Hatch Report for Eastern Sierra, California Trout Fly Fishing Guide
Pat Jaeger based out of Bishop and Mammoth Lakes
Eastern Sierra Fly-Fishing Guide
Hatch Report
Pat
Jaeger Fly-Fishing Guide
SEASON SUMMARY 2009
It was a mild winter for the Eastern Sierra, only receiving in the ballpark of 80% of a normal winter. Early spring was warm and the fishing on the Lower Owens was as good as I’ve witnessed for many years. Our drift boat trips were very successful; late February and March were banner fishing months.
Our spring was very wet, truly a God send because it slowed down the runoff and gave us the added time and water to help out with the low snow pack. I spent most of April, May and June on the East Walker. Most afternoons we had rain, hail and even snow. The hatches were excellent and the fishing was consistently top notch. Many fish over twenty inches were hooked, we averaged about 50% of these to net; many a trout headed to the pumpkin patch or did the dodge and weave and turned tippet to dust.
Down in the Owens valley water, flows on the Lower Owens stayed small throughout July and early August. The wading was easy and the fishing was superb. We saw great Mayfly hatches at first light, then huge spinner falls mixed with small Stone flies and Caddis. It really was a bug buffet.
Most days we would head up the grade mid-day to get out of the heat and enjoy a Hot Creek kicker to wrap up the day. As always Hot Creek was killer; we had good days and awesome days. I was lucky enough to spend days on Hot Creek ranch. If you haven’t spent time on this piece of heaven I highly recommend it. Not only has Kevin Peterson (resident manager) improved the facilities, he and wife Lisa have created a really warm, easy atmosphere. No wonder its reserved years in advanced. . . and a river runs through it. Look in my LINKS for more information.
The San Joaquin fished short but sweeeet. Prime months were late July into early September. This has always been one of my mid-summer hideaways; I can’t wait to fish it next year.
The upper Owens was a blast, but I thought the mid summer water flows were on the low side, making the water on the warmer side. The stocking was weaker than the last couple years and the habitat not as accommodating for fish, and that put the Owens lower on my list of must-fish. In the fall it kicked into gear. My technique of choice was cut bank fishing with Steamers.
As summer waned into fall, my family and I did our annual pilgrimage north to southern Oregon’s Rogue river. Between the good Steelhead counts and the talent of the folks, our average was 6 per day. On the best day the river let us have 12 of its adult chromers………I can't wait till next year.
Last year I was lucky enough to go Long Range Tuna fishing twice. This year our adventure took us north to Canada. We were hunting the Great Plains of Alberta for Canadian Honkers. This was my first goose hunt and I was surrounded by really experienced hunters and Top Gun Guides (look in links for their websites). The reader's digest version was spectacular hunting, but it all came down to the same reason we fish: it’s a great excuse to watch the day begin; it’s a great way to watch the day end and to share unforgettable experiences with friends.
After our Canada trip, I spent the a week “talk’n trout” and hosting a PowerPoint presentation to the So Cal fly shop in San Diego and the Deep Creek and Orange County Fly Clubs, wrapping the trip up at Marriott’s Fly Shop in Anaheim. We had a fantastic turn out of fishing fanatics and the hospitality was extremely gracious from all.
I returned home to be welcomed by my girls and to spend the last of November guiding in my Drift Boat on the Lower Owens. The fishing was excellent, due to the last of the warm weather. Our temps have dropped the last week to extreme winter the last couple days. My priorities have switched to sending out fishing photos, letter writing, building my wading staffs (FISHSTICKS), winter sports (skiing, ice skating) and enjoying the holidays as a full time Dad.
. . . Another season goes by in a blink of an eye. My thanks go out to you’all for the support you’ve given me! This allows me to do what I do, to live were we live, and raise the kids that we love.
2009 FISHSTICK WORKSHOP IS IN FULL OPERATION AND READY FOR CHRISTMAS
FISHSTICKS
It has been a blast building wading staffs (Fishsticks) in my workshop during these slow winter months. I don’t know if you have ever done a wood project but I’ve found the first one comes out rough, and is time consuming. But if you keep making them, the procedure becomes refined and the projects become art. I have seen a huge growth of popularity for this product because of its simplicity, functionality and quality.
I am unveiling a new staff this year that will replace the light weight Birch staff. The wood I tested last summer was Stringy White Ash, the same material that hockey sticks are made of. This material is very strong, but still perfect for casual wading under knee deep.
As of Spring (June 1st) the retail price will go to $59.95. They will come in three different sizes: 36 inch for anglers under 5 foot; 60 inch to accommodate the taller anglers; and the standard 48 inch. I will be honoring the old price of $49.00+ shipping through June 1st.... for those of you who would like to have one under the tree.......place order by phone or e-mail esguidejaeger@hotmail.com
DRIFTBOAT TRIPS WINTER/SPRING 2010 A unique way to get away from weekend crowds and explore new, trout infested water is to go by boat. Since most of the Lower Owens River below the Wild Trout Area is not accessible by foot, drifting is the best way to get around. My 15-foot Hyde drift boat will accommodate 1-2 anglers in style. I chose this boat for its state-of-the-art profile, excellent draft in shallow water, and hull construction that keeps it warm in winter, cool in summer and quiet always. It is the finest drift boat in the Owens Valley.
During our drift trips, I teach and refine techniques such as nymph fishing with and without indicators, using streamers with sinking lines, and long- and short-line trout hunting with dry flies.
Drift-boat fishing can accommodate anglers of all kinds. It’s perfect for the beginner or advanced, the wader or non-wader, and the young to young at heart.
8 Hour Drift Trip Include: Flies, Complete Wading Gear, Rod/Reel, Terminal Tackle, Lunch and Beverages...... (NEW)This season 2010, I am offering a half day float trip
Lower Owens Winter fish report
January 2010....The water flows are tiny ( normal winter flows around 100cfs) the water is clear and very cold (40's). The crazy and wounderful thing is the fishing has been better than past winters....I have guided more days this winter then any other year. The fishings been pretty dam good,really worth the drive and a current license. What ive noticed is the fish are holding in slow water,the fish are holding so close to the bottom there fins have leach's on em...so you better tick the bottom. They have been munch'n small midge patterns ( #18-20 zebras, wd40, that kind of stuff) but we do get a midday Mayfly hatch around 1:00, so nymphs are the ticket around #16-18(we have seen them eat the duns, but its a bit soon). The walk-in trip on the wild trout area have been a blast, ive only been doing 1/2 day trip because the days are so short, come Feb. it will go to all days and the driftboat trip will come into play.
Winter report for Hot Creek 2009
Open for catch-and-release fishing.
DFG Rules . . .Hot Creek from the State hatchery property line to the confluence with the Owens River. All year. Only artificial flies with barbless hooks may be used......
I have not been up the grade in week now, this report is from the Troutfly: The creek got an inch or two of snow but it is almost completely gone and the road is wide open.
Cold mornings so no need to arrive much earlier than 10 am. Midges early followed by Baetis hatch from about 10:30 until 1:30. Everything coming off at Hot Creek is small.
Upper Owens river 2009
East Walker River hatch report 2009
11-2-09....flows are at winter levels for now 19cfs ...smaller than the water coming out of my rain gutter off my roof, too small for me, see ya in the spring.....we had a great year
2009 Steelhead fishing on the Rogue River
OCT-NOV 2009 Unfortunately our trip was cut short due to bouts of the flu that spread like wild fire through the family and myself.
I was the first to get it the day I got to Oregon, and days behind the oars were challenging. The heart breaker was seeing my girls go from sick to sicker but thank God it never reached doctor worthiness.
On the good side, the fishing was fantastic.
The weather was perfect, warm and rainy. The Middle river water clarity was coffee with cream color because of the silt that was released during the removal of Savage Rapid Dam the week before we arrived to Oregon. This did not stop the Steelhead from grabbing our flies. The first half day (homework day) on the river produced four hooked fish; two to hand, one lost on the jump and one pig that broke 12# test tippet like it was 6#. By the way, the angler had never held a fly rod in his life…..good job Jake.
Throughout the days on the water our average score was seven Steelhead a day, with twelve on the best day. This was one of the better falls I've seen in a bunch of years but by no means was it easy; every strike was created by blood, sweat and tears of joy. To all the folks that shared the days on the river with me, great job and I know once you feel the pull of a Steelhead, life will never be the same.....we will be back next October.
McCloud and Upper Sacramento Trip June of 2009
I’m proud to report a fantastic trip to Northern California to guide the Upper Sacramento and the legendary McCloud. I would like to thank all the folks that traveled so far to join me in this killer adventure. Our timing was perfect, the river flows at there prime and bug hatches were excellent. The days were nice and long so we got plenty of time for finer things in life; fish, be with friend and family, fish, eat, fish, marsh marshmallows and sleeping under the stars …. than do it again. A thousand thankyou’s go out to fellow Guide and Amigo, Art Teter for helping me all these years with permits to guide this sacred water.If you’re in Northern California I highly recommend to get a hold of this guy, he is truly a master trout tricking technician and a mahogany tree to stand next to when the rivers gets swift. www.artteter.com (great site)
