August 13, 2007 

Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters.  Best fishes to all for this First Annual Sierra Drifters Crowley Lake Still Water Classic summary. 

The Classic was awesome and will be here to stay according to the 119 “classy” entrants and the numerous great sponsors that made this event successful.  The weather was fantastic although the fishing was kinda slow for what has been a very consistent and above average bite on Crowley recently.  Some very cool air moved in on Friday and Saturday and temps were more September-ish especially on the morning of the event. 

The “LORD OF THE FLY” in 2007 has been crowned!  Mammoth local JASON FAZIO edged out Frank Murata by just one fish and won the individual category with 19 points.  Jason was handed $1500.00 in cash for his stellar performance under extreme duress due to visual and verbal distractions by an unnamed judge boat…Way to stay focused Jason! Frank received $500.00 for being runner up.  Both contestants fished the North Arm and primarily used the still water nymphing technique to hook up. 

In the team division Craig Higa and Ted Fukahara of team Trout Fly #1 posted ten points by sticking in McGee Bay to take home $2000.00 in cash. 

The runners up for the team category saw a draw with the San Diego Fly Fishers sponsored father and son team of Joel and Seth Cline scoring nine points.  Team “Get Whacked” comprised of Glen Tagami and Mike Hamamura split the $1000.00 cash award with the Clines for their efforts.  The Clines fished McGee Bay using donated flies supplied by Sierra Drifters.  Glen and Mike did their work in the North Arm and scored their points by skillfully using the still water nymphing method. 

The "Get Whacked" team releasing a score...

Lots of laughter and camaraderie with a laid back and friendly attitude was my take on the extremely positive atmosphere of this event.  I must say it was a very enjoyable experience and we are looking forward to doing the 2008 Still Water Classic next year.  The Crowley Lake Fish Camp staff did an incredible job of organizing the awards ceremony and raffle on the grass overlooking the lake. The catered lunch from Hot Chicks in Mammoth Lakes was delicious and a good time was had by all. 

The Still Water Classic will raise $10,000 to purchase fish for Crowley Lake THIS year.  I asked the crowd for a show of hands if they preferred to have browns, rainbows, or cutts bought with their money.  It was a blow out.  BROWNS, no question. We will keep you informed as to when and how many, or how large, the numbers of browns will be planted by the Inland Aqua Culture Group.  We want to evaluate the final numbers after the DFG has ended their stocking of the lake this year.  John Fredrikson of IAG gave the crowd the particulars about IAG and how the organization will enhance Crowley and other fisheries of the Eastern Sierra currently and in the future. 

Team Nip McClave & Doug Eberts...Hooked up in the North End...

Very Generous Sponsors of the Classic

The judging of this event went extremely well.  I would like to apologize for some posted scoring errors that were done by me after tallying the judges score cards.  Denny Kamens #41 in the individual category was shorted a point on the posted score board.  His actual score was 9.  I missed a point in his overall score.   Denny had several judges that scored him points in the North Arm. The judges did not miss any fish, I just suck at math!  Team #25 “Triple Hardcore” member Greg Sano was also shorted three points for the same reason as above.  I may have to go back to night school and take simple math again.  Triple Hardcore should have been credited 17 points.  Amro Abdel #28 got posted for three points, he actually had eight points.  His posted numbers were incorrect due to my poor handwriting. Amro was never eligible for any prize money since he is an employee of the Crowley Lake Fish Camp - but in the spirit of the tournament graciously donated to the cause. The remedy to this solution is obvious, get Tom Loe out of the tallying department!  I am resigning as of now and we will have more astute persons doing the tallying next year for sure.  Please accept my apologies.  We are fortunate that they did not alter any of the awards. 

High fives to the judges of this event!  I am very proud of the  Sierra Drifters guides that donated their precious time and awesome equipment for the Classic... Fill, Two Bug, The Turtle, Chris B., Mothra & Doug-err.

Special thanks go to Joe Contaldi owner and lead guide of Performance Anglers in Mammoth Lakes.  Joe donated his time and equipment to judge the Classic on a busy weekend in addition to his generous raffle prizes.   Way to go Joe!  

Jim Mitchell, thank you for your unselfish efforts.  I would have put money on you to place in this event.   

Thanks also to Big Dave from Rick's Sports Center in Mammoth. This is another local guide that donated his time to judge this extremely worthy cause. Rick Flamson the owner of Rick's was a very generous sponsor to the Classic and was instrumental in the donation of the grand prize.

Honda Marine representatives Travis and Sheila Burton did a great job and covered a lot of ground very efficiently.  Honda was a major contributor to the Classic.  Your assistance in this event is greatly appreciated.  Honda outboards on the sterns of all the fish magnets in the future??? 

Click here for the list of sponsors that made the First Annual Sierra Drifters Crowley Lake Fish Camp Still Water Classic a major success.  The Crowley Lake management and I sincerely thank you for your generous donations and support.  

Crowley Lake: Very Good

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. 

"Two Bug" Doug & Joey Robertson

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! 

Tom Loe & Madison Sandoval

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!  

Dr. Robbin Okamoto & Tom Loe

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. 

Dave Humphrey

Hot Creek: Good 

This area is one you may wish to avoid if the flows get below 6cfs.  Currently all is well and there is ample water coming from Mammoth Creek to keep the levels at 8cfs.  Good caddis activity with the hopper population improving by the day.  Dry/dry combos using a #14 Stimulator or yellow bodied hopper and a point fly being a #18 dark bodied caddis imitation will get you looks in the afternoons when the winds make other presentations difficult. 

West Walker River: Good 

There are distinctly different areas here and you should consider the conditions before you visit.  The campgrounds off Hwy. 395 and Sonora Pass in addition the Pikel Meadows sections are for the most part planted rainbows with a few wild trout in the mix.  These fish will stack up in the deeper pools around the stocking points and will most likely get caught before the effects of low water will harm them.  The canyon sections above Pikel Meadows and upstream from Hwy. 395 junction with the Sonora Pass have a solid population of wild fish that are fun to fish with a three or four weight rod with dries or dry dropper bead head combos.  You may wish to give the wild trout in the lower canyon section a break until after Labor Day when the water begins to cool.  The upper canyon section has cooler water temps.  During years such as these this freestone creek will historically get very low and there will be limited habitat for the wild or holdover fish.

East Walker River: Good 

Flows here have been going up recently and this is a good thing for the trout in my opinion.  They are currently at 165 cfs.  This is well below the normal releases for this time of year and it will soon put a lot of stress on the EW’s fish as Bridgeport Reservoirs surface area begins to shrink and the water temps rise to less than acceptable levels for catch and release fishing.  We have found the fish here last week very strong and reviving quickly if NOT removed from the water after being netted.  Lots of damsel fly activity as well as a bunch of hoppers along the edges. 

Alpine Lakes: Fair-excellent 

There has been a tremendous local effort both financially and logistically to keep a consistent planting schedule at the beautiful alpine lakes such as South Lake/Sabrina Bishop Creek Lakes, Rock Creek, Convict, Lundy, The Mammoth Lakes Basin, The June Lakes Loop region, Virginia Lakes and last but not least the Twin Lakes Bridgeport region.  Rainbows and (browns at Silver Lake) have been planted in some of these areas by local fish farmers and the DFG has received some additional funding from Mono County to help truck fish on a weekly basis.  After a shaky start the effort has paid off and these locations are fishing very well and more consistent than a month ago. 

These lakes will understandably fish better immediately after they are planted.  This is why an angler may hook a fish every cast on let’s say Friday, he tells his buddies it was wide open and even though they get the same weather and conditions on the following Tuesday, they experience far less than their pals success. 

Planted fish are for the most part very opportunistic this time of year in these Alpine still waters and conditions are typically at optimum unless you are the recipient of a significant T-storm.  Streamers are very effective flies to use on these planted fish and if you locate the fish they are seldom very selective with most wooly buggerish type patterns in the #8-12 range.  I am partial to my Loebergs, Spruce-A-Bu’s, Agent Orange, and Blood Sucking Vanderleeches #8-12 of course, but the other patterns will work well also.  Sinking lines are necessary for these lakes and you will find that full sinks or heavy long sink tip lines will get you down into the thermocline faster and more effectively than using weight on a floating line or heavy bead/cone headed flies.  In addition if you have ever whacked yourself or a friend with a cone head fly while doing a “chuck and duck” type cast, the idea of a heavy line and a lighter fly will become instantly crystalline to you! 

This is a great time to visit these alpine environments and will be a great alternative if your favorite creek or river is not up to par.

Bridgeport Reservoir: Good 

The lake level and the marina are operating at full speed with no trouble launching at this time.  Check with Jeffery after this week before arriving if you wish to launch your own rig at the marina.  The rental boat fleet will be in full operation with no difficulties anticipated in the near future.  The Bridge is a good alternative for persons wishing to angle with bait and keep fish since Crowley has special regs after July 31^st. 

The fishing remains very good and you will find concentrations of browns and rainbows in front of the marina in the Walker Channel or around the drop-off towards Rainbow Pt.  The hot tip from Jeffery is for tubers to troll Punk Perch or Damsel nymph’s #10-14 along the north shore towards the dam from the public launch ramp.  He has had some great reports from tubers doing this recently.  Still water nymphing has been very productive.  Locate yourself in a clear area free of weeds and grass. GUIDE TIP: (if there is a light wind these weedy sections will appear slick or calmer than the clean water). Positioning your tube or boat on the edges of the channel will get you into good numbers of fish.  Gillies #18-20, Punk Perch, Vanderleeches, #14-16, and pupa patterns #18-20 on top, a tiger or zebra #16-18 as a dropper.  You can find fish in as shallow as 3 feet in the channel.  This is a good year for tubers on the Bridge as you do not need to make the long kick towards Buckeye Bay. 

http://www.bridgeportreservoir.com/

Upper Owens River: Good 

We are starting to see more fish move up towards the Long Years section above the Benton Bridge.  There is heavy pressure around the campground down to the Monument, but this area has received more than its share of DFG catchable fish this year and they are not the “sharpest knives in the drawer” if you get my drift…Lucky for us indeed!  The hoppers are not having the best if times if they happen to get blown into the river during the afternoon winds.  You should alter your rig during this time as the wild trout, especially the larger browns focus on this opportunity each year.  Hopper fishing is a blast and you will be amazed at how savage a trout will smash a hopper pattern on the surface.  Stimulator/ hopper and a dropper bead head olive zebra in the #18-20 range for the mornings and late afternoons. 

San Joaquin River: So far-So good 

Flows actually came up due to some heavy rain last week and this area continues to fish well although the good riffles are thinning out.  Dry dropper nymph or caddis imitations in the #14-18 range will get you plenty of looks if you walk a ways and get some unfished water.  This area will get skinny in the water department next month and the fish will begin to stack up in the deep holes. 

Lower Owens River: Slow-high flows, hot air temps 

Do not despair.  Look for this area to come on strong after Labor Day.  We will begin booking drift trips after this date and I anticipate some great early fall fishing here for a change this year. 

Sierra Drifters flies are only available at the following great fly shops and stores (don’t be fooled by any of the imitations out there!): Crowley Lake Fish Camp at Lake Crowley, Crowley Lake General Store in Crowley,  Kittredge Sports in Mammoth Lakes, Malibu Fish’n Tackle in Thousand Oaks, Stroud’s Tackle in San Diego, The San Diego Fly Shop in San Diego,  The Fishermen’s Spot in Van Nuys, Bob Marriott’s in Fullerton, Buz's Fly Shop Too in Bakersfield and online at www.bigfishhappen.com. There are links to these locations at the resources tab above. We pride our Guide Service & Products on Innovation not Imitation!

Be the fly friends…

Tom Loe

Sierra Drifters Guide Service    

760-935-4250

Driftfish@qnet.com 

and Michele Loe Michele@MammothLakes.com