Alpine County, California. A report of sorts...

[Fly Guy Dave]

A quick virtual tour of Alpine County, California, including geographical features and some of the fauna.

Still lots of snow up on the higher peaks…

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa104/dderuysscher/Lots%20of%20Snow_zps8ch07nmy.jpg

…which leads to heavy flows in the streams.

Here’s the West Carson:

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa104/dderuysscher/West%20Carson_zpsiyx6bizf.jpg

…and here’s the East Carson:

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa104/dderuysscher/East%20Carson_zpszhlvqe8v.jpg

Some guide based in South Lake Tahoe recently said: The East Carson is rite at that 750 cfs this morning as well and that means game on! Really? For what? RAFTING?!?
It looks like that river is still a few weeks out until it comes into shape.

Here are a couple of the locals in Alpine county:

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa104/dderuysscher/Pelican_zps3w60fkb4.jpg
An American White Pelican

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa104/dderuysscher/Bear2_zpskc8zo3sw.png
Plus Ursus Americanus, the Black Bear (although this one is a cool cinnamon color)

And the primary purpose of my trip:

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa104/dderuysscher/Trout_zps3rngcl4l.jpg
Oncorhynchus mykiss X clarkii
This 17"er liked my BHFBPT


And of course some great scenery like this alpenglow:

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa104/dderuysscher/Alpen%20Glow_zpsfw6lvz1t.jpg

It’s good to get back into the Sierra!

[John Sv]

Curious,
What's got you thinking cuttbow on that one?
Those spots are morphing into vermiculations-cool!

[Fly Guy Dave]

I didn't get them in the picture, but under the gills were very distinctive red slashes of color, which would indicate a hybrid. This was obviously a hatchery raised trout, probably recently planted by DFW. Still a lot of fun to catch and a beautiful fish!

Here's another picture and I zoomed in. You can get a glimpse of the cutt marks, but they were much more distinctive in person and when the fishes gills were extended out a bit more.

12024

[John Sv]

That is one neat looking fish-thanks!

[Morgan]

The flows were probably at 750cfs last week.
But this week the temps hit the high 70s-low 80s and not freezing nights.
Thus causing the flows to spike. The water is cold and high again.
Lots of still water around. Or nice hiking with mosquitos for little fish.
It's just how it should be in the sierras. Finally!

[johnsquires]

What a beautiful, beautiful fish! I went back a few times to look at it again. Thanks.

[EricO]

If I had only seen the sides of that fish with the vermiculations, I would have
guessed it was a brook trout.

Don't think I've seen that kind of pattern on a cuttbow before. Very cool!

Eric

[Ralph]

Gorgeous fish! Some hatchery tech probably dropped a hit of windowpane in the brood tank.