Crowley is pulling some Big Fish from the McGee Creek Channel

Crowley Lake - Mammoth Lakes, CA (Mono County)


by The Trout Fitter Staff
8-4-2011
Website

Water Conditions:
Okay algae is almost completely gone. North end is crystal clear beyond the weeds last 250 yards to the mouth. Hilton is almost there.

Fishing Conditions and Hatches:
EXCELLENT IF YOU ARE ALONG THE OLD STEAM CHANNEL IN MCGEE BAY.
Big Brown/Bow/Cuts all showed up in numbers and almost no little fish save the recent planted 13-14" Browns planted by DFG. The big fish are spread out from the mouth of McGee out to 18 ft of water all along the old channel. 53F in the channel bottom and 68F on the surface. Fish just adjust depth to get in 57 F they love.

It is an early bite then tough after 9am or go inside near channel for more grabs but not all big fish like outside in 12ft +. Fish are starting to show up in Little Hilton. 'Mix of sizes, mostly smaller.

North end has a bunch of recent stockers that came to visit from the Owens.

Recommended Flies:

NYMPHS:
Red/Black and Purple Optimidges Early, Blood Midge, Gold Bead Red/Black Optimidge #18, #20 Dubbed head Black Optimidge, Mickey's Red Baron, Ultimate Damsel, Jansens Calbaetis.

DRIES:
Extended body BWO's but not too many fish sipping on the surface yet. Try dry and dropper.

STREAMERS:
Doc's Twin Lake Special Black/Olive #10, Hornberg #10, Olive Matuka #10, Ultimate Damsel.

Guides Hint:
Damsels and Calibaetis are hatching so hang one under the indicator about half way down the water column.