As good as it gets!

San Joaquin River-Middle Fork - Mammoth Lakes, CA

Photo Credit: Jim Elias

by Jim Elias
6-23-2022
Website

Flows - 75cfs as of 6/17/22 - Water temp - 55

Rod Size:  #3-#4 Weights

Tippet Size: 5-6X

Leader: 7.5ft 5X

Best Techniques: Dry, Dry Dropper

Dries: Clownshoe Caddis #16, Yellow Stimulator #16, Mini Chernobyl Ant #14, Flav DUN #16, Mr Rapidan #16, Elk Hair Caddis #16, Purple Haze #16, Green Drake #12

Nymphs:  Copper John #18, Prince Nymph #18, Pheasant Tail #18-20, Fox's Poopah #14, Micromayfly #14

Streamers: N/A

 

Flows have crashed with the cold front that moved through this past weekend. I'd expect the flows to come back up once things warm up a bit. In the mean time the flows are great and the water is cold, which is great compared to the same time last year when the water temps were already in the 60s. I've been all over this river the last few days and the hatches are inconsistent from one stretch to another. Down lower I'm seeing a lot more green drakes, up higher I'm seeing more Caddis and PMDs. Your mileage will vary, but the good news is the fish really aren't that choosy up on the surface. The drakes that are hatching are about a size 12 (pic below), and the fish were chowing on them this morning but would take any similar sized mayfly pattern. Once they keyed on the drakes they started ignoring the Elk Hair though. Evenings are similar but the fish are a little more hungry once the water temps come up a few degrees. Bottom line is this place is fishing well, but it will probably only last a few weeks. I've got some dates available first week in July if you want to get down here with me before it's too late. 


Fish Mammoth Guides Services is located in Mammoth Lakes, CA (Mono County). Fishing Guide, Jim Elias, can take you fishing on Crowley Lake, Upper Owens, Lower Owens and East Walker River. To book your guided fishing trip with Jim Elias please all him at (760) 582-2195 and for more information please visit his WEBSITE..




More Reports


6-23-2022
Water Level - 6768.0ft - Water is clear - Surface temps near 65 by early afternoon, Bottom temps hovering in...... Read More

Fish Mammoth Reports
for Friday, June 17th, 2022

Crowley Lake: Wind, cold and more wind!
Owens River - Lower: Temps are hot, but so is the fishing
San Joaquin River-Middle Fork: Finally! Get it while it lasts!