Jim Stimson reports on 3.16.18

Don’t put away your warm clothes yet, winter still lingers in the Eastern Sierra. The ski area is reporting anywhere between a foot and two feet of new snow from this latest system with more on the way. A word of caution for the Upper Owens, be careful driving out there. With the new snow, some of the roads are sketchy. If it looks mucky, err on the side of caution....

Jim Stimson reports on 8.10.17

Do you like fishing with hoppers? Who doesn’t like hurling out large dry flies, plopping them onto the water’s surface with not a care in the world for delicate presentations, and then actually being able to see the fly bobbing high along the river’s edge? And the grabs?! Hang on! There is no sippy-slurpy subtleties…. there is chaos as the water explodes when Mr.Trout...

Jim Stimson reports on 5.18.17

Not a heck of a lot has changed on this side of California. We had a weather system pass through the area that dropped several inches of snow on the ground which will add to the spring runoff when the temperatures start climbing upwards again. The fishing in general has picked up with the arrival of the cutthroat in the Long Valley Caldera. A word of caution though,...

Jim Stimson reports on 5.11.17

We had a little weather system move through the Sierra over the weekend, bringing cool and breezy conditions. The fishing was stellar a week ago and slowed to a crawl as Sunday approached. It has been a curious spring so far with 50 feet of snow sitting in the mountains, awaiting warm temperatures and runoff. Once the weather stabilizes and heating begins, I...

Jim Stimson reports on 5.4.17

Spring has sprung, the temperatures are climbing, the days are getting longer, life is good. In general, we are in the ’tweener season…. in between rainbows and before cutthroat. With the warmer days the creeks and rivers are definitely on the rise and we are getting nice hatches of midges, mayflies, and caddis. The fishing has been on the slow side but getting better....

Jim Stimson reports on 4.27.17

Usually the fishing opener in the Eastern Sierra is dovetailed with bad weather and absolutely foul conditions. You name it: rain, snow, sleet, and driving gale force winds. Well, guess what? It looks like this year after a winter filled with atmospheric rivers and record snowfall, this fishing opener will be warm and sunny. Spring runoff has not begun yet so many of...

Jim Stimson reports on 4.20.17

April is a month of cool, unsettled conditions and so far it has lived up to its reputation. The ski area, Mammoth Mountain, just passed the 600 inch mark for snow accumulation this season, over 50 feet of snow! When you fish the Upper Owens the view is amazing, the Sierra is blanketed in white to the base of the valley floors. The run off will be amazing this spring....

Jim Stimson reports on 4.13.17

Early April is always a month of cool, unsettled conditions and so far it has lived up to its reputation. Last weekend we went through yet another atmospheric river with the ski area receiving several feet of snow. The Sierra is blanketed in white again all of the way to the valley floors. I have to say, it is quite beautiful. That said, beware where you drive (see...

Jim Stimson reports on 3.30.17

I got out of Dodge last weekend and headed north to Pyramid Lake with my son and a buddy from Crowley. We met up with some friends from the Bay Area and regular contributors to Lost Coast Outfitters, Tyler Graff and Aaron van Schyndel. We spent the morning on our ladders, laughing, telling stories, and catching fish nymphing and stripping streamers. Nobody caught...

Jim Stimson reports on 3.23.17

With most of our local streams blowing out, I am heading north to Pyramid Lake this weekend for a change of scenery. I am looking forward to meeting up with some friends, casting for cuttys, and camping on the beach of an ancient lake.

Lower Owens River

The flows are above 700 cfs and have been for several weeks. The river is spilling its banks and there are sections...