History
The East Walker river flows
from Bridgeport Reservoir near the town of Bridgeport, California. It has long
been a popular trout fishery and was considered by some to be one of the best
trout streams in the West. Then, during the drought of the late eighties
Bridgeport Reservoir was drained for irrigation water, sending massive amounts
of silt down the river. The few trout spared by the silted water were left high
and dry once the reservoir was empty. As if that weren't enough, spawning gravel
was buried under all the slit and the food chain destroyed.
Recovery
Ten years later the East
Fork is well on the way to full recovery. With subsequent wet years the silt was
washed from the river and the trout and the river were restored, with the help
of man and nature. The East Walker river is essentially fully recovered and in
some way may rival its former self. Fish counts are high and natural
reproduction is occurring and with 5 wet years out of the last six the river is
full and healthy. While many small fish are present (a good sign of a healthy
population), many larger fish are hiding out in the East Walker.
The River
The East Walker is a tail
water, meaning relatively steady flows and temperatures. It leaves Bridgeport
Reservoir and empties into the "Big Hole". From here the river travels
through fairly flat terrain before entering the canyon it shares with Highway
182. Some sections in the canyon are steep and wild, others flat and tame. This
section from the dam to the Nevada state line are special regulation waters (see
below). This first section, the California section, has it all, riffles, runs,
pools, even a marshy still-water like section. Once the river leaves the canyon,
the highway and California, it, in my opinion is at its best.
The upper Nevada section
flows through two ranches, first the Sceirine Ranch and then the Rosaschi Ranch.
At one time both ranches were private water, the Sceirine allowed public access
at no charge, the Rosaschi a charged for access. Curiously, The Rosaschi land
was transferred to the US forest service and is now public water, but the
Sceirine family will soon begin operating as resort and charging a fee for
access. Gain one section, lose another, but in the deal the public got public
water on the Rosaschi section, and that is for good! Since being taken over by
the US Forest Service, several years ago, many local organizations, namely the
High Sierra Fly Casters (Shameless plug! See the Links page), have made
improvements such as toilets, fencing, etc. This upper section is flatter than
the California section and for the most part quieter water. It still has deep
pools and under-cut banks, as well as flatter runs and riffles. This section
also has special regulations (see below). This section ends as it enters a deep
canyon, when the East Fork exits your at "The Elbow".
The lower Nevada section
consists of "The Elbow", and the river to its confluence with the West
Fork. "The Elbow" is a flat winding section that runs through a meadow
section after exiting a steep canyon and is generally shallow riffles and runs.
The rest of the river is fishable but access can be a problem. This section is
also on private land but open to the public, with one major rule - No Camping -
too bad! This section has standard regulations (see below), and lacks the
numbers of large fish found in the other sections, but the fishing can be great!
Equipment, Techniques, and
When to Fish
The East
Walker river is as diverse a river as you can find. If your a year round
fisherman you'll use everything from a 3 weight rod and size 24 midges to 7
weight rods and size 2 Wooly Buggers and everything in between. Expect to go
from chuck and duck nymphing one month to technical dry fly fishing the next.
The river does have its better seasons but is fishable all year long.
Spring - The
water is generally low until the alfalfa season hits in late spring. March and
April are prime months with good nymph fishing, especially with the golden
stoneflies moving. Fish the nymphs on the bottom and expect to take some larger
fish feeding on the size 8 to 12 golden stones. Dry fly fishing is sporadic but
be prepared with Blue Wing Olive imitations, size 18 to 22, along with a good
selection of standard attractor dries such as Humpies, Wulffs and Parachute
Adams as well as Deer Hair Caddis and midges. For nymphs try Hare's Ears, Prince
Nymphs, Bird's Nest's, and Pheasant Tails, standard stuff, and never be without
streamers. For rods use 5 or 6 weights with matching lines as most of your
fishing will be with weighted nymphs and wind is not only likely, but expected.
Use heavier tippets in 3x to 5x but carry 6x or 7x for the occasional hatch.
Summer - High
water and fluctuating levels are the rules for summer on the East Walker.
Fishing is slow and restricted to the edges for the most part. Nymphs and
terrestrials dominate the imitations needed, but keep your standard dries listed
above on hand. Same goes for nymphs, standard patterns will do the trick. The
summer also means caddis are more prevalent than mayflies so adjust your fly
selections as necessary and don't forget the streamers. Terrestrial patterns
should consist of small black and red ants, sizes 16 to 20, Hoppers, including
Madam X's, and assorted beetles. Rods should be 4 to 6 weights and chest waders
are a must in the high fast water. Warning - The water levels can fluctuate
tremendously in summer, use great care when wading!
Autumn -
Starting in September (depending on snow pack and the level in Bridgeport
Reservoir) the water levels begin to drop with October and November being prime
months to fish the East Fork. Streamers come into their own during the fall with
the fish bulking up for winter and the Browns spawning. Midges also make a come
back in late fall. Again standard dry and nymph patterns take fish and
terrestrials still effective in early fall. Streamers should be lively, big and
heavy with favorites being Wooly Buggers, Muddlers, and leach patterns. For rods,
again a 5 or 6 weight are good all around choices, but for streamer fishing go
heavy to help fight those big flies and bigger fish, try a 7 or even 8 weight
with short stout 3x or bigger leaders. For midging try a 3 or 4 weight and long
6x or smaller tippets.
Winter - See
Fall, well almost. Fishing slows as the water levels and temperatures drop but
it still beats anything else north of Bishop. Midges and streamers are popular as
well as nymphs and the occasional BWO hatch. Expect low, clear water and spooky
fish. Warmer days are better than colder, and ice can be a problem.
Regulations
Nevada - Season is open
year around, any hour of the day or night. Limit is 5 trout, 10 mountain
whitefish and 15 warm-water game fish of which not more than 5 may be black bass
except in that portion of the East Walker River which is from 1/4 mile above the
confluence of Sweetwater Creek to 1/2 mile below the confluence of Red Wash
Creek which is catch and release. Only artificial lures with single barbless
hooks may be used.
California - Season is open
from last Saturday in April thru October 31, any hour of the day or night. From
Bridgeport Dam to State Highway 182 bridge, limit is 1, minimum size is 18
inches total length. Only artificial lures with barbless hooks may be used. From
the State Highway 182 bridge to the Nevada State line, limit is 2, minimum size
is 14 inches total length. Only artificial lures with barbless hooks may be
used.
Always check the appropriate state regulations before fishing and respect
private property.
How to Get There
From Wellington, Nevada -
Take the Wellington Cutoff To Highway 338. Head south on Highway 338 for about
25 miles until you see a dirt road signed "Hawthorne". Follow the dirt
road to the Nevada sections (you will find parking near the bridge crossing the
river) or continue on the highway to the California section. Hint: to get to
"The Elbow" follow the dirt road past the bridge and just keep going,
it may seem your traveling away form the river but you will run into it again. I
promise!
From Bridgeport, California
- Take Highway 182 east past Bridgeport Reservoir. The river pretty much
parallels the highway until you reach Nevada. To get to the Nevada sections
continue along the highway into Nevada for several miles until you see the dirt
road described above.
Accommodations
Camping may be found in and around Bridgeport
and dispersed camping is allowed along the river here and there and north along
SR 338 in the Sweetwater range and surrounding foothills. Motels are
available in Bridgeport, and farther away, Yerington and Minden/Gardnerville,
Nevada. Smith Valley has limited "Bed and Breakfast" accommodations
and an RV park.
Good Luck!
