I am being sent to Vegas for work the second week of May. I thought about going out a couple of days early and making the (relatively) short drive to Lone Pine.
Is this too early to hit the high country in the eastern Sierras?
Submitted by Edward Morris on Tue, 03/30/2010 - 19:18.
Snow has been above average this winter in the sierras. Apart from going up to the Owens River, all of the mountain streams will be out until at least late June. Sorry!
Submitted by Fly Guy Dave on Fri, 04/02/2010 - 10:45.
I WV. I just got back from Bishop (about an hour north of Lone Pine) yesterday and the flows on the lower Owens were HIGH. Yeah, I checked the flows here first: http://wsoweb.ladwp.com/Aqueduct/realtime/norealtime.htm However, it was good during the BWO hatch, which lasted about two hours, but by that time of year, the flows are probably going to be just as high, so nymphing was a challenge. It'll be a bit hot for BWO then.
Another 40 minutes north of Bishop is another creek that was ON FIRE yesterday, fishing-wise and in its name sake. The road in was still closed by snow, so I had the river to myself, evidently being the only person willing to walk in a mile and a half to the access. Midges and BWO on the surface and as many trout as you wanted to catch on nymphs. All rainbows and browns, not exactly "native" fish to this locale, but still a lot of fun. It should be good in mid-May, but the road will be open by then and this place gets a LOT of anglers.
But after going the "relatively" short way to Lone Pine from Vegas, what's another hour or three in the rental car for some fly fishing?
Ned's right about the snow. The Sacramento Bee reported this morning that the southern Sierra has received about 137% of normal snow fall. That'll take a while to melt, that's for sure.
You could always go take a look at the Devil's Hole Pupfish in Death Valley. It's a pretty amazing sight. You can't see the fish, but you can see the efforts people have gone through to protect them. Looks a little like Fort Knox.
Submitted by Fly Guy Dave on Tue, 04/06/2010 - 08:05.
...the White Mountains are just east of Bishop and Lone Pine and they should be accessable by mid-May, but I'd call first. Here's the number: White Mountain Ranger District 798 North Main Street, Bishop, CA 93514-2428 (760) 873-2500
Those old trees are worth the drive, that area is really beautiful and pristine. If you're up to it, take the hike from the Bancroft Laboratory gate to the summit of White Mountain, about ten miles one way, and you can easily bag the third highest peak in California at 14,246 feet in elevation. GREAT views from there!
Submitted by Edward Morris on Wed, 04/07/2010 - 09:16.
Chris,
Do some searching online, but I have found a couple of listings of a couple of very small creeks an hour's drive from Las Vegas that are reputed to contain Lahontan Cutthroat Trout that were planted from the Quinn River Drainage some years back. Never been to them to confirm these reports, but they are out there. May be worth checking out?
Submitted by WVBrookie on Mon, 04/19/2010 - 14:54.
Thanks for all of the recommendations!
I did find the Lahontans and made some inquiries with the NDOW. They were very helpful with directions to the stream and even warned me about the start of "snake" season.
Not what most people would do with an extra day in Vegas...wish me luck!
Submitted by WVBrookie on Thu, 05/06/2010 - 17:47.
Well, I fly out about noon tomorrow (EST).
It appears the snow pack will keep me off White Mountain and, according to the most recent Ranger Station report, the road to the Schulman Grove (Methuselah) is closed about two miles from the trailhead.
I will attempt the Lahontan cutts (new species for me) on Saturday and the bristlecones on Sunday. If time permits, I'll stop by Devil's Hole on the way back to Vegas Sunday evening.
Submitted by WVBrookie on Sat, 05/08/2010 - 17:37.
Sitting in a hotel room in Bishop after a very successful adventure in search of Lahontans. The Lahontan population is doing VERY well. However, it took me 1.5 hours of 5-10 mph, gut busting "road" to get to them! On my phone now, will post a trip report later. Hopefully bristlecones in the morning. Big thanks for the recommendation Ned!
Submitted by Fly Guy Dave on Sun, 05/09/2010 - 13:44.
You're in a good place, trout-wise, for our state. Too bad the snow pack is too high for you to get into the high country, I'd say it'll be open mid-July at this rate. It sounds like you're doing well and I hope that you get to see some of the oldest trees on this planet today (Sunday). I would've done what you did and go for natural splendor, versus the man-made kind in Las Vegas. I went there once a few years back. It was enough to last me decades.
Sorry but yes
Snow has been above average this winter in the sierras. Apart from going up to the Owens River, all of the mountain streams will be out until at least late June. Sorry!
A bit of a report...
I WV. I just got back from Bishop (about an hour north of Lone Pine) yesterday and the flows on the lower Owens were HIGH. Yeah, I checked the flows here first: http://wsoweb.ladwp.com/Aqueduct/realtime/norealtime.htm However, it was good during the BWO hatch, which lasted about two hours, but by that time of year, the flows are probably going to be just as high, so nymphing was a challenge. It'll be a bit hot for BWO then.
Another 40 minutes north of Bishop is another creek that was ON FIRE yesterday, fishing-wise and in its name sake. The road in was still closed by snow, so I had the river to myself, evidently being the only person willing to walk in a mile and a half to the access. Midges and BWO on the surface and as many trout as you wanted to catch on nymphs. All rainbows and browns, not exactly "native" fish to this locale, but still a lot of fun. It should be good in mid-May, but the road will be open by then and this place gets a LOT of anglers.
But after going the "relatively" short way to Lone Pine from Vegas, what's another hour or three in the rental car for some fly fishing?
Ned's right about the snow. The Sacramento Bee reported this morning that the southern Sierra has received about 137% of normal snow fall. That'll take a while to melt, that's for sure.
--Fly Guy Dave
OK, sounds like fishing is
OK, sounds like fishing is out! What about the bristle cone pines? Will they be accessible?
Chris
Pupfish
You could always go take a look at the Devil's Hole Pupfish in Death Valley. It's a pretty amazing sight. You can't see the fish, but you can see the efforts people have gone through to protect them. Looks a little like Fort Knox.
Just don't go casting a fly down there.
I would think so...
...the White Mountains are just east of Bishop and Lone Pine and they should be accessable by mid-May, but I'd call first. Here's the number: White Mountain Ranger District 798 North Main Street, Bishop, CA 93514-2428 (760) 873-2500
Those old trees are worth the drive, that area is really beautiful and pristine. If you're up to it, take the hike from the Bancroft Laboratory gate to the summit of White Mountain, about ten miles one way, and you can easily bag the third highest peak in California at 14,246 feet in elevation. GREAT views from there!
--Fly Guy Dave
There are a couple of very very small creeks
Chris,
Do some searching online, but I have found a couple of listings of a couple of very small creeks an hour's drive from Las Vegas that are reputed to contain Lahontan Cutthroat Trout that were planted from the Quinn River Drainage some years back. Never been to them to confirm these reports, but they are out there. May be worth checking out?
Ned
Thanks for all of the
Thanks for all of the recommendations!
I did find the Lahontans and made some inquiries with the NDOW. They were very helpful with directions to the stream and even warned me about the start of "snake" season.
Not what most people would do with an extra day in Vegas...wish me luck!
Chris
Good Luck!
I will be very curious how you do and be careful out there! Pretty darn remote and I will bet very hot during the day.
Ned
Well, I fly out about noon
Well, I fly out about noon tomorrow (EST).
It appears the snow pack will keep me off White Mountain and, according to the most recent Ranger Station report, the road to the Schulman Grove (Methuselah) is closed about two miles from the trailhead.
I will attempt the Lahontan cutts (new species for me) on Saturday and the bristlecones on Sunday. If time permits, I'll stop by Devil's Hole on the way back to Vegas Sunday evening.
Wish me luck,
Chris
....I was also told today
....I was also told today that the cactus in the NV desert were in full bloom last weekend. Hopefully I'll get to catch that too.
Chris
Very envious!
Sounds like too much fun for a business trip! Take lots of pictures and hope you get a LCT in one of those small creeks. Be really cool.
Ned
Sitting in a hotel room in
Sitting in a hotel room in Bishop after a very successful adventure in search of Lahontans. The Lahontan population is doing VERY well. However, it took me 1.5 hours of 5-10 mph, gut busting "road" to get to them! On my phone now, will post a trip report later.
Hopefully bristlecones in the morning.
Big thanks for the recommendation Ned!
Chris
Welcome to California!
You're in a good place, trout-wise, for our state. Too bad the snow pack is too high for you to get into the high country, I'd say it'll be open mid-July at this rate. It sounds like you're doing well and I hope that you get to see some of the oldest trees on this planet today (Sunday). I would've done what you did and go for natural splendor, versus the man-made kind in Las Vegas. I went there once a few years back. It was enough to last me decades.
Cheers!
--Fly Guy Dave