East Walker River Fish Report- Update by MARK SPIELER 06/05/09

East Walker River (CA) - Bridgeport, CA


by The Trout Fitter Staff
6-5-2009
Website

Water Conditions:

Flows have dropped a little each day for a week. Noe at 183 CFS as of 6/5 but check it before you go.
This is a great level for this fishery as the fish are able to move through all parts of the river. The water is warming up fast currently at around 66 degrees at noon. Water clarity is about the same as it always is, slightly off color.
The stream bed is basically rounded, algae covered rocks so be careful wading at these flows. You might consider a wading staff and studded boots.

Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Good

Fishing is good. The best fishing is early till noon and then again from 5 p.m. on. Up near the dam, try pulling Large Perch Pattern streamers early and late then switch to nymphing with midges, and beatis patterns in the morning and tan caddis pupa and emergers in the afternoon. If you see fish on the surface, they will most likely be on emerges in slower back eddies. You can fish a dry dropper set up here with emergent patterns of the insects listed above.
The East Walker is a demanding fishery requiring very good presentations. If you have the skills, now is the time to go.

RECOMMENDED FLIES:

-Nymphs-
For midges: WD-40's in grey, black and Olive, Zebra Midges #18-#22.. Now a sparse PMD shaped mayfly hatch from 10'ish till 1pm most days. Tan Mayfly nymph patterns: Hunchback Infrequent, Barr's PMD emergers, Beck's Sulpher emerger, #16 - #20. Caddis will be the mainstay from afternoon on; Gallatin Emergers, Sparkle Pupa, Z-Wing caddis, Bead Head Pearl (and Olive) caddis pupa, CDC emergers #14-#18.

-Dry's-
Stimulator's in yellow, tan, orange #12-#14, Cutter's EC Caddis #16-#18, Elk Hairs #14-#16, Hoppers in Tan #12, Use all of the above trailed by Hunch Back Infrequens, Sulpher emergers or Caddis emerger surface patterns such as CDC and Cutters EC #16-#18. -Streamers-
Muddlers and other Small Perch Patterns, especially near the Dam. Slump Busters and Buggers, all # 6-10.

Guides Hint: When fishing Drys, use a larger Dry fly as your visual cue and drop a smaller and more realistic emerger or adult pattern 12"s off of that. With the faster flows we are currently seeing the easiest presentation will usually be across and down stream for both nymphing and drys.