Wildlife, sport and activities, sometimes all at once

Our two local tailwater rivers the last few weeks have been ripe for the picking. The Lower Owens and East Walker Rivers are fishing good-to-great on most days.

The Lower Owens still flowing at 200 c.f.s., an ideal wadeable flow release. We are experiencing winter flows with summer bug hatches. Flows could go up to less than fishy levels any day now.

There is a good early morning grab on various bugs like midges, general attractor nymphs and a trico or two.

In the early afternoon the bwo's are still coming off. These later generation bugs are now down to a size #22 or so. In the later afternoon the pale morning dun mayfly hatch has been awesome. The fish are really on these bugs and they are a solid and fat size #16. Try indicator nymphing some drowned spinner patterns as well.

We have been getting a lot of attention on the Barr's PMD imitations as well as small bushy Hare's Ears.

Also in the afternoon, the caddis are making their presence again. Dead drift and swing some olive bodied caddis emergers. The last half hour of light has been the "magic time" the surface of the river totally comes alive with fish aggressively chasing emerging caddis pupa. It's the most fun you can have with your clothes on right now on the Lower Owens.

The East Walker has been a solid choice among those hell-bent on big fish. The river has been a bit crowded at times.. A common practice is to work downstream while fishing a run, so a few minutes observing or just simply asking which direction an angler is working will save some frayed nerves before stepping in the run to fish.

Midges, bwo's, pmd's, caddis and stoneflies are good bugs to focus on. Fish will be consuming large quantities of all these fine bugs at different times of the day. Change your flies often and keep fishing hard.

We have seen a good population of very healthy browns and bows in all age classes and sizes this spring, especially fish in the 11-inch to 16-inch range. The East Walker should continue be a great river to fish this year. The fish are in good shape right now.

Crowley Lake is starting to pick up. The midge hatches are really getting heavy duty. The trout don't appear to be too heavily concentrated in any particular area right now. Sometimes it's a slow steady affair with fish being hooked in many places on the lake.

Look for the "McGee Miracle" to probably get going a little earlier than usual. Everything seems to be ahead of schedule, including signs of the first algae bloom of the season.

Fish currently are in 16-19 feet of water, especially on small mud flats right along a steep drop-off into deeper water. Other places that have been somewhat consistent are Sandy Point, Big Hilton, McGee Bay and up in Green Banks area.

As for flies, midges are the rule right now. I have spotted a few callibaetis already but not in intense numbers just yet. My go-to bugs have been #16 purple or red larva, grey & black, black & red and darker olive midges. On some days it really does not matter which fly you use. It's more about the depth and finding where the fish are. Keep experimenting till you connect consistently.

The Upper Owens is in great shape. Finding the fish is the name of the game right now There has not been much stocking going on so that will account for the lack of easy targets. Most of the fish being hooked have been the smarter wild creatures that lurk cautiously about.

There have been some quality 'bows and browns hooked in the river this spring, a quarry well worth the effort. As for flies, try drift under and indicator basic attractor nymphs like Hare's Ears, P.T.'s, Copper Johns and a San Juan Worm. In the upper sections like the ranches or Big Springs, try using small Prince Nymphs, bwo patterns and little yellow sally stonefly nymphs.

If you want to fish dries try using Stimulators and your favorite caddis patterns in the late morning and late afternoon.

Hot Creek continues to be very good.

The baetis mayflies are still going off on some days but this hatch is winding down. We are starting to see the early summer pmd hatches and great caddis hatches in the morning and again around 3 o'clock. You will also notice some little stoneflies buzzing about as well.

Good patterns have been the Barr's bwo & pmd emergers, Brooks' Hot Creek Caddis, Ralph Cutter's E.C. Caddis and in the afternoon, Partridge Spent Caddis and small dark bodied Parachute Caddis. Stimulators are a great indicator fly or just fished on their own.

(Editor's Note: Dave Neal contributes fishing knowledge to MammothLocal.com. He is a fly fishing guide who frequents the best local waters. More information at his fly fishing Web site at www.ReelMammothAdventures.com, or call 924-0438).