CROWLEY LAKE—It was fire and rain.
First, a rapidly moving wildfire swept through the communities of Crowley Lake and McGee Creek, closing weekend traffic on U.S. 395 and destroying some businesses and homes in the rural area.
The second punch was a winter storm that brought snow to the high country but, fortunately, rain that likely helped quell the raging wildfire that had been fanned by winds to 50 miles per hour
True to the pioneer spirit of the Eastern Sierra, neighboring communities from Bishop to Bridgeport have rallied to help their neighbors, setting up temporary shelters, offering lodging, food, services, animal shelter and launching campaigns to raise funds to help those who lost homes and businesses to the 3,000-acre inferno.
Convict Lake Resort offered lodging at no cost to individuals who lost homes or were unable access them and McGee Creek Café was offering meals to first responders of those displaced by the fire.
If you would like to offer monetary support or services, contact the Mammoth Lakes Chamber of Commerce for way you can donate to those affected by the Pack Fire. Items most helpful are gift cards, food, clothing, household items and daily essentials.
To get the latest information on relief efforts, the Mammoth Lakes Community Foundation has established a webpage that is being updated constantly to provide an official, one-stop resource center for all community support efforts at www.mammothlakeschamber.org/mammoth-community-foundation/.
While the angling community always looks to the final week of trout season with anticipation, this is not the kind of excitement hoped for.
As Eastern Sierra waters now transition into winter regulations, we hope visitors will do all they can to help the people of who operate the resorts, guide the anglers to new waters, staff the restaurants, share valuable information at tackle shops, and quietly preserve this beautiful part of California for all to enjoy.
Likely, the wildfire and storm, will slow the beginning of winter fish a bit. Significant amounts of snow are predicted for the Upper Owens River.
Probably one of the most challenging things about Eastern Sierra winter trout fishing is making sure you know the regulations. They are different for various waters, so anglers should take time to make sure they know the rules before heading out.
In general, open winter waters in the Eastern Sierra are defined as moving waters or lakes without a resort or landing.
Sierra Bright Dot guide Fred Rowe used Bishop Creek Canyon as a good example.
“In Bishop Creek Canyon, Sabrina and South Lake have resorts and are closed. North Lake and Intake Two do not have resorts and are open to year-round fishing with no gear restrictions and a five fish limit. All three forks of
Bishop Creek are open to catch and release fishing with barbless flies or lures.”
This also means that some remote winter waters such as Ellery, Tioga and Saddlebag lakes are open all year, but the challenge would be getting to those spots beyond the winter road closure and through deep snow. It’s safe to say, while these areas are open to winter angling, they don’t see much pressure.
Harsh winter conditions, and fast-moving winter storms, not to mention thick ice also add to the challenge of these distant locations.
Some of the most popular winter fishing locations include the Lower Owens River, Pleasant Valley Reservoir, the Upper Owens River, Hot Creek, and the West Walker River north of Bridgeport. Again, check regulations, since they are different for these waters.
Additionally, the East Walker River, once a prime winter fishing venue, remains closed to winter fishing, but other area waters open include Robinson Creek, Green Creek, Virginia Creek, Buckeye Creek, Little Walker River, Rock Creek, McGee Creek (upstream from US 395), Lee Vining Creek (From the Lee Vining conduit upstream.)
McGee Creek may be affected by the Pack Fire and could be closed for a time to allow for recovery.
As the general season wound down, the Upper Owens River was producing some outstanding fish.
“The Upper Owens River has been kicking out some great rainbows and a few browns. Fish are spread out, so covering water is a good way to find them. We will start to see more fish move up after the coming weather pattern,” said Sierra Drifters Guide Doug Rodricks.
While one of the most rewarding areas to fish during the winter, deep snow and bitter cold can make the Upper Owens a challenge without a snowmobile for access.
Rowe, with Sierra Bright Dot said the Wild Trout section of the Lower Owens will also be prime for winter fishing with mayflies hatching midday and trout feeding on nymphs and the adults.
The nice thing about the Lower Owens is the weather. Since it’s at a lower elevation, anglers are not usually subjected to heavy snow or bitter temperatures.
Hot Creek has been giving up some great dry fly action in the early afternoons when the BWO hatch gets going. Nymphing in both sections is also producing fish.
The Lower Owens has been fishing well for resident browns and rainbows and the occasional larger fish. Flows are still hovering around 89 cfs so wading is easy.
