Reel Mammoth Adventures

Recent Cancellations = Openings

I just had 3 more cancellations for November Trinity River steelhead fishing...
I am now open Nov 8, 9, 10, in addition to 16, 28, 29

If any of these dates fit your schedule please let me know asap.

I'm also still available these dates:

December 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20 (maybe 21), 28, 29, 30, 31
January 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, & 11 (booked the rest of the month)

Fishing has been very good this past week.  Recent rains have pushed a lot of salmon and steelhead into the river.  Last night I spoke with my housemate in Weaverville, Brad McFall, they hooked 6 – 8 fish per boat all this week!! 

New this season is my 16' Clackacraft WF drift boat.  This boat has lots of room and storage.  It's very comfortable to row and fish from.  Plan a trip now and let's go fishing!!!!

For more information visit my website page 

http://www.reelmammothadventures.com/winterTrinity.html

As for local conditions?  Things have been a little challenging with the recent cold snap and snow.  

As of 10/29/09 the Lower Owens is still flowing at over 400 c.f.s.  I guided it yesterday since it was soooo cold and windy in Mammoth on the Upper Owens.  450 is high and definitely tough conditions to fish in, but not impossible.  For those who know the river well, also know some "off the beaten path" spots. We were able to hook some fish and have a good time.

There is a great bwo hatch mid day and even saw some fish feeding on the surface. Contrary to conventional wisdom, you don't need 3 AB shot to get your flies down, in fact, don't even bother fishing the deep fast water at all... the trout are feeding along the edges, in 2-3 feet of slow water!!  Look for these places and you will find fish.

I would expect the water level to drop any day now.  Although we have been saying that for weeks...

East Walker has been good to great.  Getting technical with all the pressure it's received this summer.  Great bwo hatch mid day and dry fly fishing has been fun!!  Flows 10/29/09 were 217 c.f.s.!!!  I have never seen it so high so late in the year.  Today, 10/30/09 it dropped to 148 cfs and expect it to drop further real soon.  

Fish it hard and move around and you will find fish.  Same story as the Lower O... fish were you would normally stand, don't stand on the fish!  They are feeding in 2 feet or less.

Hot Creek is less weedy and fishing well during the bwo hatch mid day!  Technical like the EW this late in the season; the fish have seen almost every trick in the book over and over this summer. But, the trout are glutinous little pigs and will fall to a well presented dry fly, at the right place, at the right time!!

Upper Owens has been a little challenging, unless you bump into some of the big Crowley fish moving into the system.  Cover a lot of water and keep fishing hard.  There are bwo's & midges hatching, throwing some streamers would be the ticket, too. Water is high and clear and fish are SPOOKY.  Walk slow and fish it like the spring creek that it is.

For more information on my guide service please go to www.ReelMammothAdventures.com or call/text me at (760) 914-0465.  I am heading off for steelhead season real soon but will have local guides available for the Eastern Sierra Region waters.  Have fun and enjoy some time on the water!!!!!

Eastern Sierra Wonderland...

(Photo: Conway Summit and Dunderberg Peak shot last week.  The fall color should be peaking by now...)

Winter has hit us with a little preview.  We just experienced one of the biggest storms - for the month on October - since the early 1960's which placed us in the strange juxtaposition of having Mammoth Mountain Ski Area open for skiing while Tioga Pass remains open. Crazy. Wacky. But really cool nonetheless...

(Photo: Lisa Santy stuck this nice fall brown on the E Walker the day after we fished for two days. Proof that a guide can teach some tricks, but the most memorable fish are the ones you get on your own!)

During the fall season there are no shortage of activities to occupy your time here on the Eastside of the Sierra.  Chukar and Valley Quail season just opened.  Deer migration is in full swing. The fishing has been pretty decent.  Ski season has started early on Mammoth Mtn, mountain biking the lower elevations has been excellent, and the fall photography season is absolutely off-the-hook right now. 

For all you photography nerds, the high mountains received a good dusting of snow recently.  Fall colors are popping, and the sun is low in the horizon, often accompanied by clouds, which offer splendid diffused light in the morning and evening.  Mono Lake, Rock Creek, June Lake Loop, Lundy Canyon, Conway Summit are just few places to explore with camera gear in tow.  I look forward to seeing the latest images from the local hot shot talented photographers that live here locally.

Fishing on Crowley Lake has been very good this week.  A lot of huge Lahontan Cutthroats have been hooked, along with the usual large browns that lurk in the lake. I decided to pull my boat out last week and focus my time on our favorite tailwater rivers instead.

The East Walker has seen decent fishing this week.  Some days the fish didn't seem "on the chew" as much as other days.  I guided it 4 out of 5 days recently. Each day was different. One day the bite was so-so, the next day would be epic!! 

Typical East Walker moodiness.  

Midges and a tiny #22-24 mayfly hatch mid-day made up the bulk of the hatches. Streamers occasionally got it done, too.

(Photo: Kris S. had many trout eat his drifted flies on the EW this week.  One big fish even ate all his fingertips right off)

On the weekends the EW has been VERY crowded, to the point ridiculous.  Look closely at the photo above and you will see three other anglers downstream, but that's not as bad as the EIGHT guys that were fishing just upstream between us and the run above.  

If you recognize the above spot, then you'll know where I'm coming from.  Etiquette seems like it goes entirely out-the-window some days.  At one point, we had a dudes' flies drifting right past in front of us!  Seems like most were just clueless to what they were doing, so a little friendly communication goes a long way.  It never pays to get angry about it. 

 

(Photo: Ellen Armstrong fishing slaying it, on her new 2nd favorite run on the EW)

Flows on the EW were around 100 c.f.s. this past week which is good.  Today, it looks like they dropped it to 75 c.f.s. Enjoy the higher water while you can...

Lower Owens is coming into shape!!!!  Flows today 10/18/09 are down to 400 c.f.s. which is fishable in places. Hopefully flows will be going down to the -200 c.f.s. mark here soon.  

This river will be like "Opening Day" the next few weeks as the fish have not seen a whole lot of fishing pressure - under the high flows - of summer. The weeds may be a major hassle until they die off a little more.

Mayflies such as bwo's & tricos, midges, and some caddis should make up the usual suspects.  Weather this time of year is usually great in the Owens Valley, with lots of sunshine and temps 20 degrees warmer than the higher elevation Mammoth area. 

Hot Creek is the best local spot close to the town of Mammoth, right now.  Weeds are starting to thin out with the push of storm water that we had last week.  Hatches of bwo's, midges, a few lingering caddis have been on the menu of our little finned friends.  Expect to strategically cast dry flies and hunt out the rising fish that are feeding on top.  Due to Hot Creek's shallow nature, the fish in this stream are always feeding on top during the hatch!!  

I've had some recent cancellations, so if you are planning a fishing trip, ski trip, hunting trip, photography trip, or just a trip to the area the last weeks of October... please look me up so we can go fishing.

I will be leaving shortly for the Trinity River and steelhead season.  My November dates are rapidly booking up, but I have a lot of holes still for December. The season is looking real promising with the local rain the rivershed has received lately. Steelhead have been seen, hooked, and landed this week all the way up in the upper reaches of the river.  Join me and my new CLACKACRAFT drift boat for some steelhead adventures this fall/winter season.  More info found here www.ReelMammothAdventures.com

Fall Equinox Brings Fall Weather!!

Thanks for tuning in to the Reel Mammoth Adventures blog... for more info on my guide service please visit www.ReelMammothAdventures.com While you're at it, sign up for my RMA Newsletter on the cover page.  New Steelhead Fishing issue coming out soon!!!!! 

Sorry it's been a while since my last posting.  I have been supremely busy lately.  Big thanks go out to all my wonderful clients who have booked trips with me this month. Thank you for continuing to support my livelihood. We have had some EPIC days these past few weeks and some good laughs, too!!  

We are taking some much needed R&R this week to spend time with family.  My folks celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last month and the whole family is getting together for a little shindig, Neal style.  

Local fishing has been mostly HOT despite the colder weather pattern that is finally upon us.  Woke up last two days to 28 degree mornings, brrrrrrrrr, but the afternoon has been warm, sunny, and beautiful.  The aspens are starting to turn and the fall deer migration has begun!

Crowley Lake has all but cleared up from the last algae bloom.  The green goo was tenacious and hung on for a looooong time in September!  

(Photo: John Skinner had an LCT magnet attached to his rod this day)

Crowley Lake is "on like Donkey Kong" right now!! We have had some downright EPIC days on the lake, lately, with a few challenging days thrown in - serving to remind us we are mortal. 

(Photo: John absolutely owned the bow of my boat this day, hooking over ten LCT's over 20" with one cutt to 24+" which we were, again, unable to snap a photo of.  Good buddy James Park, in the stern only 18' away, hooked all rainbows and only one LCT!!! Funny, eh?)

Every day on the lake has been different, but the perch bite has been insanely good most days.  Midge hatches are starting to wane, but can be a factor, still. 

(Photo: Gotta throw one in of my stoked client James Park bent over w/ a Crowley bow.  All of his "Hero Shot" big fish flopped back to the deep fore' we could get his smiling mug holding one. Note the green goo in the water last week)

For indicator nymphing, hang a perch fry pattern as the top fly anywhere from 3-5 feet down with a midge pattern on the bottom.  Our best midge patterns this week were of the larva variety with some red in them.  For perch fry, our best "hanging" patterns were big hare's ears, Bird's nest, or punk perch type flies.  For striping perch patterns it's hard to beat good ol' olive matooka's, Doc's Twin Lake specials, or hornbergs etc... 

The Upper Owens is getting better and better.  This river is probably our best moving water option right now with plenty of the typical survivor planters and wild brown trout, too. 

(Photo: Dennis Desmond and I fished a chilly late Sept morning on the beautiful Upper Owens)

During our full day guide trips, we spend many afternoons on this river after a morning session on Crowley Lake. Stalking these waters daily, I have sighted many BIG TROUT over 20" that have moved up from the lake. These fish are super spooky - so sunny & cloudless days are best for sight-fishing for these monsters.  They will eat a good dead drifted or swung nymph in the right place at the right time!!  This is a lot like steelhead fishing a small stream... 

 sometimes you hook one                                                                          sometimes you don't                        sometimes you land one                                                                                  other times you won't!!! 

But the thrill of the hunt is worth the price of admission, every time.   

(Photo: John Skinner shows that he is not just another "Reservoir Dawg"... he can hook them in the moving water, too.)

Hatches on the Upper O. this week have been pretty weak.  The sudden cold weather snap shut the trico's and caddis up for a few days.  Fall mayfly hatches, like bwo's, are starting to pop again and should be a stronger factor in the coming weeks.  Attractor nymph patterns such as: pheasant tails, prince nymphs, San Juan worms!, etc will do just fine.  A big white/grey streamer artfully placed might just blow the river up if you are lucky!

Lower Owens is still pumping over 500 c.f.s last time I checked.  It may not drop down for a while, but who really knows?  I always keep my eye on it this time of year, and my fingers crossed.

The East Walker has been pretty fun each time we have fished it lately.  Flows will yo-yo this time of year.  I really like it when it's over 100 cfs as the fish spread out and allow the crowds to dissipate a bit.  

When this river is low and crowded, it's a little more frustrating to fish.  The prime water gets parked on by anglers (and guides!), and unfortunately many don't bother to move through.  When it's high, there are a lot of great places to fish and people tend too fish through runs and keep on moving.  The best days on this river are when everyone is cool and accommodating to each other. Love on your brother and your sister, man! hahahaha...

Midges of all sizes and colors and tiny caddis have been the major factors for us, bug wise.  When the water is at low tide, take the indicator off!!  The dry/dropper works wonders in the riffles and prime feeding lies. 

A streamer or two, may shake your bacon at the right time and place, as well. Stop by Ken's Sporting Goods in Bridgeport and get the scoop and the hot flies. Support the local shop and they will support you!

Now on to the really important upcoming stuff, plan your steelhead trip NOW!!!!!  My available dates are slowly evaporating. The Trinity River has been experiencing steelhead pushing into the system.  Local friends I have spoken with have chromed their Spey rods weeks ago!! 

(Photo:  Y'all know what I'm talking about...)

(photo: Buddy, Tim Root, un-hooks a wild & free Trinity River steelhead from last season)

New this season is my 16' ClackaCraft steelhead-stalking-machine, one of the most comfortable drift boats made!!  With me on the sticks, some good natured encouragement and positive attitude, how could you go wrong??  I will be sending out a RMA Email Newsletter very soon, with information and my available open dates for this fall/winter steelhead fly fishing adventure.  Get on my mailing list...

Thanks for continuing to tune in.  If you have any questions regarding my guide service www.ReelMammothAdventures.com is the place to go.  Or just call me (760) 924-0438 or email Neal@fish@Qnet.com.  Hope to see all of you and new faces, too.

Fishing Fantastic!!

Welcome to Reel Mammoth Adventures Blog! Offering the unconventional fish report of the Eastern Sierra.  For more info on my guide service please go to my actual website www.ReelMammothAdventures.com Photos, rivers, streams, lakes, guide trip options, rates, and contact info can all be found there... 

While you are at it, sign up for my email newsletter!! Subscription link can be found on the left side of my cover page on the RMA website... get news and views with some photo inspiration, too.

Big news for steelhead fans and clients that will be joining me on the Trinity River again this fall/winter steelhead season... I just purchased a sweet 16' WF Clackacraft drift boat!! My clients and I will be floating and fishing in comfort and style this season... no more rubber dingy (my old boat) - not that that held us back any last season!!

  

(The sweetest ride and fish machine... my new 16' steelie slayer. Can't wait to get it wet)

Major thanks go out to Wally Sinner, a good client of mine, who was instrumental in making this a possibility and then a reality.  And local guide, Josh Hevron, who helped me out BIG TIME for selling his boat to me!  And of course - my endearing wife - who allowed it all to go down with little more than a rolling of her beautiful eyes... "You want ANOTHER BOAT?" Boats are like shoes and purses, honey... you need a few!

As for the steelhead season?  My dates are slowly booking up.  I will once again join the great crew at SacRiver Outfitters.  Brad McFall and I will be renting the house in Weaverville CA and focusing on the Trinity River Nov-Jan.  Please contact me if you have any inquiries or questions regarding this awesome adventure.  For more info on our steelhead trips click here

My remaining open dates: 

November 16,18,19,20,21,22,28,29

December 5,6,7,8,9,10,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,28,29,30,31

January 1-13

Local Eastern Sierra fishing has been awesome this week!!  

(Photo:  Ooops...You knew this was coming Jon!!!!  Brother-in-law and fly fishing fanatic, Jon Burton, dad Jim, and I enjoyed a great day on the EW together.)

We have spent a lot of time on the East Walker since flows and water temps are in prime shape right now.  Hopefully, flow releases around 150 c.f.s will continue.  The fish are healthy and happy with solid hatches of midges, caddis, mayflies and some forage fish thrown into the mix.

Good buddy Brad McFall, Gary Hooper and I just finished several great days fishing the annual Danny Howell group from Vegas.  We slayed it for two days and had a great last day on the Walker.  

Leave it up to "Deuce" to come away w/ big fish honors the last day w/ a landed and taped out 24.5" giant buck brown trout while fishing with the very fishy Brad McFall.  

It was the largest fish I have heard of in a long while on the EW.  Good to know they are still lurking around, until some cretin mounts it...

Just down the road, the spring Creek waters of the Upper Owens are starting too really shine.

(photo: Frank Sun tore it up on the Upper Owens recently.  We had a great day.)

The Upper Owens is fishing well, most days.  We are seeing tons of little wild browns... many more than in recent years.  Overall, most folks are used to catching lots of hatchery rainbows in the Upper O and these numbers have been lower than years past.  

(Photo: The Sun is shining. Longtime clients, Frank & Marie Sun, get'n out again on a fine late summer day)

I have, however, sighted good numbers of big fish coming up from Crowley Lake recently. These fish need to be stalked and fished just like any other spring creek trout - Keep a low profile and fish the fishiest looking water, and maybe you will get lucky.

(Photo:  Marie still has time too smile, while hooked up on a huge Crowley run rainbow in the Upper O)

There's still a decent trico hatch/spinnerfall in the morning, lots of micro caddis mid-day, a few midges, and fall mayfly hatches starting up again.  

Go walk the Upper O and have a good time.  Be aware of the different regulation areas in the 3 different zones - and other F&G laws - and report poachers.

(Photo Leigh Munsell goes to work on his own fish.  Shorts, wet wading, and summertime along the Eastside!!)

Hot Creek has been fishing fantastic!  The creek is still very weedy, but the right drift, with the right fly, will be rewarded.  The best scenario is to walk and stalk, looking for those moments when pods of fish are feeding on the surface... which will happen on and off again all day long right now.  When the trout are looking up, I like to fish a solo dry fly to these fish.  Nymphing the narrow lanes can be productive, although not as much fun as getting em' on the dry fly.

(Photo: Hot Creek trout are a fine example of beautiful wild fish)

There have been excellent dry fly opportunities during the female trico emergence/spinnerfall in the late morning.  I have also experienced great caddis action and even seen a few fall bwo's starting to come off.  

As days get shorter and nights get colder, the weeds will start dying off - which will open up the stream again.  Fall bwo hatches can be really intense on Hot Creek so plan on hitting this stream while visiting in the near future.  

Crowded at times, technical & demanding indeed, but the "Crick" is one incredible trout stream nonetheless.

Neal Family update...AYSO Soccer has begun.  My daughter Bella, age four, is loving our local league play.

Hope you are enjoying your last days of summer.  Winter will be here before we know it!! 

I have just a few dates still open in September and October is booking up nicely.  Don't hesitate if you want to squeeze that last fishing trip in before the white stuff starts falling on our local mountains.

Looking For A New Toyota Tundra

I will have a new blog post soon...

Fall fishing has been very good most days this week!! Some waters are really turning on!!!!!

But first, anyone know a good (honest) Toyota dealer or salesman in California?

I am looking for a silver or grey 2010 Tundra 4.6L V8 4X4 double cab 6.6 box w/TRD, cold weather, tow pkg, bucket seats w/ center console and the 18" rims w/BF Goodrich tires.

Please call (760) 924-0438 or email me @ neal2fish@qnet.com

Just thought I would utilize a little fishy networking and power of the www.

Cheers.