Jim Stimson reports on 7.27.18

Hi Kevin and George,

Here is my LCO fishing report for July 26th, enjoy!

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One of the most important tools to throw into your fishing vest now is a thermometer. Do not hesitate to use it. Just be aware that as the water temperatures go up, the amount of dissolved oxygen goes down. 68º is my cut off point. The rising water temperatures along with...

Jim Stimson reports on 7.19.18

Sierra Nevada 

The last couple of weeks have been very hot mixed in with some afternoon thundershowers. The afternoon high yesterday in Crowley was 96º, that is cooking! The downside to this is that the water temperatures in places are getting tepid, the East Walker in particular. Until the weather starts cooling down (perhaps a couple of months?), I am pulling the...

Jim Stimson reports on 7.12.18

Thunderstorms! The weather on the east side has been perfect and the fishing solid. Be aware of the afternoon thunderstorms and the sparks in the air. Remember, your nice fly rod conducts electricity….

Again, watch out for deer strolling across the highway, especially in the mornings and evenings. There have been some ugly splatter marks on the asphalt from the...

Jim Stimson reports on 7.6.18

Happy 5th of July! The weather on the east side has been perfect and the fishing solid. The air quality around the Mammoth Lakes area has been hazy from a smoldering fire down in the Devil’s Postpile area but it is mainly confined to that Mammoth Pass corridor. If you venture north or south, the air clears up nicely.

Again, watch out for deer strolling across the...

Jim Stimson reports on 6.30.18

Sierra Nevada 

Wow! Where did the month of June go? Fishing in places has been as hot as the weather. The backcountry runoff has stabilized and I believe the high water period has passed on the freestone creeks and rivers. Get out there and enjoy the fishing and the Sierra. I’ve been wet wading in all streams except the East Walker, only because you tend to stand in...

Jim Stimson reports on 6.21.18

Happy Summer’s Solstice! The weather has been perfect on the east side with temperatures in the 80’s even in the high country. And, the road to Devil’s Postpile is open. Enjoy the fishing and the Sierra.

Watch out for deer strolling across the highway, especially in the mornings and evenings. There are some amazing splatter marks on the asphalt from the collisions....

Jim Stimson reports on 6.14.18

Sierra Nevada 

Even though Tioga and Sonora Passes have been open for weeks, we are still awaiting word on the opening of the road down into the Devil’s Postpile area and the San Joaquin River. Hopefully this month?

Fishing, in general, has been up and down the scales. Keep checking the flows as they change in a heartbeat. The Upper Owens has been fun with a plethora of...

Jim Stimson reports on 6.6.18

Sierra Nevada

There is a mixed bag of fishing conditions now. The weather has stabilized and we are having warm, summer-like conditions. I have been wet wading with pants (mosquitos) on the Upper Owens. The initial step into the river always comes with a gasp and pucker as the chilly water hits your skin but in general this is only shallow wading. The warm temperatures...

Jim Stimson reports on 5.31.18

Sierra Nevada 

The spring runoff is underway. As you drive along US 395, while keeping a wary eye open for migrating deer, check out Convict and Mammoth Creeks and of course the West Walker. The West Walker, in particular, is raging, off-color, and spectacular to see. Convict and Mammoth Creeks have spilled over their banks and are flooding the adjacent meadows....

Jim Stimson reports on 5.24.18

Sierra Wave

The spawn of the cutthroats is just about complete. There are fewer and fewer fish to be seen in the Upper Owens and nearby creeks. That said, if you do see some late spawners, please do not cast to fish that are sitting on redds. If you need to cross the river, look for those lighter colored areas in the gravel beds and avoid them. These are their spawning...