|
For the current fishing report, click on the
link above. We have a special
guest today. My wife has written a review on Cardinal Village
Resort. Cardinal Village is located at 8,500 ft high in the
mountains above Bishop, California. It is where we first met and now
take our two boys whenever we get a chance. With horse back rides,
two creeks running through, a trophy trout pond, game times for the
kids each afternoon, and trails that start from the edge of the
property, we have found it to be the perfect place for a family
getaway. Now for the husbands, this area has also put up MANY trout
for me in the 6 to 8 pound range. All while my family was having a
great time. All you need to do is print this article (minus this
intro - of course) give it to your wife in a card with flowers, and
get ready for the fishi...I mean family trip of a lifetime! OK guys
start printing here.
Cardinal Village Resort in the Fall of 2005
As soon as our
two-year-old, Charles, saw the snow he was done being in the truck.
We were immediately bombarded with squirms and cries of “Out! Out!
Snow!” The baby caught the excitement and was equally restless.
The last few minutes of the drive to Cardinal Village were a
challenge, but as we pulled in to the driveway we were rewarded by
the snow heaped up on the front lawn. Charles finally got to soak
in the melting springtime snow while we greeted old friends and
showed off the baby’s new walking abilities.
Later we made our way
to our cabin, one of eleven available to rent, and the newest one on
the property. One of the great things about Cardinal is the history
behind it. It is a former mining camp where all of the cabins once
played a role. There’s Golden Trout, the largest cabin, which was
the barn; Topsy Turvy was a miner’s home; and the lodge itself was
the pay station. A stroll through the Village will reveal wooden
plaques on each cabin describing their original use, and a true
history buff can get the whole story by reading Cardinal Mine,
available in the general store.
We stayed in Hungry
Packer, a cozy little one-room cabin with a single bed in the front
room and a queen in the bedroom. We brought a pak’n’play and made a
“special bed” for Charles on the floor in the bedroom. All of the
cabins are roomy, and there are several sizes to accommodate your
party’s needs. The cabins are wonderfully rustic, reminding you of
when they were built, though they have been renovated several times
since their original construction. You may notice that the floors in
a few of them tilt a bit; all part of the fun.
Parts of the original
mine are still nearby, and we enjoyed using the map provided in the
general store to hike up to explore the pilings. A little searching
will reveal several interesting sites in the area. We found the
foundations to an old cabin, a “miner’s dump” full of a variety of
rusty pieces, and there’s even a secret spot called “Wild Rose’s
Cave;” if Hal is around the store, you might be able to talk him
into telling you Wild Rose’s story. The hike isn’t too long, and
active kids over 3 or 4 can probably do it alone, but our
two-year-old and 11-month-old rode in the baby backpacks. If you’re
going up with toddlers or babies, it’s a good plan to bring a
backpack and/or a jogging stroller.
We had a hard time if
we tried to keep the boys inside, there was not only snow to play in
and a mine to see, but there were fish to be caught at the pond –
and fishing is Cardinal’s main draw. The pond is stocked twice
weekly, once by Fish & Game, and once by a local private company
with Alpers trout up to 8 pounds. (The record here is almost 12
pounds!) Everyone can fish the pond, but if you have little ones it
might be worth it to walk up the road in front of the lodge to it’s
dead-end where there’s a “Kid’s Pond”. This is a great place for
kids to get the hang of fishing and not feel pressure from anyone
else. If the pond isn’t enough for you, Bishop Creek runs through
the back of the property, and within two miles are the popular
Intake II, Sabrina, and North Lake, all of which are stocked
regularly. There are also several back –country lakes within a
day’s hike of Cardinal, and you might be surprised to notice when
looking at a map that these lakes have the same names as the cabins.
We didn’t have to go
too far to occupy our two little ones, though; the creek right
outside provided hours of enjoyment. Gone are the days when
throwing rocks in the water was so entertaining, but watching the
boys have so much fun is even better. Rocks in and of themselves
were studied thoroughly by both boys for longer than I thought
possible. Of course, I spent a lot of time fishing them out of the
baby’s mouth, but it was worth it.
Before you leave
Cardinal, you’ve got to have a meal in the café. It’s a small
little spot, and the food is great: “Hearty meals for the hungry
gold miner,” if I may quote the menu. We enjoyed great breakfast
potatoes and eggs, and their burgers are the best in the Sierra’s.
It’s a great place to stop after an afternoon fishing session for a
milkshake made the old-fashioned way, complete with vintage blender.
Cardinal Village is a
place everyone in the family can enjoy, and fishermen are in their
own little paradise. The kids are entertained just being outside,
Mom is relaxing in the sunshine, and Dad can fish as much as he
likes, does it get any better? With great cabins that provide all
of your everyday needs, there’s almost no need to leave the
property, unless it’s to find that elusive “perfect fishing spot”.
For complete cabin details and information on the Village, check out
the website at
www.cardinalvillageresort.com
Above article written
by Christy Halsell
email her at
christyleigh76@yahoo.com
|
|
Berkley Pro Marlon Meade with his
Opening Day limit.
It is now 5:30 am Sunday
morning. Opening day of Trout Season has come and gone. It has
kicked off another season in the Sierra's to look forward to. I was
lucky enough to start this season with Marlon Meade. (pictured
above) We started fishing Intake Two at 12:30am and didn't stop
until 1:30 in the afternoon. We hit every spot along the South Fork
of Bishop Creek as well. It was was over 12 hours of some of the
best fishing I have had. I have still not caught up on sleep so I
will have to give you the complete later.
Thanks for stopping by,
Charlie Halsell
charlie@highsierrawoodcarvings.com
Lined up and ready! Crowley Lake 9:05am Friday
Crowley Lake professional guide
Tom Jones
I asked Tom What he would
recommend for anglers at Crowley tomorrow morning. He said to
use the Flame "Mirashad" and the brand new Pink Passion "Mirashad."
Both of these colors have done well historically at the beginning of
the season. A bubble gum colored "Needlefish" as well as the
firetiger color will catch plenty of fish as well. Inflated
nightcrawlers are always a standby for both the rainbows and browns.
"Don't forget a threader" added Tom, as this will greatly improve
the effectiveness.
Berkley makes the best line of
dough-baits available. As long as I have been writing these reports,
Berkley has out-fished all the other baits 20 to one. There is an
added bonus to using Berkley's high quality products this Opener.
There is a tagged fish named "Jake" lurking in one of 5 Eastern
Sierra Lakes as you read this. He could be in Upper Twin, Lower
Twin, Bridgeport, Convict, June, or Crowley. The angler lucky enough to catch Jake
will go home $10,000 richer for their efforts. You must be using
Berkley line and bait to be in the running for the prize. Click on
the photo below to see the latest in Berkley's products.
Above - Crowley
from 395 at 10am on Thursday 4-27-06
Below - Convict
Lake at 10:30am same day
Above - June Lake
at 12:30pm on Thursday 4-27-06
I covered quite a
bit of ground yesterday. I talked with Marina and Resort owners from
Bishop to Gull Lake and got some great info. Convict Lake will be
loaded as usual. The stocking there has been great for years now.
The lake has been ice free for over 3 weeks now. I could see a lot
of nice sized fish in the pools just below the outlet.
Crowley should
see some of the best weather and fishing in years with the water
levels high and literally hundreds of thousands of catchables. Mc
Gee Bay will be the hot spot, but you had better be there early!
June and Gull
Lake are ice free and ready to go. Expect to see some impressive
numbers out of both of these lakes. Gull Lake Marina continues to
kick in a lot of extra dough into the Alpers trophy stocking fund. I
have a few friends fishing Gull Lake this opener and I expect a good
report in a few days. (Shawn Arnold - the pressure's on!)
Everywhere I went
the buzz was already underway. About one in twenty vehicles had a
boat behind them along highway 395. It was very easy to strike up a
half hour conversation with a complete stranger. The fun has begun
and will only intensify over the next few days.
It has been fun
getting ready with you in the past weeks. I hope the info serves you
well on Opening day as well as throughout the season.
Now Go Fish!
May God Bless your
next cast,
Charlie Halsell
High Sierra Trout Season Opener Update! April 27th 2006 8:37am
Intake Two
- Ice Free and Ready! No one was here when I took this picture. That
will change in 2 days.
I had a chance to
drive around and check for potential spots along Bishop Creek
Canyon. There are plenty of places along the creek that are open.
Some pools had large amounts of trout that were visible. One spot
near RV Creekside had a good 75 to 100 fish loaded up in it. Nothing
huge, but I still think we will hit it on Opening morning. I spit in
the water to see what the fish would do and sure enough, anything
that was near the ripple I created went straight for it. (I know, I
act like a 10 year old.) Marlon Meade and I will be fishing Intake
Two at one minute past midnight to try and catch the first limit of
the season. Marlon has caught and released 5 fish within the first
15 minutes on many occasions there on Opening Day.
I drove up the
South Fork of Bishop Creek to see how far up it was plowed. There
was a solid 3 to 5 feet of snow on both sides of a one way road
right around Parcher's Resort. A front loader was blocking the road
less than 1/2 mile up from Parcher's but I could see that it had
been plowed further. I was glad not to run into anyone along the
road as there wasn't any room for 2 cars in most places.
North Lake is more
than likely completely frozen over according to Mike Morgan of
Bishop Pack Outfitters. I ran into him at the mailboxes at the
Cardinal rd. turnoff. Mike owns and operates the pack station at
North Lake and knows the back country in this area better than
anyone. I was considering hiking into North Lake Saturday morning
but I don't feel like hiking in the 2 miles with an auger.
I took this
picture just across from Parcher's Resort along the South Fork of
Bishop Creek.
I stopped by Mac's
Sporting Goods on Main st. in Bishop yesterday. If you have
never made it in this shop, your are missing out. Dale, the owner,
is one of the nicest and most helpful people you will ever meet. I
consistently hear from other anglers that this is their favorite
tackle store and I can definitely see why. Stop in and tell him I
sent you for the latest on the local fishing conditions.
I will be checking
out Crowley, Convict, Mammoth Lakes, and the June Lake Loop today.
Check back later tonight for first hand reports and photos on those
areas. Scroll further down for a link to the weather report.
Fish Hard!
Charlie Halsell
charlie@highsierrawoodcarvings.com
General trout Season Opener, 4/29/06
Fly Fishing Report submitted by Rick Gunby,
www.Fish395.com
Fly Fishing
Guide Service in the Eastern Sierra
The
weather forecast for this opening weekend calls for warmer
temperatures and light winds in the morning then partly cloudy later
with a slight chance of thunderstorms. Ideal conditions for
enjoying the great fishing in the Eastern Sierra. Good luck to
everyone and please remember to use proper catch and release methods
when “limiting your catch”, not necessarily “catching your limit”.
Bishop
Creek Drainage
The
roads into South Lake and Sabrina are being plowed right now and the
intent is to have both lakes accessible for the opener. Ice fishing
these lakes will be the only option at this time. The upper
stretches of Bishop Creek still have a considerable amount of snow
along the banks so please use extreme caution when approaching. The
lower elevation areas near Intake 2 are snow free and should fish
well. Prepare for “combat style” fishing if your plans include
Intake 2. Patience, patience!
Rock
Creek
Rock
Creek from Hwy 395 to the confluence of the Owens River. Along
Lower Rock Creek Rd. the DFG plants in several locations and the
conditions should be good for catchable size Rainbows and the
occasional wild Brown trout. Upper Rock Creek above Tom’s Place
will have limited access from about Big Meadow campground up, due to
deep snow.
Rock
Creek Lake
The
road into Rock Creek Lake will be plowed however there is still
mucho snow up there. It appears to be 6’ to 8’ deep now at lake
level so any fishing will be limited to the ice. Again, use extreme
caution venturing on to the ice. Don’t risk it if you are at all
unsure about the conditions. Tom’s Place will have the latest
information. They can be reached at 760-935-4239.
Crowley
Lake
Crowley Lake
is totally ice free and has been since mid March. Conditions should
be ideal with mild temps and calm winds in the AM. Expect the usual
large crowds for the opener. On average 3000 to 5000 anglers
converge on this lake for the annual fisherman migration. On the
plus side this lake will produce an abundance of trout in both size
and numbers. Best bet for the fly-fisherman will be Streamers along
the drop offs and midges in the bays such as McGee, Big Hilton and
the Leighton Springs area.
Upper
Owens River
The
Upper Owens should be in good condition until the spring run off
creates off color water and large amounts of floating debris. From
Benton crossing bridge upstream to Big Springs there is a two fish
limit, 16” maximum size, artificials and barbless hooks only. From
Benton crossing bridge downstream to the fishing monument,
Closed until May 27th. Those spawning fish need a chance to
pro-create! From the monument down to Lake Crowley mouth, same
regulations as the lake. Always check the regs. and make sure you
are within the current laws.
Convict
Lake
This
lake has been totally ice free for 3 ½ to 4 weeks. Expect a great
opener for big fish. Just before the close of last season Convict
was heavily planted with large Alper’s Trout. In addition the DFG
planted approx. 1000 lbs. of catchable size trout on the morning of
Wed. the 26th April. The marina has recently replaced
the boats and motors with new equipment so it should be another
great season at this beautiful location.
Mammoth
Lakes Basin
Plans
have been made to begin plowing the access road on the 22nd
of May. If all goes well the gates should be open to the public the
9th of June. All of the resorts will be anxious for this
opening and look forward to providing for all your needs. Lake
Mary has always been one of the most popular locations up here and
if the fishing is anything like last year, hold on to your rods!
The Lake Mary marina and tackle shop will have all the latest
info. Stop by and see them. Good people, great fishing!
Bridgeport Reservoir
The
lake is completely full and the fishing should be great, as it was
last year. The Bridgeport
Reservoir RV Park and marina will be offering a float tuber shuttle
service again this year for those wishing to access the productive
bays on the West side. This lake has the potential to be the next
best spot in the Eastern Sierra for the fly-fisherman.
Techniques that
are used on Lake Crowley will work the same here and the quality and
quantity of the fish will surprise you!
East
Walker River
The
river is a bit high now. Flowing at 360cfs it is still quite
fishable for those willing to fish deep. The flows will continue to
rise however and will be tough fishing in the near future. By the
first part of June the conditions will greatly improve as the water
flows stabilize. Some of the largest Browns and Rainbows taken in
the Eastern Sierra come from this river. Always worth the time
invested!
Upper
and Lower Twin Lakes
Both
of these lakes are in good condition with minimal snow and no ice.
The marinas will be open and ready for business for the opener.
Last season produced some huge fish and great fishing overall. This
season is expected to be as good or better according to Steve at the
Twin Lakes Resort. He can be reached at 760-932-7751 for the latest
information.
Please be
mindful of the New Zealand Mud Snail problem we have in this area
and take the necessary precautions to avoid spreading this scourge.
For more information please visit the website
http://www.flyline.com/enviornmental/nzms
Good Fishing, until next time…
Rick Gunby,
www.Fish395.com Fly Fishing Guide Service
Located in the Eastern Sierra.
info@fish395.com
High Sierra Trout Opener Update! April 24th 2006
This might be
my final check in with you before I leave for Bishop Creek Canyon. I
will be staying at Cardinal Village right above Intake Two. I talked
with the owner of the resort today and was told they have 6 fresh
inches of snow but that it was melting as we spoke. Cardinal pond is
still frozen over and is piled with snow. A good tip that I got is
that the road to Sabrina is plowed and that part of the lake is ice
free. This could be my spot for Opening day as every report I have
heard has said otherwise. Yes the lake has been drained to the dam,
but the original lake in the back is almost 200 feet deep still. As of today, the gate around 2 miles below Lake Sabrina is
still closed to public traffic and no word as of yet if it will be
open for Opening Day. To me all this means the same amount of fish
in shallower water with fewer people. A short hike could pay off
big. I will be keeping my eye on this spot. Check back soon as
I will be able to update the report from Cardinal Village.
I leave you
with a quote from an old report of mine that many have said proved
helpful to them...
|
If you
are out to relax, then bring up the lawn
chair, your favorite bait, plenty of snacks
and drinks and no matter what happens, your
day is a success. If you are out for a big
fish, plan on a physical day, lots of hiking
around checking numerous spots, and
basically 6 or more hours on the water. Make
sure your gear is in order BEFORE you leave
home. A little planning goes a long way in
fishing. Maybe most importantly, be willing
to learn. When I walk around the lakes here,
I ask a ton of questions. A great place to
start is not necessarily the owner of the
resort, but the guy running the boat rentals
or the bus-boy at the café. These are people
that are taking whatever jobs they have to
so they can fish and fish often. Just act
like you have no idea what you are doing and
make them feel important. If they do decide
to give up a few secrets, don’t interrupt
with “oh yeah, that worked for me last week
when I caught that...”
Simply listen and know that you are
getting a priceless lesson from someone who
spends hours and hours on the water that you
are about to fish. I got one
of my best fishing tips from a young guy
running the boat rentals at Lake Mary in
Mammoth Lakes. I had fished here lots before
and had always done well. Still, I simply
said to him “Where would YOU fish if
you had this morning off?”
I would
tell you what he told me but then I would
have to find a new favorite spot.
I’ve
written too much already so I’ll end it
here. Once again – best of luck on your next
time out and don’t forget…
Fish Hard!
Charlie
Halsell
email -
charlie@highsierrawoodcarvings.com
|
|
|
High Sierra
Trout Opener Update! - April 23rd 2006
Submitted by Charlie
Halsell
Less than one
week now! Conditions are looking similar to last years trout opener.
I highly encourage you to check out last years opening day reports that are
posted at the end of this page. We are also looking at a great
forecast for Opening Day of trout season on April 29th. Click on the
word "weather" below to get a current forecast. Enter the name of
the city closest to the area you plan on fishing.
Tip of the day;
Nightcrawlers! Due to the lack of surface food over the winter in
the High Sierra's, fish forage along the bottom looking for the best
source of protein they can find. Worms are something they are
starting to see naturally this time of year and they will find a fat
nightcrawler irresistible, especially if you can float it off the
bottom.
Unidentified
at North Lake, waiting for Opening Day of Trout Season in the High
Sierra.
It is 4am and I have been
up for an hour now. I have got to get some sleep here soon! The
weeks leading up to Opening day of trout season are like one long
Christmas Eve for me. I just can't wait!
Shawn Arnold of Fish Taco
Chronicles checked in with me yesterday. He will be fishing in the
June Lake loop north of Mammoth on Opening Day. He has caught some
of the largest fish in the Sierra's on the trout opener over the
past few years - so keep your eye out for him in the Post Trout
Season Opener Report. The June Lake loop should be mostly ice free
with a bit of slush that can be easily broken up by most boats.
Crowley is ice free and should
put out some impressive numbers again this year. Dave Appling was
kind enough to donate "a few thousand" brown trout in July of the
2005 trout fishing season. Those trout were in the 1 to 1 1/2 pound
range at the close of the season and should have put on a pound or
more by now.
I will be hitting Intake Two
above Bishop at midnight with a crazy crew of anglers that have made
a tradition of it for years now. (Inyo County is one of the few
places where you don't have to wait for the sunrise to wet a line.)
Intake Two is ice free and should provide for some great fun. Lake
Sabrina has been drained for continued work on the dam but still has
the original lake in the back as well as a lot of fish in the creek
running to the dam.
I am going to try and get some
shut eye so that is all for now. Check back every other day or so
for more updates.
Till then!
Charlie Halsell
charlie@highsierrawoodcarvings.com
Charlie- just got back from
bishop. My father and I fly fished the gorge and spin cast PVR- your
info was great and your tip on the Thomas Bouyant s514 was key. We
absolutely sleighed it with that lure. It truly was the hot tip.
thanks again, we had a great time. Greg
High Sierra
Trout Opener Update! - April 15th 2006
Today's report is brought to you by Rick Gunby.
Rick is a professional guide for the Eastern Sierra's. You can
schedule a trip with Rick by going to
www.fish395.com
Greetings to all you anxious and excited fisherman out
there. If you’re anything like me the upcoming fishing
opener weighs heavily on your mind about
now. Preparations are well underway with regards to
tackle, making sure everything is in good working
order. Breaking out the boat that has been sitting all
winter and seeing to its many demands. It’s been said
that a fishing boat is a big hole in the water you throw
money into. That statement is not too far off
course. Every new season something has to be done, it
never ends! The thought of being out on the water and
netting the big one always makes it easier however.
Please make sure your boat has all the required
safety equipment onboard and it’s in good condition.
Also our waterways are becoming more crowded each
year and we all want to get the most of our outdoor
experience. Please take the time to dispose of all trash
responsibly, especially discarded fishing line. The
wildlife and other anglers will thank you for it.
The ten-day forecast doesn’t show any significant
storms coming our way however this winter has not given
up yet! We still have a series of smaller storms with
high elevation snow and winds coming our way. Will it
never end? To get the latest, follow the link below.
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/data/forecasts/CAZ073.php?warnzone=CAZ073&warncounty=CAC051
Lower Owens River
The Los Angeles Dept. of Water and Power have
increased the flows considerably as of late. The current
CFS is hovering around 600 as of this writing. This flow
rate on the river may continue for the foreseeable
future, as all of our reservoirs will need to handle
significant runoff this spring and early summer. These
higher flows make room for the onslaught of melting
snow. As the runoff subsides the water demands of our
neighbors to the south will keep the flows up until
fall. This has been a good winter on the Lower Owens
River however, so no worries. If you haven’t joined us
for a drift-boat trip down the river, let’s do it next
year! This is a great opportunity to really experience
what this river has to offer.
Owens River/ Upper Gorge
If you are up to the hike, this section of river is
unaffected by the high waters experienced on the Lower
“O”. It’s about a 30-minute walk down to some great
fly-fishing. AM nymphing and mid-day hatches provide
angling enjoyment on feisty Browns. The average fish are
on the small side here but their willingness to take a
fly more than makes up for it. Take water and a snack
and make a day of it. The stinging nettles are beginning
to grow now so watch where you kneel and put your
hands. These devils will ruin your trip!
Crowley Lake / Bridgeport Reservoir
We are looking forward to some great fishing
conditions this season. The abundant snowfall and
resulting runoff will be great for the lower elevation
lakes Such as Crowley and Bridgeport Res. Being able to
maintain higher water levels throughout most of the
season will undoubtedly make for better
fly-fishing. This will allow the water to stay colder
longer; prolong the weed bed growth and keep the fish up
in the shallows feeding on the perch fry and
midges. Stillwater fly-fishing this summer and fall
should be better than we have seen it in sometime!
Pleasant Valley Reservoir
Power is being generated up stream on a daily basis
so the fish are moving up to feed towards the narrower
North end. Float tubers are taking Rainbows and Browns
using Midges up in the shallower areas and Streamers are
also working well from the river inlet to around the
boat ramp. Bank fishing near the mouth is real tough
right now. The mud banks are very slippery and
the weed beds make it near impossible to get a good
drift. Late in the day some fish are feeding on Midges
along shore.
Up Canyons
A late start will be the rule for the upper elevation
lakes. A later ice out and limited access will delay
fishing these scenic areas until sometime early summer.
East Walker River
Currently the flows are 378 CFS. The Nevada side of
the river is open now and still fishable at these flows,
although wading is tough now. The outlook for the
general trout season on the E.W. is very good this year
due to the higher water in the Reservoir and the amount
of cold water being released into the river. The Ca.
portion of this river will open April 29th.
Good Fishing, until next time…
Rick Gunby,
www.Fish395.com Fly Fishing Guide Service
|
Today's tip-April 7th,2006 - If
you plan on ice fishing on opening day in the High Sierra, save a
small amount of eggshells before you go. If you drop a few pieces
down the hole you are fishing, the light reflected off of the
fluttering shells will attract a few fish in the otherwise quiet
water. If you are fishing the shallows, it will also give a white
backdrop so you can see when a fish swims over it. Don't use too
much -one small piece every so often will do the trick. Most
important, BE SMART when ice fishing! Check with an experienced
local before stepping on the ice. Best of luck!
April 1st,2006
High Sierra Opener Fishing
Report - Submitted by Charlie Halsell
It's that time again!
If you haven't changed the line
on your reel yet, there is still plenty of time left - but don't
wait too long! There is a monster trout with your name on it
swimming somewhere in the High Sierra mountains this very
moment. Your mission is to go and find it.
I will be headed for the area
between the lakes above Bishop and the June Lake Loop on the Eastern
side of the Sierra range. I hope to pair up with living legend
Marlon Meade. He is still the greatest influence in the way I fish
to this day. (Mini-Jigs with a 7 to 8 foot noodle rod) He has shown
me some of his favorite spots along highway 395, and I will forever
be grateful for it.
I have placed all of last year's
reports in our "archives" with the exception of the High Sierra
Opening Day reports from last year. Read them carefully as they
might just help guide you to the fish you won't soon forget. I
suggest picking out a name for your fish before the opener. Whether
you catch him (or her) on opening day or not won't matter as much as
the fun you will have searching for him. One thing for sure - you
will definitely know when you have him hooked.
Best of luck landing him!
Charlie Halsell
Last year's Opening Day
Reports...
High Sierra Fishing Report
May 4th, 2005
Submitted by Charlie Halsell
Shawn Arnold, owner of "Fish Taco Chronicles," at Gull Lake on
Opening Day - 2005
www.fishtacochronicles.com
Opening Day 2005 has come and gone and the
general trout season is in full swing now. Places like Intake Two on the Eastern side of the Sierra Nevada range are now
nice and quiet compared to the “hootin’ and hollerin” frenzy we saw
less than two weeks ago. (photo below)
Intake Two - Opening Day 2005 - 6:15am
I fished Intake Two two days ago with only 2
other people on the lake felt quite spoiled. The fish have recovered
well and are willing to bite once again.
Shawn Arnold, owner of Fish Taco Chronicles
www.fishtacochronicles.com had an excellent start to
the 2005 trout season. He landed a 6.7 ounce rainbow out of Gull
Lake about 20 minutes north of Mammoth Lakes. ( see photo )
This past weekend is always the best of the
year for low fishing pressure. During the “Mother’s Day” holiday,
the same numbers of fish are stocked and only a handful of fishermen
are here to catch them.
Intake Two remains the place to be as it is
receiving all of the fish that would normally be split with North
Lake. Salmon eggs under a bobber or on the bottom with 18 inches or
more of leader have been the hot ticket for the lucky few that are
up here right now.
The biggest fish I saw was a 7 pounder caught
by Alfreado Zendejas of Ontario. He was fishing near the dam Friday
at Intake Two when the lunker hit. He landed the fish like a pro
despite the fact that this was his second fish EVER! I must admit I
was jealous.
Another case of beginner’s luck was had by
Kevin Cramer of Orange County. At Intake Two on Saturday morning he
caught the first fish of his life using a red and gold “Thomas
Bouyant.” He landed the 5 and ¾ pounder on 3 lb “Maxima” line while
his friends around him stood by in shock.
The 1 and ½ mile hike to North Lake is still
rewarding anglers with easy limits. Fish up to 3 pounds have been
caught there in the past few days. “Trout Teasers” with a 2 inch
piece of a “Berkley Power Worm” is a great way to knock ’em dead at
the inlet here. The ice has been melting fast here and is not very
thick so play it safe and fish from shore.
Both forks of Bishop Creek are loaded with a
fresh plant of DFG fish. The flow is just right to allow for
drifting salmon eggs. “Rooster Tails” with a green body and gold
blade work great this time of year in the creeks. Don’t forget to
try a black bodied - gold blade “Panther Martin” in the moving water
as well. Drifting this lure into still pools can make for an amazing
day of fishing.
Our weather at 8500 ft in the Bishop area has
been quite cold compared to the t-shirt weather of opening day.
That’s about to end as highs in the upper 80’s are forecasted for
the Owens Valley over the nest few days. We should be seeing temps
in the lower 70’s in the lakes in Bishop Creek Canyon. For the
latest forecast, click on
www.weather.com
Until next week, Best of luck to you!
Charlie Halsell
High Sierra Woodcarvings
charlie@highsierrawoodcarvings.com
HIGH SIERRA TROUT OPENER UPDATE!!!
Only two days to go before Opening Day 2005!
 I
write this to you from Bishop Creek canyon at 8,500 ft elevation.
The snow has been melting off quickly but I’m still looking at 3 to
6 inches in the shady areas outside the window here. The forecast is
calling for temps in the high 40’s to low 50’s during the day and
low’s in the high 20’s at night. These temps are for the higher
elevations; check out
www.weather.com for the local forecast in the areas you
want to fish on Opening Day. There should be snow showers off and on
throughout the weekend so plan on taking your warmest gear.
Rick Gunby has come through with another valuable report for the
areas all along highway 395. I’ll let him take it from here.
Have a great Opening day 2005!!! April 23, 2005
Charlie Halsell
High Sierra Woodcarvings
TROUT SEASON OPENER – APRIL 30, 2005
Fly fishing report submitted by Rick Gunby,
www.Fish395.com
Fly Fishing Guide Service in the Eastern Sierras
Greetings to all you impatient, enthusiastic, “raring to go” anglers
out there!
Another fishing season opener is upon us and we are all eagerly
anticipating April 30! As typical, the weather for the opener here
in the Sierra Nevada mountains will be unsettled. The long range
forecast calls for rain and snow on April 30 with temperatures in
the mid 40s and about a 60% chance of precipitation. On the bright
side, this storm is forecast to have light winds and move through
the area quickly.
Lower Owens River
Unfortunately the Owens will be completely out of shape with flows
being released from PV Reservoir at around 600 cfs. If you are into
white water rafting instead of fishing, this section of water may be
better suited.
Bishop Area
All of the canyon streams flowing into the valley from Lone Pine to
Bishop should be fishable. High water from runoff is not expected to
influence stream flow until later in the spring. Hungry trout will
be available for the taking, using nymphs such as Hare’s Ears and
Pheasant Tails. Small baitfish imitations should also work in size
#12-14.
Pleasant Valley Reservoir
If you plan on fly fishing “The Rez”, a float tube is the only way
to go here. Walking in from the south end at the parking lot with a
float tube, fins and fly rod, wearing neoprene waders may seem like
quite an undertaking. But sometimes it’s worth it! Another way to go
is to ride your bicycle in from the north end at the power plant
with your tube gear hanging on your back. The north end of the “Rez”
has been fishing well for tubers pulling streamers such as Muddler
minnows, Hornbergs, and Black and Olive wooly buggers. Where the
river flows in, midges suspended under an indicator will also
produce fish.
Crowley Lake
Be prepared for “Crowley Combat” fishing during the opening weekend.
Expected anglers on the lake may number 5000 eager fisherman! If you
can find an open spot on the lake, fly fishing should be very good.
Crowley has been ice bound most of the winter and trout will
definitely be on the prowl for a meal. Suspending midge larva and
pupa patterns a foot or so off the bottom is always a good bet.
Concentrate on areas that are 12-14 feet in depth and don’t be
afraid to move around. Sometimes moving 100 feet or so, one way or
another, will drastically improve your chances. Streamers fished on
a type II or III sink line should also produce. The trout generally
are not picky this early in the season so using Buggers, leach
patterns and Twin Lake specials in dark colors black, olive and
maroon should produce vicious strikes.
Convict Lake
As of this writing, Convict Lake has quite a bit of open water near
the boat ramp and along the edges. It should be looking a lot better
by the time opening weekend rolls around. It appears the campground
will still be closed, so overnight accommodations will have to be
made elsewhere.
Mammoth Lakes Basin
The upper elevation lakes will still have mucho snow and ice, so fly
fishing is really out of the question. However the streams in the
area should be in pretty good shape with the serious runoff delayed
until warmer temperatures prevail. The accessible areas will be
heavily stocked and ready for the onslaught.
Bridgeport
Lower Twin Lake will be completely open and should prove to be a
great spot for the opener. Upper Twin Lake has broken up, but there
remains some ice on the lake with most of the edges and outlet open.
The campgrounds at this time are still fairly snowbound. Bridgeport
Reservoir is completely open and will undoubtedly produce some great
fishing this season. Jim at Rick’s Sporting Goods in Bridgeport
reports that streamers like Seal Buggers and Flasher Buggers with a
Bird’s Nest trailer will definitely take fish. When the weather
warms some and the insect action increases, midge fishing on the
west side of the lake will also produce some good fish. The Walker
River below Bridgeport Reservoir dam is currently running at 193 cfs
and will be a good bet for fly anglers on the opener. Both the
California and Nevada side of the river should fish quite well at
these flow rates. Golden Stones, Tiger midges, Hare’s Ears and
Pheasant Tails should produce fish in the smooth water below the
riffles. Stimulators with a Midge dropper are always a popular rig.
All of us who love fishing understand that “limiting your catch” and
not “catching your limit” has become much more important every year.
Please practice good catch and release methods, pinch down your
barbs and return those great trout unharmed for those anglers that
come behind us.
Please be mindful of the New Zealand mud snail problem we have in
this area and take the necessary precaution to avoid spreading the
scourge. For more information, visit the website
http://www.flyline.com/environmental/nzms .
Good fishing until next time…
Rick Gunby, www.Fish395.com ,
Fly Fishing Guide Service
Located along Hwy 395 in the Eastern Sierras
Gunby1@msn.com
High Sierra Trout Season Opener! April 30, 2005
The day we long for is almost here. The opening day of six months of
fishing in the High Sierra!
This year’s High Sierra trout season opener will provide everything
the serious angler looks for. Cold temps and plenty of snow on the
ground look like a given for opening day. This combined with the on
fire action we saw at the close of the 2004 trout season should give
all anglers an experience they’ll talk about for years to come.
Below: Paiute Pass Brook Trout - photo by Charlie Halsell
 We
are lucky enough to have Rick Gunby, one of the Sierra’s top fly-
fishing guides, offering his expert advice on our fishing reports
this year. His vast knowledge of the lakes and streams along the
Eastern Sierras should help get you going in the right direction.
Visit his website by clicking on the link at the end of this report
to see even more of what these mountains have to offer.
For the Bishop Creek canyon area on opening day, you might want to
get to Intake Two a little earlier than you did at the opener last
year. Tim Alpers will be planting 6,000 pounds of his famous
“Alpers” rainbow trout BEFORE opening day. I know what the crowd
looked like here last opener, so you probably won’t see me there. I
will be fishing my favorite spot that is located…
Wherever you end up on opening day 2005, I wish you a great day and
the best of luck!
See you out there!
Charlie Halsell
Rick Gunby’s Eastern Sierra Fishing Report for April 1, 2005
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations Weather Service
Forecast Office in Redwood City announced today that there is a
strong probability that the spring of 2005 will be the coldest and
wettest in recent history. Temperatures well below average will
continue, with the Pacific storm track taking a dead aim at central
California. Heavy snows in the mountains and low temperatures will
delay the fishing opener in the Eastern Sierras until mid July this
year!
OR SO IT SEEMS…. April Fools!! Or is it??
The ten-day forecast doesn’t show any significant storms coming our
way. Most of the inclement weather seems to be heading for the
Northwest thank goodness. We sure would like to give spring a chance
to develop here in the Eastern Sierras. For up to the date weather
info,
go here.
Crowley Lake / Bridgeport Reservoir
We are looking forward to some great fishing conditions this season.
The abundant snowfall and resulting runoff will be great for the
lower elevation lakes Such as Crowley and Bridgeport Res. Being able
to maintain higher water levels throughout most of the season will
undoubtedly make for better fly-fishing. This will allow the water
to stay colder longer; prolong the weed bed growth and keep the fish
up in the shallows feeding on the perch fry and midges. Stillwater
fly-fishing this fall should be better than we have seen it in
sometime!
A late start will be the rule for the upper elevation lakes. A later
ice out and limited access will delay fishing these scenic areas
until sometime early summer.
Lower Owens River
The Los Angeles Dept. of Water and Power have increased the flows
considerably as of late. The current CFS is hovering around 300 as
of this writing. This flow rate can only go up from here, as the PVR
(Pleasant Valley Reservoir) will need to handle significant runoff
this spring and early summer. The water demands of our neighbors to
the south will keep the flows up around 400-500 CFS for the balance
of the season.
A change in tactics is required when fishing this higher water.
These increased flows make it near impossible to wade the river so
your profile from the bank will become more apparent to the fish. A
common mistake is standing on the edge of the bank, casting straight
to the fish. Instead, present the fly downstream to the rising fish,
dropping the dry fly on the water well above the trout so as not to
spook him. Then add slack line quickly and allow the fly to drift
downstream, drag free into the feeding lane. Pause a moment after
the take and set the hook! Nymphs to use would be Baetis #16-18 and
Caddis pupa (Hydropsychid Net Spinner) #12-16. Use two or three BB
size split shot and make sure you are on the bottom. Use a large
enough indicator to support the heavier rig and open up your casting
loop when lobbing it up and across the stream. Cover the run
completely before moving on.
Systematically fish each area of the holding water or you will be
passing up fish.
East Walker River
Currently the flows are 73 CFS on the Nevada side of the river and
according to Rick at Ken’s Sporting Goods in Bridgeport the E.W is
fishing well. There has been some dry fly action mid day with small
BWOs from #18-22s and there are some Little Golden Stoneflies around
so Stimulators are working with a Tiger Midge dropper being a good
combination. The usual Baetis nymphs such as Bead head Gold- Ribbed
Hares Ears and Pheasant Tails will also work. The outlook for the
general trout season on the E.W. is very good this year due to the
expected higher water in the Reservoir and the amount of cold water
being released into the river.
Pleasant Valley Reservoir
Things have settled down quite a bit since the Blake Jones Trout
Derby.
(All that glitters isn’t gold!) Most of the floating bait has
floated off somewhere else, and the majority of the debris has been
picked up by the inmates, leaving the Res. somewhat back to normal.
Power is being generated up stream on a daily basis so the fish are
moving up to feed towards the narrower North end. Float tubers are
taking Rainbows and Browns using Midges up in the shallower areas
and Streamers are also working well from the river inlet to around
the boat ramp. The water temps have warmed up some so you can stay
in the water longer without turning blue.
Good Fishing, until next time…
Rick Gunby, www.Fish395.com Fly
Fishing Guide Service
Located in the Eastern Sierra. email:gunby1@msn.com
Find even more about the High Sierras by clicking on the
following links;
........................................................................
|
|
|
|
Standing on the hill above the Intake
Two campgrounds on Friday 10-28-2005
We leave for the season in only two days. The weather has been so
nice lately it is making it harder to go. The browns are starting to
show in both Sabrina and South Lake. I wish I could stay just a
little bit longer.
I will do my best to write more in the winter. I should be
hitting the So Cal lakes every few weeks and will share any info I
get.
Thanks for sharing yet another perfect season with us...
Charlie, Christy, Charles, and Thomas Halsell
Our family at the US Open last month. Lake Meade, Nevada
Cathy Phillips - probably the best female angler in the High Sierra.
August 8th,
2005
High Sierra Woodcarvings Fishing Report
www.highsierrawoodcarvings.com
I’m back in full swing again, as far as
getting out fishing goes. I was able to go at least once a day over
the past week. I didn’t break any of my old records, but it sure was
nice to be back on the water again!
I fished South Lake
twice this last week. I fished off the dam and didn’t’ have much
luck until I went deep. There is an algae layer that is around 10
feet down. I didn’t see but a couple of fish above this. I did best
by putting two B-B sized split shots 18 inches above a white jig. I
waited until it hit bottom and then began a slow retrieve while
bouncing the tip of the rod slightly. This produced a fish 50% of
the time on a day when no one else was catching.
Intake Two
lived up to its reputation with both size and numbers. I met a
family that did well earlier in the week. Frank Garza of La Puente,
Ca woke up the rest of his reluctant crew before 6am and made it
down to the Intake near the pipe. The early start payed off quickly
with a 4 pounder that hit on salmon eggs under a small split shot.
This woke up the rest of his group and Kekoa Estrada, Gabriel Rios,
and the youngest 10 year old Joseph Garza started filling their own
stringers with fish up to 2 pounds. Thanks to “uncle” Frank, they
were in the right place at the right time!
Others did well here with green “Power Bait”
from shore or the grasshopper colored “Stinger” by Trout Traps. The
main Inlet continues to be the hot spot for fish in the 2 to 7 pound
range. With the water flow still high it is best to weight your line
with a size 4 split shot to get your offering down to the hole where
these big guys like to hang out. Cast up stream from the peninsula
and keep most of the slack out of your line. Watch your line closely
for any tugs and be ready to set that hook!
Sabrina is
my new favorite spot. I fished from shore twice and also took a
kayak to the back of the lake in the past week. The water is very
clear so fish are hitting in the shallows as well as deep. If you
have never tried “sight fishing” now would be a great time. The
inlet at the back right-hand side produced the most fish. You can
take the ½ hour hike or rent a boat to get there. A family drifting
worms by casting up into the inlet were knocking ‘em dead from their
boat.
If you do take a boat here don’t forget to stay
at least 25 or more yards out from the inlet to keep from spooking
the fish.
I made it to Weir pond
2 nights ago. It had been almost two weeks since any “Alpers” had
been stocked, but I still managed to find a few hiding in the reeds.
This place is a great standby when nowhere else is producing. There
are 2 foot wide channels in the reeds at the far back that hold the
bigger fish. Rarely do I find these channels empty. I keep my head
below the sight line and cast a small jig BEFORE I look to see if
something is there. You won’t be disappointed – just save one for
me!
That’s it for this report; I hope it helps you
on your next time out!
Charlie Halsell
charlie@highsierrawoodcarvings.com
August 1st, 2005
Darrall Andreas- driver - and Augustine
Murguia
This week's report is from as close to the source as you can get.
Darrall Andreas and Augustine Murguia, both employees of Alpers
Ranch, have shared with us a few of their guarded secrets. A common
question they get from anglers that are lucky enough to be there
when they stock is "How can I catch one of those?"
Their most common reply is "You just got to be lucky I guess!"
Well I caught Darrall and Augustine on a good day. They had just
finished stocking Cardinal Pond when I asked for a short interview.
Darrall has worked for Tim Alpers for over 16 years now. If there
is anyone who knows about the famed "Alpers" trout, it's Darrall. He
stocks trout in the 2 to 8 pound range on a daily basis. The largest
fish he has ever stocked personally was a 21 pounder that was put
into Lake Mary near the town of Mammoth Lakes. He still loves to
fish and said his favorite spot is Pleasant Valley Reservoir in the
Winter-time. He targets the German Browns that call the place home.
I asked Darrall what the best way to catch the "Alpers" was and he
said a "Thomas Bouyant." I then said "You mean the red and gold one
right?" "Naw - that'll work sure- but too many people use that one.
The best one is this one!" He then took a lure off of
the visor in front of him and said," It's yours. Keep it!"
This is the lure that Darrall gave me.
It was a blue and silver "Thomas Cyclone" with black and red dots
on it. The model number is s514 and it weighs 1/6th of an ounce. "It
has a smaller profile than the spoons that most people use and does
a lot better, especially when the fish are picky." according to
Darrall.
Augustine actually lives at the Alpers Ranch and has been working
for Tim since last November. He is the one that runs the fish from
the truck to the water. The biggest fish he has stocked is a 14
pounder that he put into Crowley a few months ago. "It looked like a
shark swimming with the other fish we put in. It was huge!" "Don't
believe him!" joked Darrall from the driver seat. "That was a small
one!"
They had to get going - but before they left they let me know
that they had just put 600 pounds of fish into Intake Two, and 150
pounds into North Lake. The stream below Sabrina would get some in
the pools there and a few would go into the pool at the North Lake
turn off.
I had a big smile as I waved them off. I knew I had just heard
some of the most valuable fishing advice I would hear in some time.
Use this info carefully. (We wouldn't want too many people using
THIS lure as well!) I think I might drive down to Intake Two for
some strange reason.
Best of Luck on your next time out!
Charlie Halsell
charlie@highsierrawoodcarvings.com
July 12th, 2005
I caught and released this rainbow a few days ago at South Lake.
I don't
actually have the right to post this report as I have only
fished once in the past week. I have always prided myself in the
ability to give you reports no more than a few days old
because fishing reports, much like fish, begin to stink after
just a few days. Life just got busy. That is my only excuse.
What I can
offer is best wishes on your next time out. I will be taking the
next two weeks off as far as the fishing report goes. To get the
latest on the Bishop Creek Canyon area, go to
www.lakesabrinaboatlanding.com for a report that Patty Apted
posts. I know of no other report that comes from people that
still love to fish as much as Patty and her husband Rick.
We should be
hearing from Rick Gunby soon. I look forward to it as he always
helps me get pointed in the right direction.
Wherever you
end up, May God himself bless your lines.
Until next
time...
Charlie Halsell
charlie@highsierrawoodcarvings.com
July 2nd, 2005 - Gull Lake
Marina
www.gulllakemarina.com
Michael Maine of Palmdale, California with a 5lb 9oz "Alpers"
rainbow
Brian Hopper of Valencia, California with a 3 lb "Alpers" rainbow.
Rod Ida with sons Alex
and Nicholas with another lunker out of Gull Lake.
Dan Mc Kernan, Manager of Gull Lake Marina.
Gull Lake Report - July 2nd, 2005
Report and photos by Charlie Halsell
e-mail
charlie@highsierrawoodcarvings.com
I love the Bishop Creek area where I live, but
Gull Lake is where I go when I get some "time off." My first time
fishing here I didn't have a clue where to start. I wandered out
through the reeds on the south side and I couldn't believe what I
saw. Twenty or more "Alpers" rainbows from 2 to 6 lbs were schooling
next to an old fallen pine! It took me a long time to tie on a
mini-jig because of how much I was shaking. Over the next two hours
that followed, I had the best fishing experience of my life at that
point. I ended up with 3 fish over 4 lbs.
Today I stopped off at the Gull Lake Marina to
talk with some friends. It was 6pm and the anglers that had rented
boats were beginning to come in. The first was Michael Maine of
Palmdale, California. He was walking proudly towards the scale with
a big bellied rainbow trout that weighed in at 5lbs 9oz. It had the
fattest belly I've seen on a fish in quite some time. (See photo
above) He had caught the fish with an inflated night crawler along
the reeds on the west side of the lake. He was using a Shimano combo
with only 2lb test!
Next off the docks were the Ida family of Orange
County. Rod Ida and his sons Alex and Nicholas made their way to the
scale with a nice looking rainbow that weighed in at 2lbs 4oz. Rod
gave credit to Dan the marina manager for the advice he had given
them before they rented the boat. Chartreuse "Power Bait" did the
trick for the trio along the reeds on the west side. They had
witnessed the 5 lb 9 oz rainbow being caught and they "can't wait"
to get back out there again.
Only a few minutes later, Brian Hopper of
Valencia, California docked his boat and then brought up a 3 pounder
to the scale. He used a blue/silver 1/4 ounce "Kastmaster" to land
his fish. He had anchored his boat on the South end of the lake
where he caught his trophy.
I stopped in the shop before I left to ask Dan Mc
Kernan, the marina manager, what he would recommend to anyone
heading to Gull Lake soon. He suggested "bait-fishing the tules as
well as Indian Rock." "Troll the corners of the lake with Triple
Teasers and red/gold Thomas Bouyants" "An assortment of Rapalas will
bring good results as well when trolling." Stop in and talk with Dan
if you get a chance.
I continued to watch the fish cleaning station
fill up with big fish and smiling faces. The sun had set but it was
still warm out. People weren't in any hurry to go anywhere as they
exchanged fishing stories from the day. Gary, the owner of the
marina, was getting a fire started out in front of the tackle store
and gift shop as I drove off. It was another perfect day at Gull
Lake. I can't wait to go back...
See you out there!
Charlie Halsell -
charlie@highsierrawoodcarvings.com
Sandra Bullock
with a nice rainbow from Bishop
Creek. June 29th
Gordy Coulman of Fallbrook, California with a 6 pound rainbow -
Intake Two
June 26, 2005
High Sierra Woodcarvings Fishing Report
Submitted by Charlie Halsell
Weather Report
It’s the time of year for afternoon thunder
showers. We got around an inch of rain at 8,500 feet in Bishop Creek
Canyon yesterday. Today’s
www.weather.com forecast calls for more thunder showers
throughout the coming week. Temps will stay mild with highs in the
low 70’s and lows in the low 40’s. The fishing has been good to
great this past week, but be aware of the possibility of lightning
if you plan on being out in a boat.
Intake Two
is simply a trout factory this year. Even the stories of “the good
ol’ days” don’t hold water to the size and numbers that are coming
out of Intake this season. A three or four pounder hardly gets a
reaction out of anyone with fish in the 6 pound plus range being an
almost common sight
Gordy Coulman of Fallbrook hit Intake Two
Friday with a red/gold Thomas Bouyant next to the small pier. His
efforts landed him a big bellied 6 pound rainbow as well as a 3
pounder.
Only a mere 20 feet away the Johnson
brothers, Chad and Shane pulled in 8 fish that totaled 23 pounds!
They used night crawlers, Powerbait , and a Thomas Bouyant to land
their lunkers.
Brad and Brandon Valerius fished from shore
closer to the dam to land their limits which included a 6 pound
rainbow. Salmon eggs just off the bottom got them each of their
trophies.
The list of people with fish in the 3 to
four pound range is too long to list. I will tell you though that
most of them were caught on the red/gold “Thomas Bouyant.”
The “Thomas Bouyant” company can no longer
produce the same red/gold lure that they have in the past. The
finish on it needed an additive to produce the “wrinkled” look. This
“additive” can no longer be used for one reason or another. The new
red/gold lure that they cam out with has a “stamped” texture on it
and has proven itself to work just fine.
They also came out with two gold lures with a
red or black lightning bolt on it. I haven’t used these yet but I’ll
give them a shot soon and let you know how it goes.
Let’s review today’s report just for the fun
of it.
Intake Two – red/gold “Thomas Bouyants” – BIG
FISH!
Even if you are headed all the way to
Bridgeport, you just might want to head 17 miles west when you get
to Bishop. It is getting 3 to 4 times the amount of fish in the 2 to
9 pound range this season. A few hours spent here could be well
worth your while.
I’ll try to get to the bigger lakes this coming
week and get some info for you there.
Till then…
Have fun out there!
Charlie Halsell
June 24th 2005, 4pm
Nice catch at Intake Two!
The Johnson family of La Palma, California- L to R- Chad, Susan,
Carl, and Shane.
June 22nd, 2005
South Lake, almost full,
6-22-2005 1pm
Update! I fished South Lake today. Lots of fish are
hanging by the dam. Nothing over 2 pounds visible. Probably
bigger ones behind the island. Wind came up strong by 11am.
Intake Two is the better call for this weekend. Good luck!...Charlie
Halsell
Another high country lake, loaded
with fish and no-one fishing. (2 hour hike)
June 21st, 2005
Fly fishing
report submitted by Rick Gunby,
www.Fish395.com
Fly Fishing
Guide Service in the Eastern Sierras, CA
The
Eastern Sierra Mountains have finally been released from
the grip of a very potent winter. The high mountain passes and
roads leading to our most beautiful resorts, lakes and streams are
now open. The exception is Tioga Pass that should open by the end
of the month. The Bishop Canyon area including North, South, and
Sabrina Lakes are all open just waiting to be fished! Rock Creek
Lake area above Tom’s Place has awakened from under a thick white
blanket with a multitude of angling and camping opportunities. The
road leading into the Mammoth Lakes Basin was opened last Saturday
providing access to great camping and fishing in a truly remarkable
setting. Now if we could get rid of these powerful wind events we
have been experiencing lately, we can get down to the business of
catching some fish!
Lower
Owens River
Currently the
flow rate is at 300 cfs and scheduled to be increased to 350 by the
end of next week. At those flows, wading can be tricky! The use of
a wading staff will enable you to maintain your balance should you
lose your footing. I talked to a friend who went down twice
yesterday! The second time completely submerged with no serious
damage incurred fortunately (except his pride). The Lower Owens is
fishing quite well, however, with large caddis nymph patterns in
size #12-14 and big Pheasant Tail nymphs, both taking Browns. At
least two BB size shots and long leaders are needed to get right on
the bottom. In late afternoon to evening the bug activity on the
surface will allow you to entice some fish on dries such as Elk Hair
and Fluttering Caddis patterns.
Bishop
Creek Canyon
(Scroll down to the June
19th report for even more on Bishop Creek Canyon)
As stated
earlier in this report, all lakes in this area are now open. The
most recent opening was North Lake, which is a great
float tube lake. Each season this lake accounts for consistent
limits on rainbows from 1½ - 4 pounds. Leech patterns in maroon and
black are good along with wooly buggers with some flash in the body
and marabou tails. Olive, black and purple colors are good in the
buggers. Water is very cold this time of year. Layer up!
Bishop Creek, although high, is providing action on dry
flies. The fish are not large, but their numbers make up for it.
Try Sierra Captains or little Yellow Sally’s along with small
stimulators and Caddis patterns. These fish are very opportunistic
and will hit most any well-presented fly. “Dappling” the fly in
eddies behind rocks will often bring strikes. South and
Sabrina Lakes have rapidly rising water and both have large
numbers of fish cruising the shoreline at lowlight levels, searching
for food. Most types of streamers fished on a type II or III sink
line, parallel to the shore, will fool these fish. Popular patterns
here would be Doc’s Twin Lake Specials in black and brown, olive
Matukas, and AP nymphs in dark colors. Areas around
the many inlets will always hold fish. Casting up into them,
allowing the fly to sink and then fast strips should bring vicious
strikes!
Crowley
Lake
So far this
season Crowley has been tough to figure out. One day it fishes
great; the next day when you think you have it wired --- Not so!
Fluctuations in water levels this year seem to be playing a major
role, in my humble opinion. If the lake level would stabilize for a
while, I think the fishing would be greatly improved. The weed beds
have extended out from the shore into about 12 feet of water now.
They still have a way to go before reaching the surface. Fishing
along the edges of these weeds is always a good bet especially when
the perch fry are present. The depth at which most fish are caught
is between 12-15 feet. Midging at this depth requires a very long
leader and a long arm as well. Recently, suspended flies at 1-3
feet off the bottom produce the most hits. Callibaetis Mayflies are
present in larger numbers than I have seen in some time. On a
two-fly rig, use a natural Hare’s Ear pattern (Baetis Nymph) on top
and a midge pupa on the bottom. We have taken quite a number of
fish with this combo lately. Big Hilton Bay and McGee Bay have been
the most consistent producers up to this point. The algae bloom has
been increasing daily but has not presented a problem as of yet.
Mammoth
Lakes Basin
At this time I
only have info on
Lake
Mary. Yesterday 75 large Alpers trout were planted there.
Float tubers are taking many trout near the south cove and the Lake
George inlet. Olive Matukas and Wooly Buggers have been responsible
for the majority of fish. Using full sink lines and getting that
fly to the bottom will get those hungry trout excited.
Bridgeport
Reservoir
The reservoir
is completely full and many areas are covered with water that has
not seen this condition for some time. The trout are spread all
over the lake right now with no one area being singled out as the
hot spot. Peak runoff should be expected within a week or so. This
will insure more favorable conditions as the reservoir and river
levels decrease. In most years by this time, the algae in the “Res”
have all but covered this lake. But due to the cold water from
runoff still being introduced, this condition has been delayed
considerably. Take advantage of this great fishery if you get a
chance. You won’t regret time spent on this water.
East
Walker River
Currently the
flows here are at 860 cfs. This flow rate makes it tough to fish.
There have been reports of large Browns being hooked recently, but
none have been landed. When hooked they move into the fast water
and gain the advantage, immediately breaking the leader or shaking
the hook. Best to wait for lower flows here before casting to these
trout!
West
Walker River
Flow rate of
1050 cfs now. Whoa! Give it three weeks at least.
Good fishing
until next time . . . .
Rick Gunby,
www.Fish395.com Fly Fishing Guide Service
Located along
Hwy 395 in the Eastern Sierras, CA
info@fish395.com
Happy Father's Day!
High Sierra Woodcarvings Fishing Report
Submitted by Charlie Halsell
June 19, 2005
HAPPY
FATHER’S DAY!
Father’s Day weekend is always a great
time to be up in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Dads and their
families can be seen fishing, hiking, or just simply relaxing. (When
they are not un-tangling line, that is.)
We had some amazing wind over the past three
days. Gusts of wind over 100mph were reported over the crest of the
High Sierra. At 8,500 ft in Bishop Creek Canyon we had steady winds
of 30 to 40 mph with the occasional gust of 50 to 60. Temps have
stayed in the low 40’s at night with the highs getting up into the
60’s. The forecast for Father’s Day is for highs in the mid 60’s and
lows tonight in the high 30’s. We should see a big jump in temps
tomorrow with a high pressure system moving over the area bringing
another 10 degrees or more to the highs and lows.
I didn’t see nearly as many big fish caught
this week as I have in the weeks past. It just wasn’t easy to spend
large amounts of time on the water. Places like the south side of
Intake Two or Cardinal Pond were the only places somewhat sheltered
from the high winds. A few spots along both forks of Bishop Creek
like Weir Pond and the pools below Sabrina allowed for a bit of a
wind break as well. Anyone willing to tough it out did fine,
especially at North Lake.
The road to
North Lake has been opened
for 5 days now. It received its first stocking of Tim Alpers fish
this past Friday. Most of these were in the 3 to 4 pound range with
a few around 6. Throwing jigs wasn’t much of an option with the high
winds unless you know how to use them with a bobber. I do best with
at least 6 feet of line between the bobber and the jig. Casting side
shore into the wind using a slow steady retrieve works best. Keep
the tip of your rod near the water and as much slack as possible out
of your line so you’re ready to set the hook as soon as the bobber
goes down. I use a small yellow and orange bobber with a few BB’s
in it for weight and sound.
Bob and Kathy Phillips of Grenada Hills caught
plenty of fish over 2 pounds this trip using their favorite
“grasshopper” Trout Traps from their float tubes. Bob switched to a
gold Panther Martin and hooked into a fish that kept him busy for
just over a half hour at North Lake. I wasn’t there to see it, but I
had no problem believing him as he often catches fish in the 6 plus
pound range. I was fishing from my kayak last year at North Lake
when Bob hooked into a fish using a small brown Rapala. I was only
20 yards or so from him when he hooked it so I got to see the near 7
pounder when he landed it About the only person up here that can
out-fish Bob on occasion is his wife Kathy. I have seen her catch
plenty of fish in the 4 plus pound range. If you are lucky enough to
meet this couple while you’re up here, pay attention, these two can
catch fish!
Most of the fish caught over 4 pounds at North
Lake were off of “lemon twist” Power Bait fished just off the bottom
with at least 18 inches of leader. Roger Privett of Los Angeles used
“chartreuse” Power Bait to land a 4.25 pound rainbow from the shore
closest to the parking area. Roger always gets nice fish using just
enough Power Bait to cover a #20 treble hook.
A system I almost always do well with when fishing North Lake is
fishing the shallows near the outlet at first light, the shore near
the red rock slide by 10am, the reeds along the dirt road until 12
or 1pm, and then I fish from the reeds at the inlet from 2pm on. The
big rainbows at North Lake are pretty predictable and they seem to
school in this pattern more often than not. Throw a size 7 Rapala
from the reeds at the inlet in the last ½ hour of light for a chance
at some of the bigger browns that live here.
Intake Two
wasn’t as hot as it has been, but it still managed to put out a few
fish in the 4 to 6 pound range. An extra heavy stocking of DFG trout
on Thursday made for some quick limits for the anglers who didn’t
mind the wind. The inlet side is still the spot to be for the fish
over 3 pounds. Bring up your waders to access this side as it is
knee to waist deep water as you work your way through the reeds.
It’s a good idea to start with a red/gold
Thomas Bouyant when fishing this side until you get a hit. The fish
will school in one or two areas here, so once you find them stay put
until the bite’s off. Keep moving until you get hit again.
The best
advice I can give is to be persistent! I get a few
complaints every now and then from people who “did exactly what I
suggested” and they still didn’t get anything. I then find out that
they “fished at least a whole 30 or 45 minutes” before they gave up.
If you are out to relax, then bring up the lawn
chair, your favorite bait, plenty of snacks and drinks and no matter
what happens, your day is a success. If you are out for a big fish,
plan on a physical day, lots of hiking around checking numerous
spots, and basically 6 or more hours on the water. Make sure your
gear is in order BEFORE you leave home. A little planning goes a
long way in fishing. Maybe most importantly, be willing to learn.
When I walk around the lakes here, I ask a ton of questions. A great
place to start is not necessarily the owner of the resort, but the
guy running the boat rentals or the bus-boy at the café. These are
people that are taking whatever jobs they have to so they can fish
and fish often. Just act like you have no idea what you are doing
and make them feel important. If they do decide to give up a few
secrets, don’t interrupt with “oh yeah, that worked for me last week
when I caught that...” Simply listen and
know that you are getting a priceless lesson from someone who spends
hours and hours on the water that you are about to fish.
I got one of my best fishing tips from a young guy running
the boat rentals at Lake Mary in Mammoth Lakes. I had fished here
lots before and had always done well. I simply said to him “Where
would YOU fish if you had this morning off?”
I would tell you what he told me but then I
would have to find a new favorite spot.
I’ve written too much already so I’ll end it
here. Once again – best of luck on your next time out and don’t
forget…
Fish Hard!
See you soon-
Charlie Halsell
charlie@highsierrawoodcarvings.com
June 16th,2005
Convict Lake with a bit of wind on it. 6-16-2005
6:30pm
Fishing has been a little difficult lately. The gusts of wind
over the crest of the Sierras are reaching over 100 mph. I hope I
can give a good report soon. I have gone fishing the last three days
and I now suspect that someone dipped all of my jigs and lures in
gasoline. Maybe tomorrow if the wind is still up I will just go
surfing at Convict Lake. Wish me luck....
|
June 14th, 2005
North Lake Road Opens!
I took the photo above from the outlet at
5:15pm. Only 3 people were fishing.
I drove up to
North Lake
as soon as I got the news from "Dale," the regional campground
manager. I only had an hour to fish, and I didn't do so well. I only
caught one fish at the inlet that was less than a pound. There is a
whole lot of water in the meadow above the lake. I can imagine that
we're in for a record mosquito season. You can see how high
the water level is in the photo above. Normally this guy would be
standing in just below the knee deep water. I will go back up there
tomorrow and see if I can do any better.
"Big Fish Board"
located outside Cardinal Village Bait Shop
High Sierra Woodcarvings Fishing Report
6-12-2005
Submitted by Charlie Halsell
charlie@highsierrawoodcarvings.com
June 12, 2005
5:30 am
Life is great at 8,500 ft.
I feel extra spoiled this morning as I write
this. The high today for this elevation is forecasted for the upper
70’s. There are two baby golden eagles in the nest on the cliffs
above. The fishing is better than even “the good ol’ days.” I have a
brand new son who is now 5 days old…. It just goes on and on.
FISHING REPORT….
I have had a busy week with our baby boy being
born, but I still managed to get out and fish twice with my 18 month
old son Charles in his baby back-pack. Intake Two once again is
making headlines with both numbers as well as size. This will
continue throughout the 2005 season as S.C. Edison continues to
prime the big fish fund to help make up for lost business in this
area last year. They had to drain both Intake Two as well as Lake
Sabrina to be able to work on the dams there. This translates to big
fish – and LOTS of them!
INTAKE TWO has been kind to many people over
the past week – again!
It’s not just the locals and the semi-pros that
are getting the lunkers either. Pink “Power Bait” and salmon eggs
have landed many fish in the 7 to 8 pound range for people who have
never caught much more than a pound. “Trout Teasers” and other
mini-jigs still rein king over any bait or lures though. Pearl white
is the best color to use if you “just happen” to be up here on the
day the big fish are stocked. It is common to see 5 or more people
throwing this color and then see the same people later at the fish
cleaning station with their limit of fish in the 3 to 6 pound range.
If it has been a couple days or more since a
water has been stocked, it is best to use a more natural color such
as brown or green and oil. The grasshopper color by “Trout Traps”
has become a favorite to many. The perch color put out by “Trout
Teasers” is still my favorite.
Orland Pilon threw a “fightin’ frog” colored
mini-jig and landed a 6 ¾ pounder while float tubing near the inlet
at Intake Two Friday. Orland has quite a few pictures on the “Big
Fish” boards in many tackle shops in the Sierras. He consistently
catches huge fish using jigs and the occasional “Thomas Bouyant” –
(red and gold of course.)
Jeff Creamer also of Corona is another regular
that always does well with jigs. This trip the jigs weren’t
producing as well for him so he switched to the red/gold “Thomas
Bouyant” and caught 3 fish over 3 pounds in less than 45 minutes.
Jeff can also be found on many “Big Fish” boards with fish in the 6
to 8 pound range.
Seven year old Jakob Gonterman of Hunington
Beach used a | |
