High pressure and lots of sunshine with breezy afternoons have been the pattern here. We are starting to see a build up of the monsoon pattern that should start after the next 10 days or so. Some wind will be associated with these storm cells and bring more needed precipitation to the Sierra. Bridgeport Reservoir and Crowley Lake have been the highlight of angling destinations this summer. Large numbers of trophy trout have flooded Mcgee Bay and Buckeye Bay. East Walker River coming down and fluctuating slightly day by day. June Lake Loop producing some fine fish in the early morning hours and late evenings. Mammoth Lakes basin waters also good for smaller hatchery and larger trout. Hot Creek phenomenal with a dry fly and a light rod throughout the day. Rock Creek Lake producing some nice fish and a great place to get away from the heat for the hot parts of the day. Middle Owens River down to 314 cfs but lots of water still entering from Bishop Creek. Very hot weather down here has signaled the trout to go deep.

Crowley Lake

 Pretty close to wide open on some days if you get your float tube or boat located in the right spot. Depth and the right fly patterns are also important here, especially in the deeper water. Matching the food can mean the difference between steady hookups and a fish here and there.  Fish are scattered and concentrated throughout the bay with larger concentrations of fish in certain areas. Main target areas have been the weed beds, weed edges, weed/mud transitions, and creek channel and channel flats. Lots of pressure in shallow water will shut off the bite at times and searching out deeper water is a better choice. This is big fish time here and they are chowing down on callibaetis, damselflies, and midges. Find the fish and what they are feeding on and you can get into all day action. Good patterns have been our #16 Level Crystal Leech,#16 Parallel Assassin Light and Dark, #16 Parallel Punk Perch,  #18 Crystal Tiger Midge,  and Zebra Midge.

Bridgeport Reservoir

Just as good here as its sister lake. The creek channels are where it is at. Multiple large models are biting here along the channel, its edges and over the shallower weed beds. The lake has been fishing better than it has in over 6 years and some mega number days on large fish can be had here.  #14-16 Level Crystal Leeches, #14-16 Assassins Light, #12-18 Copper Tiger Midges, Parallel Punk Perch, and Zebra midges have been go to patterns.

Middle Owens River (Bishop Area)

Flows have dropped here recently, but hot weather has put the fish in the deeper pools to cool off. Try fishing the riffles in the evenings and mornings and then going deep with nymphs and streamers mid-day. Flows should increase here as Crowley Lake drops soon. We will resume drift boating in the fall when the water levels drop and the air temperatures start to cool again. 

Upper Owens River

Pretty good fishing in the pools, riffles, and undercut banks for school sized trout. Mayflies, Caddis, midges, and Hoppers have been fun to cast to these little guys. The occasional larger fish can be found mixed in and surprise you. Water levels have dropped and warmed here, so better fishing is being had above the Hot Creek confluence.

San Joaquin River

Flows now at 100 cfs. Very fishable now upstream and downstream from the bridge. Dry fly and dry/dropper combos producing best. Keep you flies floating high and they will get hammered by most fish they pass over. A good mend in your line with little to no drag is all it takes. Give us a call if you would like us to get you into this area for some great dry fly fishing.

Hot Creek

The hoppers are coming! The hoppers are coming! Yes, you read correctly. It’s finally grasshopper time on Hot Creek. Throw any decent hopper imitation along the bank edges and in the riffles and get ready to set that hook. Hot Creek has made a fantastic come back and it’s on a steady pace to returning to the fishery it once was. This program is great for half day trips in the mornings with no need for waders. We have had some fun and memorable days this summer getting our clients on some rising trout through the mornings. #18 mayflies, #18-22 midges, #20 Brassies, and egg and SD worm patterns have been getting some serious looks and takes from the resident trout. 

East Walker River

Flows now down to very fishable levels with slight fluctuations every few days. Currently 227 cfs. Mornings have been good in the riffles and faster water. Looks for pockets behind the rocks in the upper sections to single out that large brown or rainbow. Crawdad patterns work great this time of year, along with #18 Copper Tiger Midges, #14-16 Parallel Perch, #14-16 Level Leeches, and Assassins dark and light both Parallel and normal. 

Grant/Silver Lakes

Bigger fish have been showing around both lakes. Warmer water has put more trout on the feed and they are responding well to nymphs and streamers. There have been some good evening hatches with fish sipping midges and mosquitos on the surface. Try 9′ leaders with #18-20 paramidges and griffith’s gnats for the surface action. Go with small copper john’s , Pt’s , and midges when going subsurface or hung under an indicator.