Updated Friday, August 1, 2008
 
How about a place to crash in comfort and style for the time in the mountains? Stay in Mammoth at: www.stayinmammoth.com 

If we cannot answer your questions in this report, contact Matuka Joe online at matukajoe@yahoo.com

Bridgeport & Virginia Lakes Area Fisheries (Northern Mono County)
Bridgeport Reservoir is fishing very well again.  The water levels are low but there is more clear water than green algae, and both the fly and spin anglers are producing positive reports for their time spent on the water.  The East Walker River is fishing very well.  Water levels are dropping, and air temps are starting to rise, so the good fishing on the East Walker river is happening now, until it gets too hot up there to get at the trout.  If you want a piece of the Walker, now is the time.  Upper and Lower Twin Lakes continue to produce large trout.  No twenty-plus pounders to date this season yet, but they are still lurking down there deep.  Robinson Creek continues to get heavily stocked.  Virginia and Lundy Lakes?  Great reports.  And lastly… Mono Lake… we all know what the month of August has in store for the fishing on Mono Lake.  What can we say?  Better fasten and tighten your seatbelts, and hold on tight.

Bridgeport Reservoir - Fish Report  "Performance Anglers Pick of the Week!"
Water levels have dropped in the Reservoir, but the angling is very good right now.  The docks at the marina are low.  It could be that the great numbers of trout that have so far come out of the Reservoir this season has displaced the water levels in the Reservoir.  If we keep taking trout from the Reservoir, it could go bone-dry on us.  Water is clearing up as the algae bloom is really on its last leg.  There is a great deal more clear water than green water, and that means plenty of trout for you to get at.  Damsels and midges are easily spotted.  The “Reservoir Dawgs” near the dam are out prowling also.  Hook up on one of these bad boys or a big ass carp, and you are gonna hear that spool spin.
Fly Anglers: We are seeing some good angling near the marina in the cold current.  Likewise, fish are congregating in the middle of the lake.  Indicator fishing in 9 – 12 feet of water with your goods about 1 foot off the bottom is working well.  Our PA Midges in Red or Grey in sizes 14 and 16 are working well.  So are damselfly nymph imitations.  One good way to fish the damsel nymphs is with a clear intermediate sinking tip line.  Trout key into the damsels when the nymphs shoot straight down to the lake bottom to look for trouble when they sense it.  Stripping in your damsels and letting them drop will get strikes.  Don’t take our word for it?  Try it.  Need a second opinion still?  Pick up a copy of Ralph Cutter’s Fish Food and read the chapter titled Damselflies.  Ralph knows what he’s taking about.  It’s a great book.  How do we know?  We tried it as well.  Also, Keep your radar tuned for the Bridgeport Fish Enhancement Program coming later this year, around the beginning of October. 
Spin Anglers: We’ve got some really good trolling going on in the Reservoir right now.  Trolling with 4 to 5 colors out in the middle channel of the lake is producing numerous strikes.  They are taking Needlefish, Rapalas, Pin Minnows, and Rapalas.  Bait anglers are hooking trout with Inflated Nightcrawlers dipped in the infamous Berkley Trout Dip.  It’s potent and deadly stuff.  Go Gulp! ‘em with Sherbet Burst and Chunky Chartreuse.

Upper and Lower Twin Lakes (Bridgeport)  - Fish Report
The fishing on Upper and Lower Twin Lakes continues to produce plenty of healthy trout.  We are hearing positive reports of fishing near the inlet of Upper Twin.  Float tubers are finding plenty of hook ups on this part of the lake.  If you don’t want to kick around, Twin Lakes Resort has got plenty of aluminum boats for rent, with priceless (free) views of some spectacular mountains.  Go deep with streamers or lures while trolling with a boat on Upper or Lower Twin Lakes.  If the morning coffee hasn’t kicked in for you yet on your daily excursion, there are plenty of rope swings on the lake.  We warn you though… swinging from a tree and dropping into Upper Twin Lake is not for the weak-hearted… it WILL wake you up!!!  The water is cold… cold… cold!!!
Fly Anglers:  Going deep is the way to go in these lakes.  Work the channels and inlets with your weighted bugs.  Go with your full sink line, type 4 – 6 and kick around with G’s-catchem-alls, Woolhead Sculpins, or Beadhead Woolly Buggers.  When the evening hours hit though, bust out the floating line and the dries for the evening rises.  Callibaetis Cripples, Gnats, Parachute Adams, Mosquito Parachutes, and California Mosquitoes should all get hits, in the size 16/18 fly range.
Spin Anglers:  Troll with 4 – 6 colors.  Big Rapalas for the big browns.  Thomas Bouyants are also productive lures on this lake.  Needlefish, Tasmanian Devils, and Pin Minnows also hook sizeable trout.

Robinson Creek  - Fish Report   
This creek is one that we have really discovered this summer, and we enjoy it more and more, every time that we hit it.  There are some fun pockets and holding pools in this creek that are worth spending some time at.  It doesn’t take long at Robinson to get a hook up.  Fishing around Doc and Al’s Robinson Creek Resort keeps bending rods.  Spin and bait anglers are doing well, as are anglers on the fly. 
Fly anglers:  Parachute Adams and Mosquitoes for the dries, sizes 16/18.  Nymphs?  Glo-bugs, Hare’s Ear.  Flossies.  All good fun. 
Spin anglers:  Eggs.  Zeke’s or Gulp.  For the lures, Phebe’s, Super Dupers, Rooster Tails. 

Virginia Lakes  - Fish Report 
Angling on the Virginia Lakes is very good this time of year.  The air temperatures are perfect, and there are plenty of trout going into (and coming out of) its waters.  Carolyn Webb of the Virginia Lakes Resort has got one sweet slice of apple pie.  Before float-tubing around the lake, stop into her shop to ask her about the pie and the “Virginia Lakes Special Fly.” If you’re lucky, she’ll tell you where the region’s 20-plus pound brown lives.  Carolyn has been working on this particular trout for more than one year.  She’s not the type to quit, either.  You gonna beat her to it?
Fly anglers:  Type 3 sink line with a streamer on the end.  Ask Carolyn about the “Virginia Lakes Special Fly” that has been working well for her for 15-plus years.  Other bugs?  Woolhead Sculpin, G’s-cathem-all, Krystal or Conehead Bugger.  For the evening dry action, Parachute Adams and Mosquito patterns are bending rods.
Spin anglers:  Go Gulp the daylights out of ‘em!!!!  Chunky Cheese and Marshmallow Cluster are getting hits.  For the lures, troll with Rapalas, Super Duppers, and the famous Kastmasters.  3 – 4 colors seems to be the place where the magic happens.

Lundy Lake  - Fish Report 
Lundy is fishing well.  The aspen that line Lundy Creek up and down the access road are in full bloom and they are very cool to see this time of year.  Equally as beautiful, if not more so, is in autumn, when this stretch of the Eastern Sierra turns bright yellow, red, and orange.  The creek is fun to fish, as there are plenty of trout up and down it.  It is a bit on the technical side, but fly anglers get trout on standard nymph and dry patterns, while bait anglers grab trout with Zekes and Gulp Eggs.  Per the lake…
Fly anglers:  For the evening rises, get at ‘em with Gnat and Mosquito patterns.  The deadly Callibaetis Cripple is also an angler’s choice fly on this lake in the evening.  For the day time hours… Kick around in a tube near the dam.  Full sink line type 4 or 6.  Brown, Olive, and Brown Buggers or a G’s-catchem-all.  Double Bunnies will also hook up trout.  3x tippet in case you get slammed by a big one.  Remember to trail your goods with a nymph!!!  
Spin anglers:  Gulp! eggs or Salmon eggs for bait.  Lures?  Lots of great options right now… Rapalas, Pin Minnows, Mirashads, Thomas Bouyants, and Panther Martins.  We understand that all of these are working well.  There are lots and lots of trout to be had still in Lundy Lake. 

Mono Lake  - Fish Report 
We applaud Jeff Daudler for fighting and finally landing an Eastern Sierra record-breaking Bluefin Tuna.  The fish came ashore after a two-and-a-half hour battle.  While it is not the largest Bluefin ever landed in the world, this scale-breaking monster weighed in at a cool 436 pounds.  Jeff was on the lake going after Thresher Sharks, but he happened to come across the Bluefin, only to Jeff’s delight, and the Bluefin’s last stroke of pure misfortune.  Props to you, Jeff.  That is one big fish that you caught on Mono Lake a week ago.  As for Jeff and everyone else, be aware of the August 1st DFG reg changes on Mono Lake.  All lobster trapping is done for the season, and your abalone season is over also.    
Fly anglers:  Anglers are keeping it simple, as they are generally fishing from the shore with 12 – 14 foot two-handed spey rods.  Plenty of halibut are being hooked with small sand crab patterns.  The halibut are also taking the brine shrimp patterns.  Haven’t yet seen our newest Performance Angler fly member?  Come on into the shop and ask for the “Performance Anglers Brine Shrimp.”  It is just as deadly as the PA Rubber Worm or PA Midge.  If you do manage to pull a tuna out of Mono, please enter it into our “Whopper of the Week” contest, as there is a good chance that a Mono tuna will be a bit bigger than a Rush Creek brown.
Spin anglers:  Our biggest Pin Minnow and Rapala lures are grabbing Salmon and Steelhead as they try to funnel their way up Rush Creek again to spawn.  .  If you do manage to pull a steelie out of Mono, please enter it into our “Whopper of the Week” contest.
 
Angling on Mono Lake??? Are we serious???  Call us at the shop and we’ll let you know what we really know… 760-924-2181

East Walker River- Fish Report  "Performance Anglers Pick of the Week!"
The East Walker continues to fish well.  Now is the time to get at the trout before the rising water temps completely force the anglers off the river.  Water levels have dropped a bit (down below 100cfs at the time of this report), and the fish are easy enough to get at.  When the temps sky rocket, it’s time to back off this river to give them a break.  Please be aware of this now and if the temps rise, be absolutely certain to fully revive every trout before releasing them back into the water.  Per the fishing… caddis hatches in the evening are a blast, though we are finding them on and off all day long.  Fishing nymphs throughout the day can be very productive.  There are some very big carp in this river also, and they can be a lot of fun to stalk and catch, if you want to target a different game fish.
Fly Anglers:  Below the currents you’ll want to drift Caddis Pupa in olive or cream, sizes 16 or 18.  Buckskins are another productive nymph pattern for the East Walker River.  Baetis Nymphs and P.A. Midges will also hook trout on the Walker, as will the P.A. Rubber Worm.  For the dry action, basically any caddis pattern in your stash will land a trout.  You’ll also do well with Yellow Stimulators.  The trout can be very selective on the East Walker (they grow big for a reason) so mind your drifts.
Spin Anglers:  Rapalas, Mirashads, and Lip Ripper Spoonz with 6 – 8 pound test.  You’ll need that added strength when you dial into a large trout.

Tioga & June Lake Loop Area Fisheries (Middle Mono County)
June Lake Loop in the summertime is a small piece of paradise.  Kick around in the morning, fish Rush Creek in the afternoon, and finish off the day at the Carson Peak Inn for their Hawaii-style ribs. Sounds rough, doesn’t it?   Some good karma is hitting “The Loop” also as The Federation of Fly Fishers Southwest Council has installed plenty of monofilament recycling tubes up and down Rush Creek.  Rush is clean.  More will come up around Mono County on August 30, during  Troutstock. We could use as much help as possible that day.  If you or your casting club would like to help out, please use this opportunity to do your part.  You get what you give.  Folks are using the monofil tubes and putting spent monofil where it belongs, off the creek.  Let’s keep “The Loop” and the rest of Mono County wild, pristine, and clean. 

Saddleback Lake  - Fish Report  "Performance Anglers Pick of the Week!"
We are hearing good angling reports from Saddleback Lake.  We are also hearing stories about heading across the lake in the water taxi and up towards the lake in the Hoover Wilderness.  There are plenty of alpine backcountry lakes to get at some fun brooks and bows above Saddleback.  Our PA backcountry specialist Suzie “Felicia Flycaster” is a world of price knowledge about angling in the backcountry.  Come on into the shop to have a chat with Suzie about the options that exist for you on the other side of Saddleback.  Bring the hiking boots, and expect a very good time.
Fly Anglers:  For the evening rises, bust out the Parachute Adams, Callibaetis Cripples, and Mosquito patterns.  For the daily streamer fishing, go with a type 3 or 4 sink line with Green or Black Beadhead Woolly Buggers.  Trail your nymph pattern behind it.  Prince Nymph, size 16. 
Spin Anglers:  Nightcrawlers dipped in garlic continue to kill it for the bait anglers.  Gulp! in Chunky Cheese and Marshmallow Cluster are also deadly.  Lures?  Thomas Bouyants work well on Saddleback.  If you head into the high country lakes into the Hoover Wilderness, pack some eggs.  

Tioga Creek  - Fish Report 
We heard some good news about the fishing of Tioga Creek from members of the Sierra Pacific Flyfishers.  Some of the SPFF gang spent some of their time on this fun creek when they were up in Mono County.  They hooked a few wild trout on this little gem of a fishery.
Fly Anglers:  California Mosquito or Parachute Adams for the dries.  Bivisables are also great dries for this creek.  Deer Hair Beetles and Japanese Beetles will hook trout.  Subsurface… your standard nymph patterns (Hare’s Ear and PT’s) will work fine.
Spin Anglers:  Panther Martins are great lures for this creek.  Eggs, either Zekes or Gulp! are also good for Tioga Creek.

Lee Vining Creek  - Fish Report 
This beautiful creek sits in the Tioga pass, and it is simply full of fish.  It is regularly stocked and a great place to go for beginning anglers.  Plenty of tight lines, and conveniently close the Whoa Nellie Deli (Mobil Mart) in Lee Vining that has some of the best food in the Sierra, and live music many nights during the summer. 
Fly Anglers:  Bivisables are also good dries for this creek, as are the dries mentioned above for Tioga.  You’ll also do well with a yellow stimi.  Black Pheasant Tails with some small shot is a good nymph choice, and the famous P.A. Rubber Worm.
Spin Anglers:  Powerbait dough is hooking trout.  Inflated Nightcrawlers continue to do well.  Dip the goods in Garlic Trout Dip.  Mosquito Hook, size 14. 

Tuolumne River  - Fish Report 
We heard of a monster brown sighting in The Tuolumne River, and they are in there.  This river generally holds small wild trout, but there are the occasional big ones also.  Plenty of other wildlife (deer, squirrels, rabbit, bear) around the river also.  Watching the rock climbers on the rock is a real trip also.  If you want to get off the beaten path, fly-and-a-bubble fishing with a spin rod can be a lot of fun, in the higher elevation lakes.  A telescoping spin rod is easy to take with you on and off the path.
Fly Anglers:  Dries are working well on the Tuolumne.  Big Yellow Stimulators.  Parachute Adams.  Deer Hair Beetles.  Caddis Elk Hairs.  Mosquitoes.  Griffith Gants.  You’ll do fine with sight fishing and dries only.  Fun creek for a 3-weight or lighter.  The hiking around Tuolumne is excellent, needless to day as well.  You can do some exploring higher up also.
Spin Anglers:  For your fly-and-a-bubble angling, go with a Mosquito or Gnat pattern.  2 pound test will work fine.  For the bait angling, Zekes will get you plenty of trout.

Grant Lake  - Fish Report   
Float-tube friendly and filled with trout.  After the sun has set, getting at the Kamloops with Gnats is a lot of fun.  There are some very big fish in Grant lake.
Fly Anglers:   For a real kick in the evening, when the sun sets and the gnats come out, pitch the gnat patterns for the dries.  Per the stripping streamers, Matukas are working on Grant.  Kick around with a full sink line and a streamer with a nymph trailing behind it.  Also try a Black Flash Woolly Bugger with a Krystal Flash Pheasant Tail behind.
Spin Anglers: Trolling with a Rapala with 4 or 5 colors is still doing well.  You can also do well with Thomas Bouyants, and Lip Ripper Spoonz.  Bait?  Gulp ‘em!!!    

Silver Lake  -  Fish Report 
Did you spot the monofilament recycle tubes on Rush Creek?  This is the good work of Andrew of the Silver Lake Resort and the Federation of Fly Fishers Southwest Council.  You’ll see more of these popping up around the Sierra.  As for the fishing, it is improving.  Silver started off slowly this summer, but it is picking up.
Fly Anglers:  Kick around and admire the views with Hornbergs, Woolly Buggers, Matukas, PA Perch… all with a full sink line.  Trail a Hare’s Ear, PT, or Soft Tackle behind it.   
Spin Anglers:  Gulp eggs for the bait anglers.  Spinsters?  Lip Ripper Spoonz, Pin Minnows, Mirashads.

Gull Lake  - Fish Report  "Performance Anglers Pick of the Week!" 
Conveniently located right around the corner from the Tiger Bar, you’ll find a small lake paradise at Gull Lake.  The Gull Lake crew keeps us in the know, and they have only good news to continually report.  Gull Lake Marina is a truly professional staff, with plenty of boats for rental.  The marina keeps this lake so full of Alpers and DFG trout, we don’t know if there is room for any more.  You better get out there and get at them.  The Tiger Bar?  Their meatloaf is excellent.  Another good slice of meatloaf is “Matt’s Meatloaf” at Hot Chicks in Mammoth, the Monday night special.  Both great options if you are not smoking your catch.
Fly Anglers:  We continue to hear of good reports of fishing just off the marina.  Indian Rock is also a hot spot on this great alpine lake.  Streamers and a full sink line are working well.  Buggers in sizes 10/12, green or black are producing hits.  Don’t forget your trailing nymph?
Spin Anglers:  Powerbait and Inflated Nightcrawlers are hooking trout off Indian Rock.  Lures?  Tas. Devils, Lip Rippers, and Rooster Tails.  All good stuff. 

June Lake  - Fish Report 
Football season is coming up and Bob Carter, the number one USC FOOTBALL fan, is also our expert on the lakes in June, particularly June Lake.  He’s been guiding on the lake and doing well.  Bob knows June Lake and Crowley Lake as well as Pete Carroll knows national title games.  Fly anglers are doing well with indicator fishing, and streamers.  Bob will even take out Bruin Football fans (think Leonard, or Norm Chow), on the boat.  Go Bruins!!!  By the way… if you haven’t yet opened the link to USC Football above, you are missing out.
Fly Anglers:  Black, Brown, Green, and Black Woolly Buggers and big ol’ G’s-catchem-alls, all off the marina and near the reeds are catching trout.  Trail your nymph behind it!!!
Spin Anglers:  4 – 5 pound rainbows are getting caught.  Rooster Tails, in white or black are working well.  Thomas Bouyants.  For the baiters, Gulp and Zeke’s.    

Rush Creek - Fish Report  "Performance Anglers Pick of the Week!"
Fishing on Rush Creek continues to produce grin after grin, trout after trout.  There is some great fishing between the lakes, and the section of catch and release below Grant houses some very, very large wild brown trout.  They are sharp and keen to your presence, so fine-tuning your stalking skills on the approach is imperative!  This is definitely now thee cleanest creek in the Eastern Sierra.  There is something to be said for that.  Thank you to Andrew of the Silver Lake Resort and the Federation of Fly Fishers Southwest Council for installing and maintaining the monofilament disposal containers dotted along Rush Creek.  Check them out.  Mark your calendars for Saturday, August 30, when the Federation of Fly Fishers Southwest Council will put up plenty more monofilament recycle tubes throughout the Eastern Sierra.  We could use all the help that we can get that day.  Not yet a member of the Federation of Fly Fishers?  Come on into the shop and pick up a membership form. 
Fly Anglers:  Parachute Adams in sizes 16 and 18 are really your go-to flies for Rush Creek.  Other productive patterns are Parachute Mosquitoes and California Mosquitoes.  Even though trout do not eat mosquitoes, they are drawn to fly imitations for some reason or another.  And, they work.  Nymphs?  Trail a PA Rubber Worm below a BH Hare’s Ear.        
Spin Anglers:  Keep egging them with Zekes of Gulp! Eggs.  That’s about all you’ll need to have some fun down at Rush Creek.
 
Mammoth Lakes and Crowley Lake Fisheries (Southern Mono County)
Alright, anglers… Hot Creek is explosive right now!!! We’ve got some unbelievable fishing on Hot Creek at this moment.  Joe has dialed plenty of clients into trout on Hot Creek.  The Upper Owens River is fishing very, very well.  Joe, Rick, and Leonard have been hooking up plenty of first times and other fly anglers onto trout on The Upper O.  Mammoth Creek is conveniently located inside town, and a great place for the kids.  Crowley Lake?  It’s back.  She’s finally turned on again.  Just in time for the 2nd Annual Crowley Lake Stillwater Classic on Saturday, August 9, 2008.  Come into the shop and load up on the famous PA Midges that won the contest last year.  We’ve got entry forms also.  The Lakes Basin?  All of these fine lakes are fishing well.  They are all due up for a clean-up on Saturday, August 30.  The Federation of Fly Fishers Southwest Council will also be installing monofilament recycle tubes that day.  Please come on up and volunteer to be a part of the good karma.  When you give to Mammoth, you own a piece of Mammoth.

Upper and Lower Twin Lakes (Mammoth) - Fish Report  *Lakes Basin Clean-up set for Saturday, August 30, 2008*   
Continued good reports of angling on this lake, as both DFG and Tim Alpers put plenty of trout into its waters.  Bait anglers are pulling out trout near the waterfall.  Floattubers grab them all over the lake.  Full of browns, bows, and brooks.  Mammoth Lakes Basin Clean-up is set for Saturday, August 30, 2008.  Come help out.  We need help cleaning up the garbage, and also installing monofilament recycle tubes.  The Federation of Fly Fishers Southwest Council, Performance Anglers, the Mammoth Middle and High School Fly Fishing Associations, and Troutstock are all about cleaning this place up that day.  If you book your lodging through stayinmammoth.com, and you are taking part in either the Mammoth Lakes Basin or Convict Lake clean-up on August 30, you’ll save 10% off your bill!!! 
Fly Anglers:  All about the Black Gnats for the evening rises.  Lots of fun.  Streamers?  Green and Black Woolly Buggers with a type 3/4 sink line.  Work around the middle of Upper Twin, and around the reeds.
Spin Anglers:  Fish near the waterfall, as this is where most anglers are hooking up.  Our sincere recommendation is an Inflated Nightcrawler dipped in garlic.  2 or 3 pound leader test.  Put on a marshmallow to really increase the odds in your favor.  And dunk the goods in Trout Dip.  Thomas Bouyants and Lip Ripper Spoonz are the lures for Twin.  Cardinal and Gold for your Thomas Bouyant. 

Lake Mary -  *Lakes Basin Clean-up set for Saturday, August 30, 2008*
Lake Mary has been constantly fishing very, very well all summer long.  We have heard more positive reports from Mary than any lake in the Basin.  Lots of trout going into it, Alpers and DFG stockers.  It is simply the place to be this summer.  Fishing near Pokonobe Resort or the far side near Lake Mary Marina seems to be where it’s at.  Mammoth Lakes Basin Clean-up is set for Saturday, August 30, 2008.  Come help out.  We need help cleaning up the garbage, and also installing monofilament recycle tubes.  The Federation of Fly Fishers Southwest Council, Performance Anglers, the Mammoth Middle and High School Fly Fishing Associations, and Troutstock are all about cleaning this place up that day.  If you book your lodging through stayinmammoth.com, and you are taking part in either the Mammoth Lakes Basin or Convict Lake clean-up on August 30, you’ll save 10% off your bill!!! 
Fly Anglers:  Full sink line with Hornbergs, Matukas, Woolly Buggers.  All good stuff.  Trail your nymph!!!
Spin Anglers:  Gulp ‘em with Cheese or American Pie.  Zekes and Inflated Nightcrawlers are also working well.  Thomas Bouyants in any trout imitation colors. 

Lake Mamie - Fish Report  *Lakes Basin Clean-up set for Saturday, August 30, 2008*
Mamie is a fun lake to kick around in a tube.  A little less fished than Mary and Twin, but definitely a lot of fun.  Some times the angling off the beaten path can reap bountiful rewards.  The Mammoth Lakes Basin Clean-up is set for Saturday, August 30, 2008.  Come help out.  We need help cleaning up the garbage, and also installing monofilament recycle tubes.  The Federation of Fly Fishers Southwest Council, Performance Anglers, the Mammoth Middle and High School Fly Fishing Associations, and Troutstock are all about cleaning this place up that day.  If you book your lodging through stayinmammoth.com, and you are taking part in either the Mammoth Lakes Basin or Convict Lake clean-up on August 30, you’ll save 10% off your bill!!!     
Fly Anglers:  Go with smaller sized Woolly Buggers in sizes 10 or 12.  Trail a nymph behind it, a Prince Nymph or Hare’s Ear.
Spin Anglers:  Rapalas, Thomas Bouyants, Pin Minnows, Gulp! Inflated Nightcrawlers… all good stuff.

Lake George - Fish Report  *Lakes Basin Clean-up set for Saturday, August 30, 2008*
Fishing near the big rock is the spot to be on Lake George.  There are plenty of trout constantly hooked on this part of the lake, as that is where they linger.  Get ‘em at this part of the lake.  Also, Mammoth Lakes Basin Clean-up is set for Saturday, August 30, 2008.  Come help out.  We need help cleaning up the garbage, and also installing monofilament recycle tubes.  The Federation of Fly Fishers Southwest Council, Performance Anglers, the Mammoth Middle and High School Fly Fishing Associations, and Troutstock are all about cleaning this place up that day.  If you book your lodging through stayinmammoth.com, and you are taking part in either the Mammoth Lakes Basin or Convict Lake clean-up on August 30, you’ll save 10% off your bill!!! 
Fly Anglers:  Woolly Buggers in Black, olive, or purple are all good on George right now.  Type 3/4 sink line.      
Spin Anglers:  Floattube action with lures for the spin angler is working well right now.  Thomas Bouyants in Rainbow Trout or Gold, or Gold/ Red.  Pin Minnows.  Per the bait, Inflated Nightcrawlers. 

San Joaquin River - Fish Report 
Fishing the San Joaquin is always a lot of fun this time of year.  Suzie loves the San Joaquin.  Come on into the shop and ask her about where to drop a fly or a baited hook in this fantastic river.  We are hearing great reports of dipping lines near Soda Springs.  There are plenty of holding waters and pools to get at relatively good-sized trout in this river.  Pack a sandwich, a couple of Sierra Brite Dots, and plenty of insect repellant.
Fly Anglers:  Royal Coachmans, Royal Trudes, Royal Wulffs… all “royal” flies at the San Joaquin this time of year.  Sizes 16 or 18.  Yellow Stimulator, Chernobyl Ants… all good stuff.  Terrestrials like Cinnamon Ants and Deer Hair Beetles are also great flies on this river.  Sierra Brite Dot is a very productive dry fly on the San Joaquin River.  Any of these in your stash will work wonders.  Nymphs?  Weight them down with plenty of shot to slow them down enough for the trout to see and go with Flashback PT’s, Bird’s Nest, and Soft Tackle Flies.  Drift and strip some Matukas and Woolly Buggers as well.  Get down there and have some fun.   
Spin Anglers:  Egg ‘em.  Salmon eggs on a size 16 or 18 treble hook with lots of shot to weight down the goods.

Sotcher Lake - Fish Report 
Sotcher keeps fishing well.  Float tubers are having a lot of fun on Sotcher this summer. 
Fly Anglers:  Kick around with a full sink line and Woolly Bugger in brown, black, purple, or green.  Type 3 or 4 sink line.  
Spin Anglers:  Inflated Nightcrawlers are working well.  Trout Teasers and Stingers are working well at Sotcher.  Thomas Bouyants and Super Duppers are also great lures on this lake.

Starkweather Lake - Fish Report 
Decent reports are likewise coming from Starkweather. 
Fly Anglers:  Look for the rises in the evening.  Black Gnats, California Mosquitoes, Callibaetis Cripples, Yellow Stimulators.  Otherwise, streamer and sink line during the day. 
Spin Anglers:  Super Duppers, Kastmaster, Thomas Bouyants, and Lip Ripper Spoonz are all working.  For the bait?  Gulp! ‘em with American Pie or Chunky Cheese.

Mammoth Creek  - Fish Report 
Constantly stocked and only a short walk from The Stove, you can hook plenty of trout with the kids on Mammoth Creek.  Fishing in the pools near Hayden’s Museum is very productive.  All you need is some Salmon eggs.  It’s good fun, on this creek.
Fly Anglers:  Get at ‘em with P.A. Rubber Worms or small Pheasant Tail patterns.  Or better yet, both.  There is plenty of creek to fish from Old Mammoth Road to the 203.  4 miles of water for you to explore.  In the calmer pools, pitch a small Parachute Adams or California Mosquito.  Good place for a fly rod that measures at 6 feet.  There are some narrow stretches to manipulate around a lot of growth, but where it is harder for you to get the river, it is also less fished.  Something to consider strongly when you are eyeballing a section of Mammoth Creek.
Spin Anglers:  Egg ‘em!!!  Salmon eggs of Gulp Eggs on a size 16 or 18 treble hook.  Hit up near the museum, or in the pasture near Snowcreek.

Upper Owens River - Fish Report  
The Upper Owens River has been the birthplace of many happy fly anglers this summer.  Joe, Rick, and Leonard have all been taking plenty of first time fly anglers and experienced fly anglers alike to the Upper Owens River for some great fishing and good learning.  The Upper Owens River is regularly stocked.  There are holdovers in it also, with sightings of the occasional cuttie.  We have even heard reports of DFG putting put-and-grow trout in the section above the bridge (generally catch and release… read the regs for finer details of the legality of taking trout from the Upper Owens River).  Lots and lots of explosive bug action where the Hot Creek tributaries flow into The Upper Owens River.  This spot on the river can be a lot of fun in the evening.  Trust us.
Fly Anglers: Not much has changed in fly recommendations from the last report to this one on The Upper Owens River.  We’ve got some good caddis action in the mornings and during the evenings.  Lots of bugs flying around.  Mayflies throughout the day, and midges cruising around doing there thing.  Lots of terrestrials also.  Given this information, you’ll want to pack Madam-X Parachutes, Fuzzy Wuzzies, Elk Hair Caddis, BWO’s, Yellow Stimis, Yellow Sallies, Parachute Adams, Mosquitoes, Crane Flies, Griffith Gnats.  All good dries.  Nymphs?  P.A. Worms, Black PT’s, Flossies, Hare’s Ears.  These should be fine.  Streamers?  Buggers and G’s-catchem-alls.
Spin Anglers:  Regulation change is in effect for the stretch from the fishing monument to Crowley Lake.  You may take only two trout, 18-inches and longer, on artificial, barbless lures/ flies.  There are plenty of trout being taken on lures between the campground and the lakes.  Lip Ripper Spoonz, Panther Martins, and Super Duppers are great here.  Trout Teasers and Stingers also.  Inflated Nightcrawlers and Gulp! are powerful baits on the Upper Owens River. 

Crowley Lake - Fish Report  "Performance Anglers Pick of the Week!"
Ladies and gentlemen… she’s back!!!  That’s right, after a spell of some excessive algae blooming in the lake, Crowley Lake is cleaned up again and the angling is turning on… big time.  Crowley also has a new regulation change… only two trout, measuring 18-inches or longer may be taken.  Barbless artificial fly/ lure only.  Pinch down your flies and lures.  Where to drop them?  McGee is definitely thee place to be right now, as there are plenty of trout coming out of it, all in time for the 2nd Annual Crowley Lake Stillwater Classic locked and loaded for Saturday, August 9, 2008.  Duffman says, “Oh, yeah!”  Come on into the shop to chat with us about the tournament.  It is a lot of fun.  We’ve got sign up forms in the shop.  Pick up some of our very famous PA Midge Patterns, these bad boys took 1st place last year in the Stillwater Classic!!!  If you want a trip trolling with Bob Carter, give us a call.  Trolling on the lake is a blast.  Fly anglers interested in a trip with Matuka Joe can give us a ring as well.  Call the shop and book a trip with a PA guide.  Our number:  760-924-2181.  The Crowley Lake Fish Camp is your stop if you need a boat on California’s Trout Lake.  The place to be on Crowley is McGee Bay.  The place to disc gold in Mammoth is Shady Rest Disc Golf Course.  What’s that got to do with fishing?  Absolutely nothing, but disc golf in So cal is a lot of fun.  Ask either Rick or Leonard about your disc golf options in the Sierra.
Fly Anglers:  Indicator fishing in McGee Bay in 5 – 12 feet of water is definitely where it’s at.  Keep your PA Midges about 1 – 2 feet off the lake bottom.  Red and Grey are productive patterns right now.  You can also do well to drop a Damsel Fly Nymph.  We’ve got some killer Damsel Fly Nymph patterns in the shop.  Maybe fish with your Damsel high and your PA Midge below.  Twitch the Damsels with an intermediate sink tip, if you are going strictly Damsel with no midge.  Otherwise, indicator fish till your spool goes on strike for working too many hours overtime.  Basically, you have a lot of options in McGee right now, and plenty of anglers are hooking trout.  For the floattubers, a sink line with Green or Black Buggers in Hilton or Whiskey is certainly worth the effort.  A great time to be there is in the evening. 
Spin Anglers:  Keep on trolling.  Hilton and McGee.  30 – 40 feet of leader with 4 – 6 colors out.  Rapalas and Thomas Bouyants are working well.  So are Needlefish.  Plenty of trout getting picked off on Crowley.  Be aware of the reg changes on Crowley that are now in effect.  Bait fishing is closed for the season, and you may only take two trout, measuring 18-inches or longer, with lures that have the barbs pinched down.

Convict Lake - Fish Report  *Convict Creek Clean-up set for Saturday, August 30, 2008*
Heavily stocked with DFG trout and Alpers.  Brian at The Convict Lake Resort is all on board with all of us for keeping the waters near Convict Lake and Convict Creek clean.  Working with Performance Anglers, Troutstock, the Federation of Fly Fishers Southwest Council, and the Mammoth Middle and High School Fly Fishing Associations, Convict Lake Resort is stepping up to the plate to clean up the lake and the creek on Saturday, August 30.  We need as much volunteer help as we can get, and we’ll gladly ask for your help if you want to give back to Mother Nature.  Keep that date in mind.  Labor Day Weekend is a lot of fun in Mammoth Lakes!!!  If you book your lodging for the creek clean up through stayinmammoth.com, you’ll save 10% off the bill.  When booking, mention that you are part of the creek clean up.  This goes as well for the lakes in the basin being cleaned up that day.  Per the fishing on Convict Lake?  Keeps on going.  Convict is thee place to be with the pontoon boat.  Renting a pontoon for the day is a sound investment in your family and friends.
Fly Anglers:  Float tube on the back side.  Black Woolly Buggers or Matukas.  Type 4 – 6 sink line.  If you come across an evening rise, toss some Gnats or Callibaetis Cripples.
Spin Anglers:  Go Gulp! ‘em!!!  There is some great angling going on with American Pie and Gulp Eggs.  Also, pitch some Kastmasters from the beach.  They’ll take worms there also.  Inflated your nightcrawlers.  Dip them in Berkley Trout Dip and call it a night (for the trout, that is).

Convict Creek - Fish Report  *Convict Creek Clean-up set for Saturday, August 30, 2008*
We have finally declared all-out war on all of the trash in Convict Creek.  The PBR cans, spent worm containers, used monofil, and other junk is on its way out!!! But, we need your help!!! Be up here on Saturday, August 30, and do your part to keep the fisheries clean.  Creek clean ups are great events, as after participating in a clean-up, you feel a bit more like that fishery really belongs to you.  It’s a great way to make new friends, or pass some time with old ones.  Brian of The Convict Lake Resort will furnish a BBQ that day for all clean up participants.  Fishing on Convict Creek?  Well stocked and full of trout. 
Fly Anglers:  This is a great creek to practice pitching dries.  Parachute Adams and Deer Hair Beetles.  Nymphs?  PA Rubber Worm.  Indicator-less fishing is the way to go on this creek.
Spin Anglers:  Worms and Eggs.  That’s all you’ll need.

Hot Creek - Fish Report   "Performance Anglers Pick of the Week!"
Hot Creek continues to retain its unofficial title of the best wild trout stream in Mono County.  We’d like to keep this information under the radar, since Hot Creek is very heavily fished, but the fact of the matter is that at 8,000 – 10,000 estimated trout per mile of meandering creek, there are plenty of trout to be caught and released in this creek.  It is great fun.  A bit technical at times, but certainly worth hitting.  Matuka Joe has had numerous clients get dialed onto countless browns and bows on Hot Creek this summer.  Call us up to book a trip with Joe.  He knows his stuff.  Public section is fishing very well.  Hot Creek Ranch is one of the best stay and play deals in the State.  Look them up for a very fun time.  The rates are reasonable.  And, best thing about staying the night at Hot Creek is that you can down a bottle of wine at the creek while watching it.  Entertaining.  Healthy bows and browns in the public canyon, the Ranch, and the Interpretive Site.  For a real treat, take your flies to pitch along the runways at the Hot Creek Hatchery.  What???  Yes, we are joking.  The Hot Creek Hatchery is a great place to take the kids though.  Pack the quarters in your pocket to buy trout feed.  Kids love this place, with reason.  Our PA staff is a part of the Hot Creek Hatchery Foundation, an organization worth investing your time and hard-earned dollars towards.  More trout = more fun & good karma.  Hot Creek is getting the same monofilament recycle tubes as Rush Creek???  That’s correct.  The Federation of Fly Fishers Southwest Council is teaming up with the Mammoth High School Fly Fishing Association and The Streamborn Fly Fishers to install and maintain monofil recycle tubes along the public sections of Hot Creek.  The local kids that learn to fly fish under the direction of Leonard pay their conservation dues as well.  Interested in having a fly fishing club start up at your local high school?  Call Leonard at the shop and ask him how.  Better yet, come up to Mammoth and have a chat at Hot Creek about the options that exist.  Caddis hatches and Tricos found at Hot Creek are action packed right now.  Flowing at 11cfs, but fishing very well.
Fly Anglers: Scuds in grey or green are great subsurface flies.  Beadhead patterns for the deeper channels, otherwise you are going to snag your goods.  Chris “The Professor” Myers turned us onto using Black Birds Nests on Hot Creek.  The Prof shared his great knowledge with us that the trout believe these to be scuds.  With the number of bent rods he is picking up, he’s right.  Other nymphs?  Tiny Tbody Fluffs in sizes 20 – 24 in Brown, Grey, and Black are candy.  Micro Midges in sizes 20 – 24 are awesome on Hot Creek.  Buckskins make great nymphs.  Dries?  There are plenty of options per Caddis… Fertile Caddis, EC Caddis, Elk Hair Caddis, Tent Wing Caddis, Parachute Caddis… all good stuff.  Tricos in the morning, as the spinners lay down one last time.  Madam-X’s are the go-to terrestrial patterns on Hot Creek.  These bad boys are easily mistaken for crickets for grasshoppers, and trout gobble them down.  Dave’s Hoppers are also good terrestrials.  Hot Creek is busy this time of year during the weekend, so plan accordingly.

Rock Creek Lake - Fish Report  
Rock Creek Lake Resort keeps fishing well.  Big browns, some of last year’s holdovers.  Some good pie up here, fresh.  Jim King and his gang know the pie as well as the lake.  Also, ask Suzie in the shop about the angling in the lakes.  Suzie knows the back country very well.
Fly Anglers:  For the evening rises, pitch Mosquitoes and Parachute Adams.  Full sink line in type 4 – 6.  Mix up your flies with Black or Olive Streamers, with Soft Tackles or Hare’s Ears trailing behind.  Peacock and Red are good colors for trailing nymphs. 
Spin Anglers:  Gulp ‘em with American Pie or Sherbert.  Inflated Nightcrawlers are good choices.  Lures?  Rapalas, Lip Ripper Spoonz, Tas. Devils.  Also awesome on Rock Creek Lake.

Rock Creek - Fish Report
Mosquito Flats is fishing well.  “Mosquito Flats” is correctly named, so pack the repellant.  This place is a lot of fun.  Lunch at Tom’s Place Resort, and an afternoon next to Rock Creek?  Hmmm… sounds rough.  Someone’s gotta do it.
Fly Anglers:  Parachute Adams, Elk Hair Caddis, Royal Trudes and Coachmen… all good stuff.  Pheasant Tails, little ones.  P.A. Worms.  Glo-Bugs. 
Spin Anglers:  Eggs, eggs, eggs.  Salmon eggs or Gulp Eggs, you’ll do fine.

Lower Owens, Pleasant Valley, and Bishop Creek Fisheries (Inyo County)
The Lower Owens River is unbearably hot this time of year.  Given that information, it is really best fished only around 5pm until when the sun sets.  You can go earlier, just tell us so that we can timely invest in a sunscreen producing company.  PVR (Pleasant Valley Reservoir) is also best hit only in the later hours of the day.  The better news?  Fishing high up Bishop Creek and the lakes above Bishop are lots of fun.  Plenty of great angling above our southerly neighbors. 

Lower Owens River – Fish Report
Flows are around 370cfs.  This is high and fast compared to winter, but the fishing can be rewarding in the evening.  You’ll definitely find it uncomfortably hot during the day, but hitting the Lower Owens any time from 4 or 5pm until sunset can be pleasant.  The wild trout region in the evenings is a good place to pass some time while en route to Mammoth Lakes.
Fly Anglers: Caddis hatches in the evenings.  BWO’s throughout the day.  Elk Hair Caddis will work fine.  For nymphs, Caddis Larva in Green or Green Rock Worms will hook up trout.  There are plenty of big fish in this stretch of the river, so have at it.  In the deeper pools, stripping streamers can be very productive.  Big bugs… G’s-catchem-alls and the like.    
Spin Anglers: Go Gulp! em.  Hit up Warm Springs or Line Street and have some fun.  You’ll hook browns on the Nightcrawlers.  Trout Teasers, Lip Ripperz, and Stingers are all good jigs and lures on the Lower-O.

Pleasant Valley Reservoir - Fish Report
Like the Lower O, very hot in the day.  Wait for the next full moon, and you might want to consider floattubing PVR in the nighttime.  Otherwise, limit your angling on PVR to the cooler evening hours.
Fly Anglers: Try some P.A. Perch patterns in dark blue or green.  Woolly Buggers also.  If on a tube, full sink type 3/4 line with green or black buggers.  Our P.A. Perch patterns are great on PVR as well.  Otherwise, indicator fishing from the shore is decent right now.  P.A. Midges in black or grey, sizes 16 – 18.  
Spin Anglers: Powerbait in Orange or Lemon Twist.  Nightcrawlers dipped in Trout Dip.  Berkley Powerbait.  Lures: Thomas Bouyants and Rapalas 110% as they are coming on strong down there.

Intake Two - Fish Report
This small fishery is very floattube friendly, and great family fun.  Lots of very big fish regularly come out of this trophy manmade reservoir.  Hit it up.
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. 

Bishop Creek - Fish Report  "Performance Anglers Pick of the Week!"
Given the higher elevations of Bishop Creek, this is a great place to fish this time of year.  The airs are cooler than in the valley, and DFG and Tim Alpers regularly stock the creek with plenty of trout, big and bigger.  Dinner in Bishop on a Thursday night?  The locals all know about the fresh turkey at Jack’s Restaurant.  Your homework assignment is to do a little gobbler research for your self.
Fly Anglers:  Parachute Adams and Elk Hair Caddis for your surface flies.  Subsurface... smaller-sized PT's and Hare's Ears.  Soft Tackle flies will also land trout.
Spin Anglers:  Go with the Inflated Nightcrawlers to get at the browns.  Salmon eggs are also hooking plenty of DFG trout.  Panther Martins are your lures of choice.

North Lake - Fish Report 
North Lake is fishing very well.  The summer heat in Bishop gets this lake cooking with good angling.  Working lures and streamers at the inlet is the way to hit North Lake right now.
Fly Anglers:  Matukas and Kyrstal Flash Woolly Buggers on a type 4/6 sinking line is working.  Trail a Prince Nymph, size-16 behind it.  You can also do some indicator fishing with our P.A. Midges.  Black with silver ribbon, or red.  Sizes 16/18. 
Spin Anglers:  Thomas Bouyants and Kastmasters are working well.  Inflated Nightcrawlers dipped in garlic is deadly.

South Lake - Fish Report 
South Lake is fishing well.  Hit the back side where the angling is at its best right now.  Good Mexican food after coming back to town?  How about a cold margarita and plate of chili rellenos at Astorga Mexican Grill?  It’s found in the Rite-aid mall in Bishop.  Trust us.  Good Mex in Mammoth?  Salsas.  The name says it all.
Fly Anglers:  Streamers with a sink line, or pitch a Callibaetis Cripple to the rising trout.  Your rises will occur in the evening hours.  You’ll also pick them off with Gnats or Mosquitoes.
Spin Anglers:  Worms dipped in garlic, like all the lakes throughout the Eastern Sierras.  A little trick to the trade… put a bit of nightcrawler on the hooks of your lures when you are trolling or casting.  Thomas Bouyants, Lip Ripper Spoonz, Phebes… all good stuff at South Lake.

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.

Eastern Sierra Fish Report - Performance Anglers

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.