Six days in the Mt. Whitney backcountry

[windknot]

I did a 6-day solo backpack up Shepherd Pass last week into Sequoia National Park and explored a lot of the lakes and streams just north of Mt. Whitney. Here are a few pictures from the trip, hope you enjoy!

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Thanks for looking!
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[k.hanley]

Well done Windknot. Really enjoyed the pics.

Solo trips into the backcountry are indeed a special thing to experience.

Cheers, Ken

[pvsprme]

Nice; really enjoyed your blog

[Ben Kobrin]

Do you ever do anything that isn't awesome?

[SHigSpeed]

Simply brilliant!

_SHig

[Ed Wahl]

Great shots of great Goldens Windknot.

What's that gi-normous fly in their lips?

Got any close ups of it?

Ed

[JasonB]

Looks like a spectacular time in a magical place. Thanks so much for the fantastic pictures... do we have a drooling icon?
JB

[windknot]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the kind words. The Sierra backcountry is a particularly beautiful place to fish and explore, and I simply try to capture a bit of its essence in my pictures and on my blog.

Ed, this pattern is called an army ant. It looks a lot like a big foam hopper, just hairier and uglier and therefore more irresistible to trout (I hope).

[windknot]

Oh, forgot the closeup. I don't have any pictures of the fly by itself, but here's the closest I've got:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8178/8058680029_f5c2e1872b.jpg

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Wonderful post WN........thanks.

[Mark Kranhold]

Sweet post!!! Awesome photos as well! Love the third from the bottom shot.. That is one beautiful fish, but what is that hooked in its mouth?

[windknot]

Thanks! It's a metal lure called a Z-Ray, made by Wittman Lures in Arizona. My favorite lures for spin fishing. Though I always prefer to fly fish on high lakes (no better feeling than watching a nice fish smash a dry fly in crystal-clear water beneath a towering peak), I'm no purist and bring a spinning rod for those times when I simply can't find any fish closer to shore in a deep mountain lake. A useful way to spend the time between sight-fishing for cruisers, in my estimation. :)

[GoldenStone]

Great trip Wind knot. I jealous!

[RenoLipRipper]

great, ditto all above

[betty]

Your posts are awesome. Beautiful fish. Thank you!!!
Betty