On the rebound finally!

Crowley Lake - Mammoth Lakes, CA (Mono County)

With surface temps still in the low 70s, I'm not taking fish out of the water for pics, so it's either this, or in the net for the time being. Todd with a nice one from yesterday evening.
Photo Credit: Jim Elias

by Jim Elias
8-12-2022
Website

Water Level - 6766.1ft - Algae situation improved the last few days - Surface temps in the low 70s by the afternoon. Bottom temps are at or near 66-68 by mid-day.

Rod Size: #5-#6 Weights

Tippet Size: 3-4X

Leader: Deep Indicator Rig 15-25ft

Dries: N/A

Nymphs:   Gray/Black Midge #16-18Albino Baron Wine #16, , Albino Baron Red #16, Red/Black Midge #16, Spiral Red Holographic #16, Albino Baron Spiral Flash #16, Purple/Silver #16, Spiral Flash Grey/Black #16, Rasta Midge #14-16

Streamers:  Hornberg #10, Doc's Black #10, Ultimate Damsel, Hula Damsel, Bird's Nest Olive #16

 

 

The gate doesn't open until 7 as of August 1st, so unless your boat is in a slip and you can walk down to it, don't plan on getting in until after 7.

 

Ok, well you all wanted good news so here it is. The fish have moved into shallower water in search of the perch fry and damsels. I've been fishing all over the lake, and found good concentrations in, you guessed it; Mcgee. I had some solitude for a couple of days but the fleet has arrived in full force as of today, and I went from seeing about 8 other boats yesterday, to about 30 today. Takes are somewhat subtle, but if you're on top of it you can have a decent day. Water temps on the bottom in Mcgee, Green Banks, and Hilton were 66 by mid day. I checked up in Layton just to be sure, and the bottom temps were closer to 68-69 in the morning, so water temps are everything. Pay attention to which way the wind is blowing, as a south wind will blow the warm water from the South end of the lake into McGee and the North arm. West and Northwest winds are ideal, as they push the cooler water out through the weeds to where we can actually fish. There are NO stream channels that you can fish because of weeds and low water levels so don't expect to park in close. I already picked a ton of weeds out of my trolling motor so you don't have to.  Fish are hanging in 13-20ft mainly and are fairly close to the bottom so don't be afraid to put your bottom fly right almost right in the mud. You'll want to use Mickey's little clip on weights they sell for like 2 bucks to check your depth and not your forceps, as they sink too far into the mud to get an accurate measurement. (I let the little secrets out every so often). Otherwise they fish are pretty damn picky when it comes to flies so it's really important to rotate through until you find the fly of the day. Most of my fish have been on slim larvae patterns very close to the bottom. Things are happening early with fish being caught in the first couple minutes of me getting my clients in the water, then slowing down considerably by 11. Hatches have improved, but not everywhere. I've seen the most chironomid activity in McGee, with LOTs of Callibaetis up in the north arm. By 11 I've been switching to mostly mayfly/perch patterns. Afternoons and evenings have been pretty decent, water temps are holding on the bottom, and the fish seem to have plenty of fight in them. Water clarity isn't much of an issue at the moment, not much algae, but the water is still it's signature green in most places, more of a brown in the north arm and I'm sure you all know why.


Fish Mammoth Guides Services is located in Mammoth Lakes, CA (Mono County). Fishing Guide, Jim Elias, can take you fishing on Crowley Lake, Upper Owens, Lower Owens and East Walker River. To book your guided fishing trip with Jim Elias please all him at (760) 582-2195 and for more information please visit his WEBSITE..


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