. If you are planning on a trip to the eastside, make sure you are prepared. In addition to plenty...

Jim Stimson reports on 1.21.2016

Winter is flying by…. with just one week remaining in January, I’m wondering about El Niño. We still have two potentially wet months ahead. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the Eastern Sierra will receive some much needed drought relief. So far, we have been hovering just above “normal.” Northern California and the Pacific Northwest however are getting slammed....

Jim Stimson Reports on 1/12/2016

It is amazing the difference a day makes. For the past several mornings I have risen to temperatures near 0º. When a high pressure system settles into the Eastern Sierra, we typically get a temperature inversion in Crowley Lake and Long Valley. Even though Mammoth Lakes is higher in elevation, they will be warmer than us. That cold, stagnant air pools in the low...

Jim Stimson Reports on 1.5.2016

Happy New Year! I spent the holiday week near Sayulita, Mexico hanging with my family. My son and I went out early one morning with a guide and a panga and tried to catch some dorado. We had zero grabs with the mahí mahí but we did land some nice bonito and bass. It was a kick casting saltwater flies with a 10wt and watching how much bend those little fish can put...

Merry Fishmas! We are in a period of unsettled weather for the holiday season. The mountains in particular have received a fair amount of snow and the storms keep lining up out in the Pacific. If you are coming to the Sierra to fish, dress warmly. The Upper Owens tends to be cool and blustery but the fishing is getting better by the day. Take your time getting to the river. You can always go...

Jim Stimson Reports on Dec. 12 2015: http://flyfishing.jimstimson.com/

If you are coming to the Sierra to fish, dress warmly. We had two nice storm systems come through the area which dropped a couple feet of snow along the crest. As these frontal bands move off east into the Great Basin, that counter clockwise flow typical of low pressure systems, pulls frigid air down from Canada and spills it...

Jim Stimson Reports on 12.10.2015

Most of the weather models are coming into agreement, the Eastern Sierra by Thursday will be getting pounded by a substantial storm. Even though we are off to a good start to winter, we are still behind the Eight Ball at about 33% of normal precipitation for this time of year. Soooo, bring it on! We will need many wet storms to start erasing four years of drought.

Jim Stimson reports on 11.25.2015

A cold, blustery storm front has arrived in the Eastern Sierra. It is snowing lightly in Crowley Lake and the ski area is reporting over a foot of new snow. Mammoth Lakes will have a very nice holiday season. I spent the last few days cruising around the Reno-Truckee areas prospecting for trout. I managed to land some nice fish up in the mountains but then got...

Jim Stimson Reports on 11.19.2015:

First off, we send our thoughts and condolences to France after the horrific attacks that occurred in Paris. My heart is heavy. I just don’t understand the hatred….. 

Lower Owens River

The flows have been lowered to about 85 cfs. It is easy wading and the river is “grabby” again. The trout are transitioning from summer to winter modes. The water temperatures are...

Jim Stimson Reports on 11.10.2015:

We awoke to some new snow this morning. The roads were a little slick but not too bad. It looks like more snow tonight. The Sierra is starting to look like winter now. The trans-Sierra passes are closed for the season, Tioga, Sonora, and Monitor Passes are done for the season. To make it over here, you will have to go the lower route thru Bakersfield and up or go...