Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. Got some good news, and some not so good news to present for the early March Fish'N conditions update. Lets get the bad news out of the way first!

The water lords have unleashed the hounds on the Lower Owens recently and it will be a tough go from here on for wading the wild trout section. 400cfs is currently gushing through the release pipe below PV Reservoir. Crossing or wading into less trafficked sections is difficult, unsafe, or nearly impossible at flows of 250cfs or more.

You will need to use heavily weighted nymph rigs to get down to the fish, but it can be done. A couple of BB shot, or an AB plus will get you down in the slower deeper pools while indicator fishing with an "Under-Cator". I like bead head patterns with plenty of flash in the patterns #14-18.

Surface activity will also slow for the time being but will pick up in the near future. Hunt for the larger pools with significant eddies for a shot at fooling some on midge clusters #20-22, and BWO adults or spinners #16-18.

Water temps will drop significantly during this period due to the massive amount of colder water emanating from Crowley. The great midge and baetis hatches that we experienced in February will decrease relative to the water temps. As spring rolls on and conditions stabilize a more seasonal hatch pattern will once again develop. Look for some great caddis and stone fly emergences to begin around April. I have been told that 400cfs will be the upper end of the spring release. Look for the flows to drop by late spring/early summer as the snow begins to melt in the Southern Sierra. The LADWP will back off releases in the northern sections to accommodate the run-off south of Lone Pine. We could have a nice sweet spot beginning in April through the July holiday period. I want to emphasize that this is speculation based on my observations and experience of fishing the Owens for thirty five seasons. The LADWP has its own agenda and pretty much does what it wants with little regard to natural water cycles.

We have cancelled guided drift boat trips and issued "flood checks" to those that would be affected by this huge flow increase. If the flows hold at 400 or below conditions will improve this month, and will get increasingly better for drifting with each passing day. If they get above 450-500cfs this place will be burned toast until they drop. As I mentioned before, wading will be tough until the flows get back to less than 250cfs. You can access real time release data from the link we have provided to the LADWP website at the top of the Fish'N conditions page. www.sierradrifters.com/fish.htm

How about a little good news? CrowleyLake will be cycled twice this season. The lake is nearly full (heavy solid sheet ice all over) currently and the LADWP will lower the level through the opener and into early summer. It will begin filling rapidly during the warm months and be very high through early fall in which they will once again blow out the Lower Owens with unnatural flow increases through November. Crowley will have a bunch of water this summer with thick weed beds out to 17 feet, and significant spring and fall turnovers. We will have great periods of "catching" near the creek mouths and Upper Owens inlets this season at times. You LADWP customers should get a nice decrease in your water and power bills this summer due to all the water they have ehhh?

More good news! The East Walker is fishing very well despite low flows. The SD guide crew has been fishing the Cal and NV sections daily since the end of February and the bite has really picked up. Strong midge activity daily, with a good showing of baetis after 1 pm. Look for a substantial flow increase to begin towards the end of the month, with further increases by late spring. It will be roaring this summer for sure.

There is significant snow remaining on the ground near the dam and the walking to and from the river can be a tad cumbersome. Conditions are great along the river and wading is not an issue. I strongly suggest you stop by one of the fine fly shops we endorse and pick up a pair of rubber soled wading boots. They will be mandatory just about everywhere soon. Felt soles suck when hiking in the snow or ice and spread invasive species and diseases.

We will be guiding the NV section of the East Walker during prime times this season and are very excited about showing SD clients some new water.

Bridgeport Reservoir will also be a top location this summer near the creek inlet areas so keep this location in mind around July for sure!