Mammoth Fly Fishing : Upper Owens River – 8.31.11
The upper Owens continues to produce a great number of 12 to 15 inch fish. Most of the fish are being caught on streamers and nymphs, with pods of rising trout here and there in certain holes of the river. A small caddis hatch comes off throughout the day with heavy responses from the trout near some of the nice foamy holes. These are usually the smaller trout of the river system. Midge Emergers are ever present and fishing a midge emerger pattern # 18-20 on some days will give you great success on the upper Owens. Other flies to try are; Thin SJ worm patterns # 10-14, Robo and Pheasant tails # 16-20, Hares Ears in similar sizes, and various Midge larvae patterns. Hoppers and Beetles #12-16 and EHC patters are also good to have in the Upper Owens collection lately.
Mammoth Fly Fishing : Crowley Lake – 8.27.12
Crowley Lake continues to dazzle us with big trout of all three varieties been brought to hand every time we are out there. Cutthroat, Rainbow, and Brown trout are being boated daily in many different parts of the lake. Perch fry, and many sorts and color varieties of Chironomids have continued to take fish. The algae bloom seems to be holding off for the moment as the air temperature was much cooler this morning when we arrived.
Mammoth Fly Fishing: Crowley Lake – 8.23.12
Crowley Lake has been our addiction the last month and is fishing excellent recently! Possibly the best it's fished in years. The fish seem to be on the chew at all times of the day and have been in the bays where the tributaries let cold water come in near the North arm and western edges. Large Rainbow, Brown, and Cutthroat trout have been showing themselves regularly in 6 to 13 feet of water. With the perch fry feeding session about to start Crowley lake trout have been taking many large Chironomid patterns a foot or so off the bottom and the bite can go on and off throughout the day but rarely quits. Stay tuned for more posts from us as the perch fry turn on the trial and the really big fish start to show themselves in Crowley. These photos were all taken within the last week with a few taken just yesterday.
Bridgeport Fly Fishing: East Walker River – 8.23.12
For the moment the East Walker river is low and a little too warm to extract trout out of without possibly harming the fish. So we are leaving it alone until cooler temperatures hit these waters.. Stay tuned
Mammoth Fly Fishing: Hot Creek – 8.23.12
Hot Creek has been fishing well in spite of all the weeds. A Trico hatch comes off in the morning as well as a small number of baetis mixed in throughout the day. Using 6X or 7X Tippit an experienced fly angler can extract many of these trout From the low fish filled waters of Hot Creek. A visual game, one will be able to see each trout he is casting too and pick and choose the fish they want. Hoppers and beetles fished in the pockets in between the weeds morning through evening will also get some definite trout visuals and hookups. Nymphing as usual will work but will result and a lot of weedy flies. RS2 Trico Emergers, Poly Wing Emergers # 18-20, Poxy Back Mayfly #18-20, Small scud patterns will work throughout the day when dropped just a foot or so under the surface. Various hopper and attractor patterns including beetles will work well and you can drop a scud or nymph below it if you want to get more action but be ready for more weedy flies. Look for the Trico hatch for the most action.
Mammoth Fly Fishing: Upper Owens River – 8.23.12
The upper Owens is down to a low flow of 64 CFS. Hoppers and Caddis are being eaten on the surface throughout the day. We are not seeing the big fish that swim in upper Owens River from Crowley Lake recently but we are getting some very nice standard size Trout consistently. Attractor patterns such as Robo PT's, Green Rock Worms and Prince Nymphs and red Copper Johns are just a few of the patterns that will take fish, all in sizes # 16-20. Various leggy hopper patterns in # 12-14, And Elk Hair Caddis patterns and similar patterns to the rising pods of smaller fish #18-20.
Bishop Fly Fishing: Lower Owens River – 8.23.12
The Lower Owens got turned way up to a high flow of 525 CFS. There are a few places on the river with some decent foam lines that the fly angler can nymph deep and extract some nice brown trout. We have been throwing streamers to the opposite bank and tugging them back with some great results in very certain areas. The last couple hours of the day the caddis hatch comes off with good action in the deeper pools. We will have to see how long the department of water and power keeps us at these very high water levels, there's not enough water up there to maintain them very long that is for sure.. Flies are : larger and heavier Streamers #4-8, Bubble Back Emergers # 16-20, Sparkle Trigger Nymphs #14-20, Robo PT's #16-20, and at night Elk Hair Caddis and other Caddis patterns # 16-20 will take fish.
Crowley Lake Fly Fishing : Mid August 2012
Crowley lake is been fishing hot recently with many large brown trout being taken on Chironomid patterns mid morning to late at night. The trick is to keep your eyes on your indicator at all times after finding the fish and setting at the right depth with the right colors for the time of day (silver on black, red on black, black on grey)
Bishop Fly Fishing : Lower Owens River – August 2012
The Lower Owens is down to a low flow of 125cfs which is unusual for this time of year. The river is healthy and the foliage around the river is green and alive, this is a very different river if you have only fished it during the winter months when the flows are down like they are now. BubbleBack emergers #16-20, Sparkle Triggers #16-20, RS2's #16-18, all sorts of green caddis worms and emergers #16-18. Some hopper action can be found throughout the day, but not to the extent of Hot Creek or the Upper Owens. During the caddis hatch at night fish small Fertile Caddis #18-20, Elk Hair Caddis #18-22, Small Adams and Baetis patterns #18-22 are also good to have along for the Lower Owens selection right now.
Bridgeport Fly Fishing : East Walker River – August 2012
The East Walker has just been kicked up to 200cfs of flow. This will be good for the resident trout and help to keep the water temperatures cool. Fish have been active in the mornings and evenings, they still do continue to eat during the day in the deep pools and riffled water. Large Attractor patterns continue to get attention from trout of all sizes! We have had some large explosions on mouse and large foam patterns recently. Try Hopper Sandwiches #6-10, Fat Alberts #6-10, and other large leggy foam or natural patterns. Under the water fish continue to eat caddis, baetis and midges. The ticket in green #18-20, Crawling caddis #18, halfback emerger #18-20, CDC case BWO emerger #18-20..