Eastern Sierras -- Crowley to Topaz

[foakes]

Mono County opened their town and Trout Season opened a couple of weeks ago -- after a 1 month delayed start.

Looks like Bridgeport Reservoir is kicking out some nice trout.

Best,

Fred

http://www.kenssport.com/bridgeport-reservoir.html

[El Pescador]

Fred!
Mind if I totally take over on your thread???

Bridgeport, CA - and Ken's Sporting Goods store.  A MUST STOP and SHOP!!!!

For those of you near Reno, NV on I80, I recommend you head south on Hwy. 395 for 2 hours to Bridgeport, CA.

You want to fish Bridgeport Rev., it is one mile north of the town.

BUTT please stop by Ken's Sporting Goods store.  Just the coolest place around.





And a delicious Bar and Grill right across the street.  Did I say right across the street???



With PBR (Pabst Blue Ribbon) on tap!!!



DON'T shoot the photographer!!!  I just take photos as I see them!!!!



Get out there and do some fishing this weekend!!!!

Wayne

[foakes]

Fred!
Mind if I totally take over on your thread???

Bridgeport, CA - and Ken's Sporting Goods store.  A MUST STOP and SHOP!!!!

For those of you near Reno, NV on I80, I recommend you head south on Hwy. 395 for 2 hours to Bridgeport, CA.

You want to fish Bridgeport Rev., it is one mile north of the town.

BUTT please stop by Ken's Sporting Goods store.  Just the coolest place around.

Wayne

Of course not, Wayne!  Post away!

I have been going to the Bridgeport area for 47 years now.  Lots of history there -- museum, ghost towns, few people, and lots to do & explore.

This is, or at least used to be, a die-hard Republican County (Mono).

Over the years, I became very close friends with many folks there.  One day, the County Assessor told me he wanted to take me fishing at "Political Lake".  We drove South to Lee Vining, met the Head Sheriff for Mono County, had breakfast at Nicely's diner -- then went South a few miles, then back West on a maze of dirt roads -- through a locked gate -- entered private property along with a small 30 acre lake.  This was a private area, and was stocked with Brown, Brook, and Rainbow trout.  Why?  Because there were a dozen large cabins owned by folks like the DuPont Family, and other major corporations.  And the California DF&G kept it stocked.  Reagan, and many others would stay there over the years, incognito.  Anyway, this wasn't my type of fishing (too fancy) -- but we used one of the Whalers -- and had a great day fishing.  Afterwards, stopped by one of the vacant cabins (mansions to me) for a quick bite after using the fish cleaning station at the dock.  Danny and Martin are both gone now -- but that was a day to remember.

In order to fish the reservoir -- there are techniques to be successful.  It is fairly shallow, large, and you need to map out the old gravel riverbeds that feed the reservoir.  Then use a 10' cane to feel the gravel beds.  That is where the fish are.  Trolling is a little different -- and done in the middle of the lake then North towards the dam.

Wind generally comes up every day around 11 or 12.  At that point, we go in, clean the fish, have lunch, then hit one of the hundreds of small lakes and rivers in the afternoon.  Return, get a shower, go out to one of the many restaurants.  Come back and get a good nights sleep.  And do it again the next day.  Elevation is about 6500'.  The fishing spots around the area go up to just below timberline at around 9000'.  Many of the surrounding peaks are over 12,000'.  The White Mountains are just South and East of 395.  Oldest forest of ancient living trees in the world (Bristlecone Pines) at well over 10,000'.

If you spent a lifetime on the Eastern Sierra between Crowley to Topaz -- exploring, fishing, camping -- it would take 5 lifetimes just to get through half of the places to fish, hunt, hike, and explore -- all within a few hours drive.

Nice country.

Before this Covid deal, I was kind of planning to propose an Alan Tani group excursion for a week, or so.

But out of prudence -- that will be better done next year.

Although, the wife and I will be heading over there sometime within the Month of June.

Best,

Fred

[Gfish]

Gotta love those small independent places like Ken's. We got only 1 on this Island, packed with stuff, some of it old and hard to find, all kinds a pictures of local catches.  

[Gfish]

Great description Fred. Godda love the Eastern Sierras. Great trout fishin. My guess is that those are good-producing waters, cause they seem to be a little on the alkaline side. S. Fork of San Joaquin R. and June Lake for me.
Edit: the San Joaquin system would be the Western side a the Sierra-Nev.. range.

[foakes]

Great description Fred. Godda love the Eastern Sierras. Great trout fishin. My guess is that those are good-producing waters, cause they seem to be a little on the alkaline side. S. Fork of San Joaquin R. and June Lake for me.
Edit: the San Joaquin system would be the Western side a the Sierra-Nev.. range.

Funny you should mention June Lake, Greg --

Just like most of us, who have enjoyed certain areas for a lifetime -- I have hundreds of tales about the Eastern side of the Sierras.  I will just tell this last one -- then leave the thread for others to add to...

This is just more about how friendly the people are --

1974, I was a 21 YO kid,with a '66 Ford Bronco, coming back from a week of fishing and camping around Bridgeport.  Heading West out of Lee Vining, there is a steep upgrade on the Tioga Pass road heading through the North side of Yosemite.  Just a half mile up the road, my engine started to sputter.  Felt like a fuel issue, so I cleaned the (2) gas filters -- still wouldn't make it up the grade.   Coasted and drove downhill to Lee Vining where there was an old time auto garage from probably the 30's.  Place was wide open -- but no one there.  Sign on the door said -- having lunch across the road -- back in an hour.  I waited -- the owner showed up in a while.  I explained that I think my fuel pump is bad and needs replacement.  Asked if he could do the job.  He sez, "Sure, no problem -- got a few ahead of you though -- it will be about a week"...

Couldn't talk him into doing it any sooner -- although I tried.

I asked him if I could change it myself (I had the tools) -- in his parking lot.  He said I was welcome to.  He then called down to to the NAPA in June Lake to see if they had the fuel pump.  They said they did.  I asked him how I could get it -- it was around 40 miles South on 395.  He just sez -- take my car right there, the key is over the visor.  Head down to June Lake, they have the fuel pump, but it is a GM one made to fit a Ford 351 engine!  Parts guy claims it will work, for sure.  So I buy the pump, gasket, and gasket sealer -- head back down to Hess's Garage -- change the pump out.  Headed back over Tioga Pass -- no issues.  Matter of fact -- the pump was still operating perfectly when I sold the old Bronco to get a new one in 3 years.

It is a different world over there.  Very pleasant and old fashioned.

Best,

Fred

[Gfish]

I recall Susanville in the late 70's people would leave their keys in the ignition of rigs parked on the street. We do that here now. Also, leave our house doors unlocked all night and whenever we leave the house, but we are back off the road behind another house.

[foakes]

I recall Susanville in the late 70's people would leave their keys in the ignition of rigs parked on the street. We do that here now. Also, leave our door unlocked all night and whenever we leave the house, but we are back off the road behind another house.

Small world, Greg --

I used to bear hunt the Klamath with a friend who lived in Janesville -- just a little South of Susanville.  Also did quite a bit of Archery Deer hunting around Lake Almanor -- just to the West of Susanville.  And my wife's favorite Aunt's first assignment in the late 40's as a Head County Librarian -- was in Alturas, just a little Northeast of Susanville.

If you drove 3000 miles East -- you would still feel closer to California than this Eastern part of the State is.

High desert, forested mountains, few people, quiet, still, and a different way of life.

Best,

Fred

[Jim Fujitani]

Fred,

"1974, I was a 21 YO kid,with a '66 Ford Bronco, coming back from a week of fishing and camping around Bridgeport.  Heading West out of Lee Vining, there is a steep upgrade on the Tioga Pass road heading through the North side of Yosemite...."

Did you grow up in that area?  When I was going to Humboldt, I had roommates (Don Trammell and Fred Partridge) for a few months that came from that area.  They would have been a few years older than you.  Everyone knew everyone else in the entire valley and beyond.  I believe Don's family lived in Bridgeport.  As a senior at Lee Vining High, the School District 'hired' Don to drive the 'bus' from his home to Lee Vining, picking up kids along the way and taking them home after school.  Fred's family lived somewhere at the opposite end of the school district, south along 395.  Fred totalled out his Chevelle (I recall seeing the pics of the wreckage) about in '71 or '72. 

Almost everyone skiied, and very well.  I personally recall reading that Lee Vining High had the one of the three best high school ski teams in the state.  Heavy snowfall meant extra money to locals working at the Mammoth resorts, but also late school days in June to make up for snow days. 

They told stories about people passing through, down on their luck or after losing their money in Nevada casinos.  If they committed local theft or robbery, the CHP and County Deputies would set up on the highway and watch for the out-of-towners driving by.

[foakes]

No Jim --

Born and raised in Fresno, Santa Maria, and Arroyo Grande.

Just liked the outdoors -- and have spent a lot of time fishing, hunting, backpacking in remote areas, and exploring.

Still do -- live in the Sierras at 4500' -- and my wife enjoys nature and the outdoors as much as I do.

Most of the kids who grew up around the Eastern side -- moved out as soon as they could.  Probably for better opportunities.

Best,

Fred