But, I probably shouldn't yell that out loud, either?
No, I didn't respond to those ads in the back of Field & Stream and Sports Illustrated... no prescriptions needed here. And the Mrs. and I are doing just fine...thank you very much.
I finally got a new Johnson 100 hp motor for my Crowley Skiff. Actually, it's not new - in fact - it's old as hell, built in 1989 before Viagra when Johnson (OMC) motors "were strong like bull". It has hardly any hours on it and it's in immaculate condition!!
The motor has been in storage for about 14 years. Yet, indicative of it's tough-as-nails blue collar genes... the good ol' trusty Johnson started right up on the first crank (with a fresh tank of gas, of course).
But, are we really surprised? After all - this motor was built when American engineering was still highly regarded. Before mega-mergers, wildfire acquisitions, shoddy mismanagement, and government bailouts, even.
(Photo: Ladies & gentlemen, I introduce Lane Garrett, my personal hero, Crowley Fish Camp Manager, boat motor mechanic, loader operator, master fisherman of all disciplines and all around good-guy.)
As many of you know, my good old trusty 1982 Johnson SPL 88hp motor was starting to fade and loose the get-up-and-go it once had. I have been contemplating "putting it out to pasture" for like three years now. Facing the dilemma of investing 8K+ in a new four-stroke boat motor has caused many sleepless nights, too say the least. I mean, amidst recessionary times, uncertain trout guide income, and whether LADWP would close Crowley Lake down entirely (Quagga Mussel concerns are real) to spend that much cash would seem like something only a trout crazed, fiscally irresponsible, man-child, knuckle dragging, mouth breathing risk taker would do?
Fishing guides are not always known for their business savvy...that's why we're fishing guides.
(Photo: Isn't that a sweet looking skiff? The protagonist shown again. Lane not only scored me the motor, but used his loader to yank my old motor and install the new one. Without the help from friends, what kind of mess would we be in??)
But alas, Reel Mammoth fans... I am INVESTING in our future, albeit extreme conservative fiscal investing. The Hawg Hunter lives on! Quietly and competently stalking Crowley's waters, for the finned toads of the under water world.
Now, on to our current fishing conditions:
(Photo: As close to Paradise as one could get? Hot Creek Ranch is where it's at.)
Hot Creek runoff has peaked. It has been a good long runoff period for the creek. It never reached blow-out stage, which would have been good for a real scouring, but Mammoth Creek flows have been high for weeks so the Crick' has been washed well.
(Photo: Carl Buffa and I had a great day on HCR recently...one of the few "nicer" days as far as the weather.)
(Photo: There are so many healthy 12-16" fish on the HCR property it's remarkable)
Most of my time the last two weeks has been spent on Hot Creek Ranch. In fact, I have not even ventured into the lowly public water canyon for a while.
Hot Creek has seen its fair share of high and cold water, which has affected the dry fly hatches a little. On the (few) warm and sunny days this past week, the caddis came off big time in the afternoon.
(Photo: We have had our fair share of afternoon thundershowers. But there has been some sun, too. Mr. Buffa again, denying it all in his T-shirt & shorts.)
I'm starting to see signs of Yellow Sallies and pmd's and with warming sunny weather in the forecast these hatches should go big real soon! I really like fishing Hot Creek just after the runoff subsides and the creek slowly warms up...the water is still high and the weeds are not thick. Get up here over the next few weeks for lights out caddis action!!!
(Photo: Postcard perfect. My wonderful clients, Bill & Sherrie Underwood and I enjoyed two fine days together on HCR. Thanks again for the fresh limes and butterscotch's)
East Walker continues to fish very well, most days. Those who understand the river's hatches and moody personality are doing very well here! Flows have come down a bit lately and are at the "fun" level for both wading and fishing.
The fish are spread out all over the river and feeding like EW fish do. Expect the smorgasbord of hatches from tiny midges up to giant lake midges #14, several different mayfly hatches/spinnerfalls throughout the day and evening, there are lots of caddis, some stones, and don't forget the finned food variety (streamers), too.
(Photo: Do we really need to see more huge brown trout hero photos from the Walker? I think we need to see more kids getting after it instead! Here are the Bartlett girls, young and younger.)
(Photo: I have got plenty of big brown hero shots, but here's more kids getting after it, pics!)
Around noon, if you are wading the river...stop fishing, back out of the water and look at the bugs plastered to your waders. Take a good look at what bugs are plastered to your waders. Now, don't go back in "balls deep". Instead, fish right where you were just standing. And that's all I'm going to say about that! Some would call that a "guide tip".
Evening dry fly fishing on the EW has been great during the warmer weather days!!!
Speaking of kids. My daughter, Bella Neal just experienced her fourth Birthday. Can you believe it has been four years already? She is growing like a weed and is getting excited about fishing with pops this summer.
Photo: She's so lucky she got my wife's good looks. Look in the right hand, throwing rocks is just as cool as throwing dry flies at her age...our dog thinks that sticks might be better, though.)
Crowley Lake is still early. To be honest, I don't get to excited about this place until runoff is done. A lot of cold water is entering the lake and the fish are still pretty deep.
That said, I have been on the lake quite a bit lately, mostly dealing with my boat and new motor, or to fish for perch. Yes, perch. It's the economy, stupid. They make KILLER fish tacos all summer long and I can afford to eat free food.
(Photo: Maxx and his proud pop Rob slayed it pretty well in Big Hilton. They were fairly new to the ways of the fly, but learned fast and wow, they set the hook when it mattered!)
We also spent some time with some guys from the Wounded Warriors Project. Eastern Sierra Disabled Sports hosted this fine group of veterans over the course of a few days down at the McGee Creek Campground. Our day fishing the lake was the coldest, windiest day of the week, but in true soldier fashion we persevered and made the best of it. I look forward to being part of this program in the future and it was great to spend some time with these guys who sacrificed so much for all of us.
Some days the lake is giving up lots of big fish 16-20+"...other days it will be lots of smaller one-year trout. The lake is FILLING UP and conditions are looking really good for the big daddy this season. Once the runoff has slowed and the lake warms up a little, more LOOK OUT McGee Bay. Just hold on - we're going to have some great days ahead.
My best bugs have been dark. black/red, black/silver...black...you get the picture. We have been hanging them deep 13-22 feet. Use more split shot or tungsten beads at current depth, there's a lot of current to deal with down under. More important than the flies are finding the eating fish, and you can't buy that in any store!
Hope to see all of you soon. My June calendar, is almost all booked up, please call or email for available dates. July-Sept is booking up nicely, but I have many of those pesky "available" open dates, still.
Let's go fishing and get caught up.
Ph (760) 924-0438
email Neal@fish@qnet.com