Friday, July 27, 2012

Fishing the Eastern Sierra Nevada 2012

Mt. Whitney, eastern side, the highest summit in the contiguous US 14,505 ft. considered the gate way to the Sierra
Nevada. An ideal place for rest and relaxation remote yet beautiful.
The allure of the Eastern Sierra Nevada has always been powerful. Its majestic peaks, abundant lakes, clean air and impressive vistas remind me of  Horace Ode 3.3, monumentum aere perennius. To me, Mount Whitney is a monument more lasting than bronze.

Our pursuit of rainbow trout strengthens the seductiveness of scenic places which keep us returning annually. All anglers recognize and willingly yield to the experience. Peripheral to nature's delights  is the enjoyment of being with family and friends before these majestic panoramas.
On this fishing trek we had planned for three father and son teams Javier and Javi, Jose and David and Bob and Bobby, unfortunately young Bobby was not able to join us.We departed the "City of Angels" with our gear, tackle, anticipation and the dream of catching the big one. Four hour later we were casting our lines into a familiar, unfailing  fishing hole, intake two. Bob and Javi, the two experts, briskly caught their first trout, David followed with his first catch in the sierras. Javier and I sputtered  in this sure-fire hole, I spent my time changing metal and Javier taking care of malfunctions with his reel, line and technique. I found it prudent to move away from him and closer to those catching fish with out much success. I moved away but, unfortunately, his negative karma followed me.

After our less-than-satisfactory first day fishing, we headed down to Bishop for dinner and hotel check in. Our concierge for dinner engagements, Bob, made reservations at one of his favorite Italian restaurants. He had been singing praises, of the fine wine and authentic Italian dishes. To my surprise he passed on all the great food and wine. Javier and Javi ordered a medium size pizza and Bob joined in. I thought it lacked visual appeal and it seemed rather small for three hungry man. He failed to order wine and settled for soda and water. The most hilarious part of the dinner was to see who would devour the last slice of pizza. David and I made a side bet, I said Bob, David said Javi. I am willing to wager if you know both of them, you know the answer. After  Bobs' first attempt a coordinating dinner activities, the group found it difficult to accept his culinary suggestions. Everybody was on their own from then on.

Each morning we got an early start we tried different lakes and streams, when we caught fish we stayed there until it slowed down them we would go to other locations in Bob's list. This system guarantees to challenge, entertain and deliver our daily quota; five fish for 5 anglers gave us a limit of 25 fish per day.
David as a chef is a happy man already thinking of new and savory ways to prepare his catch.

Javi, a  fish biologist, is vigilant for the well being of fish. He is becoming a catch-and -release angler, but not this time.
What is Javier fishing with? I don't see a fishing pole in his hands. Bob made a time and motion study in an effort to improve his productivity. His result revealed that Javier spent 66% of his time  untying knots, fixing tangles, loosing baits, crossing other anglers lines, contemplating his surroundings and getting lost in the bushes. Now I know why his moniker is "el perdido"
Bob and Javi just keep bringing them in at lake Mary in Mammoth.
On the third day we ventured out to Lundy lake resort, a beautiful locale with all services an angler would need, lodging camping marina, general store an ideal place for those seeking pristine mountains, blue sky,, leisurely strolls, canoe rides ,or just fishing. This is the place for you. They also have designated signs for old anglers.

Every year late spring and early summer the Eastern Sierra Nevada is the place to be for fishing enthusiasts. Always searching for  endless opportunities for fun and adventure. And of course the dream of catching a rainbow trout in the 6 pounds range.This is the allurement that keeps us coming back each year.





2 comments:

  1. I was sad not to be able to join my fishing friends! Helping a new principal with a new school kept me from joining my friends. I know they call me "El Rajado" but duty calls! The question that I have is how may fish did my mentor catch? I know that Javi, David and Bobby caught their limit but how many did José catch????

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  2. My dear perico,"...I fear lengthy text, and you, reader, are worthy and capable of grasping the whole by means of a few random details, and of knowing the end by learning the beginning."
    -Jahiz,The book of animals, IX cen.

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