kybo, also thanks for the advice. When I went last time all the lakes were closed except the pleasant valley reservoir. Actually it was the first time that they opened up certain sections of the owens and east walker to winter fishing. Next time I head up to the area I'll be sure to hit up those high country lakes, I hear great things about them and I love the thought of cooking up a couple of brookies at the campsite. I'll just be sure to get some decent wine next time around!!

I remember a business trip to Reno back in mid-late May of '98; I took Mrs. K down to Rock Creek Lake on a weekend drive. There was still 4-6' of snow pack at the lake - you could only drive about 1/2 way up the road and hike in the rest of the way.

My brother and I were there in August of '04 - we stayed in one of the rental cabins at Tom's Place (MISTAKE!), but they serve a good breakfast at the diner/store. Most of the days fishing Hot Creek/Owens River, temps were in the low 90s. Saw some breathtaking thunderstorms develop over the Sierras - so much so that trains of cars would pull off 395 and take pictures. One produced a significant amount of snow in the mtns. to the east across the valley. Tom's Place aside, I love that area.

yeah, Tom's place is a place I'll never forget, and not for scenery (well kind of...)

Can't believe this thread slipped by me...

I grew up on a small lake in Nebraska so have always fished for the standard freshwater fare: catfish, large and small mouth bass, crappie, walleye, etc.

The last three years in Southwest FL has almost been just a long whirlwind fishing trip, though. Got way into kayak fishing the flats down here for snook, speckled sea trout, redfish, flounder, etc. Let's just say I've been spoiled on this kind of fishing. Packing it up in two weeks to move back to Nebraska though, so it looks like it's back to reeling in minnows. Sold the kayak last week...was sorry to see it go.

quote:

Originally posted by kybo:
I remember a business trip to Reno back in mid-late May of '98; I took Mrs. K down to Rock Creek Lake on a weekend drive. There was still 4-6' of snow pack at the lake - you could only drive about 1/2 way up the road and hike in the rest of the way.

My brother and I were there in August of '04 - we stayed in one of the rental cabins at Tom's Place (MISTAKE!), but they serve a good breakfast at the diner/store. Most of the days fishing Hot Creek/Owens River, temps were in the low 90s. Saw some breathtaking thunderstorms develop over the Sierras - so much so that trains of cars would pull off 395 and take pictures. One produced a significant amount of snow in the mtns. to the east across the valley. Tom's Place aside, I love that area.

Wow. What memories reading this post. My son and daughter, now 25 and 18, learned to fish with their paternal grandpa, at Rock Creek Lake. Only good memories for me....

Any fly fisherman here tie their own flies? I remember the thrill of catching a trout on a fly I tied for the first time, a Mickey Finn.

I've made my own flies in the past but haven't done it for quite some time.

Funny, 300 million people in the US, several thousand on a wine-related BB, and you find a half-dozen or more that have been to the same fishing hole.

No wonder we couldn't catch any fish!

Catch-and-release with single barbless hooks is the way to go.

quote:

Originally posted by Board-O:
Catch-and-release with single barbless hooks is the way to go.

absolutely.

kybo,

Fish have a certain "sense of place."

Grew up fishing but due to work and other things don't get to do it as much as I would like to. Being in the land of 10,000 lakes and just buying a cabin I hope to increase my time out in a boat (just bought a pontoon).

I also fly fish and have great memories being on the Green river in Utah and the Henry's Fork in Idaho. My brother lives in Salt Lake City and try to get out there 2-3 times a year. Caught some 2 pound+ Rainbows on the Henry's and a 4 pound Brown on the Green.

Did have one memorable day on the Warm River (flows into the Henry's Fork). Walked out to the river about 11:00 am and waded into one hole, didn't move for 30 minutes catching 15+ browns and rainbows, all over 15 inches, a couple 20s. This was the beginning of a great day as we worked down the river (yes the wrong way) and lost track of the number of fish we caught. Just one of those days, didn't matter what you throw at them, they were hungry and biting.

Ok, now I'm excited, will be heading to the cabin in 3-4 hours, maybe will get some Friday night walleye fishing in.

Went to my local farm pond yesterday morning. Caught and released 28 - 12-15" largemouth. Used the same jig and purple rubber worm. Too hot today. Maybe I'll go back tomorrow and look for their daddy.....

PH

I'm leaving for Puerto Vallarta tomorrow morning, and I'm going to do some Tuna, Dorado, Sailfish fishin'

-my first time... I can't wait.

quote:

my first time

Sunscreen, lizard. Sunscreen. Trust me.

PH

oh, I meant my first time fishing for tuna and sailfish, not my first time in PV. Thanks for the advice anyways, I'm sure my wife won't let me leave the room without sunscreen!

Loved Puerto Vallarta...beautiful bougainvillea, super snorkeling...have fun!

quote:

Originally posted by *lizardking*:
oh, I meant my first time fishing for tuna and sailfish, not my first time in PV. Thanks for the advice anyways, I'm sure my wife won't let me leave the room without sunscreen!

Fishing's tricky. Between the additional reflection from the water and the coolness from the breezes it's easy for even an experienced tropical hand to get toasted. Have a blast! I love tuna fishing. My arms still hurt from my last deep sea run.

PH

Thanks for the advice on fishing in PV everyone. Unfortunately the websites I was researching were incorrect and we were the just ahead of tuna season

On the other hand, I just got back from a great trip to the McCloud River in N.California. Anyone been there? This was my second trip to the river and I have to say its one of the best rivers I've fished in my short life. My friend, wife and I all caught nearly 50 trout, rainbows and browns, majority of which were over 11 inches, with a few 16-18 inchers in the mix in one day of fishing. Excellent!! Of course we practice catch and release until just before dinner time, then we keep a few to eat. The weather was extremely hot, on our way back in Redding the temps were near 110 but it was well worth it.

Anyone else go fishing lately?

quote:

Any fly fisherman here tie their own flies?

I tie when I have the time (meaning rarely these days). It's hard getting the wings straight when you've got the feathers in one hand and a Riedel in the other Anyway, I'm with you Board-O--it's hard to beat the satisfaction of getting a trout to rise to the fly you tied yourself.

I fish therefore I am

Board-o how about an offline on a fishing party boat, I am sure you can pair something to go with fish guts and bait.

Has anyone who lives/lived or fished in N.California heard of Lava Springs State Park near Burney? I just got back from a trip and it is one of the most scenic areas I've been to in California. Great, no excellent fishing too!!

quote:

Originally posted by differentdave:
I fish therefore I am

Board-o how about an offline on a fishing party boat, I am sure you can pair something to go with fish guts and bait.

Salt water fishing? Bait? Pardon me whilst I do some altruistic shuddering!

Harpoon is the only sensible choice.