The Crowley Fish Foundation delivered another 1,650 lbs of high-quality trout into Crowley Lake on July 15, 2026. This second fish stocking of 2026 for CFF was made in memory and honor of the late Sierra Drifters guide Chris Basso. Doug Rodricks spoke of the legacy that Chris left behind. He was a wonderful person and guide. Rodricks said, “Everyone loved fishing with Chris. He was just a well-liked guy.” Chris helped countless anglers enjoy the beauty of Crowley Lake while showing them how to successfully fish. Chris was an easily identifiable person at the lake, always kind and respectful to everyone.
At the early morning trout stocking ceremony, ten persons in attendance received $25 memorial gift cards from Chris’ sister Patti Maisner.
Approximately $10,000 of donations was raised by the CFF and spent for this second stocking campaign, with Desert Springs Trout Farm raised rainbows mostly in the one to three pound range, but also trophy trout in the 5+ pound range. One of the trophy trout released to the water today bears a CFF Floy tag with the words “Chris Basso” on it, and the CFF’s website address on the reverse. The lucky angler who catches the Chris Basso tagged fish will win a guided trip with Sierra Drifters guiding service! If you happen to catch the Chris Basso tagged fish, you can keep the fish or better yet, release the trophy using proper catch and release techniques. Please follow these directions to report your catch to a CFF team member and redeem your prize.
The CFF has announced its third trout stocking campaign of 2026, on the heels of its successful first two stockings earlier this year. Follow our trout meter on the CFF website, which will be updated regularly to show our progress towards our $15,000 goal for our third stocking event targeted for September 2026.
Please consider making a donation today — every contribution no matter how big or small makes a difference. Donations to the CFF not only fund our current and future fish stocking efforts, they also support our many other year-round community, youth, conservation and veteran activities. You can contribute by clicking here.
Crowley Fish Foundation was established in May 2024, and under the leadership of its all-volunteer Board of Directors and Board of Advisors (see directors and advisors here) has grown immensely in two years. The Foundation works with several public and private organizations to ensure that future generations can enjoy world class trout fishing in Southern Mono County. Teaching kids how to fish and taking veterans fishing is a cornerstone of the non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. CFF supports scientific research efforts and surveys conducted at Crowley Lake and its tributaries, and regularly hosts free fly tying clinics in the local community. The CFF is also a proud partner with the California Department of Fish & Wildlife. CFF is a leading organization dedicated to preserving the Crowley Lake region’s reputation as a world class fishing location, through its focus on conservation, sustainability, education and community engagement in the world of Eastern Sierra fishing.
