Sierras

[dennis boatman]

I am headed out to California in July. Hoping to fish the Owens River in Bishop area and them go over the mountains and fish the rivers o the western slope. Will probably fish mostly the Merced river and its tributaries and some of the area in Yosemite. I hope to get some great pics and will post. Can't wait to go!

[ness]

Sounds like a sweet trip. I'm looking forward to seeing your report.

[dennis boatman]

well, I'm not the best at word smithing, but I do take a mean picture, so my report will be picture heavy...

[Tim Smith]

I am headed out to California in July. Hoping to fish the Owens River in Bishop area and them go over the mountains and fish the rivers o the western slope. Will probably fish mostly the Merced river and its tributaries and some of the area in Yosemite. I hope to get some great pics and will post. Can't wait to go!

There are wicked huge smallmouth in the Merced River, even up to the boundaries of Yosemite. If you get a chance, you might drop something in a deep pool to see if they're willing to dance.

[dennis boatman]

Made it back from my trip to the Sierras. 3 weeks passed way to quickly. With all we had to see and do, I did not get to fish as much as I'd liked, but did manage a little time on most days to fish at least an hour or so. Started in Bishop, CA on Rock Creek and caught my first fish on second cast, a small beautiful rainbow. Headed back to town for the night and had a few minutes and fished the Owens River. Using my spinning rod, I caught a few small Browns and one a little over 12" and VERY fat. Next day we headed back up Rock Creek Canyon, and hiked the Little Lakes trail, up to 11,000 feet and played in the snow. Brookies were very willing to bite on any fly offered. No size but as many 6-8"ers as you had time for. Beautiful fish and a blast to catch. Headed over the mountains and fished the Merced, South Yuba, Kings, East fork of the Carson, where the Lahontan Cutthroats were awsome. Those native Rainbows are like torpedos when hooked. Shake a few times then take off at light speed and jump. Had a great time, catching 6 kinds of trout, Stocked Rainbow, Native Rainbow, Brook, Brown, Cutthroat, and Golden. Excellent trip with wonderful weather, lows every night in the 50's. No good pics as I took them myself while holding fish and camera.

[Buzz]

Sounds like a fantastic trip. Those fish pics are great. I wish I could do as well.

[dennis boatman]

It's been an adjustment coming back to this heat. Already planning our next trip in 2014. May retire out there in a few years.

[Ill Trout Bum]

I wouldn't blame you for wanting to retire there. I stayed in Mammoth Lakes last fall and was fortunate enough to fish several prime waters. I especially loved McLeod lake in the basin. Well worth the short hike to fish there.

I was surprised to see how few people actually fish in yosemite. Had a blast fishing a dry fly in the meadows one early evening.

[dennis boatman]

...seemed to us about half of the Yosemite visitors were from out of the country...and yes, very few if any fishing...Anywhere on the eastern slope has some great fishing, especially the Owens River...the hike in lakes are great too. Love those Goldens...Headed back out in October of 2014...