Quick Mammoth trip

[PaulC]

Hey Folks,
Been a long time since I posted a report.
Thought folks that know us might like this one.

Just got back from a family trip to Mammoth.
We ended up finding a good deal on a 2 bd condo online and booked it last minute from Thursday through Sunday 07/11.
Didn't take a ton of pics as I was flying solo a couple mornings, but did get our 3 year old into his first fish fighting himself and my dad a fish on the fly.

Friday we started way up on the Owens looking for some wild fish on the fly with my Dad.
Ended up getting a couple little guys, but nothing of notable size.
Did the hike into Little Lakes in the afternoon. Couldn't go in too far, as I'd have to pack out Darius. The wind was up, but we got some casting practice in and watched some little brookies milling about.
The little man is getting pretty good at casting his batman rod and can even deal with the larger loomis stick with some help.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v715/Cronin/Lake_Lesson.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v715/Cronin/Trail_Down.jpg

Saturday, woke up early and went out for a solo missing on the upper Owens. Ended up being a nice morning with 16 fish over a mix of dry and swinging a big black meat whistle style fly minus the jig hook.
Largest was a nice 18+" native rainbow cartwheeling all over a pool.
Had to leave before things really got going with dry fly, but there were some nice #16-#18 size caddis coming off with fish crashing sporadically.
Went back, grabbed the family and went north to where I caught my first fish at this age.
Fun experience having three generations fishing. Grandpa got a stocker on a dry.
Showed little man how to dead drift salmon eggs to stockers in a choked section of stream.
He managed 4 and was super stoked.
Finished it off with some pie, ice cream and a cold beer.
Darius had his own fishing style, which he'll hopefully outgrow.
Got some pretty weird looks from the Euro tourists watching a kid fighting trout with no pants on a batman rod. :lol:
Rock it while you can I guess...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v715/Cronin/D_Rockinit.jpg

Got the pants back on for the last one before the batman rod blew up.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v715/Cronin/D_Fighting.jpg

Went out the last morning for a final solo session. Nabbed another 6 swinging the streamer, and threw at a toad crashing on caddis for 15 minutes before bailing.
Lots of life in the water.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v715/Cronin/Owens_Sunrise.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v715/Cronin/Locals.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v715/Cronin/Rods.jpg

No pictures of fish.
I didn't have a net and didn't want to screw with the fish and the camera when out there solo.
Mosquitos were not as bad as they can be, but were definitely present when things warmed up.
Most of the hatch I saw when present were caddis and some midges.

Ended the trip at a secret spot loaded with monsters.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v715/Cronin/Can_I_Fish_Here.jpg

I wish...but Darius was seriously perplexed why he couldn't fish there.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v715/Cronin/D_Hatchery_2.jpg

Fun trip. Little guy is stoked on fishing, so I'll hopefully get him out there again sometime soon.

-Paul

[bigfly]

Paul, can I go next time?
I'll wear pants.
Nice story. Pics too.
Personally, I think anyone under 4 yrs should be able to fish a hatchery.

Jim

[jbird]

Hey Paul! Great to hear from ya.

What a sweet report! Love the shot of junior in the undies. LOL

Hope all is well.

[Ed Wahl]

Nice story Paul, thanks.

Fishing pantless never gets old. :D

Ed

[Dave Neal]

Very nice report, Paul. Thanks for sharing... kids going fishing are always wonderful moments, regardless of the fish.

[Mike O]

Nice story Paul, thanks.

Fishing pantless never gets old. :D

Ed

Now I know why everyone wants to go hiking with you Ed.


You do know that "hiking your pants off" is supposed to be figurative language, not literal???!!??

MAO

[Darian]

Great photo's.... That area is where my venture for Trout with a fly occurred. I was 13 years old then.... :-\" Looks like Darius really got into 'em. wet wading is close to skinny dippin' anyway.... :nod: Thanks for bringing back some very good memories.... 8-)

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

I tell my young friends that you have to get married and have kids if you ever aspire to be a grandpa...........

Actually that is not totally true. You can just marry a grandma.

Excellent post Paul.

[PaulC]

Thanks guys.
My wife reminded me that our last trip out there was 5 years ago.
It is hard to believe how fast time flies.
Such a beautiful place. I need to get out there more often next summer.

All is well.
Just been busy with family, fixated on the local surf in the summer (corbina), and the rare steelhead trip up north.

Hope to get more trips in with Darius as he gets older.
So much fun experiencing everything all over again with him:)
-Paul


Here's a smaller model from this morning near grey light (~6am):
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v715/Cronin/IMGP0909.jpg

And a steelhead on a purple tube from last winter:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v715/Cronin/purple_tube.jpg

[Darian]

Man!!! You are livin' the life. Both of those fish are beautiful!!! =D>

[jbird]

Suhweeeet! Is that Beulah rod you have there?

[Hairstacker]

What a great trip Paul, thanks for sharing it! Looks like your boy is getting off to a great start too, good for you! :cool:

[PaulC]

Suhweeeet! Is that Beulah rod you have there?

Its a Meiser rod I picked up a few years ago.
Great rod on the rivers and overhead in the surf out here.
A bit heavy handed for our local surf from a grain weight perspective, but have had fun in the right conditions.
No problems in reaching out and touching far out structure with little effort.
I've heard great things about Beulah sticks as well, but haven't had the chance to give one a cast.

-Paul

[jbird]

Paul

Meiser was on the Beulah team at that time, No wonder I recognized the cork :)

If you are ever looking for something a little different, Beulah has a surf rod now. Its 11' and light as a whip. It is a 2 handed, overhead rod. They are cannons! Absolutely light enough to manipulate single handed when necessary but with all the chracteristics of a two hand. James is a baja nut and designed this rod specifically for baja beaches. They are being used in great numbers now for coho beach fishing in Vancouver Island. A very demanding fishery and the guys just love em. I believe they go down to 7wt.

If you give James a call at Beulah, please tell him I sent ya ;)

Or call Bill Kiene as I believe he carries the Beulah line.