976-FRESH Freshwater Fish Report

EAST WALKER RIVER- The river is still fishing pretty well this past week, though we have had a few reports that have been a little slow. Most anglers are still reporting good days with both nymphs and small dries but there’s been some small stretches of time where it seems to be a little tougher. Lots of fish in the 14 to 18 inch range with a few in the 19 to 22 inch range still being landed. In some of the slicker stretches where fish are rising a lot they don’t seem to be too shy of anglers but they are very picky, you’ll need to get a good drift and have your bugs small and riding high. Some patterns to try include para adams, griffith gnat, blue dun, bwo, wd-40, gt emerger, ice nymph, flashback emerger, zebra midge and disco midge.

General trout season will reopen April 28 on all waters in this region. For up-to-date road and campground information by region, call the following U.S. Forest Service offices: For the Big Pine to Lone Pine region, call 760-876-6222; for the Bishop Region, call 760-873-2500; for the Mammoth Lakes region, call 760-924-5500; for the Lee Vining region, call 760-647-3044; and for the Bridgeport region call 760-932-7070. Lodging and guide information: Bishop Chamber of Commerce 760-873-8405 or www.bishopvisitor.com, Mono County Tourism 760-924-1743. Top Eastern Sierra fishing report web sites are: www.KensSport.com (Bridgeport region), www.TheTroutFly.com, and www.SierraDrifters.com.

BRIDGEPORT REGION: The East Walker River remains low, but the action has been good to excellent on streamers, nymphs, and midges with a lot of 18 to 22-inch fish and some big browns have stacked up in the stretch below the dam in the deep pools. Information: Kenís Sporting Goods 760-932-7707 or www.kenssport.com.

MAMMOTH AREA: The Upper Owens has been fair with the best action on nymphs, streamers, and egg patterns fished under banks and in run tailouts. There are quite a few big fall-run rainbows to 26 inches (most 18 to 20 inches) and a few browns showing in the river. Hot Creek remains very good for fly anglers with daily mayfly and caddis activity, midges in the evenings, and nymph fishing all day. Information: The Troutfitter at 760-934-2517.

BISHOP AREA: Trout plants in Pleasant Valley Reservoir two and four weeks ago have made for pretty fair action. The lake level is down some, which has improved access to upper end of the lake. The lower Owens has been very good with some good mid-day dry fly action but mostly good action on nymphs and streamers. Also DFG plants this week and three weeks ago below Tinemaha and from Stewart Lane to the Laws Bridge. The 45th Blake Jones Trout Derby will be held St. Patrickís Day, March 17 on Pleasant Valley Reservoir. The Blind Bogey event draws over 1,000 anglers and over $10,000 in prizes are awarded via drawing and for biggest fish. Entry fee is $10 for adults, $5 for kids under 12. Derby information: Bishop Chamber of Commerce 760-873-8405. Fishing information: Sierra Drifters Guide Service 760-935-4250, Sierra Trout Magnet Fly Shop 760-873-0010, Culverís 760-872-8361, Brockís 760-872-3581.

BRIDGEPORT REGION: The East Walker River remains low and the banks are now lined with snow, but the action has been good to excellent on streamers, nymphs, and midges with a lot of 18 to 22-inch fish and some big browns have stacked up in the stretch below the dam in the deep pools. Information: Kenís Sporting Goods 760-932-7707 or www.kenssport.com.

MAMMOTH AREA: Snow finally blanketed the region and it was still on the banks of Hot Creek and much of the upper Owens. Warm weather this week could improve the road situation (or make it worse by turning it to mud). The Upper Owens has been fair with the best action on nymphs, streamers, and egg patterns fished under banks and in run tailouts. There are quite a few big fall-run rainbows to 26 inches (most 18 to 20 inches) and a few browns showing in the river. Hot Creek remains very good for fly anglers with daily mayfly and caddis activity, midges in the evenings, and nymph fishing all day. Information: The Troutfitter at 760-934-2517.

BISHOP AREA: Trout plants in Pleasant Valley Reservoir last week tna three weeks ago have made for pretty fair action. The lake level is down some, which has improved access to upper end of the lake. The lower Owens has been very good with some good mid-day dry fly action but mostly good action on nymphs and streamers. Also DFG plants two weeks ago below Tinemaha and from Stewart Lane to the Laws Bridge. The 45th Blake Jones Trout Derby will be held St. Patrickís Day, March 17 on Pleasant Valley Reservoir. The Blind Bogey event draws over 1,000 anglers and over $10,000 in prizes are awarded via drawing and for biggest fish. Entry fee is $10 for adults, $5 for kids under 12. Derby information: Bishop Chamber of Commerce 760-873-8405. Fishing information: Sierra Drifters Guide Service 760-935-4250, Sierra Trout Magnet Fly Shop 760-873-0010, Culverís 760-872-8361, Brockís 760-872-3581.TROUT PLANTS

EAST WALKER RIVER- The river is flowing at 26 cfs today. We haven’t had very many anglers down there this week, probably because the weather has been a bit more like winter lately. The anglers we have talked to have still been doing pretty well though. Much the same techniques and patterns as the past few weeks, nymphing with small nymphs and midges and some dry action. Most of the anglers we’ve talked to are reporting anywhere from 10 to 30 fish days. Successful patterns include wd-40, flashback emerger, rainbow warrior, zebra midge, para adams, blue wing olive.

BRIDGEPORT REGION: The East Walker River remains low but the action has been good to excellent on streamers, nymphs, and midges with a lot of 18 to 22-inch fish and some big browns have stacked up in the stretch below the dam in the deep pools. The warm weather this past week has even brought some fish to the surface during hatches. Information: Kenís Sporting Goods 760-932-7707 or www.kenssport.com.

MAMMOTH AREA: The Upper Owens has been fair with the best action on nymphs, streamers, and egg patterns fished under banks and in run tailouts. There are quite a few big fall-run rainbows to 26 inches (most 18 to 20 inches) and a few browns showing in the river. Hot Creek remains very good for fly anglers with daily mayfly and caddis activity, midges in the evenings, and nymph fishing all day. Information: The Troutfitter at 760-934-2517.

BISHOP AREA: Trout plants in Pleasant Valley Reservoir last week, and the lake level has dropped some so access to upper end of the lake is better now. Good overall action. The lower Owens has been very good with some good mid-day dry fly action but mostly good action on nymphs and streamers. Also DFG plants this week below Tinemaha and from Stewart Lane to the Laws Bridge. The 45th Blake Jones Trout Derby will be held St. Patrickís Day, March 17 on Pleasant Valley Reservoir. The Blind Bogey event draws over 1,000 anglers and over $10,000 in prizes are awarded via drawing and for biggest fish. Entry fee is $10 for adults, $5 for kids under 12. Derby information: Bishop Chamber of Commerce 760-873-8405. Fishing information: Sierra Drifters Guide Service 760-935-4250, Sierra Trout Magnet Fly Shop 760-873-0010, Culverís 760-872-8361, Brockís 760-872-3581.

EAST WALKER RIVER- The river is still running at 25 cfs these days and coming out of the dam at about 38 or 40 degrees. Daytime air temps have been mostly in the high 30′s and 40′s so it’s been pretty comfortable fishing for this time of year. Fishing has been very good both nymphing and with small dries. The best time frame to be on the water lately has been from about 10am to 3pm or so. Most anglers are reporting anywhere from 5 to 25 fish (or sometimes more) during this time. Some patterns to try include zebra midges, WD-40′s, mercury midges, silver streak, flashback emerger, san juan worm, blue dun, BWO, para adams, rainbow warrior to name a few. The bad news is you’re gonna want to keep most of these patterns pretty small, like size 18 and 20. The Rosachi has been a little tough as the water seems to be quite a bit colder down there, mostly in the low 30′s, probably best to stay upstream right now where the water is a bit warmer.v

This year marks the 45^th consecutive year that Bishop, California will celebrate the sport of trout fishing by hosting an early season derby bearing the name of legendary fisherman Blake Jones.  On Saturday, March 17^th the Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce expects upwards of 1,000 anglers to participate in the contest, which is one of the state’s biggest annual single-day fishing events.

According to event organizers, it’s fitting that the derby honors a man who was dedicated to promoting the sport of trout fishing in the Eastern Sierra.  Blake and his wife Peggy were avid anglers and their favorite fishing holes were in the lakes and streams surrounding the Bishop area.  The couple served as expert guides and instructors and they would never hesitate to stop along the road and help people fish.  Legend has it that Jones was the creator of one of the world’s first bottled cheese baits in the 1950’s, revolutionary because it stayed on the hook even when submersed in water.  Blake Jones was passionate about trout fishing and he really got “turned on” by turning others on to the joys of fishing in the Eastern Sierra.

It’s in this spirit of turning anglers on to the plethora of year-round angling opportunities in the region that the Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce continues to organize and promote the derby in Jones’ honor.

The 2012 event is slated for March 17^th – lucky Saint Patrick’s Day at Pleasant Valley Reservoir, just 8 miles north of downtown Bishop.  Prior to the derby Pleasant Valley Reservoir and the Lower Owens River are always well stocked with Alpers and DFG trout.  The contest is a “blind bogey” competition, so everyone has equal chance to win.  Each registered participant may enter up to five fish and if any of the fish weights match the blind bogey weight, they’ll be entered into a raffle to win awesome prizes.  Last year’s winners took home more than $10,000 worth of fishing gear, float tubes, tackle, gift certificates and cash!  There are categories for adults and kids and additional prizes are awarded for big fish, early bird entries and farthest travel to the derby.  Early registration is just $10 for adults and $5 for kids under 12.  For entry forms and more info, contact the Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau (760)873-8405 or  HYPERLINK “http://www.bishopvisitor.com” www.bishopvisitor.com.

EAST WALKER RIVER- Hope everyone is having a great new year so far! The fishing has been pretty good down on the river lately, the flows are bouncing from 25 to 35 cfs most days. Yesterday was a little cold during the day but most days have been pretty nice, though I’m sure winter will get here sooner or later! Most of the action has been with either nymphs or small dries. For dries there’s been good action with blue duns, blue wing olives, parachute adams and drowned tricos. There’s lots of small nymphs and midges that have been producing including zebra midge, wd-40, pheasant tail, prince, hare’s ear, rainbow warrior, tailwater tiny, disco midge etc. Best time of day to be down there would probably be from about 10am to 4pm right now.