ALERT: If you are not aware of the New Zealand mudsnail problem please go to the DFG site http://www.dfg.ca.gov/news/news04/04001.html and read about this snail. It is becoming more of a problem in our waters. As of now there is no plan to combate them although we are getting the word that DFG is getting ready to issue a new statement on this. The best solution is not to wade in infected waters. (Of concern here is that all waters have not been checked so not sure how extensive the mudsnail is.) If you are wading the easiest step to take is freeze your waders after use. Your boots will be the most likely carrier.

The general season in Inyo and Mono Counties is now closed. There are a number of waters that are open all year. We have been fishing the Lower Owens on a regular basis and have done well. Waters open all year include the main Kern River, the Lower Owens River, the Upper Owens River, Hot Creek, East Walker, Pleasant Valley Reservoir, Lake Isabella, and Haiwee Reservoir. The Fish and Game Commission has approved the all year fishing on Hot Creek, Upper Owens, and East Walker. The regulations are spelled out in the regulations under the special regulations section. You can check their web page at http://www.fgc.ca.gov/. There is some strong opposition to some of these new regulations. The concern is the impact on Hot Creek and the East Walker. These are both fragile areas and the impact of all year fishing will be detrimental to the fisheries. This concern is being expressed by a number of people in Bishop, Mammoth, and Bridgeport, including a number of guides. The commission has decided to keep the all-year regulations. LADWP has closed Haiwee Reservoir to public access due to possible terrorist attacks. The main Kern flows are steady but colder weather is slowing down the fishing. Flow on the Lower Owens is down to around 100 cfs; see LOWER OWENS report.

KENNEDY MEADOWS. These waters closed on November 15.

MAIN KERN. Flows are steady. With the weather getting colder the fishing is slowing down, but fish are still being caught. There are essentially three sections to the upper Kern, above Lake Isabella. There is the section from the lake up to the lower power plant, the section from the power plant to Fairview Dam, and the section above Fairview Dam. They take water out at Fairview Dam and pipe it down to the lower power plant. The upper section can be broken down into two sections. Above Fairview Dam up to Johnsondale Bridge the fishing regulations are standard. Above the Bridge is the wild trout section with special regulations. This is helping to produce some very good fishing for wild trout when the conditions are right. The road leaves the river at the bridge so some walking is required to get to the fish. Once the river flow drops and the water clears should see good surface activity at times on Adams, Parachute Adams, Elk Hair Caddis, and Stmulators, sizes 16 and smaller. Nymphing can be productive all year using bead heads such as Pheasant Tail, Gold Ribbed Hares Ear, Prince, Tiger Midge, Zebra Midge, and Copper Johns, sizes 14 to 18. Good source of information is the Kern River Troutfitters - www.kernriverflyfishing.com. They have a number of new patterns that are very productive on the Kern, and elsewhere. Also, Flip Chemnitzer's flies for the Kern produce. These include the Phyliss Fly, sizes 12 and 14, (which can be fished dry or wet), the Double Gray (dry fly), and the nymphs of Flip's Bag, Kern Blackie, and Bead Head Kern Blackie. This water is open all year. You can get a recorded message on flow rates by calling (760) 376-8821 or 1-877-537-6356.

LAKE ISABELLA. Water level continues to drop. Can pick up fish with streamers such as wooly buggers and jigs. This is primarily a warm water fishery but does produce some nice trout during the year. Fly fishing for Bass, Crappie, and Bluegill can be fun. Spring fly fishing for big carp is the new thing. Open all year.

HAIWEE RESERVOIR. LADWP has closed public access to Haiwee Reservoir due to possible terrorist attacks. This reservoir is a few miles north of the Hwy 14 and Hwy 395 junction.

LOWER OWENS RIVER. The Lower Owens is open all year; the fall and winter fishing is usually very good. The flow is now at 100 cfs. These conditions produce very good fishing. We have been fishing the Wild Trout section the last few weeks and doing well. There has been some dry fly activity on midges and Blue Wing Olives, sizes 18 to 22, but this activity seems to be slowing down. Nymph fishing has been very good. On our recent trips we did some experimenting with various patterns and sizes. We caught fish on all of them from size 22 Brassies up to size 14 "Lew's Nymph". This last one is a variation on the Zebra Midge that one of our club members came up with. It is a Zebra Midge but tied with Brown thread or Olive Dun thread for the body. Action on sreamers has slowed significantly. Try Olive, Brown, and Black Wooly Buggers. When fishing streamers you will most likely get a lot more hits than landed fish. Be prepared for all kinds of weather. Be aware of New Zealand Mud Snail problem (see opening paragraph). This area not significantly impacted by storms since the flow is controlled out of Pleasant Valley Reservoir. With any storm activity the access roads will be muddy. Cars can get stuck.

PLEASANT VALLEY RESERVOIR Float tube fishing on Pleasant Valley Reservoir fluctuates with changes in flow from power plant. It is also open all year. Getting results on streamers and nymphs. Float tube fishing seems to be the most effective approach. May also see some midge activity. Be prepared for very cold water.

OWENS RIVER GORGE. Another all year fishery, the Gorge, requires a short walk but can provide good fishing. The flow is controlled at 36 cfs. Nice fish can be taken on both dries and nymphs. Pattern doesn't seem to be critical; use 16's and 18's. Fish are spooky; stealth and cunning pay off. Nettles can be a problem. Take plenty of water with you and use your sun block. It can get very cold in the canyon this time of year and snow and icing can be a problem. Be careful.

EAST WALKER RIVER. The Fish and Game Commission has approved the all year fishing. Check the regulations. You might consider the concerns being expressed about making this an all year fishery. Water flows are very low. Even the supporters of the all year regulations are recommending letting this water rest due to low flows. Can have some good fishing on the Nevada side; open all year round.

WEST WALKER RIVER. This water closed on November 15. INYO COUNTY. General season is closed in Inyo County. Lower Owens open all year; see Lower Owens River report.

MONO COUNTY. General season closed on November 15. There are a number of waters open all year. These include the Upper Owens River, Hot Creek, and East Walker. Check the regulations. You might want to consider the concerns being expressed about making Hot Creek and the East Walker all year fisheries. Due to snow conditions access to these waters is limited.

BISHOP AREA. General season has closed. Lower Owens open all year (see Lower Owens River report).

ROCK CREEK AREA. Season closed November 15.

MAMMOTH AREA. General season closed on November 15. The Fish and Game Commission has approved the all year fishing on Hot Creek and the Upper Owens. Check the regulations. Upper Owens fishing is slowing down. The Browns have moved back down into the lake. There is still some Rainbow activity. Due to weather conditions this time of year you must be careful about river access. It is very easy to get stuck on those mucky clay roads. Check the regulations for special closures.

JUNE LAKE LOOP. General season closed November 15.

BRIDGEPORT AREA. General season closed November 15. The East Walker remains open all year but it is recommended that this water be given a rest. East Walker on Nevada side is open all year.