Fishing Report for May 22, 2007

East Walker: 127 c.f.s

The East Walker has been fishing very well once again this week. With sunny skies and the water temps in the high 50's to lower 60's this has in turn produced some very consistent bug hatches. I have witnessed some great days of fishing with clients on the river this past weekend and let me tell ya this tailwater fishery is back jack! This is one of the greatest tailwater fisheries in the state and has unlimited potential for trophy size trout! If you have never fished the East Walker I suggest you get off of this darn computer, pack your camping supplies and haul tail up the grade in order to experience one of the best rivers here in the Eastern Sierra's. This week I have seen an explosion of bug life on the river. In the mornings you will see midges and baetis with a spinner fall around 10:30 a.m. In the afternoons you will see caddis flies, midges, crane flies, and the occasional yellow sally stone fly. For fly patterns I would suggest using size 18-22 zebra midges, chironimid bombers, hot wire mayflies, p.t.'s, bird's nest's, and sparkle caddis pupa. The streamer action has been pretty consistent this week while using a type 2 or type 3 sink tip. I would suggest fishing double bunnies, zonkers, wood head sculpins, and krystal buggers. 2x to your point fly or you will get broken off. This week is going to be a great time to be on the river so book your trip early as our guide log is filling up fast for the month.

Upper Owens: 112 c.f.s.

The fishing has slowed up a bit since last week. The annual spring spawners have all but dissipated throughout the system as these fish are returning to Crowley Lake and are back on easy street foraging on the abundant midge, callibaetis and perch fry throughout Crowley Lake. We will see ya'll all next year! Now their are some dfg stockers that are in the long ears section above the bridge making for some fun days on the river. I have seen midges and baetis in the morning with a few caddis buzzing around in the afternoon. I would suggest fishing size#18-20 zebra midges in the mornings and then swithching over to sparkle pupa's, soft hackle's, and hare's ears in the afternoons. Also for the dry fly action I would suggest fishing elk hair caddis, cdc caddis emergers, and e/c caddis for the dry. This is a great time to be on the river before those pesky Upper Owens blood suckers begin to chase us off the river. Bring, lots of sunscreen and maybe even a small bottle of mosquito repellent. Just in case!

Lower Owens: 296 c.f.s.

The Lower Owens has moved up a little bit since our last report. This has moved the fish around a little bit and you will have to do a little walking in order to find the pods of fish throughout the river. The bug life has been consistent on the river with caddis flies, midges, p.m.d.'s, and little yellow sallies have been the go to flies for fishing the Lower Owens this week. I would suggest using olive soft hackle's, bead head sparkle pupa's, burk's h.b.i., zebra midges, and mercer's little yellow stone. This is going to be a great time to be on the water as the Memorial Day weekend forecast is looking great. Come on out and join us for a day on the river!

Gorge: 65 c.f.s.

The gorge has been fishing well again this week but the stinging nettle is coming back with full force. I would suggest fishing early mornings and late evenings as the temperatures in the gorge are soaring high! In the evenings there is a great caddis hatch, with a few yellow stones, and small mayflies. I would suggest fishing dry/dropper combinations in all of the pocket water and pools located throughout the gorge. Any kind of standard attractor pattern like a parachute adams, royal trudes, and wulffs will get you grabs. For the dropper I would look at zebra midges, prince nymphs, and soft hackle's to nail a few extra fish sub surface.

Crowley Lake: Good-Excellent

This has been an excellent week for all you still water guys out there. The fishing has been very consistent with the fish keying in on the larva patterns in the mornings and then swithching over to pupa/larva combinations in the afternoons. I would suggest fishing the areas of Mcgee Bay in 12-16 feet of water, Sandy Point in 13-16 feet, Big Hilton in 12-15 feet, and Green Banks in 10-14 feet of water. The flies that I would suggest using are larva patterns in sizes #16-18 black/silver, gray/black, black/red, gray/silver, and purple/silver. For the afternoons I would try gray/silver, gray/black pupa patterns for the mid-day emergence. For all you folks out there stripping I would suggest using either a Type 4 or Type 5 full sinking line in order to get down into the danger zone where the big fish roam! I would suggest fishing hornberg's, hale bopp leaches, matuka's, and krystal buggers in brown,cinnamon,black, and purple in sizes #10-14. Come on out to Crowley this week as we are sure to have a great Memorial Day fish catching extravaganza!