To start things out we would like to wish the best for all the people affected by wildland fires and a big thank you to all of the people fighting all of the fires in the Western USA. The second thing is that the smoke can be extremely bad depending the direction of the wind. Mornings can be smoky in town but Crowley and the Walker can be clear. Afternoon winds can clear out the whole area or just move the smoke around the valley.
A beautiful smoke free morning
That afternoon the smoke rolled in thick
Unfortunately with all of the fire all National Forest Campsite and Recreation areas have been closed which limited the number of locations that we have to fish and camp in the Mammoth lakes area. The areas that you can fish are Crowley Lake, Upper Owens, Lower Owens, East Walker and Bridgeport Reservoir. The good news is that most of these areas are fishing great right now.
Lower Owens – Flow are high right now, 600 CFS, making it tough to find areas to fish but if you do find a hole to fish it can be really good with Midges, Tricos and Caddis. Please watch out for warm water as mid-day temps can bring water temps up to 70 degrees or more. Once water temps reach that 70 degree temp we ask that you take a break from fishing till the evening so the water can cool down.
FLIES
Dries
Nymphs
Beadhead Zebra Midge, Black #18-22
Crowley Lake – The perch fry and damsel grab is still on fire along with the midge grab. The key is finding weed edges next to cold water spots with the fry and damsel. For Midging the key is to find drop offs with cool water in 6 to 15ft of water. Grey and Black midges have been really good during the day but red works well early and late in the day.
FLIES
Streamers
Hornberg, Olive #12-14
Tung Angel Hair Bugger, Lt. Olive #8-10
Tung Angel Hair Bugger, Black/Red #8-10
Nymphs
Crystal Chironomid, Black and Red #14-18
Jojo Chironomid, Blood Red #14-18
Perch from shore
Upper Owens – The spawning fish have not moved up into the rivers yet but there are tons of stockers and native fish that are on the chew. Hopper/Dropper is the best fishing higher up on the river and nymphing is work best downstream. Any nymphs with a hint of red with get you bit. Be sure to keep an eye on the temps as the can reach the 70s during the day.
FLIES
Dries
Stimulator, Yellow and Orange #12-16
Nymphs
Beadhead Tactical Black Death #14-16
Beadhead Tungsten Copper John, Red #14-18
Beadhead Tungsten Prince #14-18
Beadhead Bird of Prey, Olive #14-18
Streamers
Beadhead Woolly Bugger, Black #6-10
Skull Bugger, Olive and White #8
Two fish on one cast at the Upper Owens
East Walker – The Walker has been fishing great with decent flow of 90 CFS but please keep an eye on the water temps. Water temps are for sure hitting the 70s by 1:00 in the afternoon. If you do hook and fight a large fish in the warmer temp there’s a good change the fish will not survive. But if you fish early in the morning or late in the evening you can be in for some great fishing. Midges and Tricos in the morning and an evening the Caddis and Midges come off like crazy. Large streamers are still moving some big fish.
FLIES
Dries
Nymphs
Beadhead Zebra Midge, Black #18-22
Streamers
Eyed Fathead, Olive and Black (Tandem) #4
Solid Brown from the Walker
Bridgeport Res – The Big Browns have been moving around the dam early and late in the day but we have not heard much else. Give Ken’s Sporting Goods a call for more information.