Fishing was consistently pretty good for most of June but when the water levels began rising rapidly towards the end of the month we saw a significant decrease in the chironomid hatch, and an explosion of weed growth out to 17 feet in the most productive areas like Sandy Pt, McGee Bay, the Hiltons, Green Banks, and Six Bays. Consequently, a significant reduction in the catching department. If you don't mind still water nymphing in 15-18 feet you can still get bit using chironomid patterns. We have found that it is not always necessary to get your lower flies down on the mud at depths over 13 feet. Many times you will get grabs at the 11-13 foot range even while fishing 18 feet. This will be the case when the fish are focusing on pupa instead of larva. The surface algae is becoming an issue in some locations depending on wind direction, but remains below average for this time of year.

Crowley's numbers should improve for fly fishers when the fish begin migrating to the cooler more oxygenated waters near the inlets. Things are a few weeks late all over the Sierra this season. You will then find them in the creek channels and along the weed free flats near the shoreline. The Sacramento Perch fry will begin to play a major role for the trout's diet in August. Near the inlets there are callibaetis mayflies; damsel & dragon fly nymphs swimming along the weed lines. I have good reports of trophy sized fish around Green Banks slamming damsel nymph patterns fished in 17-20 feet of water using full sinks. Numbers are low but the fish are all quality. The chucker's and ducker's are fairing better than the heaver's and leaver's.