Updated Thursday, June 18, 2009
Alright, anglers… it’s summer time in the Eastside!!! School is out, the weather is finally starting to dry out and warm up… and… the fishing is INSANE right now!!! Everything from multiple large browns getting hooked at Crowley and Hot Creek, to schools of Cutthroat moving around June Lake!!! There is a little (or a lot) of everything going on right now!!! Check out this report to see the exact details of each fishery. As for what’s going on around town…
There is some terrific angling going on in Inyo and Mono Counties right now. We’ve been seeing some of the best catch and release fly fishing on Hot Creek in half a decade. Even with the high snowmelt run-off, most anglers investing half a day on Hot Creek are hooking an average of 30 – 50 trout!!! If you are new to fly fishing, and want to get at some of the healthiest, most beautiful racecar stripe bows and flush browns near Mammoth, NOW is the time to be at Hot Creek. Matuka Joe, Rick Giron, and “Elk Hair” Leonard are all guiding on Hot Creek this summer, and multiple other waters, and we’ll be glad to show you where and how to pitch your Scuds, Caddis, or Yellow Sally Patterns!!! Trolling PA Guide Bob Carter is also booking trips for Crowley and lakes in “The Loop.” Call the shop if you are interested in a trip: 760.924.2181. Other goods?
Crowley lake is fishing incredible for the bait and spin anglers, and not so bad for the midge fishers. Sandy and McGee are red hot right now, with lots of healthy browns and bows coming out of the lake, and the perch bite is on!!! Lane and Beth Garrett at Crowley Lake Fish Camp keep streamlining us nothing but stories of successful angling. The Fourth of July at Crowley is also a blast!!! Plan on a BBQ provided by Hot Chicks, the band Milo & Chris playing live music, and fireworks that crack, flash, and bang. Matuka Joe will take fly anglers out on Crowley, and Bob Carter guides trolling trips on Crowley. Our guiding staff is world-class, and glad to share with you the fishing bug we all “suffer” around here!!!
What else is going on for Independence Day? The Silver Lake Resort hosts its annual BBQ and horseshoe tourney. A great parade in the Town of Mammoth Lakes, lots of fun up in Bridgeport… a great place to bring the family!!!
You need not wait till July 4th to get up here though, as every angler who steps in our shop has a great story to tell of getting at some trout at Crowley, Convict, Starkweather or Sotcher (yep, San Joaquin River and campground is open for the season!!!), Hot Creek, the Upper O… it’s all good up here right now!!!
What else to do here now??? The Mammoth Mountain Bike Park is open June 20, and Mammoth Motocross, the premiere amateur motocross event, runs June 18 – 28. Skiing and Riding on the mountain is closed for the season, and a great season it was!!! But with the snow gone and almost moved out completely for the season, there are thousands of miles in the backcountry (b/c) for hiking or taking the dogs on a long walk, all of these trails leading to b/c lakes filled with wild bows, goldens, browns, and brooks!!! Lots of quaking aspen along the trails. Rock climbing is always an option in the Eastside. The Sierra Star Golf Course is open for the season. Its 18 holes are challenging!!! If you are up for just 9, hit up Snowcreek Golf Course. Or, if you simply want to play Disc Golf in Shady Rest Park, come into the shop and ask Rick or Leonard about it. The Mammoth Mountain Adventure Center opens shortly, and the shuttle to and from Mammoth to Yosemite is in operation. Or just come on up to crack open one of Mammoth Brewing Company’s fine, cold beers or ales. Our pick of the week is MBC Epic IPA. This classic India Pale Ale is smooth and delicious. Ask for it at your local grocery store. The brewery, located on Berner Street near the Village, has all of its flavors on tap for tasting. Go to their tasting room… Why? Cause it’s fun.
What do you want to see in your Eastern Sierra fish report this season? Drop “Matuka” Joe a line at matukajoe@yahoo.com We are here to serve you. Let us know what you like and what you would like to see more of. We are here for you.
Stay in Mammoth? If it’s a nice kitchen, big living room, and warm shower that you are after, check out: www.stayinmammoth.com We’ve got very competitive rates on many of Mammoth’s beautiful condos. They book fast, so get yours when you know you are coming up!!!
Fishing Report for Mammoth Lakes, June Lake Loop, and the Eastern High Sierras
Bridgeport, Mono Lake, & Virginia Lakes Area Fisheries (Northern Mono County)
The Reservoir has good news to offer… all of the thunderstorms and snowmelt we’ve seen the last month equate to about three more feet of water in The Res. Likewise, Jeff and Felicia Flycaster are telling us that the fishing is great up there. The East Walker River is continually fishing very well with some great dry fly action. Upper and Lower Twin Lakes is a great option for a day of angling. In for some great apple pie? Charge on up to the Virginia Lakes Resort. We are into the live music summer season at the Tioga Mart in Lee Vining. Some rockin bands play there. Makes for a good reason to head up to Tuolumne for the afternoon. And for our good friend Mono Lake… there is some great angling going on there. Read our report below for Mono Lake.
Bridgeport Reservoir - Fish Report "Performance Anglers Pick of the Week!"
Bridgeport Reservoir is seeing more water now than the start of the season, and more trout being hooked than the start of the season. It didn’t exactly start off slow either. Jeff and Susie “Felicia Flycaster” keep giving us the word of the angling on the Bridgeport Reservoir, and it is definitely worth hitting. You’ll have some fun up there and the views are unrivaled.
Fly Anglers: The fish are everywhere, but you’ll do well get at em with some streamers off Rainbow Point. Work the narrows near the point with some big, ol’ bugs like G’s-catchem-all’s, or Buggers. You’ll want the sink line to get the goods down, trolling or kicking around 2 – 3 mph. Working down by the dam is also a very feasible option. Midge fishing seems to be hit or miss, but you can get at some trout in 10 – 18 feet of water off Rainbow Point. Play around with sizes and colors. Our PA Midge Patterns in the shop are very reliable and as good as any of the world-class midge patterns designed by local anglers.
Spin Anglers: Trollers are really doing the best on Bridgeport Reservoir, with a double jointed Fire Tiger F5 Rapala, and ANY Needlefish. Get your lures out 2 – 3 colors “in the zone” as Jeff says, anywhere 4 feet under the surface to 18, and whack ‘em. Jig your goods and move them around. Trout love dance floor lures, shake its rump. Bait? Inflated Nightcrawlers and Powerbait in the flats off Rainbow is all good. Fishing on the Reservoir is good right now, no questions asked.
Upper and Lower Twin Lakes (Bridgeport) - Fish Report
Upper Twin has some very large rainbows in it. We have yet to hear of the pigs coming out this season, but there are no doubt in there. These two lakes by Mono Village are a great place to spend a day, an idyllic setting, very beautiful, quite comfortable.
Fly Anglers: Keep working Upper Twin around the inlet areas with the floattube with a full sink line and Woolly Bugger or Krystal Flash Bugger. Tie on a size-14 Prince Nymph as your second fly hanging off the back. You can also tie on a Pheasant Tail or Prince Nymph. Any of them about 18-inches off your streamer. Go with 3X tippet on your first fly. You’ll be glad you did when you hook into a monster. 4X for streamer to dropper connection.
Spin Anglers: Broken-back Rapalas or Needlefish with 4 – 5 colors out. The same lures you got for Bridgeport Res, use them on Upper and Lower Twin. Bait dunkers will land trout with Inflated Nightcrawlers dipped in Garlic.
Robinson Creek Fish Report
Water flows are still fast on Robinson, but there are trout in there. One place we like is the area around Doc and Al’s Robinson Creek Resort. It’s a great creek for your 3-weight rod and Parachute Adams, or Salmon Eggs for the bait anglers. When you are not feeding trout, you can feed yourself in some great places to eat in Bridgeport!
Fly Anglers: Work the calmer pools with traditional nymphs, you need no indicator. PT’s, Prince Nymphs, and BH Hare’s Ears. Your flashback BH PT (Green or Black) is a great fly. PA Rubber Worms are also candy on Robinson. For the dries, Parachute Adams and Mosquitoes are really all you need, sizes 16/18.
Spin Anglers: Gulp the daylights outta ‘em with any of the Powerbait Gulp! products. Salmon Eggs and Worms are also gonna hook fish. Pin Minnows are good lures for the deeper pools.
East Walker River Fish Report "Performance Anglers Pick of the Week!"
Water flows on the East Walker River the time of this report are around 150 cfs, about as good as it gets. The angling on the East Walker River has also been red hot the last few weeks. For the good that Hot Creek is producing around Mammoth, the East Walker outside of Bridgeport is matching it. There is no doubt that lots of anglers are getting into some large fish on the East Walker River!!! Just be mindful that it could be crowded, and you need to respect the space of others, and occasionally politely teach others the need for space when fishing. All those great trout are attracting anglers.
Fly Anglers: We’ve having most of our fun with the nymph fishing on The East Walker River. Our go-to nymph patterns right now are small baetis patterns: Flashback or Poxyback baetis in Light Olive, Dark Olive, and Olive-Brown. You can also midge the trout in the East Walker with our PA Midges in Grey, Brown, or Black. You might want to down-size to a Micro Midge also. PA Rubber Worms (silly looking flies, but they work) are great on the Walker. The deeper pools are awesome for stripping streamers on the nymph line. G’s-catchem’alls or Double Bunnies.
Spin Anglers: Rapalas, Pin Minnows, Yozuris. Hit “The Glory Hole.” Pinch the barbs down and have some fun.
Virginia Lakes - Fish Report
Virginia Lakes Resort is a great lakes to kick around with the Thomas Bouyants or Olive Matukas. Little Virginia is a classic, but any lake up there is a lot of fun. Carolyn also makes a great slice of apple pie, so stop in the resort and ask them about where the lake was last stocked over a slice of pie. John and Carolyn definitely keep Virginia heavily stocked.
Fly anglers: These lakes are great for kicking around with an intermediate tip and Olive Matuka Beadhead underneath. Size 8/10/12 is fine. Green BH Woolly Buggers are also known for hooking trout up there. The tributaries that flow into the lakes are a lot of fun to fish. All you need is a BH size 16 Hare’s Ear. You’ll usually see the trout take the fly. Fish without indicator. 5X tippet.
Spin anglers: Get at the trout in the surrounding creeks with Salmon Eggs on a size 16 or 18 treble hook. Inflated Nightcrawlers for the lakes. Troll or toss Pin Minnows, Jake’s, Thomas Bouyants, or Trout Teasers.
Lundy Lake - Fish Report
Beautiful place to be this time of year. The aspen lining the creek up and down the drive are exploding in green!!! Fishing the creek in the calmer pools is a lot of fun. There are plenty of pockets to check out. The lake… not so bad itself…
Fly anglers: Black or Green Woolly Buggers and/or Black or Purple G’s-catch-em-alls. Sink Line. Get those bugs down where the big browns are. Tie a Prince Nymph on under the streamer, about 18-inches off. You’d be surprised how often it is taken.
Spin anglers: Go Gulp ‘em!!! Inflated nightcrawlers dipped in garlic are also going to hook trout. Per the lures… Rapalas, Pin Minnows, and Rooster Tails are great Lundy Lake lures!!!
Mono Lake - Fish Report
Mono Lake kayaking season has started, which is a good thing. Paddling a kayak to any of the areas where the fishing is good is certainly a peaceful way to spend the day. Be sure to pack the saltwater rods and reels, as there is some good saltwater species fishing happening in Mono Lake right now!!!
Fly anglers: We’ve been having a lot of fun just fishing the flats near the South Tufa Area getting at the bonefish that are in there. These fish are sharp and keen to bad, sloppy casts, so you’ve absolutely got to plan your casting attack well. When they turn away from you, pitch your goods near them, and when they turn back again… get ready for that reel to run like mad!!! Anglers have been reporting anywhere from 6 – 12 bonefish being caught any half day. It’s a lot of fun, and we’re spending out time up there. Call the shop and book a trip with Leonard to get at some of the permit in Mono Lake!!! 760-924-2181.
Spin anglers: We’ve been concentrating a bit more on the lobstering at Mono than the fishing. With the warming weather and water temperatures, both Rick and Matuka Joe have been snorkeling around Navy Beach and grabbing the lobsters with their bare hands, later to steam and enjoy with the baked potatoes and Caesar salad. Some trappers have been tossing traps out around the middle islands, and harvesting their fair share of snappy creatures. Call Rick or Joe if you’d like a trip getting at the lobster in Mono!!! PA Trolling Guide Bob Carter will take you out for some fish on Mono. 760-924-2181. If you simply want to fish, we’re seeing dorado run through the lake right now, some impressive fish up to 20 lbs. Mackerel or anchovies will hook them fine.
Tioga & June Lake Loop Area Fisheries (Middle Mono County)
Cutthroats are moving around June Lake, and you can fish them from the shore? Read below per “June Lake.” It ain’t no joke. The other big news is the Third-Annual Rush Creek Clean Up on Saturday, June 20, hosted by the Federation of Fly Fishers Southwest Council and Silver Lake Resort. If you are in town this Saturday, be at the Silver Lake Boat Ramp at 7am, and get ready for a good time. Part of being a good angler, is occasionally joining others to commit towards the conservation efforts of improving our fisheries. Rush is a trophy creek that deserves all the TLC it can get, and… the fishing there is not so bad either. The aspen around the creek is exploding. The lakes in the Loop are fishing well right now, with June and Gull getting the best reports. The aspen around Gull Lake is exploding in green. June, Silver, and Grant aren’t looking so ugly either. Dining? Breakfast at The Silver Lake Resort, lunch at Tioga Mart, and dinner at the Tiger Bar, Carson’s Peak, or Double Eagle Resort. A trip to June Lake in the summer is something everyone should experience.
Saddlebag Lake - Fish Report
Quite a pleasant place to be this time of year. You can fish and take the shuttle to the other side of the lake, to explore some of the backcountry region above Saddlebag. Certainly a great place to be if you want to get off the beaten path.
Fly anglers: Get the kick tube on the water with the Green and Black Woolly Buggers and sink line. In the evening, try some Parachute Adams, Gnats, Callibaetis Cripples, or Yellow Stimulators, all sizes 16 or 18.
Spin anglers: Inflated Nightcrawlers dipped in Garlic. Thomas Bouyants for lures. The red and gold, and rainbow trout patterns are a couple of our favorites for the Eastern Sierra.
Tioga Creek & Lee Vining Creek - Fish Report
Water flows still up there, but definitely fishable.
Fly anglers: Running some traditional nymphs through the pools is a good idea.. PT’s, Hares Ear’s, Prince Nymph’s, Worms, Glo-Bugs… any of these are fine. Parachute Adams in the calmer pools for the dry action. Lunch at the famous Tioga Mart in Lee Vining.
Spin anglers: Two words: Salmon eggs. You can also Gulp! the daylights out of them with any of the Powerbait products. Dinner at the one and only Tioga Mart in Lee Vining, and a Mono Cone at The Mono Cone afterwards.
Grant Lake- Fish Report
An almost hidden secret that we’ll share with you, is to fish Grant in the evening to get at the Kamloops that hang near the shore where Rush flows into Grant. Water levels on Grant are way down, which means kicking the tube around Grant in the evening is very manageable. This lake is all-too-easily overlooked for fly and bait anglers, and the simple truth is that it is chalk full of trout.
Fly anglers: Kick around the inlet where Rush flows into it. Buggers should do just fine. Black Gnats the last hour of daylight can hook multiple fish, to get at the Kamloops we speak of.
Spin anglers: Lure fishing with Jakes, Needlefish, Taz Devils, Thomas Bouyants, and Rapalas will work well around the marina. You can also head up the channel towards Rush. Park the boat near the inlet of the creek and pitch the lures towards shore, reeling in slowly. For the bait dunkers, worms should do you just fine. You can also Gulp! the daylights out of them. Sherbet is a good option on Grant. There are some monster trout in Grant. It is a great lake. Often overlooked. Why? We can’t really figure that out.
Silver Lake- Fish Report
Keep Saturday, June 20, open for the 3rd Annual Rush Creek Clean Up sponsored by the Federation of Fly Fishers and the Silver Lake Resort. It’s a good way to give back to a great fishery. As for the angling… kick the tube to the far end and admire the mountains until one big trout comes after your Thomas Bouyant or Olive Matuka. It’s not a bad way to work off a plate of biscuits and gravy. The Silver Lake Resort has a great menu.
Fly anglers: Biggest trout to come out of Silver last season was about 26 lbs. We’re sure there are more in there about this size!!! Kick to the other side with Olive Matukas on end. PA Perch in green are also good streamers. Hornbergs are not bad flies for Silver. Sink line.
Spin anglers: Thomas Bouyants, Rapalas, and Needlefish are good lures for Silver. Nightcrawlers will also land trout.
Gull Lake- Fish Report
The Gull Lake Marina staff keeps offering us nothing but good news. PA Guide Bob Carter stands behind their word. Some large trout keep getting taken from its waters. Lots of Alpers trout. Some browns. Great place to spend the morning, or afternoon, or both.
Fly anglers: Floattube off the marina towards the boat docks with your green and black Buggers or PA Perch. When you spot schools of trout swimming below, try midging with black or red zebras.
Spin anglers: Fishing around Indian Rock is not a bad choice. Troll with Needlefish, Rapalas, Thomas Bouyants, and Pin Minnows. From the shore near the marina, you can always catch trout with inflated nightcrawlers dipped in corn or garlic. Powerbait is also magic on Gull. Go Gulp! em!!! Chunky Cheese or Chartreuse.
June Lake- Fish Report "Performance Anglers Pick of the Week!"
The Cutties are starting to hit on June. PA Guide and June Lake Loop Specialist Bob Carter tells us that you can spot fish large schools of cutties on Highway 158, looking down on a lot of fish. June is definitely the place to fish in the Loop right now!!! Booking a trip for the family with Bob is definitely a sound investment. You can also rent a boat at the June Lake Marina.
Fly anglers: Floattube near the marina with Buggers or PA Perch Patterns. Green, Black, and even Orange… yep, the trout are into Orange on this lake for some reason. For the cutties, pitch some Hornbergs or Grey Ghosts at ‘em!!!
Spin anglers: Silver and Gold Lures are the colors of choice for the cutthroat trout. As for the rest of the lake, Getting at the big fish near the shallow end is a good option. You’ll want your lead core and a variety of lures to have at it. Thomas Bouyants, Needlefish, and Rapalas are all candy on June.
Rush Creek- Fish Report "Performance Anglers Pick of the Week!"
Saturday, June 20, is the 3rd Annual Rush Creek Clean Up sponsored by the Federation of Fly Fishers and the Silver Lake Resort. Be up here for the event. It is a lot of fun. You can call us at the shop to ask us about it. As for the angling, water flows are up there, but you can definitely catch some trout. Fly anglers are hooking trout below the highway. Fly and bait anglers are getting trout between Grant and Silver. It’s just a classic creek, and continues to remain as one. Order up a pint of EPIC India Pale Ale in the Tiger Bar in town after an afternoon on Rush. The meatloaf at the Tiger Bar is one of the best deals in the Eastside for a plate of great food.
Fly Anglers: Waters are running fast, so you’ll want to weigh the daylights out of your goods. Dead drifting a PA Perch or Bugger as a top fly, with a standard nymph (PT Flashback, Hares Ear( underneath will hook trout. Work the seams where one current flows into the next, the trout are lurking in this pockets, eyeballing the food coming at them. If you find calmer waters, pitching Parachute Adams, Madam-X Parachutes, or Baetis Cripples will get surface grabs.
Spin Anglers: Salmon Eggs will work fine on a size 16 or 18 treble hook. Inflated Nightcrawlers. Any of the Gulp! products. Thomas Bouyants and Stingers for lures and jigs.
Mammoth Lakes and Crowley Lake Fisheries (Southern Mono County)
Crowley is red hot right now. Spin and bait anglers are just killing it on Crowley!!! Lane and Beth Garrett of Crowley Lake Fish Camp keep sending us stories of some great angling action. Other lakes, those above Mammoth (Lakes Basin) have been receiving their fare share of DFG stockers and Alpers Trout. There is some very good fishing in the Lakes above Mammoth. On Mary, you can rent a boat at either Pokonobe Marina or The Lake Mary Marina and Store. George also has boat rentals. Convict is fishing alright as well. As for activities in Mammoth, the Mammoth Mountain Bike Park is open June 20, and the golf courses are both open. Mammoth Motocross, the premiere amateur motocross event, runs June 18 – 28. Be sure to hit the tasting room at the Mammoth Brewing Company. Per dining, there is a vast selection of great restaurants in Mammoth, for any palate or budget, dine in or take out. Stop by our shop in the Rite-aid/ Do It Center Mall and chat with our friendly staff about the options that exist.
Mammoth Creek - Fish Report
Still running a bit high, but fishable. Take the kids near the museum just below Old Mammoth Road.
Fly Anglers: Standard nymph patterns.
Spin Anglers: Salmon Eggs or Gulp! Powerbait.
Upper Owens River Fish Report
The Upper O has been fishing very well. DFG is continuously keeping the section near the campground heavily stocked. There are some great pockets in there just loaded with 6 – 8 inch bows, with the occasional 10 incher. These are fun for bait and spin anglers, and also a great way to step into the fly fishing world. Our guides take plenty of clients to the Upper Owens River to learn to fly fish, and they all have a great time!!! Probably some hold over big fish in the pools below the monument, and definitely some good fishing above the bridge also.
Fly Anglers: Prince Nymphs, Worm Patterns, PT’s, Buckskins… all good nymphs. Dries… watch for the BWO hatches. The Caddis are also coming about, hence any of these patterns will work. One of our favorite dries for the Upper O is a Madam-X. Trout there just love these things!!!
Spin Anglers: Mind the regs, that you can catch and kill between the bridge and the monument, with other catch regulations for other sections of the river. For bait anglers, Salmon Eggs and Chunky Cheese Powerbait are golden right now. Lures that are working include Thomas Bouyants, Pin Minnows, and Needlefish. Worms dipped in garlic will always catch trout on the Upper Owens River.
Hot Creek Fish Report "Performance Anglers Pick of the Week!"
Hot Creek has seen some of its best fishing in half a decade. Most anglers heading down there for half a day are getting into over 30 trout, and most of these trout are over 10 inches. Plenty of racecar stripe bows and very healthy looking browns are coming out of Hot Creek. Fishing anywhere in the canyon is on fire right now. If you head down for about four hours, you will likely get fished out, and tired of catching so many trout. Yes, it is THAT good right now. If you are fortunate enough to have a couple of nights and days at the Hot Creek Ranch you will definitely enjoy some great dry fly fishing.
Fly Anglers: Leonard’s been nymphing the daylights out of the trout on Hot Creek with the standard old BH Scuds (16) and BH Bird’s Nests (14/16). Not the “purist’s method” of hooking trout on Hot Creek, but who gives a hoot? It works!!! 30 – 50 trout in one afternoon certainly merit having a Scud (green) 12 inches below size 2 shot with your indicator about 5 feet above the fly. If you must be a purist, tiny Baetis patterns will land trout. Worms also, as worms do live in Hot Creek. For the dries… any Caddis pattern will land a trout. The Yellow Sallies are just starting to show their presence. Madam-X Parachure in Orange is working well. You can do well with lots of different patterns at Hot Creek right now… it is that good!!!
San Joaquin River, Sotcher Lake, and Starkweather Lake - Fish Report
Open, up and running!!!! The river is running high, but the lakes are fishing very well. If you are going to hit the San Joaquin, Parachute Adams, Sierra Brite Dot, Bivisables for the dries and standard nymphs for the wet flies. Bait? Salmon eggs are candy.
The lakes… kick around with Thomas Bouyants or Buggers. Inflated Nightcrawlers will whack fish in any of these two lakes.
Pack the repellant, as the San Joaquin Valley is notorious for its mosquitoes.
Fly Anglers: The dries and nymphs listed above. Definitely work the calmer pools, as the river is running fast. For the lakes… sink line with Matuka or Green Buggers will get at plenty of trout. Callibaetis cripples are good lake flies for down in the valley, and mosquitoes, for obvious reasons.
Spin Anglers: For the river, Salmon eggs and Gulp! For the lakes, nightcrawlers for the bait dunkers. Float tubers with the lures are getting lots of hits with Thomas Bouyants and Taz Devils.
Upper and Lower Twin Lakes (Mammoth Lakes) - Fish Report
Kicking around the waterfall in the evening is very relaxing. You’ll still want your long underwear, as the water temps are cool.
Fly Anglers: Olive Matukas, Green Buggers, or Doc Randal’s Twin Lakes Special. For the dries… Black Gnats in the evening near the falls. Lot of little brooks there.
Spin Anglers: Inflated Nightcrawlers from the shore. Thomas Bouyants for the float tubers. Red and Gold is one of our favorite color patterns on Twin.
Lake Mary - Fish Report "Performance Anglers Pick of the Week!"
There are lots of music concerts up at Pokonobe this summer, certainly worth keeping in mind. Per the angling… been heavily stocked lately, so get at it!!!! Get out by the reeds around Pokonobe Marina and have some fun. Worms for the dunkers, streamers for the fly anglers, and Thomas Bouyants for the lure anglers.
Fly Anglers: Kicking or trolling around with Green and Black Buggers is your best bet. Get around the reeds near the marina. Tim drops his Alpers on the other side, near the Lake Mary Marina.
Spin Anglers: Not unlike Twin, Inflated Nightcrawlers from the shore. Thomas Bouyants for the float tubers. There is a lot of shoreline to cover there. Get on it. Brown jigs seem to be getting lots of hits.
Lake George - Fish Report
Fish either off the shore near the campground, or kick over to the big rock. We can guarantee some huge trout coming out of there this weekend. How do we know? Just trust us.
Fly Anglers: Floattube around the drop off near the big rock, and also near the inlets on the far side. Expect some grabs with your Buggers (Green) and intermediate tip line. If there is an evening surface feeding happening, toss Callibaetis Cripples.
Spin Anglers: Same good advice for Twin and Mary, Inflated Nightcrawlers from the shore. Thomas Bouyants for the float tubers. There is a lot of shoreline to cover there. Get on it.
Lake Mamie - Fish Report
Last, but definitely not least, is Mamie, the little guy. But, there are lots of trout in it.
Fly Anglers: Floattube with Buggers and Matukas for the sink line. For the dries, Callibaetis Cripples again, and Yellow Stimi’s. Parachute Adams will also work.
Spin Anglers: Same good advice for Twin, Mary, and George.
Crowley Lake - Fish Report "Performance Anglers Pick of the Week!"
Lane and Beth at Crowley Lake Fish Camp just keep offering us nothing but great news from Crowley!!! Spin and bait anglers seem to be doing the best, but the fly anglers are getting some hits. Perch? The perch bite is on all over the lake right now, and you can have a lot of fun getting at them. Deep frying these bad boys in some beer batter is definitely a good meal.
Fly Anglers: Midging in McGee with a sliding indicator seems to have its good moments. Our PA Midges are getting hits on Crowley, grey and black seem to be the colors of choice right now for the trout. Likewise, streamer stripping with PA Perch or Green Buggers is working for getting at the “Crowley Chicken.” Hilton is a decent enough place to kick the tube, just be sure to get outside the marina, as well as in it. The fish still seem to be scattered around the lake, which makes it a lot of fun when you find a school to get into!!!
Spin Anglers: Sandy and McGee are the hot spots right now. Just dunking worms near the floating toilet in McGee is working really well right now. Trolling in 25 – 35 feet is getting browns and cutties to take the goods, with Thomas Bouyants, Needlefish, Taz Devils, and Rapalas. The bows seem to be in shallower waters. Mirashads are also working per the lures, trolling with anywhere from 1.5 – 6 colors out. We know that is a lot to play with, but the trout still seem to be all over the place, hence you need to play their game to get them. But, we are consistently hearing of 3lb. browns getting taken out.
Convict Lake - Fish Report
Convict Lake continues to fish decent. Did you spot the monofilament recycling tubes around Convict Lake? Use them. They were put up from the good folk at the Federation of Fly Fishers Southwest Council.
Fly Anglers: Same good stuff… Toss some streamers into the lake at the far end where the waters flow into it. The currents will carry your Woolly Buggers out far enough to where you can start to strip them back in again. Green is our color of choice on Convict, though Brown and Black should work just as well.
Spin Anglers: Inflated Nightcrawlers are awesome on Convict. Pitch them from the beach area. Kastmasters are also great from the shore. From the pontoon (or other boats), Thomas Bouyants are good lures. Put some nightcrawler pieces on the actual hooks to really get medieval on them trout.
Convict Creek - Fish Report
This fun little creek is too easily overlooked by the fly anglers, but there are some good pools to fish, particularly below the Green Church. Just get out there on a clear day, and explore. Take the dogs. You might kick up some Sage Grouse.
Fly Anglers: Below the Green Church, you’ll do fine with BH Flashback PT’s or BH Black PT’s. You can fish them indicatorless in the clear water. It’s pretty fun.
Spin Anglers: Closed to bait anglers east of the highway. Up near the lake you can get at the trout with Rainbow Gulp! Go Gulp ‘em! Then get the rest with Salmon eggs.
Lower Rock Creek - Fish Report
A fun place to hit is below the 395 in Tuff’s Campground. There are some stacked pools in there. Just below Tom’s Place, this is a very family friendly place to fish.
Fly Anglers: Flashback PT’s with Worms seem to be good indicatorless fishing. You are fine with your trusty 3-weight and a couple of Mammoth Brewing Company Pilsners.
Spin Anglers: Salmon Eggs is really all you need. Powerbait works well also.
Rock Creek Lake, Lower O, Pleasant Valley, & Bishop Creek Fisheries (Inyo County)
The Wild Trout Region has been fishing very well. Day temps have been comfortable to date, and with water flows at around 200cfs, you could do much, much worse. This is still a good place to spend the day, if you want to hang in Inyo County. Bishop Creek is also a lot of fun. If you want to get into the high country in Inyo County, get up to Rock Creek Lake for some of the best pie on Earth at Pie in the Sky!!!
Rock Creek Lake - Fish Report
Rock Creek Lake Resort has the best pie on Earth, and the fishing is very good also!!!
Fly Anglers: Float-tubing around with your streamers is your best bet. Green or Black Buggers, sink line. Kick around where the inlets flow into the lake. Wear your long johns under your waders, as the water is still cold up there.
Spin Anglers: Powerworms are working very well were the waters flow into Rock Creek Lake. Any color seems to do.
Upper Rock Creek (Mosquito Flats) - Fish Report
Water levels are slowing down a bit above Rock Creek Lake. There are plenty of wild trout scattered throughout the region. One way to break a good sweat and get at some trout is to hike to the high country lakes on the trail starting at Mosquito Flats. Susie “Felicia Flycaster” Greilich has lots of good advice in the shop for anyone looking to explore the backcountry.
Fly Anglers: Sierra Brite Dot in sizes 16 or 18. Same sizes for Royal Trudes and Coachmen. Parachute Adams and Elk Hairs.
Spin Anglers: Salmon Eggs and Inflated Nightcrawlers for bait. Stingers and Trout Teasers for lures. Thomas Bouyants for the lakes, where you are bound to get into some fun brooks.
Lower Owens River Fish Report "Performance Anglers Pick of the Week!"
Reports are good. Water flows are around 200, and air temps are comfortable. The bait action down by Warm Springs is great. The fly anglers hitting Pleasant Valley are having a lot of fun. No real lunkers, but lots of trout.
Fly Anglers: In the Wild Trout Region… Caddis Pupa in Green or Tan, sizes 16/18. Also toss Electric Caddis. Green Rock Worms. Tan San Juans. Black PT’s. All good. Above surface… Caddis or BWO patterns, depending upon what you see flying around at the time.
Spin Anglers: Warm Spring and Line Street… Go Gulp ‘em! Powerbait or Gulp Eggs are your best bets. There are so many trout around Warm Springs and Line Street, it is nuts!!!
Pleasant Valley Reservoir Fish Report
This is a fun place to toss midges from the shore for the fly anglers, or jigs for the spin anglers. Fun place to fish during the night on a full moon also. Pack the garlic to keep the vampires away.
Fly Anglers: Try shore midging with PA Midges in red or black. The trout cruise up and down near the rocks, and you can hit them. Keep your midges a couple feet off the bottom.
Spin Anglers: Inflated nightcrawlers are productive at PVR. Pitching Thomas Bouyants also work well.
Bishop Creek - Fish Report
Flowing fast in some parts with the snow melt. Going all the way up to Table Mountain is worth it though if you are after some wild juvenile bows on the fly. It is quite pretty up there. Very calming and relaxing.
Fly Anglers: Parachute Adams and Elk Hair Caddis for your surface flies. Subsurface... smaller-sized PT's and Hare's Ears. Drift them in the gin clear water without an indicator. You can see your fly, and the indicator will only spook the fish.
Spin Anglers: Water flows are fast in some places for the bait angling, but in the slower moving waters you’ll do fine with salmon eggs.
Intake Two - Fish Report
Along Bishop Creek, this small fishery is very floattube friendly. And, it is full of trout. Check it out.
Fly Anglers: Put the air in the tube and kick around with a BH Olive Matuka or BH Green Woolly Bugger, both sizes 10 or 12. Full sink or sinking tip lines. The creek above the stillwater... small Elk Hair patterns and tiny PT's.
Spin Anglers: Lip Ripperz and Thomas Bouyants. Just kick around and get ready for the strike. Put some worm on the end of each hook.
The Eastern Sierra fish report and Mammoth Lakes fish report is also sponsored by StayinMammoth.com where you can book all of your lodging online.
The Eastern Sierra fish report and Mammoth Lakes fish report is also sponsored by StayinMammoth.com where you can book all of your lodging online.
The Eastern Sierra fish report and Mammoth Lakes fish report is also sponsed by StayinMammoth.com where you can book all of your lodging online.
This has been your Mammoth Lakes fish report covering the Eastern Sierra, the Mammoth Lakes fish report is brought to you by Performance Anglers where you can book a fishing guide online. Our report covers fly fishing and spin fishing in the Eastern Sierra surrounding Mammoth Lakes, and includes Hot Creek, Owens River, East Walker River, June Lake, Crowley Lake. If you have any comments or questions regarding the Eastern Sierra fish report or the Mammoth Lakes fish report, please email us at info@performanceanglers.com.
The Eastern Sierra fish report and Mammoth Lakes fish report is also sponsored by StayinMammoth.com where you can book all of your lodging online. |
