The 395 and Owens Valley-Eastern Sierra Region

I started fly fishing when I was 10. For a long time that's almost all I did. Then I got turned onto mini-jigs when I came out to Cali 19 years ago. Now I fish my mini-jig rod 90% of the time and my flyrod 10% of the time. The jigs put way more big fish to hand then my flies ever did.

Current conditions are still pretty high flows on all rivers in the area. Just be smart if your wading.

 

I had a t-shirt years ago that said, "God forgives, whitewater doesn't", truer words never.

 

Yep. Reminds me of the time an old Gunks climbing legend gave the very much younger me some advice after he saw me solo a route. This is almost verbatim and I will never forgot it.

Me: Hey man. How's things?
Him: Great. Do you know the rules of soloing?
Me: There's rules?
Him: Yep. Rule #1. Don't fuck up and die. Rule #2. See rule #1.

 

Foster out of the Troutfitter is a fantastic guide.

 

Nice video of Owens Lake with more water in it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eT6l6EM9vGU

 

I was up fishing South Lake on Saturday and it's full. I left about 6PM and it was about 8" from going over the spillway. I've also been up to 10K a few times and the amount of snow holding at 11K and above is fairly significant still. Glad to have the water back but if we have another winter like last year I'm moving to Australia. lol

 

Eric, thanks for sharing this and the other series of DV videos, I’ve been wanting some new videos to watch to pass the dog days of summer.

In a few of the angles in the Owens Lake video there are what appear to be levees along the road or in the distance. Not knowing that area is that correct? Pretty amazing to me the lake was as big as it was and with boats even.

 

Welcome!

Not sure about levees but there are pathways on the eastern side of the lake for viewing the newer areas they try to keep filled with water. It has information signs etc. Pretty cool place.

https://ladwp-jtti.s3.us-west-2.ama...wensLakeTrailsBrochureWider_Rolling2019V2.pdf
https://sierrawave.net/owens-lake-trails/

 

Pretty sure that's part of the dust mitigation: https://www.strongholdengineering.com/projects/owens-lake-dust-mitigation/

 

It does reduce the dust but the actual dust mitigation program has been going on for much longer. The phase listed in that article completed in 2017.

 

I recently visited the plaza on the eastern side of the lake. Interesting installation. I was delighted to see all the water in the lake. I hope it stays full. There is a lot of unusual aspects about the lake and the many holding ponds which are segregated and connected with pipes and sprinklers and valves. It all seems wildly complex and a far cry from a natural lake, but it's better than no lake.

 

So nice to see water levels filling up

https://www.instagram.com/p/CwNmhcfrf-U/

 

Jawbone.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CwL54DZK1lc

that’s just insane!

 

Glorious!

 

Does anyone know how the Eastern Sierra fared in general during the storm? I keep planning then cancelling trips to go fishing this year, but I'm thinking this weekend might be my shot. I just don't want to be another idiot charging up closed roads or otherwise making things worse for recovery efforts. The plan would be to drive up the 395 and turn left towards a lake at some point between Lone Pine and Mammoth.

 

Don’t know if this helps or is new to you:



Source: https://www.inyocounty.us/sites/default/files/2023-08/CURRENT ROAD UPDATE 08.24.23 .pdf

 

Thanks! That site wasn't on my radar.

 

They just reopened Buttermilk Rd from the February storms two days before the hurricane hit. Then they closed it again. lol

As far as fishing. It's been epic so far this year. You thinking roadside or backcountry?

 

Glad to hear that!

Looking closer to roadside than back-country... I'm not coordinated or skilled enough to reach a fishing destination without making like four trips back to the car! But no need to stick to pavement... will try my luck going back up to Laurel Lakes if the road isn't barricaded for example. Gotta try those Sierra Slammers you recommended the other year!

 

Roadside sounds better then my 8 mile hike with 4300' of gain to get to a certain lake this weekend. But if you want big Goldens you gotta be willing to suffer. lol

I haven't been up to Laurel this year. It shouldn't be batshit crazy since most kids are back in school. Twin Lakes and George in Mammoth are doing very well. Twins better if you have a float tube, kayak or boat. Sabrina and South Lake are both producing fairly good size fish from shore or tube. If you make it up to June the back end of Silver is usually very good and produces lots of big fish. Good luck.