Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters.?? Best fishes to all for the 2007 general trout season in the Eastern High Sierra.

You would have to look a long ways back to find a better weather and condition friendly opening week than was recently experienced by thousands for this opener.?? The below average snow pack and high snow line had many campgrounds and fisheries that are typically "iffy" for the opening week in fine shape, with conditions that seemed more like the month of June than April.?? The record warm air especially in the upper elevations has also started some early run-off that has swelled some of the freestone creeks the last few days.?? The extended forecast is calling for a significant cooling trend with a chance of rain and snow later this week and this should slow down the run off for the next week.

This season will be almost the exact opposite of last year with regards to fishing conditions.?? Look for the run off to be short and pretty much over by late June.?? The road into Reds Meadow and the San Joaquin will open by Memorial Day unless conditions change.?? The flows will be fishable here at first then get iffy until they drop in late June or early July.?? Tioga Pass is staged to open by mid May.?? The Mammoth Lakes Basin should be ready to go by mid May with most of the lakes ice free and fishable.?? The June Lake Loop is rock'n, as are the twins in the Bridgeport area.

Alpine lakes above the 9000 foot elevation are still mostly frozen (Rock Creek Lake, Virginia Lakes, Tioga, North Lake, Hilton Lake, Parker Lake, etc?Ķ) with significant broken ice and snow lined banks.?? Conditions will improve quickly by mid to late May if it continues to stay warm.

The fall season will graph low flows on creeks and non regulated rivers beginning in mid August and early September.?? The Sierra's larger reservoirs like Crowley and Bridgeport will drop steadily all summer.?? This is in sharp contrast to last season's constant fluctuations that at times put a negative influence on the fishing.?? Crowley and Bridgeport will fish well this year and be hot right out of the gates with predictable aquatic insect hatches and spawns of forage fish.?? We will see normal migrations of trout throughout the summer and into fall as the levels drop.?? Next season the piper will have to be compensated so to speak.

The DFG has informed all that the NZMS infestation at the Hot Creek Hatchery will not affect the 2007 trout stocking programs for the Eastern Sierra.?? This is great news; we most certainly hope it is valid.

Alpine Lakes: Fair to good
The June Lake Loop's Silver Lake would be my first choice for numbers with a close second going to the Twins lower lake up in Bridgeport if you are looking for a trophy brown.?? Convict is jugged with stockers and has the warmest water.?? Lundy is open but has really low water.?? Look for other alpine fisheries to be improving very soon.

Mammoth Lakes Condominiums:
www.MammothLakes.com

Many of you don't know of the incredible deals you can get on fully equipped condos in Mammoth during the "shoulder" seasons?Ķ Spring bargain rates are in effect now through mid June and range from $80 (slps 2) to $185 (slps 8-10). Tired of sleeping on the cold wet ground??? Hard to justify the fuel cost and hassle of towing or driving your RV up for a couple of days or long weekend? Have we got a deal for you! ??Mention Sierra Drifters and get the booking fee waived (a $40.00 discount) on a condominium in Mammoth Lakes by contacting Central Reservations at 1-800-321-3261!?? Spend your precious time fishing and enjoying the alpine atmosphere of Mammoth Lakes instead of setting up camp.?? This is a limited time offer so get on it baby!

We are going to be introducing some great new fly patterns that will be sure to get you into fish this summer. ??Keep on the look out for my killer callibaetis, and some new and improved perch patterns.?? Theses flies will only be available at the following great fly shops and stores (don't be fooled by any of the imitations out there!): Crowley Lake General Store in Crowley, ??Kittredge Sports in Mammoth Lakes, Malibu Fish'n Tackle in Thousand Oaks, The San Diego Fly Shop and Stroud's Tackle in San Diego, The Fishermen's Spot in Van Nuys, Bob Marriott's in Fullerton, Buz's Fly Shop Too in Bakersfield and online at www.BigFishHappen.com . There are links to these locations at www.sierradrifters.com/resources.htm. We pride our Guide Service & Products on Innovation not Imitation!

Be the fly friends?Ķ
Tom Loe
Sierra Drifters Guide Service
760-935-4250
Driftfish@qnet.com