California Fly Water Reality 2007

Those of us who live, breath, exist at the behest of the water gods are experiencing what we prey is only a cyclical lack of high mountain snow in the Sierra Mountain Range. After surveying many streams, rivers from the Sacramento River, finishing way up north near the Oregon border, as the photos show water volume is low without usual snow melt. Of course this may be cyclical and not another ugly reminder of the drastic global weather changes which appear to be well underway! First a general United States weather overview water wise. Sections of Florida are drought effected, some Mid West agricultural districts are experiencing water crisis. The Supreme Court will be hearing water related issues. States like Tennessee are experiencing water crisis. Alaskan heavy snow winters have become rare, glaciers are melting quickly! In remote areas like the many islands that dot the South Pacific rising water contingencies are underway. Many of my fellow gasoline starved Californian’s are now transitioning into water conservationist realizing the new gold is aqua! Stories circulate about stranded Polar Bears and native peoples water oriented life styles becoming a thing of the past.... It is official winter of 2006 one of driest ever proclaims San Francisco Public Utilities Annual Water Quality Report!

It appears water or the lack of will be the defining factor in all of our lives especially fly fishers.... As a 5th generation California sportsmen with many years on this states rivers and streams, these are indeed scary times! Normally the Sierra Nevada Mountain’s act as a giant holding tank full of precious snow, this year is extremely radical because the snow pack almost does not exist. Ones imagination can easily construct disastrous impacts if this dangerous trend continues. Then again my patient Pilgrim’s, ahh yes our time has finally come. It will be we members of the Sister & Brotherhood Of The longrod who greatly benefit. Dry fly action is right now in the three rivers I just returned from. On the South Fork of the mighty American I found rising trout smacking flies early and late. My set up was a Bumble Bee on top with a Prince Nymph trailing on three feet of tippet. In fact I tied on a juicy looking grasshopper pattern and caught trout? This is the kind of action seen late in the summer , not now. Fly fishers usually have to wait for rivers and streams to quiet down and slow down enough to work patterns. This year the reverse, so take advantage as the window will be open for a very short period.

The East Fork of the Carson River near Lake Tahoe is running at mid to low volume and perfect for early morning searching pattern work, I tried many of my own Nymph creations with some success. The scenery around this area near Alpine County is grand, majestic.. While in Alpine County I highly recommend Sorenson’s Resort Café for Lunch, an historic secluded retreat for trout bums... I expect low insect hatch count late season due to water shortages. After making a sharp left turn leaving South lake Tahoe in moments open range and the East Fork of the Carson can be followed all the way to Reno Nevada which I have done more then once...

These two high mountain streams mentioned require much stealth work early and late before the world arrives and your surrounded by happy campers. If your looking for solitude early mid week best bet. My usual fly set up is 4/5 weight Bamboo, 6/8 feet light leader, four feet of light tippet. A two fly set up is always fun, grasshoppers, bee’s , your own creations? On the bottom underwater fly usually your favorite nymph? I tie the underwater fly to the turn of the hook of the surface fly. Casting and keeping it untangled can be a challenge, worth the effort!

Way up north near Fall River many natural spring fed fly waters appear at this point not to be suffering? Yet, I wonder how long complete confidence in underground natural aquifers will be justified? On the way back toward San Francisco I stopped and worked several areas of the Sacramento River which I won’t give exact directions to because they are usually without other sportsmen which I dearly love... This grand old river has a healthy population of trout rising almost continuously and certain areas quite wadeable. One can begin finding good spots from Jelly’s Landing all the way north. Early week best time to have river to yourself. 6weight fly rods with bigger bushier flies are the order. Hair’s nest types and your favorite gaudy searchers get results on this river. Hatches are frequent like an all night diner, bring along drinking water and sun screen as hot summer weather can be brutal.

No question new global weather realities are already factoring into sportsmen, fly fishers lives... In my mind sports fans it is time to open our eyes and imaginations, if your experiencing serious water issues it may be time to create local focus groups and strategise what options may exist? Perhaps those communities considering stream, river restoration projects, may want to hasten those projects and preserve your local fly waters NOW!

Fallon’s Minks Ear