Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. We have some good news to report from Crowley Lake that you may be interested in.
The algae situation has improved dramatically since the end of July and this has opened more fishable areas in several sections of the lake. Concentrations of trout can be found near all the inlets, especially in McGee and Little Hilton Bays. The Owens River channel is also holding some huge browns and bows hunting damsel nymphs and tiny perch fry seeking refuge along the heavy weed lines. Please check out the hogs our clients have recently caught and released in several areas of the lake. They are special. You can see them by clicking on our website at http://www.sierradrifters.com/fish.htm

There is also consistent and ever improving action in the mornings in the 11-15 foot range along or outside the hard weed line between McGee and Sometimes Bay. The larger browns and cutts are herding the perch fry into the weeds and targeting on the stragglers. If you can find some room and enjoy tubing and casting streamers, now is the time to hit those big predators on sinking tips or slime lines.

Short water near the inlets can be really fun as well. You will observe several hatches coming off. The callibaetis and Trico mayfly emergences are triggering some big migrations of rainbows into very short water in the channels and immediate inlet sections. This occurs around 8 am daily. The chironomids and damsel nymphs are the second course and the peak of feeding activity late morning into the afternoon some days. The Owens Channel has been deserted for some reason? Check out the slammers long time Sierra Drifter Jeff W. got while casting damsels with me here a short while back. Locating the North Channel is crucial to success. Green Banks still looks like the Everglades and will kick on after the pool drops a couple of feet.

Layton Springs is also ripening, and the bigs are crashing along the weeds here as well. The weed line is deeper here and I believe we need to drop a couple of feet before this goes off for still water nymph addicts. Tubers need to look at this area especially in the mornings; it is uncrowded with plenty of room all around the Layton/Alligator Pt. area.

Crowley has been filling all summer and the stage is being set for a memorable late summer through fall experience. We have been informed that water usage is at a 20 year low in So-Cal and this is keeping the pool full this summer. As the water levels begin to recede, you will see the depths along the weed lines decrease making ideal conditions for still water nymphing later this month and into September. The still water technique may be tough for tubers right now due to the length of the leaders, but I suggest you "old schoolers" get out and tug the heavy hardware for a shot at a trophy fish.

Short water rigs for Crowley (2-7 feet) Twin Gillies or crystal emerger's #18-22, Killa baetis and flash back PT's #12-20. The callibaetis nymph is considerably larger than the trico so rig accordingly, damsel nymphs #12. Use a very small strike indicator or dry fly for an indicator in water less than 3 feet.

Still water nymphs for the 11-15 foot range. Broke back articulated midges when you have a textured surface. Use the BB gillie for the upper. Dark bodied gillies, crystal tigers and zebra's #16-18, chironomid pupa and emergers #18-20. If the current or wind is moving towards the weed lines suspend a punk perch, damsel nymph, (#12-16) 5-8 feet below the surface under an indicator. This is the time of year you can get grabs in deep water while not fishing the bottom levels of the water column.

Streamer fishing- Keep the damsel and perch fry imitations (#10-14) around 4-8 feet. A faster retrieve will out fish a slow strip. Trolling or moving steadily in your tube while "pulsing or jigging" the damsel or perch fry imitation will look more realistic. Stay around the weeds or free drifting "trash/scum lines" The damsels and PF's will migrate with these rafts of debris as they drift with the wind or current.

Punk Perch in light and dark, the always deadly Loeberg-use the dark heads in low light, the light hackles during the higher sun periods, and damsel fly nymphs colored to contrast with your degree of light for best results. Have a great summer, hope to fish with you soon.

Who shall be crowned the "lord of the fly" for 2009 at Crowley Lake? Some of the finest fly rods the Eastern Sierra has to offer will be having some friendly competition to raise money for the fisheries enhancement of Crowley Lake. The 3rd Annual Stillwater Classic is slated for Saturday, August 8, 2009. Click on www.sierradrifters.com/fish.htm to print out an entry form and the rules.