Good fishing can be found throughout the Eastern Sierra. The sun is shining and the snow is starting to melt. If you wish to add your own report, log in, and head over to the Groups/Forums. I’m taking more of an overview look this week and we’ll get down to individual lakes and hidden spots once it warms up a bit and we see more lakes with less ice and open water. Nonetheless, we have lots of good action to report this week and so we’ll begin from southern Inyo to northern Mono and Nevada:
Diaz Lake:
Starting to warm up considerably. Best action on Nightcrawlers and floating baits reported. Call 760-876-5656.
Lone Pine:
Anglers reporting some success in the sand traps on Lone Pine Creek and Georges Creek. Nightcrawlers providing the best action.
Owens River (Lone Pine to Big Pine):
Generally fair to good action after DFG plants last week and this week. Information: 760-876-4444 or go to http://www.lonepinechamber.org.
Bishop Creek:
Bishop Creek and Intake II were both heavily planted and provided good fishing for anglers on floating baits, lures and Nightcrawlers. Patti at Sabrina reports the small pond on the lake side of the dam pretty much got fished out over opening weekend. Quite a few anglers made the 1-1/4 mile trek across the natural lakes to get to the DingleBerry Inlet (back right hand side of the lake) for some spectacular fishing – there`s about 20 feet of open water. Once again, anything that moved got a hit. She says you can still throw just about anything at those fish. Quite a few stringers were seen drug across the ice on their way to a nice hot skillet. Not only was the fishing spectacular, so were the views. And to sit in the back when the sun hits the ice and the noise that emanates from Lake is something to behold – loud-sounding cracks that echo across the lake and the moaning when ice shelves slide against each other – like I said – something to behold. Information:
760-873-7425 or go to http://www.lakesabrinaboatlanding.com/Fishing_Report.html.
North Lake:
You’ll need to hike; in your snow shoes.
South Lake:
Still frozen over.
Pleasant Valley:
Anglers report they are pulling planted rainbows out of this small lake on floating baits and small lures. Tom Loe, Sierra Drifters Guide Service, reports still water nymphing along the drop-offs on the west side shore is producing well for anglers in float tubes. Information: 760-935-4250 or go to http://www.sierradrifters.com/fish.htm.
Owens River (Bishop):
The outflow from Pleasant Valley is becoming more seasonable now, but remaining in the 400cfs range. Still a bit fast for the best action, but the flow should drop through the month. A caddis hatch has been reported by mid-day and imitations are producing well in the cuts. Emerger nymphs producing well, especially stone flies and pale morning duns. Information: 888-395-3952 or go to http://www.bishopvisitor.com.
Crowley Lake:
Browns and cutthroats were being caught on Crowley opening weekend, but it was slow going. I had a report from an angler who did well trolling near Hilton Bay. Nymphing is your best bet in the still water. Many gorgeous fish were tipping the scales at the Annual Fred J. Hall Memorial Big Fish Contest. Nick Lawrence of Dana Point won the Adult Division with an amazing 4 pound 14.5 ounce cutthroat. Kevin Neitzke of Bakersfield won the Youth Division with a 3 pound 6 ounce brown. Cory Rigney of Bishop was a special category youth winner with his 5 pound 1 ounce cutthroat.This weekend should bring out more hatches, especially a chironomid hatch. Tom Loe advises that a Mother’s Day hatch of chironomids is well documented in many of his log books over the years, so keep this in mind for your first visit to Crowley. Information: 760-935-4250 or go to http://www.sierradrifters.com/fish.htm or http://www.crowleylakefishcamp.com.
Hot Creek:
Here’s my annual warning: Don’t be a doof and stomp down the banks of this stream. Think “I’m Light as a Feather!” That being said, the flow is around 15 cfs and we’re waiting on the runoff to start. Caddis imitators and nymphs are the best bet. Go with a WD-40 or a pleasant hare nymph.
Convict Lake:
Still pulling some hold-over Alpers Trophy Trout from the lake. Information: 800-992-2260 or http://www.convictlake.com.
Mammoth Lakes Basin:
Still frozen over with only ice-fishing.
June Lake Loop:
The lakes were covered in ice opening weekend but everything is open water now. Fly fishermen are doing well on Rush Creek between Silver and Grant. The fish are biting and hungry. Information: 760-648-7756.
Bridgeport Reservoir:
Opening day was really slow compared to years past. But that didn’t stop folks from pulling some nice Browns from the lake. Nightcrawlers are producing well as are streamers fished from the bottom. I’m told the best action is currently in front of the marina and down by the public boat launch.
East Walker River:
Currently the flow is around 118 cfs and fishing is best in the Rosaschi section. The Squala stone hatch has slowed down but there is still some action above the bridge. Look for a baetis hatch mid-day continuing through May.
Topaz Lake:
Power bait and worms from the shore. Trollers are finding Rapalas in black and gold working best. Trolling worms in 5 to 12 feet of water have been successful.
Fish Plants
The following waters were planted by the Department of Fish and Game:
- INYO: Bishop Creek Dam Intake No. 2, Cottonwood Creek, Diaz Lake, George Creek, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, lower Owens River from Stewart Lane to Laws, Middle Fork Bishop Creek, Shepherd Creek, South Fork Bishop Creek, Symms Creek, Tabooose Creek, Tuttle Creek.
- MONO: Convict Creek, Mammoth Creek, McGee Creek, Rock Creek from French Camp to upper bridge at Rock Creek Lodge, Rock Creek from Paradise Lodge to Tuff Campground.
| The small pond on the lake side of the dam pretty much got fished out over opening weekend. Quite a few anglers made the 1-1/4 mile trek across the natural lakes to get to the DingleBerry Inlet (back right hand side of the lake) for some spectacular fishing – there`s about 20 feet of open water. Once again, anything that moved got a hit. So what I`m saying is you can still throw just about anything at those fish. Quite a few stringers were seen drug across the ice on their way to a nice hot skillet. |
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| Not only was the fishing spectacular, so were the views. And to sit in the back when the sun hits the ice and the noise that emanates from Lake is something to behold – loud-sounding cracks that echo across the lake and the moaning when ice shelves slide against each other – like I said – something to behold. |
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