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High Sierra Fishing Web Cams
-Click on the photos below-
April 31, 2008 - Trout Season Opener Update!
Less than one month to go! I have been
closely watching many of the High Sierra Lakes along
highway 395 over the past 2 months. I am happy to say that
some of the lakes will be ice free for the opening of trout season.
Gull Lake, in the June Lake Loop
should have plenty of open water. (You can see a live web
cam of Gull Lake anytime you like by clicking on the photo
on the top left above.) My money is on this lake for the biggest
fish caught on opening day this year. The size of the fish caught
late last season there (one that topped 16 pounds!) combined with
some rather famous fishermen committed to be there opening day
should make for some very impressive numbers.
Crowley has some clear
areas near the shore in a few areas and should be wide open as usual
within the next few weeks at the current rate. You should be able to
see a live shot of Crowley by clicking on the 2nd photo above. Check
it out April 26th to see a few hundred boats anchored in Mc Gee Bay.
Intake 2 on Bishop Creek has
thawed where the flow from the 2 inlets come into the lake. The rest
of the lake still has 6 inches to a foot of ice on it. Last year I
fished here with Marlon Meade beginning at midnight. It is always
amazing to see the 100 or so head lamps and lanterns around the lake
starting an hour before the opening bell.
For the ice fishermen, there should be plenty of
lakes on hand due to the snow we had through the winter. Make sure
you check with the local marina before you head out in the ice for
current conditions!
I would love to have the same weather as
last years opener (t-shirts by 9am was the standard for many areas)
but I will be prepared for the worst as always. Have fun these next
few weeks as you continue your own countdown.
See you out there!
Charlie Halsell
charlie@highsierrawoodcarvings.com
High Sierra Fishing Reports
by Dave
Finkelstein
High Sierra Woodcarvings is privileged to
partner with Dave Finkelstein in providing you with expert fishing
tips and advise on some of the best spots that the Sierra's have to
offer. Dave has over 20 years of extensive experience fishing in the
Sierra's and has become well known as an outdoor journalist as well
as an accomplished photographer. He has written for outdoor
magazines such as Western Outdoor News and Fish Taco Chronicles. His
photography has also been published many times as it skillfully
captures the essence of what draws so many of us to the High
Sierra's. Check back soon as we will begin to post articles
and photos from him that you won't want to miss.
Finesse Fishing the Sierras
by Dave
Finkelstein
A cool breeze
ripples through the Aspens as I'm looking out onto one of my
favorite Sierra fishing holes on North Bishop Creek . Standing high
on a boulder looking downstream where the white water disappears
into crystal clear pools I can see schooling trout beneath the
surface . To many anglers this is trout fishing
heaven, myself included. High Sierra fishing can be rest and
relaxation for the mind
and soul and sometimes a transcending experience when your fighting
a five pound Alper's trout from a rushing stream on two pound test
line. It takes some angling skill and a lot of patience to
consistently catch these fish in their natural habitat . Learning
the art of finesse will make the difference between a fishless day
and the fish of a lifetime for some. Over the years , I have learned
some successful techniques that put trout on my stringer when others
can't even get a nibble. Some people think finesse fishing is
stealth tactics but most of the time it doesn't require any more
work than walking and working the fishable areas where trout are
likely to be at. This is where finesse fishing starts.
Most Sierra streams are lined with trees and rocks that make fishing
access to likely fish holding areas very difficult. Learning a
couple of techniques to fish these areas will get you hooked up but
fighting and successfully landing these fish will be an unparalleled
challenge for most. Access to the fish holding areas requires
presenting a lure in a way that allows you cast , retrieve and fight
a fish.
 This
means adapting to your environment within the streams confines. If
the stream is lined with trees and brush that makes the area you
believe is holding fish too far or difficult to cast to then you
will need to try a technique and lure capable of getting there.
Learning how to present your lure makes all the difference between
catching and just fishing. I try to find one access point to the
water , generally upstream , that allows me to fish right up to the
water's edge. This is important since you will need to fight fish
against a current and hopefully be able to net them.
When stream fishing you will need equipment that can do the job. I
fish with either a 6'6" - 7'6" graphite ultra light or light action
fiberglass rod. Some rods that are good to use are Kencor , G
.Loomis and Phoenix . There are so many rods available today that
choices are too numerous to list all here but the main reason I
choose these rods is action and the ability to handle large fish.
When it comes to reels, my choices are Daiwas and Shimano 1000
series reels. Since Daiwa and Shimano make many different reel
models its important to remember just one thing. Get a model that
has a really good drag system and it will pay for itself after
catching lots of fish .The primary reason for having a good drag
system is because the line choice for me is Maxima 2 or 3 pound test
in ultra green. This is really light line so the possibility of
breaking off a big
trout is a reality but then finesse fishing requires a line that is
nearly invisible to a wary trout. Another line that I have used with
much success is Izorline XXX Supermono
in
 2
and 4 pound tests. One item needed that never really gets attention
is a good landing net. I prefer a 3 foot handle with a minimum
15-18" net opening. Anything
with a longer handle gets to be tough to carry along streams
without getting hung up on branches . The models that have a
collapsing handles and net are good choices. Accessing your tackle
can be hard to do when your standing perched on top a rock or a
place where there is no room to place a tackle box so using a fanny
pack and a fishing vest are smart choices for gear storage.
Bobber Dropping
Fishing with bobbers sounds simplistic and have been around for
centuries but the truth of the matter is that when used correctly,
these little gems will help you catch lots of fish. I use one inch
round bobbers made by Plastilite. Some
bobbers I drill a small hole big enough to place 3-4 BB's
into and then seal the
hole with silicon or JB weld mix. The weighed bobbers can cast
really good distances on open waters and in windy conditions but for
streams I use a regular bobber. There are many lures used in trout
fishing but one of the best is the mini jig or tube jig. They come
in many sizes, colors and weights and their ability to catch trout
repeatedly is unquestionable . Whether used in lakes or streams
these lures account for lots of really big trout . The tube jig
mimics a darting minnow and big trout love them. Some color choices
that work well in the Sierras are whites, greens, browns, yellows
and roe .Change size and colors often if not getting strikes. Jigs
hooks come in many weights so choose a weight that works best with
the speed of the current.
The bobber will aid your presentation in several ways. Using the
bobber will help to adjust to the stream's depth and current flows.
By clipping your line to the top and bottom of your bobber allows
you to fish the tube jig at the right depth and the bobber itself
will be your strike indicator. Bobbers also aid in slowing down the
lure to the right speed in a strong current. Other lures can also be
used with the bobber. Good choices of lures would be nymph flies and
if the current is strong enough, try using a small needlefish close
to where whitewater
riffs tail out into pools. For native Browns and Brookies try using
a non inflated garden worm on a small number 12
or smaller bait hook. If access dictates that you cast
upstream then reel in your slack as the current draws your lure to
you, keeping slack to a minimum. When dropping a bobber downstream,
fish with an open bail and keep your free hand close to the spool
and bail arm of the reel so that you can quickly set the hook. Allow
enough time for trout to take a lure. Watching your bobber can aid
in timing your hook sets. Previously thought of unfishable stream
sections can be fished with some certainty of strikes when bobber
fishing, so don't hesitate to try .
When access is good for casting you should try casting a tube jig
without the bobber and slowing retrieve while very lightly shaking
the rod tip . By placing your index finger out from your rod hand
let the line hit your finger and this will make the tube jig mimic
the darting action needed . You'll need to experiment some as to get
your timing down just right.
Common Sense
Common Sense or lack thereof
have helped make fishing stories good and bad. As a general
reminder, don't put yourself in harm's way to catch a fish. High
Sierra streams are really frigid and falling into one will be an
experience you won't soon forget ! Even in the summer months the
water temperatures will harbor below 55 degrees in some areas of
high elevations.
I wouldn't think of fishing an area that has a high degree risk of
injury and you shouldn't either. Using good judgement and common
sense will help you to come home in one piece. The weather
changes very rapidly up in the Sierras and it's not uncommon to have
a sudden drop in temperature and snow storms even in the month of
June. If your fishing near waterfalls and steep cliffs keep a
watchful eye out for falling debris and rocks . Watch your footing
and look out for moss on rocks when walking as well as wet leaves.
Several areas in the Sierras are home to large populations of bears
and mountain lions. I've had my share of both and any bear that
wants my stringer of fish is welcome to have it and not me for
dinner. If the weather turns stormy and thunder is on the distance
then take notice to leave the area. Many people have had some scary
encounters with lightning strikes up there and graphite fishing rods
conduct electricity.
All the best on your next time out,
Dave Finkelstein
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