Howdy friends.

Old man winter has once again passed us by, and we are experiencing well above average air temperatures with a snow-pack that is less than 20% of normal. The water situation in the Sierra has become dire at best. Crowley Lake has only come up 4 feet since November when the LADWP slowed flows on the Owens River to near legal minimums. The Middle Owens around Bishop remains at 75cfs below the dam at Pleasant Valley. At this release you can literally wade the entire river. The Upper Owens is also running low at 45cfs, fortunately the migratory rainbows are able to move up from Crowley, & we are enjoying some excellent fishing for these huge fish we call "Crowley Steelhead". The fish on the Upper Owens are larger this season on average, & the spring run is just starting. Hope you can make it up to fish with us. We do not need the snow mobiles to access this area, & are driving in on dry roads.

The long range forecast does show changes in the current weather models, and we are hopeful that spring storms will save the day. Until then- I suggest you do as many "snow dances" as you can!

Low, stable flows are not necessarily a bad thing for fishing. Over an extended period of time they will cause issues like silting, & extensive aquatic weed growth. For now we are enjoying the benefits of low flows on our drift boat trips. These low flows, combined with the mild spring like weather have made our guided float trips very good to excellent. February begins strong hatches of the cold weather mayfly called the "blue winged olive". This prolific aquatic insect triggers intense feeding behavior from trout both above, & below the surface. It is my favorite time of year to fish dry flies.

Conditions on Hot Creek have improved. The aquatic weeds have thinned out in the deeper pools and pockets allowing for nymph presentations. Strong midge activity with increasing BWO hatches will be the highlight here. Spring will be the best time to fish here once again, and I have INFS permits to guide "the crick".

The East Walker remains about the same. Low flows (21cfs) emanating from a very reduced Bridgeport Reservoir, have the fish in limited water. Many of the lower sections have periodic sheet ice, and heavy weeds in the slower pools.

Pleasant Valley Reservoir has been heavily planted with small rainbows, and a fair jag of brood stock rainbows. The warmer weather makes tubing here enjoyable, and with no hydro electric power generation-the small river and transition section are a blast to fish dry/dropper bead head rigs for trout sipping on the abundant mayflies and midges that come off in February.

I have detailed info, client pictures, & online fly sales that I update frequently on my website. Click here to go directly to the fish report page. Book a trip by filling out a trip request form.

I have not ruled Eagle Lake guiding out for 2015; however it is not looking good at this time. We are waiting to see if the LNF plans on extending/improving the launching facilities at Gallatin by May. Eagle has been hard hit by the current drought as have many other natural, & man made lakes in California.

2015 will see a dramatic reduction in fish plantings by the CDFW. You could see up to 50% drops in numbers, with those fish being only half of the size planted in 2014. The drought has reduced flows in some hatcheries, & spring influents that feed the pen stocks. You can also thank Senate Bill 1148, and numerous environmental groups for this slap in the face.

http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201120120SB1148

Trout are NOT native to the Sierra except in the head waters of the Kern River. We have "wild" trout (those that reproduce naturally). They were introduced many years ago. Non-native species have no precedent over other terrestrial, and aquatic indigenous species. There are those that wish to eliminate trout, & trout fisherman from the Sierra's waters. Make sure you understand how an organization, legislator, or foundation stands on this issue before you write that check or cast that ballot. There are many wolves in sheep skin friends.

While many fishing "entities" rejoice, hold hands, and sing Kumbaya about the re-watering of the lower section of the Gorge. I cringe, curse, and can't believe how the LADWP manipulated the system once again to get out of doing what is was required to do. The endangered Owens River Tui Chub was found to exist in the upper sections near the dam. How convenient. This small native fish does not do well in moving, oxygenated water that trout thrive in. Thus the LADWP and the CDFW will manage the section that was designated to be re-watered and improved for trout; to further the enhancement of the Tui Chub. Mark my words friends, this is just the beginning of what will become a major story, and a means to eradicate trout to save the chub in the Owens River system. Monies are being allocated to "study" the Tui-Chub as I write this. Why don't they transplant the Tui-Chub downstream in the much hailed LORP section? No consideration was given to the eradication of the mighty chub when the aqueduct was built. If they are sincere about saving the chub, then the entire LA water system needs to be dismantled and brought back to the way it was in the early 1900's. Their hypocrisy is boggling. What a crock! Get vocal friends-Sacramento is making sportsman an endangered species!

Final Draft of Owens Gorge Stipulation11 20 14[1]

Thanks for reading my newsletter, see you on the water.