Returned today from a 10 day adventure to the Mammoth lakes area. The dry fly fishing was of nearly epic proportions. Started off on McGee creek wich is very near the upper owens and really is just a mini version of the owens at benton crossing, The fishing there was one of the best days i have ever had flyfishing, The size of fish in such a small creek was quit surprising. Brought fish up to about 16 inches to hand on this day. Next was upper owens at benton crossing, Worked this stretch hard for 3 days all the way up to the pvt. property several miles up. Walking up to the river each morning was quit a site, Every morning was like feeding time at a hatchery, The caddis hatches were spectacular. Variouse sizes from 14 up to way to small to even attempt a match. Problem was that first day I had no small cream colored elk hares and thats what would match, So made do with what I had and did good. Next two times on it I showed up with the right caddis patterns this time(thanks to trout fitter in mammoth) And hammered fish for the next 2 days. Honestly I have no idea how many fish were brought to hand those days, Well over a hundred I'm sure. Next peice of water was the owens river headwater section at big springs. This is much different then the open meadow section I fished earlier, This is a higher gradient rocky spring creek section that is in my opinion pretty darn technical. Lots of fish to hand here with again very surprising how big the fish are here in such a small creek, Several browns landed here up to around 16 inches. The fish here were on total bankers hours, Mayfly's everyday I fished it from about 10 a.m till 1 p.m. Fell in love with this section and fished it several days. Downside is there is only 1 mile of public water at the headwater section.  Next adventure took me to rush creek. A medium sized tailwater that runs from grant lake to mono lake through sage brush country. I was warned beforehand that this is highly technical water. I was feeling pretty confident. Theres 2 distict sections of river first is very slow moving to deep to wade. Lots of rising fish in this section on this day, And i am convinced the trout were playing games with me here ! If I could even get close enough to present a fly without spooking the fish I then had to make a perfect cast. Well I spooked em almost every time. This was the first time I really seriously fished with 7x tippet and leaders up to around 14 feet. After 1/2 day of a few dinks and a few missed chances I high tailed it down river to the hwy 395 bridge and started working up stream. Its much higher gradient and shallower here with horrible messes of willows everywhere. The willows are what proved to be the challenge here. Only through shear persistance was I able to bring around a dozens browns to hand on this day with atleast a dozens fly's left in the willows fish were all around 10 to 12 inches. This day on rush creek I did hook and loose a brown that will haunt me for a long time, Maybe 20 inches I know this because it jumped dam near 5 feet out of the air and was about eye level with me, Then he came off. A true heartbreaker that required a perfect drift right through a willow mess. I also saw another brown lazily swimming in a pool that was possibly approaching 30 inches in rush creek. This creek was interesting to say the least. On my last day of fishing, Battered, bruised, beat, riddled with insect bites, and really just worn out as can be I decided to hike up a small creek that runs into the upper owens headwater section in search of brookies, After studying the map for a bit and also noting a pond section of the creek maybe 2 miles up I set out for the day. Went well over 2 miles up and never did find a pond but I did find lots of pocket water brookies, Got plenty up to around 10 inches. This was by far the smallest skinniest water I have ever fished, Lots of fun here. Unfortently a good thunder and lightning storm cut the day a bit short, I figured standing out in what was pretty much open sage brush country holding an 8 foot graphite rod was not a good idea, And I had left stuff out I didn't want to get all wet if rain came and my tent front door was left wide open due to a torn zipper that happened in a rare moment of rage, No need to get into that part. I must add every single fish hooked, landed, or lost was on a dry fly, At no point in the 10 days did I ever even open the nymph box. And there were a few real pigs that got away. So I took a slow leisurly ride home over sonora pass  after stopping on a high bluff on 395 and watching the sun rise over mono lake and thought to myself....Same time, Same place next year buddy ! If you have never fished this area and are serious about flyfishing you must go ! Oh and if ya wanted pics. Sorry guys there for me, Go get your own . And yes once again shon42073 had to regester with a new handle because this site will not take my password.

-- Edited by DrBombay on Saturday 18th of July 2009 02:28:20 PM