We had a quick shot of afternoon thundershowers that have come and gone. We did get some decent rain out of the last few day’s storms. It is back to sunny weather again, and warmer temperatures will now give way to more fall like conditions. The temperatures around Crowley Lake will be in the mid 70’s this week. Bridgeport Reservoir continues to produce fish in the open water areas and along the weed lines. The East Walker River has come down some more since last report and cooler nights will perk up the fish bite again. The June Lake loop lakes are starting to cool slightly and will start to kick the fish into fall mode here soon. The inlets have been best. San Joaquin experienced a small flow increase from the recent rains. Upper Owens and Hot Creek still fishing well with hoppers and various dry flies and nymphs. Crowley Lake staying the same, with fish in shallow and deep water. Close to the weeds has been best. Middle Owens River up slightly again.

Crowley Lake

The north channel and McGee Creek and the bay have been the best areas. Some fish biting around Sandy Point too. The Hiltons have a ton of fish as well that are mixed in size. When the wind stirs the water in the afternoons, the fish move in and feed on the flats and in the channels. Midges, perch fry, and callibaetis imitations have been getting the job done. Some bigger fish have been chasing fry throughout the lake, so changing it up to slow stripping can get you into some big ones. Best Flies: Parallel Assassin Dark and Light – 16; Assassin Dark and Light – 16; Parallel Punk Perch Dark and Light – 14, 16; Broken Back Dark Zebra Midge- 16; Crystal Tiger Midge Long -18; Broken Back Copper Tiger Midge – 18; Crystal Copper Tiger Midge – 18; Crystal Midge Pupa Black – 20; Crystal Caddis Larva Olive Copper – 18; Punk Perch Dark and Light – 14, 16; Damsel Nymph Dark and Light; Flashback Pheasant Tail Tungsten Black Head – 14, 16, 18.

Upper Owens River

Still a lot of grasshoppers all over the place. Windy conditions make for some great dry fly action. Find a good hopper pattern to match the hatch and it’s game on! Mayfly patterns and caddis have also been getting a lot of good fish here. There are some larger fish in the river this summer due to the abundance of food and the flooded banks around the mouth going into Crowley Lake. Best Flies: Stimulator – 12, 14, 16; Crystal Copper Tiger Midge – 16,18; B100FB – 14, 16, 18, 20; Spruce a bu dark and light; Loeberg Mallard Silver; Loeberg Guinea Silver, Crystal Midge Pupa Black – 18; Crystal Chironomid Emerger Copper – 16, 18; Broken Back Copper Tiger Midge – 14,16,18.

East Walker River/Bridgeport Reservoir

Flows have dropped to 268 cfs level. Smaller nymphs and streamer patterns are getting looks from some bigger fish. The slower water on the edges of the faster moving stuff has been the key. Get those flies down to the fish this time of year with enough weight. Bridgeport Reservoir has been good in the channel where the weed growth is minimal. The weeds have choked up a lot of the inside channels this season as the high water has changed conditions up this year. Best Flies: B100FB – 18, 20; Crystal Copper Tiger Midge -16; Crystal Zebra Midge – 16, 18; Punk Perch Light and Dark – 14, 16; Parallel Punk Perch Light and Dark; Crystal Leech – 12, 14, 16; Agent Orange 12, 14, 16; Parallel Agent Orange – 14.