Fish Along the Old Stream Channel at Crowley

Crowley Lake - Mammoth Lakes, CA (Mono County)


by The Trout Fitter Staff
8-11-2011
Website

Water Conditions:
Okay algae is almost completely gone. North end is crystal clear beyond the weeds last 250 yards to the mouth. Hilton and Crooked Creek have also cleared.

Water temps in channels like 53F and 70F on top so mucho flow down deep. Find the channel, find the fish looking for food served up by flowing stream sub-surface.

Fishing Conditions and Hatches:
EXCELLENT IF YOU ARE ALONG THE OLD STEAM CHANNEL IN MCGEE BAY. The big fish are spread out from the mouth of McGee out to 18 ft of water all along the old channel.

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 +.

Yearly DFG planting has started and tons of dinks are starting to show up in Little Hilton. Get the kids out there for grab-a-minute action. North end has a bunch of recent stockers that came to visit from the Owens. Some big fish show up occasionally.

Recommended Flies:

NYMPHS:
#16 Red/Black (early) then Gray/Black Optimidges(after 10 am), Mickey's Shaft Emerger, Ultimate Damsel, Jansens Calbaetis.

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

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