Crowley has been very inconsistent once again this year. Last year it was low water, this year high water. The blue algae bloom is terrible this year as the lake had its turnover far later than average. The persistent southerly winds keep shoving the green goo into areas like McGee Bay and the north arm near the Owens inlet where the highest concentrations of trout are currently holding.

HOWEVER, I am going out on a long thin limb and say that I believe that Crowley will be good come late July and August. The west winds shall eventually return and the algae will choke itself out almost overnight, and life will be good here once again.

The "dark side" is catching enough nice fish in McGee to keep you interested and to let you know they are still around. How can this be? The algae does not stick to a stinking inflated night crawler, in addition; there is scientific evidence that supports the crawlers SCREAM for help while drowning on a hook so the trout hear them and charge! I am bitter, please forgive me.

I suggest you have some callibaetis and baetis patterns handy this year around the inlets especially. High water years are always good for mayflies and in areas around creek mouths are the main course for the cruising trout in short water instead of chironomids. You may use these patterns for still water nymphing or as a streamer on a light sinking tip line. Damsel nymphs are also a mainstay food this time of year around the inlets and migrate in with the algae lines as cover until they hit the shorelines grass and continue their metamorphosis into winged adults.

Our photo shows the South Landing July 17, 2011. The "Fish Magnets" will be docking in the parking lot if this keeps up!