Eastern Sierra Fishing

Fishing with a Fly and Bubble rig allows the spin or bait caster to enjoy the fun of fly fishing using spinning gear. In fact, spinning with a Fly and Bubble rig often provides more strikes and action in some situations. Obviously, unlike in Fly Fishing where the line serves as the weight for casting, you will need to add some extra weight to get the bubble and its fly out to the fish. A simple rig is to use a sliding sinker, a split-shot or two, about a foot above the fly.

Here is what you will need:

One or two-pound leader test;
Clear sliding bubble;
A swivel;
A fly.

Preparing the Rig:

Place the bubble onto your main two or four pound line;
Tie on the swivel below the bubble to stop it from sliding off the main line;
Draw out six feet of leader from the swivel to the fly
Tie the fly onto the leader;
Fill half of the bubble with water.

Fishing in a Lake or Pond:

Cast out the fly and retrieve it slowly. Keep the line tight and retrieve the fly and bubble rig with a little action, like you would retrieve a lure. This technique works especially well in the small backcountry lakes. Go with one pound leader in the backcountry because you’re going to need a very fine presentation as the fish are small. Use two pound test if you’re using this technique in the larger lakes.

Fishing in a Stream or Creek:

Cast as usual, although I recommend you use a strike indicator so you can keep track of the rig. You might also tie on a second plastic bubble on your line about two feet above the wet fly or streamer. Another technique that works well is to tie on a tag end about six inches below the bubble to give yourself a dry fly strike indicator.

Finally, if all else fails, add a split-shot about 6 to 12 inches above the lower fly.

To reach the fish, cast upstream and then raise the rod so the fly just reaches above the water. Drift the fly over the rise. Occasionally lift the rod to give the fly a chance to sit on top of the water. Use a very light line, preferably ultra-light, in order to keep the presentation as delicate as possible. Many anglers make the mistake of using too heavy of a line on their leaders, which only makes it more difficult to land the fish.

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Rod and Reel:

Look for a rod that is light with good action. It should be very flexible and able to spring back. Ultra-light rods work very well for trout fishing. A good reel is likely the most important piece of equipment. It should have an adjustable drag and should be designed to prevent backlashes. A good ultralight rod and reel will cost between $70 and $125.

Line:

Use premium line because it has low-visibility and resists tangles. Four-pound test is the heaviest line you will likely need and ultralight reels can use two-pound test. In the backcountry, go with even lighter line.

Hooks:

Small hooks work the best in the Eastern Sierra. Avoid anything larger than a #16 or #18 treble hook or a #14 single hook. Some waters require the use of barbless hooks.

Sinkers:

Split-shot and sliding egg sinkers provide the best weight for bait and artifical bait fishing.

Bubbles:

Clear plastic bubbles filled slightly with water allow for farther casting. Select small bubbles to avoid making too big of a splash. Fly and bubble fishing is very popular towards evening when the fish are striking.

Swivels:

Swivels help make fly and bubble fishing a success. Use small swivels to seperate the bubble from the fly.

General items:

Sunscreen, pliers and a hat help round out the Eastern Sierra fishing experience.

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photo credit: yoppy

Bait casting favors large trout and many of the larger fish will be caught using lures or good-sized baits. So it is no secret that most fishermen favor bait and spin casting when fishing for trout in the Eastern Sierra lakes and streams.

The main thing to think about in bait casting is avoiding slack in the line. For fly fishermen casting a bait rod is much like sending out a roll cast. You sweep the rod to the side and release the line as the rod straightens out towards the direction you want the lure or bait to land.

Because much bait casting equipment is based on spin reels and Zebco-style reels, most of the complications have been taken out of the equation. So again, it’’s pretty much only a matter of sweeping the rod from the side and releasing the line when the rod tip points at the spot where you want the bait.

When casting into the wind, drop your rod tip down slightly to allow yourself more distance. Also this technique reduces the amount of slack in the line. Keep the rod tip low so that you will reduce the amount of sail in the line, plus you”ll feel a strike a lot easier.

The complications related to bait casting come in when you’re working in various types of hardware; all of the lures, spinners and artificial baits.

In riffle water, which is what much of the water flowing down the Eastern Sierra streams, aim your lure or bait below the direction of the current and work your way up the river. This way you will not spook the fish upstream. To catch trout feeding in riffles, cast jigs and microjigs upstream and then let the jig float down through the riffle. Keep you rod tip high and reel up slack as the jig drifts through the water. You may wish to place a strike indicator on the line in order to feel, or see, when the fish takes the jig.

Trolling lures is very popular on the larger lakes, such as Crowley Lake, where a boat can lead the way through the water. Bait casting gear works best when trolling, with a rod in the 7 to 9-foot length and medium action, serving fishermen the best. Use deep-diving crankbaits or spinner-bait combinations. Trolling a Woolly Bugger often works well. Troll down current to be in a better position to land a fish.

Bait casting with flies is a very nice option using a Fly and Bubble rig. Make a dopper by tying a blood knot and leave a 3-inch tag end. Tie your dry fly to the dopper and tie a wet fly to the end of the line. The dry fly serves as an excellent strike indicator, as well as bait. The bubble keeps the whole rig out of the water and provides weight for casting.

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