Fish Report

Recent Photos of our Clients and Customers

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Click here for archived pics from previous reports.

Mammoth local, Glenn Alexander, nabbed

this 23" Brown on the Weber River in

Utah. He fooled it with a Rainbow Scud

he tied at his campsite. Too cool!

Another local, Jesse Thompson, extracted

this fat Rainbow from the Crooked Creek

area of Crowley Lake.

Local Crowley addict, Matt Doyle, got

his fish of the season, a sweet Brown

that measured a nifty 28 inches.

Conway Ranch has two new ponds

that you can fish from shore and

do not have to float tube. Scott holds

fat one for Jerry Berman on the

"Glory Pond"

Jerry's dad, Dave, celebrated his

92nd birthday and showed the young

whipper snappers how it was done.

Triple hook-up, a guide's dream,

says Scott! Conway Ranch info

and reservations 760.709.6446 or

call the shop.

Nice pic from local photog, Jim

Stimson, of Silas working the pool

at Rainbow Falls.

Cog and Shep from the shop took the

day off and nabbed this hot colored

Bow at Hot Creek.

Ryan and Carson Starr got theirs at

Hot creek too. Photo by Cog.

The Fish Report - August 25, 2010

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Click here for info on interpreting weather reports in the Mammoth Lakes and Long Valley areas (Hot Creek, Upper Owens, Crowley Lake)

Weather Forecasts*

Stream Flows

Web Cams

Note that the flow shown for Hot Creek is the flow into Hot Creek from Mammoth Creek, which is in addition to the normal flow from the springs that feed this primarily spring creek.

*For Crowley Lake and Upper Owens, take average of Mammoth and Bishop temperatures.

We only report first-hand info from our sixteen guides on the water daily.

If you read it here, it is the "right stuff"!

Consult the DFG Regulations for specifics.

MAMMOTH LAKES BASIN

Water Conditions:

Warm weather continues while the crowds of people disappear. The water is as warm as it will get and the fishing is great.

Fishing conditions and Hatches:

Good. Hatches are strong due to warm summer sun. Fish will start to feed aggressively as the days get shorter.

Recommended Flies:

DRIES: #16 Parachute Caddis Grey, #14-18 Stimi's, #14 Parachute Adams, Flying Ants

NYMPHS: Mercer's Poxyback Callibaetis or BH Anatomical Callibaetis, # 16 Prince nymph, #16 Hares Ears Natural, #14-18 Pheasant Tails.

STREAMERS:#10 BH Docs in cinnamon or olive color.

Guides Hint: If you are not having success, find a new spot, or change patterns

HOT CREEK

Water Conditions: Good

Flows are still hanging at 27 cfs on 9/1, and that includes the spring

Fishing conditions and Hatches:

Excellent, As the days start to get shorted the hatches will be concentrated

Midges, Caddis, and Hoppers are still the go to bugs, some PMD will mixed in as well

Strong caddis hatches are occuring, however small patterns are working best.

Recommended Flies:

DRIES: Parachute Caddis #18-22, #22 PMD Dunns, Hoppers and Chernobyl ants #8-14, Brooks Hot Creek Caddis, #20 Ostrich Parachute emerger Caddis

NYMPHS:#20 Black WD-40, Blooms Gallatin Pupa #18. #20 Flashback Optimidge. #18-20 Zebra midges, 18-22 Tiger midges.

STREAMERS: Try big and dark streamers early and late, #10 Doc's BH in black

Guides Hint: Small bugs are difficult to see, however they usually produce the best results

SAN JOAQUIN RIVER Forest Service Visitor Center Info (760) 924-5500

Water Conditions:

Water flows continue to hold at a desirable level for fishing.

Fishing conditions and Hatches:

Fair.

Early morning and late evening continue to produce great dry fly action

Recommended Flies:

DRIES: #16-18 Parachute Adams, #14-18 Stimi's, #18 Humpys, #18 Cahill Dunns, #18 Kauffmans Stimi

NYMPHS:#16-20 Copper Johns in red, #16-20 BH Pheasant Tails, #16 Golden Stone Flies, Hares Ear flashback

STREAMERS: Doc's Twin Lake Specials in olive and cinnamon, especially during the middle of the day

Guides Hint: Water near easy access locations get hit hard, a bit of a walk will do a lot of good

CROWLEY LAKE

Crowley Lake Fish Camp Marina Info

Water Conditions:

The algae is just about a non-issue except for some trapped in the massive weed beds that are quickly appearing everywhere as the DWP drops the lake level about 6" to 12' each day. Some light stringy stuff seen today in north arm.

Fishing Conditions and Hatches:

Good to excellent.

Little Hilton has a big fish or two to be had after 10 am but lots of fresh-off-the-truck planters too.

Fish in McGee Bay, where there is lots of perfect 57 F water, are spread out from the channel all along the west side working the Perch Fry bigtime in the huge weed beds. There are still fish in the channel but fishing under the indicator is much tougher now that they are on the fry.

The North End has been producing some big fish in quantity alternatively along the old channel to the east or the newer channel nearer Green Banks. Look for the obvious open lanes through the weed beds to find either.

Recommended Flies:

Gray/Black Dubbed Optimidge in size 18 under the indicator in the McGee channel under a Stimulator

Try #16 red/black Tigers or small blood worms like size 16 Red Baron right on the bottom in Little Hilton.

Nothing magic required for streamers . . . Perfection Perch, Punk Perch, Matukas and Hornbergs will all produce if you get them down to the bottom where the fish are and give them a "woundee" action.

Fish the north arm channels over the old steam beds suspending a fry pattern under the indicator before 8 am then go to #18 gray/black Optimi9dge with dubbed head. It is usually over by 10:30 to 11:00.

Guides Hint: Water temp is a major factor right now. Find the 57 and you will find the fish especially in the north arm.

UPPER OWENS

Water Conditions:

Flows are still in the upper 90's with 99cfs on 9/1.

Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Good below Benton Crossing

Long Ears continues to have fish spread out, with mostly smaller fish

DFG continues to stock the Upper O from the bridge at Benton Crossing down towards Crowley.

Midge, caddis, and grasshopper patterns are the consistant producers

Recommended Flies:

DRIES: #20 Parachute Adams, #18 Parachute Caddis, #20 Real Midge, #12 Chernobyl ant, #14 Foam Hoppers

NYMPHS: #20 Black WD40, #18 Prince Nymphs, Bead Head Pheasant Tails, #18 Hairs Ears, #18-22 Zebra Midges or Copper Zebras

STREAMERS: Big dark Wooly Buggers sizes #8-#12 right against the bank .

Guide's Hint:

OWENS RIVER GORGE

Water conditions: Great

Flow: 45 CFS. This is a permanent flow required to be maintained by LADWP

Water is clear and looking good.

Fishing Conditions and Hatches:Good

The bite starts about 8:00 and goes until about 7 pm. Same bugs are working but have your dry flies ready for the baetis hatch around 12:00-2:00 followed by a nice Caddis hatch.

Recommended Flies:

DRIES: Elk hair caddis, parachute caddis, e/c caddis, hot creek caddis (olives, tans, browns) #18-#20s Tricos- spinners/emergers #18-#22s. Medium size hoppers still working well (lighter tans and brown w/red)

NYMPHS: poxy back baetis, wd-40s, kyles super flash p/t, beerhead baetis, Two Bit Hookers

STREAMERS: Wooley buggers and leeches(small) Lots of little white frogs,try some lighter colors.

Guides Hint: Be prepared for killer temps

LOWER OWENS RIVER

Water Conditions:

Flows have stayed up with 550cfs on 9/1.

High flows can make wading difficult.

Clear water.

Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Good

High flows contiue to see bigger patterns working well.

Hatches change throughout the day from midges, tricos, PMD, Caddis, and hoppers.

Recommended Flies:

NYMPH: #16 Birds nests, #16 Tungsten Psycho BWO, #14 red Copper Johns, #18 Zebra midges

DRIES: Tricos size 20-24. #16 Elk Hair Caddis, #16 Kauffmans Stimis, Parachute Adams #14, #10 Foam Hoppers

STREAMERS: BH Purple or Rust color 'Buggers, short strips do well in the afternoon

Guides Hint: With high flows a # 1 or BB split shot will help find fish.

BRIDGEPORT RESERVOIR

Water Conditions:

Water is clear and getting up in temp as runoff slows. Lots of weeds and well-defined channels.

Fishing Conditions and Hatches:

Excellent

As the water in the resevoir warms continue to target the cold water channels of the inlets, especially Buckeye and Robinson. Pull steamers with a dropper near the weed lanes for hunting Brown's. Damsels coming on strong.

RECOMMENDED FLIES:

NYMPHS:Still finding success with Large Callibaetis patterns. Damsel patterns and PT's (#14 or 16) under the indicator have been good in the channels. Zebra Midges in black and gray.

STREAMERS: Punk Perch

Guides Hint:

EAST WALKER RIVER

Water Conditions:

On 9/1 the flows are down to 207 cfs.

Warm temps, water is around the mid 60's.

Fishing Conditions and Hatches:

Conditions are good. It is necessary to change patterns often.

Small patterns have worked well. Fish have been very picky and the water has been fickle, some days phenomenal, the next piss poor.

Midges, some Tricos, some PMD, and Caddis are all hatching at different times of the day.

RECOMMENDED FLIES:

DRIES: #22-24 Tricos and Trico Spinners, Micro Caddis patterns, Hopper and Chernobyl Ant patterns. #22 PMD Dunns

NYMPHS: #18-20 Gallitans Pupa, #20 PT's, Hare's ears, #18-22 Midges all colors, #20 Blooms Serendipity all colors

STREAMERS: With warm water keep an eye out for perch fry. Perfection Perch or Doc's Twin lake specials near the banks

Guides Hint:Try to stick with tiny patterns.