Slow Start Projected

April 3, 2005

The Sierra Drifters this month projected a slow start to the fishing season.

In an email sent to the outfit's subscribers, the Drifters referred to current conditions simply as a "Bummer," owing to high snow and ice conditions, in addtion to increased flow releases at Pleasant Valley Reservoir.

"The LADWP has increased flow releases at Pleasant Valley Reservoir to over 500 cfs and this will increase in short order to its flood level at 600-650 cfs soon we are told.  Needless to say this is extremely untimely and will certainly thwart any potential 'catching' on the Lower Owens River.  Totally out of cycle with nature, as the upper drainages are a long ways away from major snowmelt soon.

"They did major maintenance on their generating facilities and held back releases from Crowley far too long for the amount of snow pack.  They must immediately make room for the anticipated run-off and you can write off the Lower Owens until the flows come down substantially.

"We are pretty much canceling guided trips on the Lower Owens until conditions improve.  I suggest you schedule another time if you are currently planning a trip to the area soon.  We have had poor fishing in all sections recently as a result of the 'deluge.'

"Pleasant Valley Reservoir has been heavily fished from the banks as of late but may still be your best bet if you wish to fly fish the area.  A float tube is mandatory as power generation will be continuous most days and the river and inlet section will not be an option.

"Stay across or opposite from the service road side and you will not interfere with the bankies, or get nailed by a ¼ ounce weight and a gob of stink bait!  The launch ramp area gets planted these days but I would suggest you work the inlet section at the point where the flow begins to slow.  Use a full or heavy sinking tip line to get your imitations down 8-12 feet.  A Loeberg #10, or Spruce-a-bu #8, and a trailer Drifters Crystal Pupa #18 or Punk Perch #14 will work well most days especially when you troll the shadow sections formed by the canyons walls in the afternoons.  If you get the banana here, pack it up and head towards the dam.  The fish have a tendency to hold deeper here so give your flies a few seconds more to get down before you begin your retrieve.

"The Gorge has been on the slow side in its lower sections due to heavy pressure, but if you hike into the middle and lower parts of the upper sections fishing will improve a bunch.  It is a great time of year to hit this area as the daytime highs will not bake you down in the 'pit.' The evil stinging nettle is just beginning to make a presence so look before you put a hand on the bank while wading.

"Always deadly here is a large dry fly like a stimulator- used as an indicator and a bead head nymph like our Drifters Crystal Olive Zebra and Tiger Midges #16-18.  Look for a baetis (BWO) hatch after 1 pm. #18.  You see the little snouts poking up for the BWO’s , snip the bead head off , shorten your dropper section to 14-18 inches and tie on a mayfly dry.  The highest concentrations of wild browns will be in the larger deeper pools below a riffle section.  Use an upstream presentation whenever possible so you do not spook the rascals.  Fish close so you can suck up the nearby trout, working progressively further upstream when you have covered the near water.  Try to move as little as possible and keep in mind STEALTH at all times when near potential water!

"The upper valleys, lakes, and creeks are all beginning to thaw…slowly.  I do not expect a lot of open water for the start of the season unless we get a record heat wave and that could make it even worse as the creeks will all be at flood.  Crowley is still mostly frozen but is showing more open water every day with the longer duration of sunshine."

Looking forward to fishing with you soon.

Be the fly…

Tom Loe