The tail of "The Dual Grand Slam"

[tacklejunkie]

Just got home from an overnight trip from the Sierras and then the GF went out of town for a week. Had a whole week to myself so figured I might as well just go back out fishing and get some exercise!

Received a PM from Skyler looking for any info on some areas to fish in the Sierras as it would seem he was looking for an escape from town himself. We've had a somewhat rocky friendship in the past and I figured this would be a good way to set our differences aside and cooperatively get on some fish, so I offered to split gas and camp fees up there with him if he had a vehicle to spare.

Next thing you know, we're on our way to the Sierras. Funny how things work out like that huh? You never know what life will throw at you. It's best to keep an open mind and work with it. I've never been one to hold a grudge for too long anyways. Everybody has their differences and we aren't going to get anywhere if we don't try to work around them. That would be my lesson of the trip.

So you put two crazy fishing fools together on a mission and crazy things are bound to happen. I realize a Sierra Slam includes cutthroats. A while back while Skyler and I fished Silverwood, we came up with the coin "Grand Slam" for a four species trip. (cats, striper, bass and trout!) We set out on a mission to catch a grand slam of Sierra trout by our book. Four species was good enough for us. If we could pull it off...

We headed up the 395 with a late start of about 1pm from the IE.

Once into the high desert, the high winds had me worried.
There was literally a dust devil tornado behind this high wind sign that I managed to capture while doing 65mph! Freak accident picture! If you look close the tornado is kinda behind the sign kicking up dirt.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam001.jpg

Next thing you know, it's pooring rain a few more miles down the road..
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam002.jpg

I always get a kick out of pondering how violent it was in the peaceful area in the past. The old volcanos and lava flows are cool.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam004.jpg

While the rain cleared up I continued with the high speed volcanic photography
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam005.jpg

When we finally arrived in bishop...
We stopped off at Kmart and got gas etc etc. Normal "stuff we forgot" type of deal. Then headed up to the O-camp for some first night spin fishing. We got there about 5:30-6pm, a bit late from our late start. There was a bit of traffic just outside town on the 395 for repaving. I popped my tent up at camp and grabbed a spinning rod and a Panther Martin Holographic shad spinner. Skyler popped his tent and did the same.

I took a few casts at one of my favorite little holes but nada. The water was lower now than last two trips and fishies had moved a few feet. Skyler walked over and tossed his PM in the water. I swear, not two seconds later, he had a nice fat brown on the line. Look at the little toad belly on this thing!
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam006.jpg

After a quick pic and release of Skyler's fish, I bounced one spot and my line went bendo..
Seemed like most of these guys had been caught before, they were all pretty rashed up.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam008.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam009.jpg

Skyler with another one while my shutter lens hangs up from the dirt.
technical difficulties..
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam010.jpg

Then we headed up to the famed PVR.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam011.jpg

I didn't yet have the magic bait (shown later) so I didn't catch any fish out of the res. I still can't figure the fish in there out yet. For once, Skyler was unable to either.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam012.jpg

We went back to our roots, the moving water. Over to the back side of the dam. I decided to try the dang Thomas Bouyant spoon I have always been dreading. I never hook up with the fish on those things. I tied on the large rainbow trout colored spoon and tossed it at the outlet. First cast and I'm bendo on a fat brownie, but it jumps like a bass and shakes the hook cause I was pulling too hard. I guess those Tommy B's really do work if you stick with it but still never have quite liked fishing spoons.

Next up Skyler tossed out the PM again and went major bendo on the biggest rainbow of the trip. He got to fight it through the current as well and it was just in time for dinner. We fished a total of two or three hours from arrival before dark and we already had two of the four species we needed for the trip! This was to indeed be an epic fishing trip to remember.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam014.jpg

We saw this cool/steep/dangerous stairway on the way back to camp.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam015.jpg

When we got back to camp, I was not done fishing just yet.
I have always heard browns fish good at night. It was finally time to prove it since my tent was pretty much on the water. I walked over to one of the little cubby holes I like in the creek and went bendo on the third cast with a good sice brown. It was pitch black so I couldn't see and he got a bit dirty, but released quickly and OK.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam017.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam018.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam020.jpg

Here were some little baby brown trout we found in the O. They were cool, all phototropic light seeking and eating the bugs right under our flashlight.
Can you see 'em?
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam022.jpg

this should help
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam023.jpg

Next morning I woke up and casted to the same exact spot as when I went to bed and produced another fish immediately.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam025.jpg

Nice colors
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam027.jpg

Flows low still
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam028.jpg

Then we headed in to town for one more trip of supplies of things we forgot. After the supply run, we hit a corner of bishop creek I found one day while waiting for Matt D to show up in bishop. Flows were higher here and no visibility. We got a tip from some guy at PVR and brough the secret bait this time. Pink Rubber Power eggs! It was WFO on stockers and I think Skyler caught a brown or two here as well. We slayed for an hour or two.
I c&R'd 5 bows right here on the spot.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam029.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam030.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam031.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam032.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam033.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam036.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam038.jpg

Fish ladders are cool!
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam040.jpg

It was starting to heat up in Bishop.
We decided to head to elevation for a third species and to cool off some.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam042.jpg

Once we got up the hill we found a good camp spot. Then headed further up the hill to catch some fish! The first fishy looking stop was "iris"
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam043.jpg

Skyler bagged two fish at iris while I was goofing around in the bushes finding hidden bridges and fishing unfishable parts of the creek. I think he'll add those pics later I'm sure.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam044.jpg

Next stop was "the flats"
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam046.jpg

The water at the trailhead was flowing higher than in fall when I last saw it. The fish were still there at the trailhead but hunkered down and hard to get them biting. We decided to hike in some and look for more willing fish in more willing situations.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam048.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam051.jpg

After about 3 miles we made it to the spot I last found some brookies.
They had already moved, but I was determined to get my first brookie and species #3 of the slam on my fly rod! We worked around a lake with many inlet waters. The largest inlet had a few boilers. I walked over and casted out my stimulator fly. After a few misses I had one on! My first brookie, on the fly no less. Absolutely beautiful!
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam056.jpg

[tacklejunkie]

It was somewhat late in the day, and we were far back in the hills. It was snowing and raining and the pressure was on both of us to grab a fly fish off the lake before we had to head back. Since I got mine, I could now step back and take in the view of where I Was fishing. The water coming in was freezing from snowmelt. Tons of it was dumping in and the little brookies were holding a few feet out into the lake where the inlet had created a dropoff. Perfect little setting for a fly catch on the lake!
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam057.jpg

Skyler almost had a brookie on the fly on his first attempt at the inlet. Here he is setting the hook on that fish, a quarter of a second before he lost his footing, stepped back into the water and lost tension on the fish, at which point it shook him. It looked like a very good size fish for a brookie too! He left in good spirits regardless of having lost that nice brookie on the fly.
I cannot say I would have done the same!
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam059.jpg

I was lucky enough to manage one more lil brookie on the fly out of the inlet before the snow, cold and rain pushed us out. He had bite marks on him from a larger fish I think. I want to try a small brookie swimbait here one day and find out what kind of monsters are lurking!
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam061.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam062.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam063.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam065.jpg

Here is a view of the inlet from the other side of the lake.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam067.jpg

The trail back to the car had tons of runoff everywhere
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam070.jpg

Back at camp I started in with the noodles while Skyler went to pull a few stockers for dinner out of the creek.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam079.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam081.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam083.jpg

We saw black bear prints in camp
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam087.jpg

So we put everything in the bear box as instructed
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam086.jpg

First time I ever got a blister from my long rod
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam092.jpg

Skyler's stockers for dinner. Never ceases to amaze me how he'll find fish in thin air.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam093.jpg

The wood was so wet, it was hard to burn. But we refused to buy wood when we were in the forest and made due with what we had. I'd saw we had it covered.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam096.jpg

Next morning we headed back up to the flats to get a brookie for Skyler really quick since that larger one popped off his fly the day before. Now we both had 3 of 4 species! It was time to for the final part of the mission. We were two days early on our predicted time alotment at this point!
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam100.jpg

Off we went for a distant area. It wasn't long after and I had my Grand Slam completed. It was pooring rain in this area and very cold. We both had several layers of clothing on as well as waders and rain coats and toughed it out like animals. The winds were high and we got soaked, but we both got our fourth and final species the night we arrived at this spot.
Here was mine
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam115.jpg

No wonder they turned gold over here
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam116.jpg

It was raining pretty good!
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam119.jpg

Here was Skyler's fourth species of the trip. We doubled the Grand Slam with four species each!
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam121.jpg

The next morning I did a little pinecone bowling, and toadstool hunting.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam125.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam128.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam127.jpg

My uncle's polish friend taught me once which one of these toadstools were edible but I can't remember as it was 15 years ago. I do remember what a chicken mushroom looks like and it's unmistakable. but I could not find any chicken muchrooms in the area to consume and I was not positive on the others, so I let them be. I do remember one thing the old polish guy told me. "If you aren't 100% sure, don't do it". I'll have to ask my uncle to have his friend show me which ones are good again. Some of these muchrooms are very edible and delicious!

I'm about 99% sure this one will do you in
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam129.jpg

I forgot what these were called..
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam130.jpg

I think this was one of the good edible ones. I could be wrong though and that's why I didn't touch them.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam131.jpg

I think this one was edible too. It's stem did not turn blue when i cut it as the old polish dude showed me many years ago.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam132.jpg

Luckly the rain cleared up just in time for bed.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam135.jpg

The hot Ramen helped heat the soul after being drenched and frozen. Doesn't look like much now but it was my savior at that moment.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam139.jpg

the next morning my waders had frozen over
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam142.jpg

And the mushroom hunt continued
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam144.jpg

Skyler caught a brilliantly colored locust
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam146.jpg

We left camp after this. We wanted one more shot at the goldens before heading home. We each caught one or two more and called it a day!
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/Sierra%20Grand%20Slam%2006-2009/SierrasJune2009GrandSlam151.jpg

Skyler caught a bunch of fish too. This is mostly just pics of mine so I'm sure he will be adding a bunch more. I'm looking forward to them as I'm sure they have different light and colors angles than my camera and it's always nice to have another perspective. Had a good time getting out there and fishing with Skyler again like old times and it's seems as though we have overcome our differences of opinion in the process.

We didn't have to get out the backpacks this time. The higher elevations are still snowed in. Full day hiking is your best bet. Weather is getting below 30* still back in the hills and runoff is everywhere. Snow is down to 10,750' I'd say on the back side of the hills. Rains, snows and flurries were breaking out on the common throughout the trip. Winds and sun were unpredictable at best, but fishing was pretty much epic! We didn't even have to try too hard accept for the brookies!

Great trip, My first brookie goal was acheived, acheived a Grand Slam (four species, not sierra slam) of sierra trout and got out of the mainstream for a while. Won't be forgetting this one for a while, as with all the rest of the amazing trips up into the Sierras.

Thanks for reading. Sorry, can't share my GPS maps.
-TJ

[Skyler]

Epic indeed! I had a blast, and not the normal socal type of blast. it was an awesome peaceful blast of 30 degree air, wild fish, and total quiet, he he. Best 4 days of my adult life, man. Here are some more pics:

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/4923/1001070.jpg

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/4707/1001071.jpg

http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/6252/1001072.jpg

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/1429/1001073.jpg

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/204/1001077f.jpg

http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/7996/1001078a.jpg

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/8131/1001081.jpg

http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/4282/1001082k.jpg

http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/34/1001086t.jpg

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/8937/1001088.jpg

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/1992/1001090q.jpg

http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/3875/1001091q.jpg

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/8895/1001092ded.jpg

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/5794/1001100f.jpg

http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/8169/1001101x.jpg

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/6098/1001102i.jpg

Not a bad trip at all, he he he. Tight lines!

-Skyler

[slief]

Nice report!! Those were some beautiful fish! Great job on the slam!! That was one of the better and more detailed reports I have read in a while. Make me want to hit the sierras!

Thanks for taking the time to detail your adventure!

[cappo]

Aweome report guys. I would love to take a trip like that sometime. Kinda gets you motivated.

[Fisherman57]

OUTSTANDING report gentlemen!
Thanks for sharing this!



57

[JediMindTricks]

looks like a good *** time fer sure!

[THE MEXI-CAN!!!!]

Epic indeed! I had a blast, and not the normal socal type of blast. it was an awesome peaceful blast of 30 degree air, wild fish, and total quiet, he he. Best 4 days of my adult life, man. Here are some more pics:

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/4923/1001070.jpg

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/4707/1001071.jpg

http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/6252/1001072.jpg

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/1429/1001073.jpg

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/204/1001077f.jpg

http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/7996/1001078a.jpg

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/8131/1001081.jpg

http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/4282/1001082k.jpg

http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/34/1001086t.jpg

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/8937/1001088.jpg

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/1992/1001090q.jpg

http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/3875/1001091q.jpg

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/8895/1001092ded.jpg

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/5794/1001100f.jpg

http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/8169/1001101x.jpg

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/6098/1001102i.jpg

Not a bad trip at all, he he he. Tight lines!

-Skyler

let me know when u guys go up again ill see if i can get sum time from the wife i wanna get a grand slam!!!

[DocHolliday]

Awesome report and pics guys thanks for sharing! One of these days im gonna get out there.

[Wingnut]

I didn't know that burrying the hatchet was that much fun. :Wink: Glad to see it! :Cool: What a great trip, congrats on the slams! :Envious:

[KILLA]

Nice report guys, Im glad to see the multi species worked out in your favor.

Killa

[tenderloin]

Great trip you guys! Thanks for the pics and the narrative.

So glad you boys got together for this trip.

[DccFISHerMan]

awesome report and pics man

[greg]

What's the empty shotgun shell doing behind the Keystone Light?

Great job on the pics. Nice story...

[klocked]

Great report TJ!!!

You and Skyler know how to have a great time out there!!

Felt like I was there the whole trip!! I remember doing those kind of trips with my dad, minus the fishing, just treking around in the outdoors for a few days. I cant wait to find some time to do that with my son only with the fishing.

Great pictures with great captions!!

On that pic with the dust devil behind the sign.... so the sign got in the way at that split second?

[Loco]

I'm new to this board and this post is great. A grand slam is always something to be proud of. Looks like you guyes really tear it up! I really love hitting the backcountry lakes for brookies and goldens. Is that Long Lake you guys were fishing?
Hit me up for info on some other backcountry lakes as I know a few that give up 20" trout consistently.
I'm also looking to fish with someone that uses mini jigs as fly fishing as that is all I really know how to do. But it sure works great in the backcountry. Maybe we can take a trip. Keep up the great posts.

[tacklejunkie]

Great report TJ!!!

On that pic with the dust devil behind the sign.... so the sign got in the way at that split second?

Thanks klocked.
Yes, that picture with the dust devil was completely unintentional.
I was taking a pic of the tornado when the gusty wind sign got right in the shot. Definitely a freak accident I wasn't trying to make happen. I had no idea the sign was coming up, and even if I did would probably not have been able to time it perfect to nail both in the same shot out my side windown while doing 65mph.


Loco,
Be careful with your spots dude. Hang on to them tight. They can get run down quick if you post them in the public! I'd be glad to share spots with you sometime. I'm sure we'll talk later. ;)

[Skyler]

Thanks, guys. It was one helluva time, that's for sure.

Wingnut: It's a good thing we actually brought a hatchet to bury, otherwise we probably wouldn't have had fire the second night, lol.

Greg: The shot shell is there as a shim, so i can open my door from the inside. But I was also strapped the whole trip, in case of bears/etc. If you look closely at this pic, you can see my shotgun sitting in front of my tent (the red one):

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/8131/1001081.jpg

A bit of buckshot makes for a pretty good insurance policy, he he. Tight lines, guys.

-Skyler

[Loco]

Thanks for the advice TackleJunkie. I'm brand new to posting here , but been lurking once in a while before. Let's talk soon. I guess I take advantage that everyone C&R, but I know that isn't true.

[Skyler]

Thanks for the advice TackleJunkie. I'm brand new to posting here , but been lurking once in a while before. Let's talk soon. I guess I take advantage that everyone C&R, but I know that isn't true.

Welcome aboard, Loco. TJ has seen plenty of good spots get rushed due to too much info being posted on the forum. His advice comes from experience. Most of us do indeed CPR, but there is also a large group of anglers who keep everything they catch, regardless of size, species, or ecological circumstances. And this forum is open to viewing by guests. It only takes a few of the bad ones (they tell their friends, then they tell their friends, and so on) to totally screw a small native fish population, so we creekers usually just post our reports without a location, and share spots with each other via PM. Hit me up if you ever wanna fly fish the SBNF. Tight lines.

-Skyler

[Loco]

Thanks for the welcome and advice. I'd hate to see these places go to hell.

[Sierra_Smitty]

Phenomenal report and pictures....awesome!

[Roostertail]

I'm envious of how often you guys get out. Enjoyed the report. I've found those Thomas Bouyant's to be useful fishing deep slots in big fast water. They get down fairly quick. Plus, with a single hook and the barb pinched they are great for C+R. Skyler, you sure can filet a fish. I've tried and they don't look anything like yours. Thanks for the report guys.

[DCCTrouserTrout]

Looked like an awsome trip. Pretty rare to catch 4 species of trout like that and you both accomplished it.

[Troutman65]

:Cool: That you two could patch things up and go fishing together again. Great report & pics. :Envious:

[rotto84]

Great job on the fishing and pictures!

[MAN VS WILD]

Nice job on the Grand Slam guys. Looks like you had a blast at it. I just got back from up there too. I would of like to hike in like you guys to those awesome spots.

Sklyer "the Secret Bait from the Gods" was on fire up there for me:LOL:. Whens the next trip?

FISH ON!!!

[Trout-Slayer77]

great job on the slam guys !! awesome report and pics !!! those are some beautiful goldens !! looks like fun trip to the sierras !!

[matt duarte]

nice TJ and skyler! i dont see how i missed this report! looks like you had a blast! i see french camp pictured but what camp was that with all the trees every where?

[Skyler]

Nice job on the Grand Slam guys. Looks like you had a blast at it. I just got back from up there too. I would of like to hike in like you guys to those awesome spots.

Skyler "the Secret Bait from the Gods" was on fire up there for me:LOL:. Whens the next trip?

FISH ON!!!

Thanks, Tony. I figured that stuff would own up there. I was gonna bring some but forgot. Luckily I had my fly rod, panther martins, and trusty Gulp! worms, he he he. If it swims in a creek, those worms can catch it.

I'll hit you up for another trip shortly. I'm booked for this weekend, but next weekend is a possibility. I was thinking of hitting Jenks from the kayak. I'll let you know what's up. Tight lines.

[Granny Fish]

Excellent report. Beautiful color on those skinny water fish. Thanks for telling us about your adventures.

[seal]

Fantastic journey guys! And always include a pic of a Keystone Light. Goes down good after a hard day of combat fishing.

[Skyler]

Fantastic journey guys! And always include a pic of a Keystone Light. Goes down good after a hard day of combat fishing.

Combat fishing indeed. The whole cab of my Suzuki was basically a laundermat after fishing in that rainstorm, lol. Stuff was hanging all over the place drying, including us, lol! Amazing the things we'll go through to catch a few 9" wild trout...

[Yellow Dog]

It's funny how creative fishermen get when it comes to fishing. We started fishing for Sierra Slam (rainbow,brook,brown,golden) Grand Slams (add cuttthroat) and Sierra Stream Slam( rainbow,brook,brown,goldenall in the same stream). I have achieved the Sierra Slam, and Stream slam, but never the Grand Slam. Someday. Great Job. Yellow Dog

[sansou]

Cool report and pics!

Ok, I wrote a long response regarding the mushrooms, but I got bumped off the network somehow in the process.

In a nutshell, the brown boletus (cepe) looking one (the one with your shoe in the pic) is of amanita but not sure exactly which. According to the book I use (Mushrooms Demystified), its either poisonous, or will give you the runs (if you don't dry them out first...common with many shrooms btw). We would have to know a lot of different things about what was around it (trees, terrain, sunlight etc...) to narrow it down.

I notice the cap and stalk are of the right color and shape, but the stalk is kinda shortish for edible boletus. The laminae are right looking too, but, we would have to see what they look like once broken. Absence of annulus is good sign too. Were any other you saw eaten by hooved animals? Strong fragrances?

Anyway, the other ones I am pretty sure are not good.

Cool finds indeed, thanks for sharing!

[troutdog]

Excellent report and pics....congrats on the grandslam!


TD

[tacklejunkie]

Were any other you saw eaten by hooved animals? Actually,
One of the "suspect good mushrooms" with the foamy type gills like the one near my foot had nibbles from animals on it in the morning :Wink:
After I saw that, I was just about positive it was good. I did also cut the stem of the one near my shoe in half, and waited a few hours. No discoloration to speak of.

Yes, you are also correct. The polish dude who taught me I could eat those, would dry them by a dozen large flats or racks in his camp before eating. My uncle and I who were visiting his polish friends camp were amazed at just how many they had picked out and started drying on their huge plastic flats cases! They would have 5-10 of these 3'x2' racks just laying around camp full of drying mushrooms from the other side of the sierras. The foam gilled ones like near my foot are the only ones I can still remember were closest to edible. That is, only if they didn't turn blue when you cut them!

That's what's scary about shrooms. Don't F with them if you don't know for sure! They can kill!
Since I can't be sure from my younger year mushroom teachings, I just photograph them now and ponder.

You ever see a chicken mushroom Rich? Those things are unmistakable and very tasty! We friend one up like breaded chicken once and I couldn't tell the difference! These things are tasty! Unmistakable as well. You run across one of these in the forest and you know you can eat it for sure. I went looking for chicken mushrooms but I was unable to find any. Most of the log type surfaces they would grow on were still icing over at night. I think they will be more plentiful when it heats up more and the ice isn't sticking to the dead trees and logs in that area. Still too early in the season I think!
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/chickenmushroomgoo2.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/chickenmushroomgood1.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/chickenmushroomgood3.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/chickenmushroom5.jpg

If you were to ask me, this one below looks kinda old. I don't see any orange left on it, just yellow. I'd look for one with lots of orange and yellow on it.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/chickenmushroom6.jpg

Slice a "breast" off the "chicken" and bread it then fry it up! Delicious! Tastes exactly as it's name implies.

[mth1997]

Don't F with them if you don't know for sure! They can kill!

I've heard that mushrooms have so little nutritional value that its not worth the risk to eat them even in a survival situation.

BTW, way to handle the weather guys. And those are some nice fishees!

[tacklejunkie]

True,
I suppose you couldn't base a diet off of them.
However, couple with some grasses for salad from the area and a few trapped small furry animals or fishes and you got a meal! Those chicken mushrooms last like a week I think on the side of a tree or more. Could help with a side dish to your fish for a week or two in the woods!

The polish guys that used to dry them by the flats used them in spaghetti and cooking back at home in slices.

I remember some of the huge mushrooms they got being up to 2lbs! Big 'ol toad stool looking mushrooms straight out of the mario video games. Those chicken mushrooms can get huge and weigh up to many pounds. The one I ate a piece of before looked just like the one from the middle picture I posted above only huge. Like the size of a car door. We had to look all over to find it so I'd assume they aren't as common as the little ones you find all over in the dirt popping up through the pine needles.

Just another thing to pass the time like pinecone bowling while in the woods. :Wink:

[idratherbfishin]

I read that report four times in a row. NICE!! Great writing, photograhpy and fishing. I am now living vicariously thru you. Your draconian effort really paid off.

[DEADROOTS]

Man! Those photos are beyond awesome, well done! Where did you guys target those brook trout?