dockboy
10-21-2010, 02:01 AM
Bad weather scares most fisherman. Plain and simple. Snow, rain, biting wind, sleet, hail, just plain cold…most fisherman and women out there just don’t like it.
Thing is, fish live underwater (duh). They really don’t care if its snowing frozen quarters, or coming down in buckets, or blowing 25 mph headwinds above the surface. As long as the water temperatures are high enough to allow for active feeding, fish will be active.
This is a big issue for many Sierra fisherman. Most people are content to fish that gorgeous stretch of time from June to September. But that is hardly prime time to catch big Sierra trout. Ask an seasoned Sierra fisherman what their favorite season is. Good bet is that they will say fall. Wanna know why? Here are some pointers:
•The biggest fish of the year are caught in fall, without fail. In areas like Twin Lakes and Crowley Lake, and their west side counterparts (Edison, Huntington), big browns and rainbows too migrate up feeder streams to spawn. These streams can be tiny, but still hold 20”+ fish who spawn in the system.
•Brown trout are fall spawners. The spawning period is in late November/early December in most places (varies by altitude and weather conditions). They will spend from August on bulking up on protein in order to ward off the rigorous spawning process. As the spawn gets closer, the more food they actively chase.
•Just plain less people. After Labor Day you can almost bet the crowds are half of the standard summer crowds in the Sierras. Throw in some cold weather, and you can probably cut that by a quarter, maybe half, of the remaining fisherman.
•The DFG doesn’t stop stocking until the season ends or the water freezes over. This means less fisherman for the same or larger amount of fish.
•Reduced sunlight during the fall means the fish eat all day long many times. In their biological clocks fish can sense when winter is coming, due to many factors. As a result, the heaviest feeding of the year is in the late fall period.
But what does chasing trout in the late fall Sierra entail, you might ask?
Well, first off, come prepared. You can count on weather reports being faulty half the time in fall. Big early season storms can race into the area, and suddenly your 60 degree forecast is more like 30. So dress appropriately. Layers are the key. If you choose to fish during the late fall and early winter, a breathable rain or wading jacket is your best friend. Wear warm layers of fleece and thermals, and forget about the old PVS suits and snow suits. The best warmth system is one that wicks your moisture away from you so your sweat doesn’t make you cold. Wanna know why fly guys buy $400 jackets and $90 wading underwear (besides the elite wealth factor)? Because when the weather turns nasty, these items are worth their price tags. Needless to say, wear warm socks. Having frozen toes sucks, and that is something that I learned several times over. Good quality fingerless gloves are in order too, as are warm beanies and maybe even a few bandanas and balaclavas for the really cold stuff.
Next is your vehicle. Rain and snow can turn the dirt roads we easily access during the summer into mud holes. Be aware of where you are headed roadwise, and know your car’s limitations. The Upper Owens in Mammoth is famed for this. Take a low clearance vehicle into that road, and its very likely you will be awaiting Bubba the tow truck driver later that evening.
I think the most important thing about the late fall/early winter fishing (behind physical preparation) is mental toughness. There are days when you just won’t want to fish. Throwing into a strong headwind is one of them. Fishing during a rainstorm or snowfall is another. Some days, you will have to head for warmer places. That’s part of late season fishing. But those who tough it out are often rewarded. On that same note, those who are willing to hike into the backcountry (if its open) and brave the truly cold conditions often find themselves with hungry fish.
The big fishing isn’t easy, especially if you want to hunt trophy fish during their migrations. But the smaller fish are often on phenomenal bites this time of year. I have fished in pouring rain, and blowing snow storms. I have thrown streamers all day into Long Valley headwinds, and fished the same area with the first real snow of the year on the ground. Sometimes, I did poorly, but I’ve had enough 40 fish days to want to keep doing it again and again. Last year guides were catching monster rainbows on the Upper Owens, and they had to use snowshoes and snowmobiles to get there. Sound crazy? It is, but the fishing can be 100% worth it.
Keep in mind if you choose to head out and fish the last few weeks of our trout season that general season close Nov. 15th. After that, certain places are open to fish, and its up to you to abide the rules.
Thing is, fish live underwater (duh). They really don’t care if its snowing frozen quarters, or coming down in buckets, or blowing 25 mph headwinds above the surface. As long as the water temperatures are high enough to allow for active feeding, fish will be active.
This is a big issue for many Sierra fisherman. Most people are content to fish that gorgeous stretch of time from June to September. But that is hardly prime time to catch big Sierra trout. Ask an seasoned Sierra fisherman what their favorite season is. Good bet is that they will say fall. Wanna know why? Here are some pointers:
•The biggest fish of the year are caught in fall, without fail. In areas like Twin Lakes and Crowley Lake, and their west side counterparts (Edison, Huntington), big browns and rainbows too migrate up feeder streams to spawn. These streams can be tiny, but still hold 20”+ fish who spawn in the system.
•Brown trout are fall spawners. The spawning period is in late November/early December in most places (varies by altitude and weather conditions). They will spend from August on bulking up on protein in order to ward off the rigorous spawning process. As the spawn gets closer, the more food they actively chase.
•Just plain less people. After Labor Day you can almost bet the crowds are half of the standard summer crowds in the Sierras. Throw in some cold weather, and you can probably cut that by a quarter, maybe half, of the remaining fisherman.
•The DFG doesn’t stop stocking until the season ends or the water freezes over. This means less fisherman for the same or larger amount of fish.
•Reduced sunlight during the fall means the fish eat all day long many times. In their biological clocks fish can sense when winter is coming, due to many factors. As a result, the heaviest feeding of the year is in the late fall period.
But what does chasing trout in the late fall Sierra entail, you might ask?
Well, first off, come prepared. You can count on weather reports being faulty half the time in fall. Big early season storms can race into the area, and suddenly your 60 degree forecast is more like 30. So dress appropriately. Layers are the key. If you choose to fish during the late fall and early winter, a breathable rain or wading jacket is your best friend. Wear warm layers of fleece and thermals, and forget about the old PVS suits and snow suits. The best warmth system is one that wicks your moisture away from you so your sweat doesn’t make you cold. Wanna know why fly guys buy $400 jackets and $90 wading underwear (besides the elite wealth factor)? Because when the weather turns nasty, these items are worth their price tags. Needless to say, wear warm socks. Having frozen toes sucks, and that is something that I learned several times over. Good quality fingerless gloves are in order too, as are warm beanies and maybe even a few bandanas and balaclavas for the really cold stuff.
Next is your vehicle. Rain and snow can turn the dirt roads we easily access during the summer into mud holes. Be aware of where you are headed roadwise, and know your car’s limitations. The Upper Owens in Mammoth is famed for this. Take a low clearance vehicle into that road, and its very likely you will be awaiting Bubba the tow truck driver later that evening.
I think the most important thing about the late fall/early winter fishing (behind physical preparation) is mental toughness. There are days when you just won’t want to fish. Throwing into a strong headwind is one of them. Fishing during a rainstorm or snowfall is another. Some days, you will have to head for warmer places. That’s part of late season fishing. But those who tough it out are often rewarded. On that same note, those who are willing to hike into the backcountry (if its open) and brave the truly cold conditions often find themselves with hungry fish.
The big fishing isn’t easy, especially if you want to hunt trophy fish during their migrations. But the smaller fish are often on phenomenal bites this time of year. I have fished in pouring rain, and blowing snow storms. I have thrown streamers all day into Long Valley headwinds, and fished the same area with the first real snow of the year on the ground. Sometimes, I did poorly, but I’ve had enough 40 fish days to want to keep doing it again and again. Last year guides were catching monster rainbows on the Upper Owens, and they had to use snowshoes and snowmobiles to get there. Sound crazy? It is, but the fishing can be 100% worth it.
Keep in mind if you choose to head out and fish the last few weeks of our trout season that general season close Nov. 15th. After that, certain places are open to fish, and its up to you to abide the rules.