Eastern Sierra

[dennis boatman]

Just returned from a trip to the California Eastern Sierra. Mostly fished Bishop Creek Canyon, but did fish the Owens river some. Also went to the West slope and fished the Stanislaus, Tuolumne, Merced, and several smaller streams....beautiful as always...

[mic]

I'm planning a trip out there next summer. Any recommendation for only one day. I love small water? My plan is San Diego, up the coast highway, San Fransico, Red Woods and then home. I need something in that run.

[Ill Trout Bum]

I fished out there 2 years ago. Absolutely beautiful!!! If you happen to be in the Mammoth Lakes area, I would recommend McGee Creek or the Upper Owens River. Both have easy access points and usually fish well throughout the year. If you happen to go to Yosemite, check out the Tuolumne in the meadows area. It's full of feisty brookies that will take nearly any dry fly presented to them.

Here is a link to great site with fishing reports for the Eastern Sierras. www.sierradrifters.com

Good luck on your trip.

[dennis boatman]

It is spectacular. I lived in Bishop as a kid. It's where I learned flyfishing. Mostly on the Owens river and Bishop Creek. Perfect time of year to go. Schools are still in session. We pretty much had it to ourselves...We even made an offer on a house in Sonora, CA.....We REALLY like it out there...

[dennis boatman]

You're going to have to go inland to get to the smaller streams. At least anything I know of...Sonora Pass or Ebbets Pass have great access right along the Hwy...

I'm planning a trip out there next summer. Any recommendation for only one day. I love small water? My plan is San Diego, up the coast highway, San Fransico, Red Woods and then home. I need something in that run.

[mic]

You're going to have to go inland to get to the smaller streams. At least anything I know of...Sonora Pass or Ebbets Pass have great access right along the Hwy...

I don't know enough to know enough. My wife and kid are going to go out a week before me and stay with family. It isn't the best plan, but I'm trying to get in as many bucket list items as possible. I'll take any advice you have to offer. The general thought process is start in San Diego, up to San Fransico, and east to Yositme.

1. San Diego Zoo

2. Drive up the West Coast Highway

3. Monterey Bay Aquarium

4. Golden Gate Bridge

5. Giant Redwood Trees

[dennis boatman]

Yosemite. Head that way and the family will love it too. The park can get crowded, but rarely anyone fishing, and the best is just outside the park. The Merced river is great. Lots of "torpedo" type Rainbows. They ate me up last summer. Took me a while to adjust to there fighting tactics. they just seemed really fast and jumped all the time. It's a beautiful river. Also, Kings Canyon/Sequoia national Parks are great. and MUCH less crowded, and almost as beautiful. the Kings River is tough to fish because of its strong currents, but the fish are there. Have fun.

[Feathers and Fins]

Mic, If you are going up PCH you need to stop off at the Piers on the way, First one I would stop at after San Diego is San Clemente Pier. Its an interesting pier and the beachfront town is Mediterranean with shops and great beach. After that Hit Dana Point for a nice scenic experience after that Newport Pier it has one of the last true Dory Fleets left in the country and a true historical landmark often over looked. You can do all three of those in one day. While at Newport you have to have one of the Hamburgers at Ruby's on the pier.

You could then hit Disneyland but Knotts Berry Farm IMO is better for family, Don't miss Venice Beach its an experience you have to live to understand. On your way up the coast from there the Dutch Community of Solvein is a must stop in. after that its on to the north areas.

[mic]

Thanks guys.

[dennis boatman]

Also, I don't know your mode of transportation, but we always fly to Vegas and rent a car from there. That way, you can experience the desert, and it really isn't that long of a drive to SD. Also, you can get cheap rooms in Vegas if you shop around. We just paid about $35 a night at The Quad, and flights to Vegas from Bentonville are very reasonable. If you have never been to California, I am sure you will love it. I, personally, have not spent much time on the coast. I lived on both sides of the Sierras in the "foothills". The California I know and love are so much different from what most people think it is....peaceful and quiet...