Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. Best fishes to all for the late winter Fish'N Conditions from the Eastern High Sierra. I have plenty to report for this update beginning with the continued mild and dry winter weather pattern that appears to have anchored itself over central & northern California. There have been a few insignificant disturbances that have dashed through the region, but not the sustained or substantial storms that will alter the weak snowpack thus far. It has been great for winter fly fishing in the region but the "piper" will be paid this summer and fall with low water in many rivers and creeks. The good news is the reservoirs in this area remain very full from last season's torrential precipitation and we should have a very good spring and summer in these areas although you will see the levels decrease this year instead of rise as they did last season. Both Crowley and Bridgeport have been "ice free" since mid-January; this is far from the norm. Look for flows to increase substantially by early March on the Lower Owens and East Walker Rivers. The Upper Owens and Hot Creek will come up as it gets warmer, however you will not experience the huge flows we saw last season unless a major dump occurs in March at lower elevations.

Our main photo shows what is not a Trinity River steelhead. This is first time fly fisher Carly Amatisto and an Upper Owens Troutzilla that looks like a steelhead! Eat your heart out guys, what a fish! Way to go Carly & Two Bug this is the fish of the year so far, congratulations.

Photo # 1 shows Carly's dad Mike Amatisto who also got into some trophy rainbows recently on the Upper Owens. The weather resembles fall conditions instead of winter here.