E. Sierras w/ Matt D, Ron and SR. 10/27-30 (tons of pics)

[tacklejunkie]

I have a lot of pics so I'll try and keep the reading to a minimum. We used 4 different cameras for this trip. Sorry for the inconsistent photo sizing.

I planned a few months back to hit the Eastern Sierras while the GF was out of town for a few. Didn't really have any specific place in mind, just planned on spot hopping and learning more of the area. As the date drew closer, Matt D, Ron and Brian were all starting to get into the fly and anxious to check it out as well. Next thing you know it was the four of us heading up for the week on a mission!

Thought we might do a bit of hiking and camping while on the trip for a change of scenery and a chance at some of the fine fish the Sierras have to offer. The window of weather looked slim but we decided to give it a shot anyways and packed accordingly. On with the photos!

I left for Bishop a day early to secure base camp and do a bit of spot hopping. Here's Whitney on the way up. I have a feeling I may be taking a picture from the opposite end some day.


Of course, I hit several tackle shops and loaded up with more than I needed. After which, I grabbed a bite to eat and left town for base camp at the Owens


Much calmer than last trip


One of the biggest crayfish I've seen. That's my huge foot..


Went up the road to check out the dam


The fish were hitting on top. Saw a family of 3 catch 1
No fish for me on day 1. Farmed at least 10 in the Owens wild section on barbless gear.


The next morning. Just before Sunrise at base camp


Decided to try my luck at some spots on Bishop Creek for the first time.
Picked up first fish of the trip on the good 'ol Panther Martin Holographic.


I got the honor of fighting that trout through rapids from his pool on 2lb. Long skinney lil guy reminded me of back home.
I love finding little creek cubby holes!
Spotted another very large brown nearby this area.


This shot actually came out somewhat! Clouds spread so thin they created a visible spectrum like a rainbow lining.


Since I was half way there already.. I went to see South Lake for the first time really quick. Here's a few shots from up that way..




South Lake and beyond




Was beginning to wonder when the crew was gonna make it up,
so I headed back down to town to fish in close and gain cell reception.
Check out the O near five bridges for nada.


Then found a small cut of Bishop Creek off a dirt road. Saw lots of fishing garbage and "no camping" signs, so I figured day use fishing was OK. A nearby DFG officer later confirmed my figures.
Managed two bows here, both of which had been C&R'd a time or two already. Evident by previously ripped lips and rashed up scales.






Then I got "the call" from Matt and met them down by the fly shops.
After some supply gathering we headed back to base.




Weather looks good! Time to get down to business. It won't be that way long.


Ron and Matt learned there really is animals abound when they left the windows down.


Breakfast with "Brookie"


Mc'Golden


Ron decided to go a bit last minute so ran the Jansport and
clip rig. Animal style!


Despite how it may look, that's actually a pretty comfy setup!


Brian taking it all in while Ron targets some sly micro brookies


...............


first lake




second lake


third lake






fourth lake






fifth lake












The start of the hike

Continued in next post..

[tacklejunkie]

Half way


Up the hard part, one more small climb.




Brian made it first!


I missed one on the stimulator, and Brian hooks up!


Then Matt hooked up!


Another for Matt! Good size!




My "Luxury Item" - Beanie Weenies on the UL can stove.


It was a cold night. Ron toughed it out with minimal gear without a wimper.


First light. Nice and sunny!


Literally 20 minutes later, starting to snow!
One last wet line before it's time to outrun the storm.
NW

SW

SE

NE


Ron also caught a golden right before we left
He has the pic of it though. Not sure if I can get it from him..




The snow coming in on our way out




Brookies, chillen.


That's about the end of our mission. We had planned to stay a little longer but didn't want to chance that small blizzard that rolled in. You can't see it in the pics but it was snowing at times. We still managed to get in there and catch some of those beauties though! Didn't feel like sticking around bishop the rest of my time up there and wasn't sure if it was going to rain there or not so decided to head home!

Fish count:
TJ - Two bows and a brownie, countless farms including a dink brookie and a few goldens
Matt D - 2 goldens
Brian - 1 golden
Ron - 1 golden, few missed goldens

All in all a fun trip! I'm glad you guys hooked into those fish! I'll get one next time and it only gives me a reason to go back again as well as other places. You won't forget that for a long time. I still have memories of my first backpacking trips 12 years ago. Glad you all came with me and we had a freakin blast out there! Not bad for a last second decision! I can only imagine what we could do if we planned in advance!

Thanks for taking the time to load our pics and read the report!
Just left and already can't wait to go back..
-TJ

[soulsurfer]

That was smokin TJ....thanks for sharing. Those trout sure have vibrant colors.

[DccFISHerMan]

Madd props on all the pics man!!! takes time outta fsihing to take all those pics. Sweet trip im jelous... Big time!!!

[matt duarte]

hahaha hell ya dude!!! you put our trip together beautifuly! glad i sent you all my pix to so it could all be on one report! those goldens are something else! awesome fighting fish for there size!
what could i say...... the sierras is a beautiful place! ill never forget this trip TJ! especially that damn ROCK TERRIS!!!! thats one huge mofoin rock pile/mountian! without those hiking sticks i had i would of not made it lol saved my arse many times from fallin backward! plus i think i was fighting altitude sickness.... felt real dizzy,like pukin,legs were real wobbley! but i sucked up and and hoped for the best and kept truckin...

the next morning on the mountain ron found some huge bear prints on the ground near camp that were way bigger than a normal human fist.

oh ya and those damn raccoons stole me freakin king size twix!!!

when ever your ready TJ let me know and ill be back there with you! i wish the storm didnt roll in so we could of stayed longer like we planned...

[SoCalGuy7]

Awesome report TJ. One you guys won't forget!

[Ronira]

Freakin sweet dawg, I used to do that kind of thing back in the day. Beautifull pics bro. Now I'm all homesick.

[retired/lasd]

That was indeed a huge crayfish, have never seen one that big up there, did you eat it?

[tacklejunkie]

That was indeed a huge crayfish, have never seen one that big up there, did you eat it?

Nah, I tossed him back. Just wanted a few quick pics.
Could have made a living on 'dad tails up there.
He really was a large one though, rivaling some of the biggun's I've seen at Gregory locally. It's tough to get a grip on his size from the pic angle. It had a blueish brown tint on top and the claws were reddish on the bottom. The huge craws were out at the river in full swing.

Reminds me of fishing craws and bullfrogs out the Kern when I was very young.

Crustaceans and mollusks/shelled animals like clams and muscles are the only foods I'm allergic to. It's unfortunate, as I love to eat them as well. If I would have eaten that crawdad it would become "difficult but not impossible" for me to breath

I've been told several things.. but the one that seems the most logical is the iodine in the animals that disagrees with me. (although I have not been allergic to straight iodine in the past?!)
Go figure.

Thanks for the comments guys. That was off the hook!
When I got home I received my next challenge waiting for me in the mail from CD. Gotta pull a fish from the surf on my fly rod!
I swear there was a bug up there on the hill that looks EXACTLY like CD's winged caddis imitation he sent me to try. I'll save those 4 flies for next time I get to altitude.

[chris]

great report