Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. Best fishes to all for this "March Madness" fish report from the Eastern High Sierra. Why March madness? I am happy to report that on March 1st catch and release, barbless artificial fly and lure anglers will be able to fish the waters of the Upper Owens River, the East Walker River and Hot Creek. Most of us who have speculated about fishing these waters before the general trout season opener may become "mad" with joy after going bendo with some huge early spring fish in these areas.

I scouted the areas recently and was a little dismayed at the low numbers of fish spotted on Big Springs and the Upper Owens River. Hot Creek was a different story in some locations, the East Walkers "trickle" flows are a crime in my opinion and I will not fish here with the current releases (22cfs). Leave it alone until the flows increase and the fish spread out. I covered the Upper "O" approximately 4 river miles all told with guide dog "Strider" during a snowy, blustery day with very heavy cloud cover and did not discover near the numbers I have seen in past years around this time. There was a mixed size of fish and the larger models were lined up on the gravel in redds. Water temperature was 46 degrees below the confluence of Hot Creek. We are currently in the midst of a rare, but significant winter storm that is much needed this season and I expect the spring migration of rainbows to increase substantially in short order on the Upper "O".

Hot Creek looked great and I witnessed fish rising to midges in one of my favorite pools. You may want to consider NOT fishing the small but fertile section of Hot Creek located below the State Hatchery and above the HC Ranch. Mammoth Creek remains closed until 4-28-07 and you may not fish this creek or near its confluence to HC. This is a major spawning area for Hot Creeks wild trout. With the recent invasion and discovery of the NZMS at the hatchery facility it may be prudent to avoid any contact with the water in this section of HC further propagating its population in this critical area.

There will be some DFG fisheries folks doing angler surveys from time to time in all of these areas. The continuing year round status of these fisheries will be dependant upon how the first wave of "Tanglers" impacts the resource. Please, please, respect the rights of private property owners in all the regions, give extra loving care to properly releasing your fish and for crying out loud, use common sense with regards to the weather and road conditions!