I can honestly say that this is the best August for numbers of fish on Crowley since 1999.?? The supplemental additions of the Hot Creek Hatchery catchable sized fish that were planted in June and July due to the NZMS issue have really added to the awesome "catching" we historically experience this time of year.?? These new additions are not "rats" either.?? They average 11-14 inches and are mini footballs with tails.?? These rascals are very active and have discovered the immense and diverse natural food supply that makes Crowley the blue ribbon fishery it is.?? This is arguable the best public trout fishery in the entire state right now.?? Not even a close second!??

My clients Aug. 7th were Bruce and twelve year old Jefferson Blumenthal.?? I logged 71 (seventy one) rainbows and browns to the net. ??These fish were all released of course.?? We had 12 twelve fish over 18 inches and three over 20 inches.?? The average size overall was fourteen inches.?? We fished McGee Bay until 9:30am and then moved into the North Arm and finished it off here.?? We had over 150 grabs.?? The Blumenthal's were back here Aug. 8th after they iced their arms down.?? EPIC!!!??

Sierra Drifters Guides are fishing many areas of the lake and it is pretty much the same all over.?? Good.?? The algae situation looks to be minimal as we have had some regular late afternoon westerlies that are shoving the substantial rafts of goo into the middle of the lake and away from the most productive inlet areas.??

My best overall rig lately has been a #16 Drifters Light Punk Perch or size 18 Gillie with a #16 Drifters Crystal Tiger Midge (black head am, copper when it got bright and back to black when the wind shifted afternoon) as the dropper.?? We have also had very good luck in McGee Bay in the mornings (thirty fish by 9:30) with the new Drifters "Killa- Baetis" as the upper and a tiger as the point fly.?? Lots (40 %) of fish on the uppers the last few days, keep them moving with a twitch every thirty seconds if it is greasy. ????5-8 feet of water near the inlets, but we have had great success in as deep as twelve feet in Little Hilton recently.?? Find some weed lines and identify the channels that are developing rapidly.??

Streamer fishing is really picking up during the first quarter of the day along the weed lines in McGee Bay and the north end of the lake.?? Our Punk Perch and Loebergs are dynamite during the lower light periods, or cloudy days.?? Drifter's damsel fly nymphs #12 are a good choice to troll along the drifting scum lines as the sun gets higher.??

We have improved the materials and upgraded to a special Tiemco hook several of my streamer patterns for the 2007 season and they will out fish my originals and definitely those that are being sold as generics in shops and locations other than those we endorse.??

The fish are moving deeper in McGee and we have had very good success out to 10 feet this week.?? This is a fun time of year on Crowley as the larger fish begin to hunt for the perch fry along the weed lines.?? You will get opportunities to hook some large browns and cutthroats and will more than likely get a chance to finally see that mysterious thin line at the bottom of your fly reel (backing).??

Keep a watch on the Six Bays area; it will go off much earlier this year as will Alligator Pt.?? The Hiltons have numbers but most are dinks.

It is called HOGUST for obvious reasons.?? Check out the pictures of these jumbo trout being caught by youngsters and ah-well, let's say more experienced fly fishers recently.??

Future fly fishing guru Joey Robertson from La Canada, CA did pretty well for himself as one of his first fish on a fly was this trophy brown trout.?? Drifters guide "Two Bug" Doug Dolan put Joey's family on some great fish on one of the fish magnets recently.??

Summer is all about families and kids getting out and experiencing what fly fishing for trout is about.?? Madison "Maddy" Sandoval from Redlands, CA and I had a blast as she got into some really nice fish with a little help from guide dog Strider on this trip.?? Way too fun Maddy, see ya soon!??

Dr. Robbin Okamoto from Arcadia, CA had a dream day in the North Arm recently and a 22 inch rainbow was just not big enough for him that day.?? Check out the humongous 25 inch bow he landed shortly thereafter on the Punk Perch/Tiger midge setup described above.?? It wasn't a dream Robbin, great day! ??

Dave Humphrey went deep, deep into his inner "chi" after struggling at first with the still water method of nymphing on a Crowley trip a few days ago.?? His fly fishing partner Luis Chaves whispered pearls of wisdom (in between jeers and snickering) to console and center his friend.?? Davey rose from the ashes later that day and got his personal best brown and many other fish after becoming one with the Sungicator!?? It is time for you to leave the temple grasshopper!?? Fun times guys, thanks.??