Reel Mammoth Adventures

Summer is finally here (?)

I don't want to say that out loud for fear that it'll revert back to the last three weeks of clouds and thundershowers.  

Is it June 23 already?

Actually, the weather hasn't been all that bad, save for a few days where it really did rain. Most of our days were only filled with clouds and the threat of rain.  It kept things cool, anyway.

Whew... I just completed a ten-days-in-a-row guide stint.  Though I am not complaining, I needed the work!  But, I am glad for a couple days off now...so I can go fishing!!

We've had some good, great and tougher days lately.  It seems a lot of the bugs, fish and waters don't seem to know which month it is or what "normal yearly conditions" feel like.  

(Photo:  Ernest Calderon and his family fished with Brad McFall & I recently.  All you Vegas folks should stop into the Vegas Cafe' and have a great meal.  The Calderon family has owned this iconic restaurant for 31 years and counting!)

I have spent a lot of time on the East Walker and Lower Owens, our two local tailwaters, and a few days recently on Hot Creek.

The EW seems to be the most inconsistent of the bunch.  But what else is new?  One day we'll have epic pmd hatches with the fish really responding to them. The next day, not so much.

(Photo:  Jimmy Mitchell holds up another fine EW brownie before quickly putting back where it belongs.)

The dry fly fishing has been fun on the Walker.  The flows have dropped (only short-term) quite a bit on the river, and it's getting pretty weedy, so dry/dropper fishing has been my preferred choice of tactics.  If you don't mind a lot of little fish getting in the way and eating your dry fly on many of your drifts, it has been a hoot.  Not all days will you get the big boys, so just having more fish (big or small) in the river has been a welcome respite.

Hopper patterns have been good dry fly indicators, they get eaten when presented well. An impressive mayfly spinnerfall, that seems to go all day long, has been a lot of fun lately as well.  Midges are still a huge factor.  Noticeably absent have been the caddis hatches, but that may change with warmer, more seasonable weather, in the future??

The "dark horse" river for me has been the Lower Owens.  Indeed folks, we are still fishing the good ol' Lower O.  It has been killer, and I have been on it a lot lately.  The flows are still unseasonably low - at around 200cfs - for this late in the year.  My only guess is it hasn't been too hot in So-Cal?  Have you needed your air conditioners much? Is LADWP pumping water out of your swimming pools?

The water must not YET be in demand.  I know I have said it all spring... the flows will go up soon on the Lower O, enjoy the river while it lasts.

(Photo: Jen Stewart getting bent and loving it on the Lower Owens.)

It has been getting hot in the Owens Valley.   Wet wading is a good option.

Bugs have been popping...pmd's, bwo's, tricos, Little Yellow Sallies, caddis, you name it and it has been hatching.  I love those little wild brown trout and they are really digging the medium flow regime, too.

(Photo: 9 year old Kaitlin Jeuris was my star of the week beginner angler.  She showed her dad how easy this fly fishing thing is.)

(Photo: Young Amaris Calderon showing dad, grandpa, and her brother how to hook wild browns on a fly rod.  Kids learn fly fishing quickly when you make it fun.)

Hot Creek has been hot some days and lukewarm the next.  We have experienced great days of dry fly fishing during the pmd hatch, especially on the wetter, overcast days!! Caddis hatches have been seemingly inconsistent, like the Walker.  

(Photo: Why no anglers in the background at Hot Creek?  Simple.  I just waved a whiskey bottle and fired off a few shells from my shot gun up in the parking lot.  Amazing how quickly people cleared out so Tyler, Lisa, Rick and I could enjoy some open space and quiet time on this very popular stream...I work hard and get creative, for my clients...hehehehe)

One thing is for sure, there are thousands of fish in this stream, and when they eat, there's no place like home, no place like home, no place...better.

I feel a Crowley Lake bender coming on soon.  You know, with my new boat motor and all.  

Weather is warming

So is the lake 

Runoff subsiding

What'll it take?

Look out McGee Bay here come thousands of fish and anglers, too!  The lake is pretty full, and it's nice to see it returned to glory.  My bet is that it goes richtor this summer!

I have not yet been down to the San Joaquin, but you all know how much I love dry fly fishing down there.  Can't wait for flows to drop and to be fishing under the shade of big Jeffrey's.  Rainbow Falls must really be pumping right now.  

There's still a lot of snow up high.  Mammoth Pass and the Ritter Range DID get a good dumping of snow this winter.  Thanks to that, and a cool spring, we will have more water trickling down than last year.

Hope everyone is well and enjoying their summer!  I still have many days open in July and August.  Please go to my website www.ReelMammothAdventures.com for more info on my guides service, rates, options, or email Neal2fish@qnet.com call (760) 924-0438.

I Got a Brand New Johnson!!!!

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

The Exploration Continues...

Here we are late May... and what a great spring season we are in.  There's some great skiing to be had on Mammoth Mountain, still.  And the lower elevation mtn. biking trails have melted out - leaving the ground damp and with good traction; I have enjoyed some EPIC evenings mountain biking lately! The single track Mammoth Rock Trail has been recently re-discovered (by me) and has been on the agenda 1-2 times a week.

Of course, there is also no shortage of places too go fishing, either.  

A lot of my favorite fishing locations are ON-FIRE right now!

Lately, I have been on a mission.  Let's call it a mission of re-discovery. Over a decade ago, upon relocating permanently to the Eastside of the Sierra, many of my days were spent exploring the area. Every nook and cranny. Whether by mtn. bike, hiking boots, or backcountry skis... with a fishing rod or just my camera, I rambled about for days-on-end exploring all the hidden gems of local lore.

But somewhere over the course of the last ten years, between being a responsible husband, becoming a father, and building my fly fishing guide service www.reelmammothadventures.com I have neglected some of those magical places that I once visited.

These are places with fishing so good, and trout so BIG, it'll keep you up at night wet dreaming about your next visit.

(Photo: Yes, that is a road, but you still have to hoof it the old fashion way.  Alex Cady gets the step on me)

Sooo... my mission lately - between busy guide trips - has been too re-discover those places that I haven't had a chance to visit in a while. Most of these hidden gems of local lore happen to be small spring fed backcountry lakes with GINORMOUS trout lurking in them.

This week Alex Cady and I drove up to the north end of Mono County, to an area that has several KILLER backcountry lakes too choose from.  One in particular has a special place in my heart, and has haunted my thoughts for a while.  It has been twelve years since I was last there and couldn't wait to see it again.

(Photo: Along with enjoying sweet views, float tubing backcountry lakes allow you to sit down AND fly fish.  How cool is that?)

So like I said last week, I'm not one to hot spot a place, especially on the internet, so if you know this lake, don't sugar my gas tank relax... I am not mentioning the name out loud. And besides, only you, maybe two dozen of my best clients, and my own mother actually read this blog anyhow!

(Photo:  And this was merely just a "small" fifteen inch brookie.  Tom Chandler... eat your slaw dog heart out)

Alex went into his usual trout hunting mode and pretty much wailed all over the lake. Every time I looked up he was bent and reaching for his net... he got into several large cutthroats and enough brookies too make it worth our effort.  

The lake is healthy and there are a lot of brookies and cutthroats happily swimming about.

Me?  I was too busy soaking in the sights... the big thunderheads, bright green aspen leaves, the pair of extremely vocal nesting Canada geese, and the huge fish cruising under my feet.  

I did manage a few fish that happened to fall on my hook. Biggest one was the fattest eighteen inch brookie I have ever had the pleasure of hooking... he obliged in that act but would not stick around for a photo with me and my big shit eating grin that was stuck on my face the rest of the day.

Now, as far as local fishing on non-top-secret waters? 

More of that coming real soon including:

1)  Hot Creek & Hot Creek Ranch conditions this week

2)  East Walker report!  Yes, it's still incredible

3)  My first days on Crowley Lake this season. 

Gone Fishin'

Every once in a while, between long stretches of work fun filled guide days, I actually get to go fishing, myself.  Usually, I feel obligated to check in on waters that I also guide in order to "keep my finger on the pulse" of the fisheries that we have not fished recently. It can be a tough job, seriously.

 

(Photo: Pre-hike anticipation & the easy pace of a "day off")

What gets me truly exited, however, are the days of exploring the waters I DO NOT guide. These are places I can truly relax... focus on fishing for fun, the views, and simply being outside and on the water.

Yesterday, was on of those days.  I met up with Alex Cady, one of the "young guns" from the Troutfitter Fly Shop here in Mammoth Lakes.  Alex has worked and guided for the shop for several seasons and has earned a reputation for sniffing out the seldom hooked local trout... yeah, usually they are the big ones.   

He is also a talented fly tier and understands, from a fishes perspective, what looks like a good meal.

We were discussing our options for fishing one of the many local backcountry lakes that harbor BIG & WILD trout.  I really wanted to hike to a certain spring-fed lake, in the sage covered rolling hills of the North County, to check in on our brookie and cutthroat friends. But due to time constraints, we ruled out that long day in favor of a very local lake, with a short steep hike, just inside the wilderness boundary.  

(Photo:  Beautiful scenery, emerald water, and that's not a small brookie, either)

I'm not in favor of hot spotting and a few locals may get psychotic so just hold out some hope that there are indeed a few magical places still around with big wild trout.  If you do some research, you may find a few gems here and there.

(Photo:  What can I say to that?  Alex Cady and I enjoyed another fine day in the Eastern Sierra)

(Grip & grin shots are fine when done quickly and with great care, but these are the shots that we should all be striving for)

(Photo: Big wild trout are too valuable to be hooked only once or be relegated to a mount on some office wall.  This brown trout will create an angler for life when it's caught on another day by some 10 year old kid fishing with their grandpa... or if hooked by grandpa, it will make him an absolute HERO in the eyes of some 10 year old kid!)

As for local fishing, Hot Creek has been spectacular!  Bwo's, a few pmd's, caddis, midges etc. etc.  

With warm weather (now) in the forecast, Mammoth Creek will run a little higher. Since this stream enters the spring fed waters of Hot Creek, a "runoff event" will be in order. 

However, the biggest runoff won't hit the stream until they "drop the boards" on the Twin Lakes outlet (headwaters of Mammoth Creek) up high in Lakes Basin.  This may be days/weeks away, still?  

Hot Creek can fish GREAT during runoff, in my experience.  The first few big days will muddy up the stream, and there will be a lot of drifting weeds - which can be difficult to fish through. However, this stream usually clears up quickly and will run a little bit higher - but not "blow out" for most of the runoff period. 

I've experienced very good fishing conditions during the "runoff" on Hot Creek.. you just need to adapt, like the fish do.

The fish will have a lot of drifting "feed" in the stream to eat, so matching hatches may not be as important.  Also, the ice cold runoff water can hamper some of the hatches. 

What you may encounter, instead, is a situation where fish are feeding voraciously on the assorted chum. Try nymphing techniques with available bugs, such as; scuds, Yellow Sallie stone fly nymphs, San Juan Worms oops, I mean small leeches, caddis larva, and did I mention scuds? 

The Lower Owens continues to not go away!  Usually, we are saying "goodbye" to this fantastic tailwater by this time of year as flow releases out of PV Reservoir ramp up for water and power needs to levels that are quite high for most of the river channel.  But, given that LADWP is (more) desperate for water sources (allowable Delta exports are slim) this season, they are desperately trying to fill Crowley Lake as much as possible... before reducing it to a puddle.

(Photo: A pair beats a full house?  Tim and Aimee Louck got away from their full house to go fishing w/ me on the Lower Owens.  It was Aimee's 1st day w/ a fly rod!) 

Fishing the Lower O is still VERY good at the current flows of 175 cfs.  This flow could change any day now, however, so check my link before you go!

There is a smorgasbord hatches... mayflies, caddis, stoneflies and midges, too!  I love this river and will continue fishing here until flows go over 300 cfs.  It gets HOT in the Owens Valley so dress appropriately and bring plenty of ice cold beer water.

The East Walker continues to fish AWESOME.  Flows are ramping up finally, and it's a lot of fun to fish the runs and riffles that are blossoming into shape right now.

(Photo:  It's been a while I know, but we need some Steeler love, again)

The EW river has been crowded, and not just on the weekends, either.  Furloughs?  Who knows, but with the water flows up, there is PLENTY of river for everyone.  

I fish here with mentality of trying to keep moving.  Fish a run and move on?  If you are willing to walk and fish spots that are open, you will have no problem finding fish... they are well distributed through-out the river.  

Nobody likes hole hoggers, but that's what often happens when a few set the tone.  Those damn guides are often the culprits, I know :)

Please exhibit some common courtesy when encountering other anglers on the water.  A little communication goes a loooong way... we are all just brethren after all, out to enjoy the same activity on the same river.  We should all be having fun, right?

Stop into Ken's Sporting Goods in Bridgeport, or the Trouttfitter in Mammoth, to get the goods and pick up the flies that work on this river.  All small fly shops could use a little bump right now.  

Change the bugs often, fish with focus, and set the hook on everything.  There is NO SUCH THING as bottom on this river! What your complacent mind has convinced you of being "another rock" may very well be the fish of a lifetime that just spit out your fly.

Please visit my website www.reelmammothaventures.com or simply call, (760)924-0438 to learn more about my guide service and to book a trip on our fantastic waters along the Eastern Sierra!

Looking Forward to a Mild May

Kite season anyone?  Since the "Traditional Trout Opener" weekend, we have been cursed pounded by the wind.   The days on the water lately remind me of a trip to Belize, many years ago, in the month of March.  By the third day of hiding in lagoons sniffing out snook or occasional baby tarpon, my wry guide, Earl Godfrey, mentioned this time of year is "kite season" in Placencia, and that only the foolish actually go fishing.

I came away from that trip to Belize with a stronger double haul and the fortitude too persevere, despite how many times I whacked myself in the back of the head with a Clouser.  I can still feel warm blood trickling down my neck. 

Even though we've had some brutal winds of late, the fishing continues to be fantastic!  I honestly do not remember a better spring season fishing here on the Eastside.

(Photo: Wild and free... the best they can be.)

I have been fortunate to be busy.  In fact, my guide business is way up.  I have met and fished with a lot of new folks and am enjoying the diversity of anglers I have fished the last two months.  

Thanks to all of you on the referrals and kind words that you have passed on to friends and family.  Word of mouth is the best kind of advertising any guide could have.

(Photo:  Yes, we have a lot of wild brown trout, here on the East Side of the Sierra.  My longtime client and friend, Wally Sinner, shows off another very beautiful specimen.)

Lately, most of my days have been on Hot Creek and the Lower Owens.  

Hot Creek has been phenomenal most days. Midges, scuds, and bwo mayflies being the main events.  On the (rare) warm days, the spring caddis are popping in the late afternoon. On the colder windy days of late, the fish seem to be on the larva and pupa even if you don't see many adults coming off.

I have also noticed a few (fat) pmd's starting to show.  This hatch will probably be pretty sparse this year, like last year, with all the silt in the stream from the last two weak snow years.  

The runoff this summer should do a good job scouring and blowing out the excess silt and weeds on Hot Creek.  Mammoth Pass has quite a bit of snow built up; it's one of the few passes that got actually dumped on this winter, out of the entire Sierra Range.

Yellow Sallies should be starting soon in the canyon stretch.

The Lower Owens' flows have bounced up and around a little bit lately, but still very fishable.  In fact, many of our recent "storm days" were spent hiding enjoying this wonderful tailwater at 4,000 ft. altitude.  

(Photo:  How could you not love a place like this?  It reeks of good runs & riffles and the wild trout that inhabit them.)

One of the reasons I love the Eastern Sierra Region so much? Meeting my clients in a wind and snowstorm in the town of Mammoth Lakes, wearing shorts.  They would look at me like I was a complete lunatic mountain hillbilly nuts.  It would be 30 degrees at 8am.  By the time we got to the Lower Owens and on the water fishing, it would be pushing 80 degrees and sunny!!

(Photo:  I spent a wonderful morning with Jack Woodbridge and his wife, Glenna, on the Lower Owens recently.  Few people know that Bass Pro Shops sinks subliminal messaging and color palates into their logo... red, yellow and olive = brown trout colors, yo!)

The Lower Owens has been fantastic on a smorgasbord of bugs.  Midges, bwo's, pmd's, caddis, Yellow Sallies, craneflies... pretty much the kitchen sink from early in the am too late in the pm, if you are so inclined.  

I absolutely love this river, its wild browns, and of course... its hatches, too. 

The flows on the East Walker have finally gone UP!  Currently, the release is around 100 cfs, but that could change in 5 minutes on this river so check the flow before you go by clicking the East Walker Water Flows link on the left side of this page.  

Personally, I really like to fish this river at around 100-300 cfs... 200 maybe being prime? But you all know this by now, I say it all day long.  

Folks have been hammering the EW for months. It's been really crowded... but really good, too.  Despite the flows being gutter low at 58 cfs for weeks.

It appears that now the river is finally going up.  These increased flows will spread the fish out a lot more and open up some of the great riffles and runs.  When the bugs get dispersed and start thriving in the nutrient rich water - LOOK OUT, HOLD ON and you better have some 3x tippet with you.

Bridgeport is a great town.  With a lot of character and charm.  The freezer outside of Ken's Sporting Goods is always great for some inspiration.  Not to kill and mount, just to see what has been lurking the waters round those parts...

When fishing the EW, fish hard and abide by the Golden Rules... 

1) Don't stand on the fish

2) There is no such thing as bottom!

3) No, that is not a log that just decided to swim really intently downstream.

Always stop and enjoy the scenery.  The occasional Canada geese, teal, bald eagles, mule deer and that huge brown trout that will settle in just downstream of your wading boots while you chum bugs with your feet. Don't forget to drop a drift right below where you are standing in the river flailing away in the fast water.

Upper Owens... heard it's been great in the morning/afternoon.  Too windy for me lately and we have just fished elsewhere.

Crowley Lake... bait families are wailing on them really well.  I usually don't get out there till it warms up a bit more and the fish are consistently in shallower water.  But, grab your tube or toon' and strip away!

Hope everyone is having a great spring.  Let's go fishing, already.

Please visit my website for more inspiration www.reelmammothadventures.com or heck, just call me at (760) 924-0438