The Northern California Fly Fishing Board

My wife and I are novice fly fishers from San Diego. We will be in South Lake Tahoe July 26 thru August 2. We will be driving up the 395 and staying over night in Mammoth on the 25th. We were hoping to do some river/stream/creek flyfishing on this trip. We are more interested in numbers than size. We really want to work on our flyfishing skills. Can anyone recommend some places that should have lots of willing trout for us to practice on. We are strict C&R. And just want to be outdoors stalking receptive fish. We are willing to drive an hour or two to try any spots you'd recommend. Any and all help would be GREATLY appreciated!

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Joe

Joe,

I've only fished there once, and have no 'hot spots' for you. There are a couple of fly shops right around Mammoth Lakes, and I am sure they will be good for lots of info if you buy a few flies. The Owens River is supposed to be good, and there a some small stream that run down the East slope to whatever that big lake is out there that ought to have some fish in them. Sorry that's all I have for you.

The most famous stream in the area, Hot Creek, will be tough this time of the year. If you're looking for "easy" trout try some of the local freestone streams in the area that recieve planters. A couple of the closest would be Mammoth Creek and Rush creek in the June lake loop. Another "numbers" stream would be the San Joaquin by Devils Postpile. This time of year you will have to take a bus to get there unless you are camping. I do have one more suggestion if you are really looking for easy fish in the area. Crowley Lake, just south of Mammoth, recieves tons of fingerlings in early august. Check to see if they have been planted by the time you arrive. If so, go to Crowley at the main entrance and fish Hilton Creek where it enters into the lake. There's usually a bunch of these smaller fish stacked up there right after they have been planted. In case someone want's to flame me for suggesting this, let me explain. Some poachers frequent Hilton right after this planting. It would be good to have a few fly anglers around to discourge them. As always check with the local fly shops.
Mike

www.thetroutfly.com excellent fishing report for the area. also

www.sierradrifters.com

BR