Fish’N Conditions
Smoke and scorching temperatures have been the norm for most of the state this summer season. We have been lucky to have comfortable temperatures and moderate smokey conditions compared to some places. The air quality has improved drastically here over the last week and the fishing conditions for most areas has been fine. Bridgeport Reservoir has a mix of fish sizes currently and the inside of the Buckeye Channel is starting to get weeded up. There is still plenty of room to fish in the channel as the creek gets further into the reservoir. The East Walker River water temps have been warm which has slowed down the fishing here some. It’s best to hit it here in the mornings and late afternoons. Cooler nighttime temperatures have arrived now, which should bring the water temps back to more comfortable conditions for the trout. The San Joaquin River is fishing well for wild trout taking dry flies and small nymphs. Getting away from the campgrounds is best as fishing pressure can be high there. Hot Creek has been decent at the Interpretive Center and in the canyon. Choosing the right flies can make or break your day here. Upper Owens River good for numbers below the bridge and cleaner water above the bridge has been holding the occasional larger fish. Crowley Lake has fish working the perch fry hard over the weeds in all areas of the lake. Selecting a good perch fry imitation has been the key to success here the past week. The Middle Owens River flows are very high and will be for an extended period as Crowley Lake begins to drop its level quickly.
 

Crowley Lake
The quality of fish continues to be great here. Not as hot and heavy on the numbers as it has been due to fish feeding over the weed tops in deeper water and focusing on perch fry. The callibaetis are still hatching in solid numbers. The fish that are eating midges are still being caught inside the river and creek channels in McGee Bay and the Owens arm. Mornings have been pretty good and as the afternoons approach it tends to slow some until the wind kicks up and spurs the bite again. McGee Bay seems to be the opposite, as it can be slower in the mornings and then build into a better bite as the afternoon approaches. Sandy Point looking very good, conditions-wise, as the lowering waterline exposes the weed edge. Lots of fish cruising and hanging tight to the wall here. Crooked Creek loaded with fish in deeper water. Good mix of smalls and bigs here. Slow stripping perch fry imitations over the weeds in most areas can draw strikes from hungry trout when the indicator fishing slows and the fish are rolling on the surface. Midges, Assassins, and Punk Perch have been good flies recently.

Bridgeport Reservoir
The weeds are starting to choke up the creek channels so the areas to fish in are getting smaller. No shortage of fish here though, as this only concentrates the fish tighter. Assassins and Punk Perch hung under the indicators close to the weeds have been effective. Midges still working well over the mud bottoms. #14-16 Level Crystal Leeches, #14-16 Assassins Light, #14-16 Parallel Punk Perch, #12-18 Copper Tiger Midges, and Zebra midges have been great and effective patterns.
 

Middle Owens River (Bishop Area)
Flows have come down some at 510 cfs. Still a bit high here for fishing. We are awaiting the flow drop as Crowley Lake continues to drop before we begin trips here again. Fish early mornings and evenings here if you go and use plenty of weight to get those flies down. Probably more effort than it’s worth at these current conditions.
 
 
Upper Owens River
The river has a good amount of catchable size rainbows all over, but more fish below the bridge.  Flows at 111 cfs. A few larger than average sized trout in the deeper sections.Target the deeper pools and riffle water that leads into them and you can get into some fun action fishing small nymphs, dry/droppers, and small streamers. Look for rising fish in the mid-morning and later in the afternoons along the slower moving sections. The foam lines have been where it is at. Throwing stimulators and hopper patterns in the foam can entice fish to take on the surface.
 

San Joaquin River
Flows now at 40 cfs. Cover some ground to hunt the wild fish willing to take a dry fly. Escaping the campground madness can get you some solitude and good action on fish.  Dry fly and dry/dropper combos producing best. Keep your flies floating high and they will get looked at by most fish they pass over. A good mend in your line with little to no drag is all it takes. Give us a call if you would like us to get you into this area for some great dry fly fishing.
 

San Joaquin River
Flows now at 40 cfs. Cover some ground to hunt the wild fish willing to take a dry fly. Escaping the campground madness can get you some solitude and good action on fish.  Dry fly and dry/dropper combos producing best. Keep your flies floating high and they will get looked at by most fish they pass over. A good mend in your line with little to no drag is all it takes. Give us a call if you would like us to get you into this area for some great dry fly fishing.
 

Hot Creek
 Hoppers have been great during certain parts of the day. Some days they are on them, and others you have to change flies and figure it out. Fish small midges when you see the fish feeding below the surface. The bite can get tough at mid-day but you can keep the fish biting by matching the hatch.  This program is great for half day trips in the mornings with no need for waders. We have had some fun and memorable days this summer getting our clients on some rising trout through the mornings. #18 mayflies, #18-22 midges, #20 Brassies, and egg and SD worm patterns have been getting some serious looks and takes from the resident trout.
 

East Walker River
Flows now down to very fishable levels at 157 cfs. Warmer water has the fish spread out into the deeper sections. You’ll find cooler water the closer you get to the dam, and fishing in the deep sections can produce some nice fish.  If you get here early enough, fish the shaded areas with midges and perch fry patterns. Use enough weight to get your offerings down to the fish.  Crawdad patterns work great this time of year, along with #18 Copper Tiger Midges, #14-16 Parallel Perch, #14-16 Level Leeches, and Assassins dark and light both Parallel and normal.
 

Grant/Silver Lakes/Alpine Lakes
 Good fishing hanging midges under an indicator above the weeds at Silver. A good sonar will give you an idea of where the best concentration of fish are. This time of year the creek and river inlets hold the most fish unless you plan to go very deep. They still bite as the breeze comes up and you can have some pretty good number days here. The weeds are now well established at the south end of Silver. Other alpine lakes may require longer leaders to get down to the fish but the setup is still the same. 9′ leaders with #18-20 paramidges and griffith’s gnats for the surface action. Go with small copper john’s , Pt’s , and midges when going subsurface or hung under an indicator.