Eastern Sierra Pilgrimage: Trout Bliss!

I simply love fishing the Eastern Sierra. It's addicting.

Just returned from yet another successful trip up there. 

Tried out a DIY action camera dome lens. Fun but tricky to get the right angle. 

Long Lake, seen here, is always looking good.

Definitely my favorite underwater shot. The curve of the stream was perfectly captured with the dome lens.

Ready for the video?

This is the most fly fishing I've done in the Sierra - and I'm so glad I've switched over to this style of fishing for trout primarily! It really works well and is so much more satisfying!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving all!

This is one of my favorite fishing photos from 2016, taken at Hot Creek, in the Eastern Sierras.

Tight lines!

Fishing at Big Pine Creek and Temple Crag for Trout

Escaping the intense heat of SoCal for some summer trout fishing in the Eastern Sierras. What a trip!

Eastern Sierra Fishing Trip for Opening Weekend

Fished the beautiful Eastern Sierras over opener weekend at the end of April. I landed a few nice brown and rainbow trout on ultralite gear, and safety released them all. 

Hiked to several creeks, and explored a few others but had quite a few trails blocked by snow. With temperatures down to the 20s at night, it was important to dress warmly! Enjoy the photos:

And yes, I spotted the locked-up Haiwee Reservoir(s) from the 395. Sad Haiwee is still closed to fishing. 

Why is Haiwee Reservoir Still Closed to Fishing?

Haiwee Reservoir
(Summitpost)

Have you ever spotted an awesome body of water from the road and wondered if you could fish it? On a recent road trip to Bishop, I encountered Haiwee Reservoir and could not help but think about just that. After considerable research, emails, and phone interviews, I have a tale for you!

North and South Haiwee Reservoirs may be seen just to the east of 395, before Olancha and after Fossil Falls. Two picturesque bodies of water, they represent a tantalizing target for anglers and a symbol of the historic conflict over water that has haunted this region for years. 

Do they have fish? Absolutely, according to the LA Times, the lakes hold rainbow trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, brown trout, Sacramento perch, bluegill, carp, and more. The lakes were even stocked by DFG for several years (Daily News Outdoor). Sadly, while once open to anglers, these lakes remain closed for the last 10 years. Fortunately, concerned locals are pressing for the right to once-again be allowed to enjoy these public lands (under BLM and Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) regulations). 

Click below to keep reading