Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. Hot off the press- the February 2009 Fish'N conditions for the Eastern High Sierra.

The weather has been very mild with spring like days even in the Long Valley region. Plenty of sunshine with very little snow on the valley floor. The Owens Valley has been unseasonably warm and dry. A change in the weather pattern is forecast for the beginning of the month and hopefully it will bring additional snow to the Sierra.

Make sure to purchase a 2009 fishing license. The DFG needs all the help it can get!

Sincere thank you's go out to the friendly fly fishers and administrations of Diablo Valley, San Jose, Deep Creek, and Orange County for attending and organizing my seminars recently. The hospitality and large turnouts were greatly appreciated. It was a pleasure meeting your clubs and I look forward to seeing many of you on the water in the future. Be the fly!

Sportsmen's Expo: Bakersfield ~ February 6-8: Stop by the Mono County booth and say hi to the friendly Sierra Drifters staff & get the latest fishing scoop from the Eastern Sierra.

SQUARE DEAL RELIEF PACKAGE!!!

For a limited time the guide staff at Sierra Drifters is offering the "square deal" at super discounted rates. Purchase a minimum of four, full day two person trips in 2009 at the rate of $350.00 per trip. This is a $70.00 per day savings off the 2008 rates!!!

You must commit to purchasing four trips in advance, or at the time of bookings; these prices will only be honored in 2009. Special out of area trips are excluded from this discount. There are additional fees for the Adobe Pond guided trips.

We are all in this fiscal conundrum together and understand the tough economic conditions most are facing. We hope these discounts will help get you on the water and provide some "fishing relief" in 2009. We are continuing the single day discounted rate of $395.00 through the opener at this time. Booking a trip at this price will insulate you from fee increases in 2009. We are also offering discounted rates for accommodations in Mammoth in conjunction with Central Reservations of Mammoth. Please call or email for details or reservations.

Lower Owens River
We had some tough days in mid-January when the flows got bumped up to 200cfs. Flow increases that time of year are uncommon and adversely affect the fishing. The release rates are dropping once again and where they will end up is the million dollar question. Currently they are perfect for both wading and drifting. Fish counts improved after the river cleared up

The fishing has been very good with the bigs on the prowl. We are hooking a few trophies almost every float; some just do not want their picture taken if you get my drift!

The baetis hatch is improving everyday and the trout are eagerly responding to the larger early generation bwo's #16. The best days for bwo's are always cloudy. Have a selection of PT's in the #16-18 range, midge larva and emerger patterns #16-22 for nymphing. Look for the noses to begin sipping the Mays around 1 pm.

Water temps are way above normal for the LO this year and the fish are quite active in the mornings with respect to this trend. My Spruce-a-bu #10 or larger Punk Perch have been reliable patterns for "dip and stripping" with streamers for the larger trout.

We have a bunch of great pictures to show you of recent trips on the Lower Owens and other areas. Click on www.sierradrifters.com/fish.htm to view them please.