Eastern Sierras Opener 2014

[RiverWalker]

Hello everyone! Excited about the 2014 opener? I sure am! This will be my first 'Actual' opener in many years. We usually head up within the first or second week of May to avoid the crowds and quite frankly, to have more options since most higher elevation lakes ice off toward the middle of May or Memorial day. Since we basically haven't really had a winter in the last few years we're hoping that at least some of the higher elevation lakes will be fishable and we'll just deal with the crowds.

Having said that, just wondering who's coming up for the Opener and where is everyone heading? I used to hit Crowley first for the 'actual' opener in the past but man those crowds were insane. Kind of want to get away from the 'pay and play' so cal feel so if it's still like that, we might pass. Has anyone hit Crowley in recent years for the opener? Just wondering how the crowds were. We have tentative plans to hit spots from Bishop to Walker.
Not exactly sure where but probably places like Bishop creek, Crowley, Upper O, Mammoth lakes (if ice free), June loop, Robinson creek, W Walker, EW, etc. What did you have in mind?

[Matt44]

Ill be in Bridgeport on lower twin for saturday and the reservoir on sunday. Last year was really good for the brownies both days on jerkbait and rapalas!

[retired96]

This year will be my 44th straight opener, I will be on the Upper Owens River and Rock Creek.

[LBanales]

This will be my 20th straight Opener, and my sons 13th straight Opener. We will start at Convict. We'll hit he Loop, the Bishop waters, and maybe stick our toe in the Mammoth waters, if possible.

[RiverWalker]

What up Matt! Long time no talk! I hope all is good. Going after some Twin Lakes DD Opener Brownies huh? That's cool. Good luck up there. Maybe I bump into you again up there if we decide to stop at Robinson Creek or Lower Twins.


Ill be in Bridgeport on lower twin for saturday and the reservoir on sunday. Last year was really good for the brownies both days on jerkbait and rapalas!

[RiverWalker]

Wow! 44 Actual opening day openers? That's amazing Retired96. Good luck this year!

Same to you JB. 20 straight openers is no slouch either. Way to pass it along to your son. It's a right of passage!

My dad did the same for me. I haven't missed fishing in the Sierras in over 35 years but I can't say that I've been to over 35 openers. Maybe like 7 in my life!

Anyone been to a Crowley opener recently? Looking to see how crowded it's been.

Good luck everyone! Happy fishin....

[farhachris]

Hello fellow Eastern Sierra Fishermen, this will be my 27 opener and ohh how I love it. My buddy’s and I will start our trip on Thursday night headed to Browns Town in the city of Bishop. Friday will be Pleasant Valley and Lower Owens all day before the real fun gets started at 12:00 midnight on Saturday. At this time you can find me at Intake II casting my line at the stroke of 12:00; (we always have a countdown, it’s just like New Years Eve just Fishmas Eve). After that we will be fishing non stop until Monday evening until I just can’t cast anymore :)' from Bishop to Virginia Lakes and all the way south to Lone Pine. Good Luck to everyone, catch big fish, only keep what you need and remember take care of our BEAUTIFUL Eastern Sierras...

[FSHNLIC]

Looks like I will be going up sometime the week of May 5... Maybe I'll run into ya.. fish a lot of those spots... plus my spots that don't get much pressure

[Coldsteel]

Hello River Walker,

Here is a little info on Lake Crowley for the 2014 opener. It looks like they may suspend campfires outside of the designated campgrounds within the Lake Crowley Fish Camp, meaning most of the dry camping on the north shores and east shores will be suspended (No Campfires) This is not set in stone and the Lake Crowley Fish Camp said they would post more information closer to the opener regarding restrictions. As for crowding I assume it will be busy this year due to an early spring and the fish should be actively feeding and ready to hit your lines. If I were to suggest getting away from the crowds and not having someone camping with 10 feet of your camp, I would hit the east shore (Christmas Bay) http://stevenojai.tripod.com/crowley.htm you can access the east shore (Christmas Bay) from Benton Crossing Road and then take Forest Service Road 3s590 for approx. 5 miles to the lake (Dirt Road) Not recommended for RV's. Hope that help.......... Jim

[wildlife]

Have only fished 5 openers , Sabrina to Pleasant valley and Convict and Crowley . Have a question for you guys ,I got a glimpse of a fish at Pleasant valley looked like a smallmouth . I talked to a local that said their in there but hard to catch , I know that big perch are in there but what I seen wasn't a perch . Anyone know ?

[Coldsteel]

Have only fished 5 openers , Sabrina to Pleasant valley and Convict and Crowley . Have a question for you guys ,I got a glimpse of a fish at Pleasant valley looked like a smallmouth . I talked to a local that said their in there but hard to catch , I know that big perch are in there but what I seen wasn't a perch . Anyone know ?

Could have been an Owens River Smally. See Video Below

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joFl1WWP3zc

[wildlife]

Could have been an Owens River Smally. See Video Below

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joFl1WWP3zc

Thanks for the response , I couldn't get a straight answer out of most of the locals . I really love fishing Pleasant Valley, near the dam mostly , can't wait to get up there again .

[farhachris]

Have only fished 5 openers , Sabrina to Pleasant valley and Convict and Crowley . Have a question for you guys ,I got a glimpse of a fish at Pleasant valley looked like a smallmouth . I talked to a local that said their in there but hard to catch , I know that big perch are in there but what I seen wasn't a perch . Anyone know ?

99.98% of the time your going to catch trout out of Pleasant Valley, I have however cought a few Smallmouth Bass in the dead of summer on the dam side, and have seen a Carp here and there. What you may have seen was a Beaver although it would have been much bigger than a Bass but I see them all the time swimming just under the water there.

[Sierra_Smitty]

Have only fished 5 openers , Sabrina to Pleasant valley and Convict and Crowley . Have a question for you guys ,I got a glimpse of a fish at Pleasant valley looked like a smallmouth . I talked to a local that said their in there but hard to catch , I know that big perch are in there but what I seen wasn't a perch . Anyone know ?

I've never heard of or seen a smallie in PVR. The farthest north I've seen them is just below Tinemaha Res. That doesn't mean it's impossible, but I would be very surprised. There are definitely some nice largemouth in there though..I'll be damned if I can figure out how to catch them though.

A spawned out perch would look a lot like a smallie - I was sight fishing smallies today and can assure you that they look very similar in color, markings and shape when in the water....my money is on a perch sighting even if you don't think so.

[hapjap]

I was at pvr last weekend at the power plant end, and there was very little water. som places only 10 feet wide. I was the 2 weeks before that, lots of water and a 9lb 2oz limit

[mrg85]

Hello everyone! Excited about the 2014 opener? I sure am! This will be my first 'Actual' opener in many years. We usually head up within the first or second week of May to avoid the crowds and quite frankly, to have more options since most higher elevation lakes ice off toward the middle of May or Memorial day. Since we basically haven't really had a winter in the last few years we're hoping that at least some of the higher elevation lakes will be fishable and we'll just deal with the crowds.

Having said that, just wondering who's coming up for the Opener and where is everyone heading? I used to hit Crowley first for the 'actual' opener in the past but man those crowds were insane. Kind of want to get away from the 'pay and play' so cal feel so if it's still like that, we might pass. Has anyone hit Crowley in recent years for the opener? Just wondering how the crowds were. We have tentative plans to hit spots from Bishop to Walker.
Not exactly sure where but probably places like Bishop creek, Crowley, Upper O, Mammoth lakes (if ice free), June loop, Robinson creek, W Walker, EW, etc. What did you have in mind?
Flyfishing or spin?

[pitman]

I was at pvr last weekend at the power plant end, and there was very little water. som places only 10 feet wide. I was the 2 weeks before that, lots of water and a 9lb 2oz limit

Im heading up to PVR this weekend I hope there's water. I've never fished it before.

[RiverWalker]

I actually do both. Lately I would guess about 70% on the fly and 30% on the spin. When I'm tubing lakes, often times I will be driftin around Trout worms with my spinning rod in a rod holder while I work my Fly rod(s) in hand. I'm not one of those fly guys who believe a fly rod is gods gift and the only way to fish. I believe there's a time and place for different applications depending on the situation.

5 more days to go and counting....I can't wait! The weather is not looking to great but oh wells, we'll manage. We always do! I personally don't mind fishing when it's snowing, raining, or when it's really cold. I just absolutely hate it when the wind starts howling though!

Good luck to everyone making the trek this weekend! Drive safely and tight lines to all!


Flyfishing or spin?

[Team Brown Eye]

Team Brown Eye will be at opener for our 14th consecutive year. God willing, I will be posting the same thing 20 years from now. We will be on Rush and Silver (from a boat) for opener. We will be at the Tiger Bar Friday night drinking ICE COLD water:Wink:. If you see us, stop and introduce yourself. Good luck and safe driving to everyone.

[Joshua]

I think this would have been #15 for me. String will be broken. New job, 2 new kids and my oldest (13) will be playing in a softball tourney in Hemet this weekend. This is good news for the rest of you. More fish for you guys.
Be safe., Fish on!