Howdy all you First Annual Sierra Drifters Guide Service and Crowley Lake Fish Camp Still Water Classic fly fishers.?? I want to personally thank all of the entrants that are participating in this event.?? You are the "class" in the Classic.?? The generous sponsors of this event would welcome your smiling faces in their shops and stores displaying your commemorative T-shirts in the future.??

Check in will take place from 10am until 8pm on Friday.?? The gate will open at 5:30am Saturday for those that can't make Friday's check in, and so the rental boats can get on the lake with the private boat entries.?? Scoring begins at 6:30am.?? Thank you CLFC staffers!

I can honestly say that this is the best August for numbers of fish on Crowley since 1999.?? The supplemental additions of the Hot Creek Hatchery catchable sized fish that were planted in June and July due to the NZMS issue have really added to the awesome "catching" we historically experience this time of year.?? These new additions are not "rats" either.?? They average 11-14 inches and are mini footballs with tails.?? These rascals are very active and have discovered the immense and diverse natural food supply that makes Crowley the blue ribbon fishery it is.?? This is arguable the best public trout fishery in the entire state right now.?? Not even a close second!????

My clients yesterday were Bruce and twelve year old Jefferson Blumenthal.?? I logged 71 (seventy one) rainbows and browns to the net. ??These fish were all released of course.?? We had 12 twelve fish over 18 inches and three over 20 inches.?? The average size overall was fourteen inches.?? We fished McGee Bay until 9:30am and then moved into the North Arm and finished it off here.?? We had over 150 grabs.?? The Blumenthal's are back here today after they ice their arms down.?? EPIC!!!

Sierra Drifters Guides are fishing many areas of the lake and it is pretty much the same all over.?? Good.?? The weather looks to be fantastic for the event and the algae situation looks to be minimal as we have had some regular late afternoon westerlies that are shoving the substantial rafts of goo into the middle of the lake and away from the most productive inlet areas.

We may throw a curve ball as to where the Classic's boundary areas will be for the event.?? All you pre-fishers had better look the entire lake over this week.?? There are fish all over and it is so good right now that we might make you work for the incredible prize money.?? You will be issued a map after you check in on Friday and the areas will be well marked with buoys on Saturday August 11th.?? Check in is mandatory and will be at the Crowley Lake Fish Camp store from 10am Friday until 8 pm.?? The gates will open at 5:30am Saturday for those that can't make it on Friday afternoon.?? The scoring will begin at 6:30am.

The Crowley Lake Fish Camp will give a 20% DISCOUNT on Sierra Drifter flies and Sungicators for the Friday check in.?? Speaking of flies?ĶMy best overall rig today was a #16 Drifters Light Punk Perch with a #16 Drifters Crystal Tiger Midge (black head am, copper when it got bright and back to black when the wind shifted afternoon) as the dropper.?? We had very good luck in McGee Bay this morning (thirty fish by 9:30) with the new Drifters "Killa- Baetis" as the upper and a tiger as the point fly.?? Lots (40 %) of fish on the uppers the last few days, keep them moving with a twitch every thirty seconds if it is greasy. ????5-8 feet of water near the inlets, but we have had great success in as deep as twelve feet in Little Hilton recently.?? Find some weed lines and identify the channels that are developing rapidly.?? The lake is receding daily and we will no doubt have virgin hot spots on Saturday.

Streamer/tube fisher folks are also getting a good amount of fish using perch fry imitations and damsel nymph patterns.?? Sierra Drifters Loeberg and Punk Perch patterns are proven flies for this time of year and have won the Double Haul in the Fall numerous times.?? If the still water nymphing technique is slow and you have a moderate sinking tip line I suggest you troll and cast along the heavy weed lines.?? Remember Classic participants- you want numbers, not size. If you fish these dynamite Drifters patterns you may encounter a lengthy battle with "Troutzilla" that could cost you a fish or two for scoring.??

This event is going to be a bunch of fun and the way the rules are structured everyone has a great chance of winning.?? Thanks again everyone, LONG LIVE THE CLASSIC!!!