Call it luck or whatever you want, but it looks like Christopher and I will be hitting the waters of the Eastern Sierra none too soon. I booked our trip for next week — our first guided trip — back in January, and even then I was worried that the lack of rain. Drought conditions and high temperatures have fisheries mangers taking measures to protect trout in fly fishing waters across the country. Trout are dying in the Yellowstone Basin’s Firehole River, prompting Yellowstone National Park to ask anglers to cut back on afternoon fishing on some creeks and rivers. Low water has guides in the Smoky Mountains focusing on higher elevation streams where the water temperatures are consistently cooler. Mandatory closures have hit some Montana rivers.

As for our trip to the Rock Creek area, where Tom Loe plans to guide us on Crowley Lake and McGee Creek, Mr. Loe wrote in last week’s FishingReport:

Anticipate some very low fall flows in the rivers and creeks with some fisheries not forecast to be at “the top of their game” so to speak in late fall. I suggest if you enjoy moving freestone creek water like the Middle Fork of the San Joaquin, the West Walker River, Rock Creek, Lee Vining Creek, Bishop Creek, Robinson Creek, McGee Creek, etc…you should plan on a trip before Labor Day.

Here’s to hoping for tight lines!