Crowley Lake:

Crowley has been like the stock market. Up and going big one day, crashing the next few. Arguably the best fly fishery around this area, but not consistent by any means. Bring a bottle of water and pour it in the lake as a symbolic gesture to show the LADWP that Crowley needs more water. There are navigation hazards (shoals) in the middle of the lake north and east of the Hiltons. They have less than a foot of water in some spots. At current releases you will see an island on Crowley in the middle of the lake by October or sooner. The Crowley management has these areas crudely marked so use extra caution when crossing from the CLFC to McGee Bay. Ask them for information if you are not familiar with the lakes navigation hazards. Launching your boat at the ramp is getting tricky due to the close proximity of the docks, and the deteriorated shape the ramp is in. If you have a 4X4 engage it before you pull the boat up the ramp. It will really help.

McGee Bay 6-10 feet and the Green Banks area are the best locations. The fish are spread with a bunch of 12 inchers around this fall. The deeper water is more consistent over the course of an entire day. We are seeing a fair amount of 18- 20 inch fish, but it has not been a great year for larger holdover fish. There is a substantial algae bloom that will shut you down in McGee if the wind holds from the east or south early in the day. SD guides have had some excellent days in the north arm all to themselves recently. No algae issues here.

There have been some sporadic signs that the streamer fishing is picking up but on a day to day basis the still water nymphers will out fish the tuggers 7-1 for sure. Loebergs, Punk Perch, Vanderleeches, Agent Orange #10-14.

Stillwater nymphers will have best results using black tigers and zebras #16-18 as the lower fly. Gillies, pupa, or crystal emergers during the hatch. A great rig this time of year is a Punk Perch as the upper, with a tiger or zebra for the dropper. You will get a few fish on the PP, but it is a great attractor fly and will bring the fish in from a greater distance. Use a #4 shot above the PP 4-6 inches to get it down quicker. If you get a little breeze or chop on the water try this rig out.

Please take a few minutes to check out the pics from some of the recent trips we have had with our special clients. One of my favorite people in the whole universe, The "Mighty Osprey" Bill Stroud owner of Stroud's Tackle in San Diego spent three fantastic days with me on Crowley accompanied by one of the nicest guys, and one helluva fly fisherman I know, Jim Reeg. These two San Diego Fly Fishers put smiles on people's faces, and frowns on the faces of the fish everywhere they go! Special times kids, thanks again.

Larry and Ken Jackson with two really nice fish on their annual father and son trip. They got the Crowley slam in the North Arm. Fun day, see ya next year!

Two Bug Doug shown with clients Andrew and Dakota Hirsch. Way to "be the fly" gang!

Sierra Drifters Flies & Sungicators are available at the following great fly shops and stores: Crowley Lake Fish Camp & The Crowley Lake General Store in Crowley, Bridgeport Marina at Bridgeport Reservoir, 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, & Crosby Lodge at Pyramid Lake, Nevada. There are links to these locations at www.sierradrifters.com/resources.htm. We pride our Guide Service & Products on Innovation not Imitation!