Summer Fly Fishing in the Eastern Sierra

Summer Fly Fishing in the Eastern Sierra: Four Waters I Look Forward to Guiding Every Season

Every year when July rolls around, I load the boat, tie another batch of flies, and head back into the Eastern Sierra. After spending the winter and spring chasing giant Lahontan Cutthroat at Pyramid Lake, it's always exciting to get back on the rivers and lakes I grew up fishing.

Summer is one of my favorite times to guide. The days are long, the weather is usually predictable, and there are opportunities to fish everything from productive stillwaters to technical trout rivers. Whether you're brand new to fly fishing or you've been doing it for decades, there's always somewhere that's fishing well.

These are the four fisheries I spend the most time guiding during the summer months.

Crowley Lake

If someone asked me where they have the best chance of having a fun, productive day on a fly rod during the summer, Crowley Lake would be near the top of my list.

Crowley has earned its reputation as one of the premier stillwater trout fisheries in the West, and for good reason. The lake consistently produces healthy rainbow and brown trout, with plenty of fish stretching well into the 20-inch class.

Throughout the summer we're usually fishing balanced leeches, chironomids, callibaetis nymphs, damsels, and, later in the season, Sacramento perch fry patterns. The fish move throughout the lake depending on water temperatures, wind, and food sources, so every day is a little different.

One of the things I enjoy most about guiding Crowley is that it fishes well for every experience level. Beginners can learn indicator techniques and hook plenty of fish, while experienced anglers appreciate just how technical the lake can become when targeting larger trout.

Upper Owens River

The Upper Owens offers a completely different experience.

Instead of fishing from the boat, we're walking grassy banks, reading current seams, and making accurate drifts through runs that hold both resident trout and larger fish moving out of Crowley Lake.

Summer brings excellent bug activity with caddis, PMDs, midges, and plenty of terrestrial insects becoming part of the trout's diet. Early mornings and evenings can produce some really enjoyable dry fly fishing, while nymphing continues to be productive throughout most of the day.

The Upper Owens is one of those rivers that rewards anglers who slow down. Good presentations almost always outfish long casts.

It's also one of my favorite places to teach clients how to read moving water, because nearly every bend offers something different.

East Walker River

The East Walker has developed a reputation as one of California's best trophy trout rivers, and every season it reminds me why.

This isn't always an easy river, but that's part of what makes it special.

The trout see plenty of pressure and demand good drifts, proper fly selection, and patience.

Fortunately, anglers willing to put in the effort are often rewarded with some incredible fish.

During the summer we spend most of our time fishing nymph rigs through deeper buckets and slower seams, although there are always opportunities to fish dries during the right hatch. Streamers can also move some impressive brown trout when conditions line up.

Every trip on the East Walker feels a little different, and that's one of the reasons I never get tired of guiding there.

Bridgeport Reservoir

Bridgeport Reservoir doesn't always receive the same attention as Crowley, but it deserves a place on every Eastern Sierra fly angler's list.

The reservoir offers excellent opportunities for rainbows and browns throughout the summer, especially during the cooler morning hours. Weed lines, drop-offs, and submerged structure all concentrate feeding fish, and indicator fishing can produce steady action.

It's also one of the more relaxing places to spend a day. The scenery around Bridgeport is hard to beat, and the fishing can be surprisingly consistent when you stay on the move and follow the fish.

For anglers looking to experience another quality stillwater without the crowds that sometimes develop elsewhere, Bridgeport is always worth considering.

Why Summer Is Such a Great Time to Fish

Summer gives us options.

If afternoon temperatures begin warming a river, we can head to a higher-elevation lake. If the wind picks up on Crowley, there are nearby rivers that may offer better conditions. Having so many productive fisheries within a short drive is one of the biggest advantages of guiding in the Eastern Sierra.

No two days are exactly alike, and that's what keeps every trip interesting.

Some days we're watching trout sip mayflies off the surface. Other days we're adjusting indicator depth by a foot or changing fly colors until everything comes together. Solving those little puzzles is part of what makes fly fishing so rewarding.

Come Spend a Day on the Water

Every season I meet anglers from all over the country who have dreamed about fishing the Eastern Sierra. Some are picking up a fly rod for the first time, while others have decades of experience.

No matter your skill level, my goal is always the same—to help you become a better angler while enjoying one of the most beautiful places in the West.

If you're planning a trip to Mammoth Lakes or the Eastern Sierra this summer, I'd love to show you around Crowley Lake, the Upper Owens River, the East Walker River, or Bridgeport Reservoir. They're all unique fisheries, and each one has something special to offer.

I'll see you on the water.

— Sam Vasily Sierra Troutdoorsman