Chris Leonard’s Weekend Fishing Report!
Hello, anglers!
August is wrapping itself up, and there’s still some decent fishing to be had here in the Eastern Sierra this summer. It needs to be clearly stated that a lot of the creeks and rivers are low due to the drought conditions, and therefore not fishing as well as they do after banner snowfall winters. But, the Eastern Sierra is a vast range, and a lot of the lakes are kicking out some good fish. The lakes are the best places to be right now!
Gull Lake produced some very beautiful fish this last week. A fly angler working the waters at Gull got into a massive hook jaw brown, and some decent rainbows also. This little gem of a fishery located in the June Lake Loop is a great place to spend a half a day. It’s small enough that it is very float tube friendly. It will also accommodate any boat. There is a public boat launch ramp. Your best bet is to strip streamers. An Olive Matuka on a sink line will get your flies down into the zone. The fish tend to be all over the lake. I wouldn’t hit it though without working just outside the marina, and along the reeds on the eastern shoreline. Bait anglers will do just fine with an inflated nightcrawler. It’s a very pretty place as it’s lined with aspen trees.
The inlet of Grant Lake is also worth a shot. Grant Lake is so low right now that the fish are going to be highly concentrated. A lot of fish will move up into the inlet looking for the water flowing into it from Rush Creek. This is true of the nature of any lake with an inlet. And, there are plenty like this in the Eastern Sierra. I would fish it the same way I suggest fishing Gull Lake. Belly boat with a small streamer on it. You could also kick around with jigs.
Crowley is fishing well. As mentioned last week, the fish have moved into shallower water in the 9 to 18 feet depth range. It’s a good idea to midge fish around the weedlines. The fish cruise up and down along the weedlines. Just get your bugs down to about a foot off the bottom of the lake. Be observant of what midges you see flying around per what colors to use. It is a fun place to be. I will be guiding Crowley this weekend.
That’s your short and sweet fish report for this weekend. There are too many fisheries to list. Chris Leonard will be giving us our weekly fish report, and will mix it up every week talking about different places to get fishy. Chris Leonard guides for Kittredge Sports in Mammoth Lakes.
Have fun. Be safe. Go get ’em!
Chris Leonard is a longstanding teacher at Mammoth High School, and experienced fly fishing guide. He guides both rivers and lakes in the Eastern Sierra. His understanding of teaching and fly fishing makes him a choice guide in the region.