Owens Valley Warmwater
Average Water Temp- 56*F+- Weather
Bass-
As water temps crest 60F* we’ll see bass move in shallow onto their redds. These redds are easily visible and sometimes can look like a mine field of craters in a nesting area. Sometimes you may even see the bass on the redd.
Targeting nests this time of year is a common practice and many anglers come out for this event. I even used to get excited for this but after I learned how harmful this can be, I have refrained. Taking a spawning fish away from its nest can severely reduce the odds of a successful spawn and or survival rate of the fry. Male bass are responsible for locating, preparing and guarding the nest throughout the spawn and removing one from its redd could cause it to lose its nest and have to start the process over. Or it could leave the nest unguarded, making the fry an easy meal for other bass.
Try fishing deeper water away from shore and known nesting areas to give the fish a break during this stressful time. Taking extra care during the spawn increases the odd of a successful spawn and more bass for the future.
Flies-
Balanced Leech #4-6, Boss Bob Leech #4-6, Coonsy’s Dragon Craw #1-1/0, Low Fat Minnow ( Weedless) #6-8
Twerking Tadpole #1/0, Foam Hopper Variations #4-6
CARP
It is a great time for carp in the Owens Valley. We’re in that cool period where they started feeding but haven’t started spawning yet…and the weed beds have not come in yet so that’s good too!
The flats are too deep to access at the moment so we’ve been focusing on the ditches and canals. This is some of the most difficult carp fishing you will experience. In addition to timing your shot with the current, the high banks make it very difficult to hide. Fish can easily see you and never let you get very close. You will have to spot fish farther off and usually take a longer shot. Move slow and look for muds, you most likely wont see the fish as water clarity is horrible, but you will see the mud it disturbs when feeding. Cast well upstream of the fish and let the fly get down or you will drift over their heads. They are very spooky so make sure your flies are small and don’t make too much commotion.
Flies-
Carp Coachman #6-8, Primordial Carp Stew #6-8, Swimming Nymph #8-10, B.H. Fox Squirrel Nymph #10-12
