The algae cometh. Conditions have taken a turn for the worse on Crowley as the seasonal spring turnover has begun. Locating areas that hold fish and have clean water is difficult currently. This condition will force the trout towards the inlets in numbers soon. The wind direction plays an important role as well when the lake has a "bloom". Westerly winds move the algae away from the inlet areas of McGee Creek and the Upper Owens making conditions much better. The pesky easterly winds drive the algae towards the more productive westerly shorelines and stack the algae up along the weedbeds making still water nymphing with midges and mayfly imitations difficult.

Fish your chironomid larva patterns 6-10 inches off the bottom and use bodies with black, blue, or purple on them to make them stand out in the murky water. The broken back midge blue was designed for conditions such as we are seeing now. Zebra midges are also good choices currently as the silver ribbing and crystal flash tails stand out in ther poor visibility. You can still have a great day on Crowley when the wind moves the algae out, and it will not be long before the fish stack up near the inlets so keep an eye on the weather for that sustained westerly wind in the Long Valley area.

Photos:
Main Photo Above: Craig Lamb got into some nice browns on Crowley with Two Bug
Photo # 1: Jennifer Breeher from Chatsworth , Ca. very first time Fly Fishing and very first fish caught on a fly rod , gets this 23 inch Crowley Rainbow.