Fish and/or wild flowers, take your pick.

[Fly Guy Dave]

Fish and/or wild flowers, take your pick.

I just got back from a high Sierra lake for some ice-out fishing for goldens. The hike in is pretty straightforward for the first six miles and then the hike up the ridge to the lake is a steep, pretty much an off-trail grind. When I first went to this lake five years ago, it was easy to follow, but due to blow downs, erosion and lack of maintenance, I think I was on the actual trail maybe 10% of the time. The nice part about this is the profusion of wildflowers all over the place. I was often distracted and took a bunch of photos on my way up and my way down, three days later.









But I know you’re here to see some fish porn, not flowers, so here ya go:







Oooh, baby!

Here’s a male golden in spawning colors, but with his spotting pattern, I would guess some rainbow trout in his ancestry.



The lake was maybe 2/3 frozen over when I got there and then probably 1/3 frozen when I left. Three and a half days without seeing another human being. Pretty amazing in a state with almost 40 million people in it.



There was a nice rise in the morning and in the evening and midge patterns and soft hackles worked quite well. During the other times, a streamer I call a “Balducci ‘s Big Ugly” produced. Most fish were 11 to 14 inches and I had one on that looked and felt a lot bigger, but he came unhooked at the last second. After a winter of the trout being piscivorous, they were very happy to have the opportunity to eat something else and the fishing (and catching) was red hot!

When not fishing, there was plenty of exploring, reading, nap taking and reveling in the quiet and lack of any influence from the outside world. Good times!

[John Sv]

Thumbs UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[hwchubb]

Thanks for the update! Will be heading into the high country to chase Golden’s and others with my 13 year old on Friday. Thanks as well for raising my already unrealistic expectations!

[hwchubb]

Just out of interest, what elevation were you? We’ll be at 10 to 10.6, maybe still a bit more winter at that elevation than I thought?

[Fly Guy Dave]

Just out of interest, what elevation were you? We’ll be at 10 to 10.6, maybe still a bit more winter at that elevation than I thought?

This lake is right in that 10 to 10.6 range, and I would wager that by the time you're at that elevation, you should be just fine.

[hwchubb]

Thanks Dave! And thanks for the great non-fish pics as well!

[EricO]

Great report Dave....always look forward to your reports, cuz you're willing
to go a little farther than most. Beautifully colored goldens.

What rod weight did you use?

Eric

[Fly Guy Dave]

What rod weight did you use?

On high country lakes I usually bring my 5 piece 6wt. It packs well, has some punch in the wind, and I can roll cast with it, since on some parts of this lake there isn't a lot of room to back cast. I also had my Tenkara rod for when they were rising in the mornings and evenings.

[EricO]

Ah ok, I was going to guess a 4wt, but makes sense with roll casting.

Good stuff Dave!

Eric

[Fly Guy Dave]

I do have a five piece 4wt that often bring on my backcountry trips, but this time I just needed that extra punch that a 6wt gives me. Normally a 6wt is a bit too much for remote trout, to be sure.

Glad you liked the pics.