Jim Stimson Reports on 1.30.2020

It looks like the Northern California coastal rivers are coming back into shape for steelhead fishing. What does this have to do with Eastern Sierra fishing? Well…. honestly….. nothing, other than I am going to pack up the camper and head north into the redwoods, moss, and green river systems.

Not much has changed around here. There is solid fishing to be had on the Upper and Lower Owens Rivers. The upper stretch is a muddy mess but passable if you have high clearance and 4WD. Keep grinding on the deeper buckets and slots and eventually you will find some nice rainbows. They are still going for San Juans. The Lower has been good when you fish Frenchies or Perdigons.

Enjoy!

East Walker

The East Walker is still flat lining and dribbling below 20 cfs. Until the river flows pick up, I recommend giving this fishery a rest….. 

West Walker

The river has dropped considerably thru the canyon and is at about 40 cfs. The river is looking very boney up high but as you drive down the canyon, there is more water as side streams add to the flow. Try patterns like zebra midges and small mayflies. Dry droppers work really well at these flows. May stealth be your guide as the river is not only low, but gin clear. Keep a low profile… if you can spot fish in the river, they can certainly see your movements.

San Joaquin

The road to Devil’s Postpone is closed for the season.

Hot Creek

The creek is flowing through the canyon at roughly 50 cfs. Target your casts to the feeding lanes between the weeds and rocks, plus the overhanging grasses along the margins. You may not see fish, but they are there. Try a dry-dropper setup with a caddis above and a midge or small mayfly below. Hot Creek is always a fun place to fish especially now that the crowds have gone home. 

Upper Owens River

The flows are dropping and sit at about 104 cfs high in the river system. Once Hot Creek dumps into the mid-section the flows are closer to 150 cfs. More and more trout are pushing up into the river system from the reservoir. There are some really nice fish to be had with SJ worms, small baetis, and balanced leeches. Work the deeper buckets relentlessly…. they are in there. Currently, the driving approaches to the river are doable, though muddy, with only a few icy puddles to worry about. Beware of any new snow or precipitation.

Lower Owens River

The river is cruising steady at roughly 153 cfs and is fishing well with all of the traditional patterns; PT’s, Hare’s Ears, midges, Frenchies…. Thank God for Bishop. It is a nice break from winter when you need to see some dirt again and feel some warmth.

Matt "Gilligan" Koles Reports on 1.27.20

Like really good. We had a few great streamer days, but the dry fly fishing has been where it’s at- on the lower Truckee River in Nevada.

Yep, I said dry fly fishing. Don’t say that a whole hell of a lot on the Truckee River, but there have been some days where it’s simply been epic. Of course some days are better than others. Wind can be a problem. If you can get a good windless afternoon you will see pods of fish rising in every run. Blue wing olives. Sure, most fish average on the smaller size, but we have stuck a few over 20,” on a dry, that’s really good. It’s great to have boat and access the good zones, but you can hit a lot wade fishing too.

So things look to get warm this week. It’s been mild up here. Reno is going to get over 60 this week, was 55 here in the Hirsch the other day. Winter is not over though. Still a long ways to go if you live about 5000 feet.

The Streamer Clinic on Feb. 8th still has some spots. The 1st is sold out. Go niners.

Ben Engle Reports on 1.22.20

This time of year fishing on the coast can be tough.  The constant storms that are pushing in make the wave activity significantly larger which makes for rather dangerous fishing conditions.  Ideally you want to look for the breaks between storms. I've been having really great luck on the 2-4ft projected swell days right after the storms.  Large swell days move sand around like crazy out there so on those calm days you'll be able to access these developed sand bars and troughs which hold all the fish.  

For flies just remember perch are pretty simple creatures.  I've always applied the rule of if it's orange and flashy a perch will eat it.  I find that fly selection is far less important out in the surf than finding where the fish are so as always, make sure you cover water out there! Don't zone in on a spot just because you caught fish there last time.  Chances are something has changed and the perch are somewhere along that same beach. 

Jim Stimson Reports on 1.22.20

February is barking at the door, and here it is winter, but not much snowfall so far. But as they say, “In the mountains, if you don’t like the weather today, wait another 5 minutes.” Hopefully that will be the case. We have lots of time left for the sky to start falling…..

I am Jones-ing bad to go steelhead fishing…. I may pull anchor and head north this weekend. The irony though, while we are having drought-like conditions in the Eastern Sierra, Northern California is expecting two weeks of solid rain.

Enjoy!

East Walker

The East Walker is still flat lining and dribbling below 20 cfs. Until the river flows pick up, I recommend giving this fishery a rest….. 

West Walker

The river has dropped considerably thru the canyon and is at perhaps 31 cfs. The river is looking very boney up high but as you drive down the canyon, there is more water as side streams add to the flow. Try patterns like zebra midges and small mayflies. Dry droppers work really well at these flows. May stealth be your guide as the river is not only low, but gin clear. Keep a low profile… if you can spot fish in the river, they can certainly see your movements.

San Joaquin

The road to Devil’s Postpone is closed for the season.

Hot Creek

The creek is flowing through the canyon at roughly 48 cfs. Target your casts to the feeding lanes between the weeds and rocks, plus the overhanging grasses along the margins. You may not see fish, but they are there. Try a dry-dropper setup with a caddis above and a midge or small mayfly below. Hot Creek is always a fun place to fish especially now that the crowds have gone home. 

Upper Owens River

The flows are dropping and sit at about 104 cfs high in the river system. Once Hot Creek dumps into the mid-section the flows are closer to 150 cfs. More and more trout are pushing up into the river system from the reservoir. There are some really nice fish to be had with SJ worms, small baetis, and balanced leeches. Work the deeper buckets relentlessly…. they are in there. Currently, the driving approaches to the river are fine with only a few icy puddles to worry about but beware of any new snow. 

Lower Owens River

The river is cruising steady at roughly 150 cfs and is fishing well with all of the traditional patterns; PT’s, Hare’s Ears, midges, caddis worms…. Thank God for Bishop. It is a nice break from winter when you need to see some dirt again and feel some warmth.

Get out there!

Captain Steve Santucci Reports on 1.22.20

Winter fishing has been good for the last two months.   February will be a great month as the Stripers will become more active and the grab will be more pronounced.  My two favorite top water months are February and March.  Its a great time to catch your personal best fish.  Each week their will be typically two to four low wind days.  The Spring Run will start soon!

Matt "Gilligan" Koles Reports on 1.22.20

Good winter fishing on the Truckee River.

With the exception of a few days last week when it got real cold, fishing has been pretty good.

The great news is, we have some pretty good dry fly fishing happening on the lower river in Nevada. Right about mid-day you’ll see blue wings, and pods of fish rising in certain runs. Super good on those warmer overcast days, which we’ve had a lot of this winter. Other good news too, the streamer fishing has been pretty good. Seems like we’re getting a shot of a lifetime fish every time I side the raft in. The best news, Niners are back in the Super Bowl.

So it’s fun to bring a steamer rod and a dry fly rod and do a little bit of both. Of course the nymphing is good as well.

We have some welcome, hopefully wet weather rolling in Thursday. The forecasters are hoping for 1-2 feet on the Mountain. It has been weeks since we have had any significant precipitation. We have had lots of wind but no moisture. We can use some new snow for the ski area and the spring runoff. The fishing is solid on the Upper Owens, not great numbers of trout, but the fish that are actively feeding are large and fat. The Lower O has been great. It is nice to be able to fish down in the valley again. 

 And finally, I recently ordered some new waders and a jacket from Patagonia. As a guide and rabid angler, I spend a lot of time in and around water and the elements, therefore I need equipment and clothing that can stand up to the toils of time and abuse. If you are in the market for a comfortable, warm jacket, take a look at their Tough Puff Hoody. Then the waders…. I am now sporting the brand new, off the shelf, Swiftcurrent Expedition waders. They are a work of art. They are simple in design, fit well, and are super durable. I look forward to many years of use whether it be on my home waters or steelhead fishing to the north.

Enjoy!

East Walker

The East Walker is still flat lining and dribbling below 20 cfs. Until the river flows pick up, I recommend giving this fishery a rest….. 

West Walker

The river has dropped considerably thru the canyon and is at perhaps 31 cfs. The river is looking very boney up high but as you drive down the canyon, there is more water as side streams add to the flow. Try patterns like zebra midges and small mayflies. Dry droppers work really well at these flows. May stealth be your guide as the river is not only low, but gin clear. Keep a low profile… if you can spot fish in the river, they can certainly see your movements.

San Joaquin

The road to Devil’s Postpone is closed for the season.

Hot Creek

The creek is flowing through the canyon at roughly 44 cfs. Target your casts to the feeding lanes between the weeds and rocks, plus the overhanging grasses along the margins. You may not see fish, but they are there. Try a dry-dropper setup with a caddis above and a midge or small mayfly below. Hot Creek is always a fun place to fish especially now that the crowds have gone home. 

Upper Owens River

The flows are dropping and sit at about 73 cfs high in the river system. Once Hot Creek dumps into the mid-section the flows are closer to 120 cfs. More and more trout are pushing up into the river system from the reservoir. There are some really nice fish to be had with SJ worms, small baetis, and balanced leeches. Work the deeper buckets relentlessly…. they are in there. Currently, the driving approaches to the river are fine with only a few icy puddles to worry about but beware of any new snow. 

Lower Owens River

The river is cruising steady at roughly 150 cfs and is fishing well with all of the traditional patterns; PT’s, Hare’s Ears, midges, caddis worms…. Thank God for Bishop. It is a nice break from winter when you need to see some dirt again and feel some warmth.

Get out there!