Mammoth Lakes Area

Weather Report

Don't forget your water bottles and sunscreen as you hit the lakes, rivers and creeks. The water's reflection seems to like to help the sun in its constant attempts to turn us all bright red and leave us sadly remembering the trip. Don't forget life jackets for the kids if you are fishing from a boat!

The following report courtesy The Trout Fly:

REPORT AS OF 7/24/2008

Mammoth Lakes Basin

Water Conditions: Excellent. Water conditions for all the lakes are still great. We may see a few more people at the basin lakes this week due to the lovely holiday weekend. I see the increase in traffic as a good thing, it is a perfect excuse for us to drag out our dusty float tubes and go for a nice kick around on a hot day.

Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Good. Fly fishing conditions at the Twin Lakes and Mamie are excellent with abundant midges coming off early in the morning, and again in the evening, bringing fish to the surface for some fun dry fly action. During the mid morning, we are seeing good hatches of Callibaetis, and Damselflies, especially along the weedbeds of Lower and Middle Twin. Lake George has been producing some nice Alpers, as well as Lake Mary, on streamers.

Recommended Flies:

STREAMERS: #12 Twin Lakes Special (olive), #6-12 Wooly Bugger (black, olive, brown), #10-12 Matukas (olive)

NYMPHS: #16-22 Zebra and Tiger Midge, #14-16 Pheasant tail, #14-16 Hare's Ear (tan), #14-16 Birds Nest(tan),#14-16 Jensen's Callibaetis, #12 Marabou Damsel

DRIES: #14-22 Adams and Parachute Adams, #16-22 Griffiths Gnat, #16-20 Sierra Bright Dot, #12-16 Black Ant,

Guides Hint: Take a hike to sample some awesome backcountry fishing up Coldwater Creek.

Hot Creek

Water Conditions: Good. The water is crystal clear!!! It's perfect!

Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Good. Start with trico's and midges in the morning. The trico's don't seem to be quite as thick anymore. Midmorning there will be migrating caddis along with some hatching, depending on the weather witch may bring fish to the surface. If nothing is hatching throw some hoppers as they are out and about and very abundant. Later in the afternoon there has been a very good caddis hatch with the afternoon thunder heads building up.

Remember these fish are fished on ALL OF THE TIME by lots of anglers and guides. Downsize everything, bugs, tippet, etc.

The weeds are thick and it's getting technical but the fishing is still awesome if you want to test your skills!

Recommended Flies:

NYMPHS: #20-22 BTS Nymph in Black or Olive, #18 Black Beauty, #20 WD-40 in Olive , #16-18 scud, #18 Mighty May PMD, #20 Barr's BWO or PWD, #18 Sparkle Pupa in Tan or Olive and #16 Micro Stone.

DRY FLIES: #20-22 Trico Spinner, #16-18 Hackle Stacker PMD, #18-22 Griffiths Gnat, #14-18 Outrigger Caddis, #16-18 Parachute Caddis and #14-16 Outrigger Yellow Sally

Guides Hint:

San Joaquin River

Water Conditions: Good flows from confluence of Minaret Falls creek and the S.J. Starting to get a little skinny above this point but still fishable. In general, very wadable.

Water temps are upper 50's in the am to low 60's mid day.

Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Fishing is good for both wild and stocked fish.

There is more holding water below minaret creek now than up higher due to the higher flow.

Hatches are sporadic with large light color and smaller Caddis, some Mayflies, (sporadic large Drakes), and small and larger Stoneflies.

Look for pocket water and start with a dry/dropper setup. When the fish ignore the dropper, switch to a single dry.

Move laterally in the water to get the best drift.

The areas in and between the upper campgrounds are starting to show the effect of heavy pressure. You are best off hiking a bit.

Recommended Flies: Some large stoneflies are showing up, Sporadic large Drakes, and caddis too.

Dries: #10-14 Yellow and Orange Stimulators, #12 yellow or orange Humpy's, #12-18 Elk Hair Caddis, #12-18 Royal Wulff's, #12-18 Parachute Adams, black ant patterns and #16-18 PMD and light cahill.

Nymphs: #18 zebra midges, #18 PT's, #18 Micro Mayflies, #14-16 Barr's PMD Emergers, #16 Black AP nymphs, Mercer's Stonefly Nymphs, #16-18 Caddis pupa.

Guide's Hint: If you are getting fish rising on your fly but you keep missing them, they really aren't eating it, just bumping it, (a refusal). When this happens, switch to a smaller fly or pattern.

Crowley Lake

Water Conditions: Water is ridiculously hot everywhere in the lake, as in over 70 degress on the bottom except in McGee Bay and the mouth of the Owens, which you can't get to by boat.

Fishing Conditions and Hatches: McGee Bay has some perfect 57 degree water but it is in 4 ft of water choked with weeds and unfishable.

The underwater stream channel has disappreared (silted out) so there is no concentration of colder water following the old channel out into the bay. The cold water goes about 100 feet from the mouth in what's left of the channel and then just dissipates over the entire bay wih no real concentration.

The good news is that there are some excellent Bows, Browns and Cutthroats but they are spread out. Everyone is doing about the same. slow to slow-steady from close in in 7 ft of water out to 12 ft.

The last two days there has been essentially no chironomid hatch from 6 am to Noon. I think it will turn on if they ever decide to come off.

Recommended Flies: Blood Worms early then gray or gray/black Optimidges in size 16 mid-morning. If you see any calibaetis on the surface at any time go to a Jensens Calibaetis

Fish are nailing Damsels and very small Perch fry on the surface in McGee and stripping Damsle patterns with slow 1 inch twitches or Bird's Nest usinglonger strips then coast to imitate the miniture fry.

The hot water has slowed down the fish even when feeding so expect a ton of drive-bys. Shorten up 6 inches at a time to get better angle of attack so the fly goes in their mouth and doesn't just bump the tippet and slide around their nose producing the infuriating, drive-by twitch.

Guide's Hint:

Upper Owens

Water Conditions: GOOD. Flows are 58c.f.s. as of 7/21 with clear water.

Fishing Conditions and Hatches: GOOD. Lots of dry action throughout the day. Hoppers are coming on strong! Early morning - tricos, caddis, some pmd's and callibaetis. Late morning - hoppers, beetles and ants.Try nymphing deeper holes when sun is straight up. Lots of caddis in evening.

Recommended Flies:

NYMPHS: red copper johns,caddis pupa and larvae(tan or green),p/t nymphs.

DRY FLIES: Trico emergers and spinners #20-#22,parachute caddis and hoppers#16-#12 foam beetles,drowned ants and callibaetis spinners.

Guide's Hint: When you think it's over, go back through and rip streamers!

Owens River Gorge

Water Conditions: Water Temps: Mid 60's

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

Fishing Conditions and Hatches: The Gorge is a tough place to fish during the summer months. If you decide to fish it, I would fish the afternoon, and be sure to take extra water or a water purifier for the tough hike out. The spooky resident browns are not quite as spooky when the sun is off the water, so make sure and use some extra stealth tactics when approaching the fish. A dry dropper rig will work the best. We recommend a Stimulator or Elk Hair Caddis with a size 16 Bird of Prey beneath. There are sporadic caddis coming off mid morning, but the trout do not seem to feed on the adults. However, a well presented nymph will pick up fish all day.

Recommended Flies: These fish will eat a well presented attractor. Fly selection is not as critical as a drag free presentation!

DRIES: Elk Hair Caddis #14-18, Cutter's EC Caddis #14-18, Royal Wulff #12-16, Adams #14-20, Hopper patterns!!!!!

DROPPERS: Zebra Midge and light green midges #16-20, PT's #16-20, Hares Ear #18-20, CDC Caddis Emergers #16-20, small brown/yellow stonefly nymphs #18, BH RS2 #18

Guide's Hint: Bring your dry shake powder. Dry dropper techniques are the way to go in the Gorge. The Gorge is "tailwater" stream but it fishes more like a "freestone" stream. Fish will enthusiastically crush most fly patterns if presented well and in the right places. Watch out for rattlesnakes.

Lower Owens River

Water Conditions: Flows are at 379 c.f.s. (as of 7/21/08) but still a good 200 c.f.s. lower than usual for this time of year. LADWP has told me flows on the river will be less than summers past due to Crowley Lake level being low. Most people are used to fishing this river during the low winter releases&from 100 c.f.s. to 200 c.f.s. At current flow release it's not for everyone.

Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Good. Fishing has been pretty good for those who know this river and where and how to fish it at high water. A good understanding of tailwater fisheries and their hatches will make or break your day. Hatches have been very good for months now. There's the classic Lower Owens trico emergence and spinnerfall in the early a.m. That leads into a decent pmd grab followed by a smattering of yellow sally stones and caddis. Evening caddis hatch may reward anglers from 6pm till dark.

Another very good mayfly hatch (tiny #20-22 tan bwo's) round out the afternoon from 12-2pm most days. It is possible that you will have some fish feeding on the surface&I have fished dries a lot lately. Mostly you will want to indicator "slack line" nymph with long drifts (add a swing on that thang). High sticking or "Czech Nymphing" will kill it right now too! Evening fishing can be phenomenal with crazy caddis hatches. Most of my time on this river has been during the day&a last hour of light session may pay off for the adventurous souls out there!

Recommended Flies:

#22 Barr's female trico emerger, #20-22 trico spinnerfall patterns (nymphed or fished dry fly)

#16 Mercer's Poxy Back Yellow Stone, #18-22 Barr's P.M.D.

Wet Emergers, #22 Surface Emergers, #22 Hares Ears or Tan Bird's Nest.

Guide's Hint: Fish with a buddy that can run down stream amd grab you as you float by if you slip.

Lee Vining Creek

Water Conditions: Water flow has dropped to 51 c.f.s above 395 and 51 c.f.s. below 395 as of 7/22/08 so if your'e going to fish it now's the time,before the flows get to low.

Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Lee Vining Creek has different characteristics in different sections. From the power plant in the lower canyon down to Mono Lake it is pretty overgrown and access can be tight in most places. It is fished best with a lighter weight and shorter rod. If you can endure some bushwacking and losing some flys, you can be rewarded with a fun day. In these tight situations try swinging your flies through the deeper/slower holes.The big meadow at the bottom of the grade is much more open but the water is crystal clear and the fish very spooky,try the upper end at the bottom of the campground with attractor nymphs for the stockers. There is easier access in the meadow near the campgrounds and up higher above Ellery Lake.Also try the diversion pond behind the old forest service compound,midges early and late,scuds and water beetles midday.Above Ellery, afternoons have been best with good mayfly hatches,including brown drakes that are over an inch long.

Recommended Flies:

Dries: #14-18 Elk Hair Caddis, #14 Yellow Stimulator, #14 Yellow Humpy, #14 Royal Wulff, #14-16 Parachute Adams,#8 spinners(good luck)#18 pmd hackle stackers

Nymphs: #14-18 PT's, #14-18 Hare's Ears, #16-18 Olive Micro Mayfly, # 18 Zebra Midges,#16-18 Beck's sulpher emergers #14-20 Prince nymphs ,#12 brown Bird's Nest.

Guides Hint: There are no trout let alone yellowtail, yellowfin or bonefish in the Mono Lake/ Lee Vinning Delta&don't believe the hype. There are a lot of seagulls and brine shrimp, however.

Rush Creek

Water Conditions: Between Silver and Grant Lake, the flow has gone back up in last 3 days to 57 cfs

WATER TEMPS HAVE GONE BACK DOWN INTO THE LOW 60'S BETWEEN SILVER AND GRANT SO FISH AWAY!BELOW GRANT THE WATER TEMPS ARE STILL IN THE LOW 70'S AND WE ARE RECOMMENDING TO GIVE THIS FISHERY A REST EXCEPT MAYBE VERY EARLY IN THE DAY.

Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Fishing is good. You will have to contend with other anglers between the lakes but you can find solitude below Grant.

Up high you can find some nice stocked rainbows especially in the deeper holes, as well as smaller wild fish. Down low will be almost exclusively small wild fish eager to take a dry if you place it in the right spot once things have warmed up.

The stockers will eat most attracter patterns but the wild fish will be more selective.

Hatches: small Golden Stones, Baetis Mayflys, Caddis and Midges

Recommended Flies: Lots of attractor style patterns work well here with a dropper fly like a PT, Hare's Ear, Micro Mayfly etc.

NYMPHS: #14-18 PT's, #14-18 Hare's Ears, #16-18 Olive Micro Mayfly, #16 Mercer's Stone, #16 olive CDC caddis emergers, #18 Brook's Hot Creek Caddis emergers, #20 black, grey and olive (3 different colors) WD-40's, #20 Zebra Midges ,Prince nymph,San Juan Worm,and Copper Johns all in #12-14

DRIES: #14-18 Elk Hair Caddis, #14 Yellow Stimulator, #14 Yellow Humpy, #14 Royal Wulff, PMD patterns from #14-16

Guides Hint: Mid day air temps are hot dress cool but don't forget bug spray!

East Walker River

Water Conditions: The water is pretty clear and holding around 200 cfs. as of 7/17 Water temps are starting to get warm averaging around 60-64 degrees . When the water gets to 70 degrees please respect the fishery and DO NOT FISH HERE.The fish will eat because they have to , but they will not survive even the best release method.

Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Nymph fishing has been good early with indocators, lots of weight and bead headed flies in a size 16-18. The female Trico hatch has been starting about 8:30 am on non windy mornings. The best and most consistent hatch is the evening caddis . A lot of angling pressure has been happening in the top mile of the river, We advise fishing downstream below the bridge . We have heard of some fun fishing at Green Creek lately you might consider fishing there mid day when the air temps are high with some standard "Dry Dropper" rigs. Stimulators with a Prince nymph, or anything similar should work well.

Recommended Flies:

NYMPHS: Cream Caddis Pupa #16, #18-22 Zebra Midge, Tim's Olive PT Cruzer#16-18, Crystal Caddis Larva#18-20, #12 Gummy Stones, #10 San Juan Worm, #16-18 Anatomical PMD, #16 Nori's Caddis Pupa

DRY FLY'S: Goddard Caddis#18-22, Outrigger Caddis Olive#18, Harrops PMD Dun #18, Ostrich Caddis Emerger #22, Becks' Sulfur Emerger #18-20, CDC PMD Emerger, CDC Female Trico Emerger #22-24, CDC Female Trico Dun#20-24, Elk Hair Caddis Tan#14-18, Tan Stimis #12-16, Outrigger Yellow Sally #16

Guide's Hint: Look for the deeper pockets of water and concentrate on those for the larger fish. Try to send your flys into the hole BEFORE your indicator to get a better drift, or simply ditch the indicator and watch your leader to detect a grab.

Bridgeport Reservoir

Water Conditions: Good. The weather has been perfect. Look for another beautiful weekend. The highs will be in the mid 80s with the lows in the mid 40s. Look for light wind most of the days with increasing wind in the afternoon.

Water temps on the surface are starting to climb into the 70s. The water is clean and weed beds are all over the place. The temps near the bottom range from 52-58 degrees.

Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Good. Nothing has changed hatch wise. The Damsel hatch has been amazing for the last week. Perch fry have also been seen putting around the weed edges. To be honest, it's a free buffet for the fish right now. Scuds, Midges and Callibeatis and all been seen in heavy numbers.

Look for fish starting to move as the water temps start to increase. The fish are moving to the river channels and deeper water. The East Walker and Buckeye River channels are prime areas for fish to hold. Just off Rainbow point or Paradise has also been good. The middle of the lake has been hot for the bait anglers for the last month.

Another good choice would be the Dam for the last couple hours of the day. Make sure to have a very large streamer like a Double Bunny or a Bandit Leech on your line.

Recommended Flies:

Midges: #14-18 Frostbite Midges in Red, Black or Brown, #14-18 William Lake Wonder in Black or Red, #16-18 Palamino Midge, #16-18 Tiger Midge and #16 OptiMidge in Gray/Black or Olive.

Nymphs: #14-16 F/B Pheasant Tail, #12 Burk's Sierra Damsel, #14-16 Prince Nymph, #14-18 Scuds and #14 Trigger Callibaetis.

Streamers: #10-12 Marabou Damsel, #14-10 Hornburgs, #12-10 Punk Perch, #12-10 Matukas, #10 Halebopp Leech, #10 Docs Twin Lake Special in Brown or Olive #4 Double Bunny and #4-8 Zonkers in White or Olive.

Guide's Hint: Right now I would be fish a Damsel/Perch on top, a Callibaetis/Scud in the middle and a Midge on the bottom.