September 23 - 25, 2011

Fishmeister: 

WHEN:  Friday - Sunday
September 23 - 25, 2011

Assistant Fishmeister:

California Fly Fishers Unlimited (CFFU)

OF SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA

CFFU Logo

WHERE:  Lake Crowley

Robert Rountree
(530-676-2417

CAMPING:  Nearby campgrounds include: Crowley Lake Fish Camp ( www.crowleylakefishcamp.com  or 760-935-4301 ) and McGee Creek RV Park and Campground  
( www.mcgeecreekrv-campground.com  
or 760-935-4233).  Both of these can support full RV hookups, and offer tent camping as well.  Crowley Lake Fish Camp is located on the lake itself, and McGee Creek campground is located just across the highway from the lake.  McGee Creek is slightly less expensive, but you still have to pay daily access fees to enter Lake Crowley itself.  

Lake Crowley:   
   

Oh the agony of it all.  After all preparatory midge fly tying, and the anticipation of reels singing as a large rainbow stripped off line until it hit our backing, it turned out to be for naught.  Crowley Lake was one giant green algae plus weed bomb, and nary a trout was found willing to  inhale our offerings.  Between windy conditions, white cap waves, large green filamentous algae, and the heavy weed growth, it was difficult to even fish the lake.  Boaters were having a tough time even getting around.  Only a small group of adventurous CFFU'rs made the trip, and included: Erik Blihovde, John Daniels, Craig & Brenda McCulloch, Bill Ozawa, Robert Rountree & Jim Wright.  It should be mentioned that Jim Wright went up earlier than the main group, and did catch eight or so very nice fish on one of his first days at the lake, but lake conditions deteriorated.  A few of us managed to catch several of the large white perch off of the Green Banks area as a consolation, but even that action was limited.  Craig McCulloch enjoyed his off-roading experiences trying to get to the Green Banks area.  Group had a great potluck on Saturday night, and libations were flowing freely to help numb the pain.  Several of us decided to change tactics, and also fished the Upper Owens River .  John Daniels displayed his superior nymphing skills catching #6 fish while the rest of managed #1-2 fish apiece.  We'll give this trip another go either earlier in the spring or in October time period to avoid the algae bloom.

PHOTOS
 Thank you to Craig McCulloch  & Robert Rountree

Jim Wright
707-446-6733

ACCOMODATIONS/FOOD:
Motels, restaurants, and Fly Shops can be found in Mammoth Lakes or Bishop areas.

This page updated October 15, 2011

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