What’s more fun than catching a trout on Crowley Lake? Catching a trophy with a bright red Floy tag hanging off its back! Crowley Fish Foundation continues its tagged trophy trout program, which means more have been caught. So, what’s the latest report of tagged fish at Crowley Lake as we move into the fall fishing season?
“There’s something in the net.” Those were the words of Torry Cardon when she was netting Mitch Hunt’s fish, as she noticed the bright red Floy tag that was easily visible as a part of the catch. Glancing in the net, Mitch immediately realized that his wife netted a tagged fish. He thought it was a Department of Fish & Wildlife fish, as he was unfamiliar with Crowley Fish Foundation, and its tagged trout program. He realized upon looking closely at the catch that he had caught a CFF tagged fish.
Mitch caught this particular 4-and-1/4-pound rainbow trout on an inflated nightcrawler. He was fishing a Carolina Rig in Little Hilton Bay at a depth of 15 feet of water. Mitch was in the Eastern Sierra for a two-week trip and was lucky enough to join a small yet elite club of anglers who’ve caught a tagged fish in Crowley Lake. Said of the fish, “This was my first tagged one, and it was a dandy!” Mitch reported that the fish was “well acclimated to the water.” Its colors were beautiful. When Mitch learned that he won an official CFF shirt, and a $100 gift certificate to Tom’s Place Resort, he enthusiastically shared, “I love Tom’s Place!” The only thing better than catching a trophy rainbow trout is one that will buy you an enjoyable dinner for two at Tom’s Place Resort.
Speaking of prizes for catching a tagged trout, Crowley Fish Foundation Board Secretary and Kittredge Sports guide Chris Leonard recently hosted the McMillian brothers of Crowley Lake for a half-day of guided fishing on Hot Creek. Their grandfather – and retired Mammoth area trolling guide legend – Don Meier caught a tagged trout back in May, after the first CFF stocking. Don won a half-day guided trip. He asked Leonard to take out his two grandsons, and the three of them spent a productive morning on Hot Creek working on internalizing proper small creek fly fishing techniques and tactics. It was a glorious morning on the water. “This is a great way to give back to the community, with an emphasis on teaching fishing to tomorrow’s leaders of the angling world,” said Leonard of volunteer guiding both Braydon and Bobby McMillian. A couple of big fish were hooked that morning on the water. It was a ton of fun.
Sam Vasily of Sierra Troutdoorsman Guide Service has had a great year on Crowley Lake! When Sam was guiding Rob Hernandez on Crowley Lake only two days after the initial CFF trout stocking of the season, Rob caught the first tagged fish. Rob won a half-day guided fishing trip with CFF President and Performance Anglers guide Joe Contaldi. Joe, like Leonard, is one of several CFF team members volunteering time guiding as a prize.
Later in the summer, Sam was fishing on his boat in the afternoon after a morning of guiding when he caught a tagged trout. Sam was midge fishing off Sandy Point when he caught this fish that motored up from Hilton Bay where they are stocked. Sam won a CFF coffee mug and CFF hat, and a $100 gift certificate to Tom’s Place. Mr. Vasily has the hot boat this summer for catching tagged fish. There are still a handful of tagged fish in the lake. Likewise, CFF will continue to put tagged fish in the lake for future fish stockings. If you’d like to learn more about the CFF tagged fish program, it can be found on the website at: https://crowleyfishfoundation.org/floy-tags/
Tagged fish from CFF’s two trout stockings this summer have been appearing all over the lake, and now in the Upper Owens River. Remember, if you catch a tagged trout like these lucky anglers be sure to report your catch to a CFF team member following these instructions.