goldcountryangler: June 2011

     There is something about the high country that draws me to it. It might be that moment when you're sitting at your campsite next to the river, watching the sun go down in between the clouds moving in. It might be that moment when that big brown swats at your fly, and you think what could have been. Whatever it is, I belong here.
      The Eastern Sierras have become my favorite place to explore. There aren't many places left that you can completely get away from the crowds but thankfully many people avoid going over the pass this time of year. Caitlin and I ventured over the pass this last weekend. The pass has been open and closed on a regular basis the last few weeks with snow still falling when a storm comes through. All this snow means the rivers are high. The EW was up 200 cfm from the previous week making the fishing tough. 2 swats at a dry and one hook up and release on a nymph is all I have to speak of in that department. That didn't stop us from taking a bunch of pictures and having an all around good time.
   We camped next to the river as the sun went down and sat by a fire of sage brush and fence post as we anticipated the day of fishing to come. We were up early and dressed for success as we ventured off trying to find the right spot for Caitlin to throw her nymph rig. The water was moving and it was tough. A couple hours of fishing only got me wishing that I had some size 22 callibaetis drys. A perfectly placed fly on the bank might have enticed that rising fish to take but a couple bumps on a size 18 pmd was the best I could do. Looks like another trip to the fly shop. We broke camp and ventured over to the Nevada side and explored the Rosachi Ranch but the river showed more of the same speed and attitude as on our side. I did find a nice 4x4 road on the other side of the river, but all it produced was a thousand new scratches running parallel down the side of my truck.
     We headed for home with just the memories of the beautiful landscape and the fish that could have been. We pulled into town and parked between an ice cream shop and a meat market that stated they sell beef jerky. Those of you that frequent this area will know the spot. I would like to recommend the ice cream but warn you to avoid the jerky. Blah!
      As I drive away from you, my beloved high country, I thank you for being you and until I return you will be in my thoughts and dreams.

Like there's another option

I highly doubt it

Leavitt Meadow

Reachin'

Caitlin waiting for a grab

Not a bad view

At work

      The day finally came when my girlfriend Caitlin and I actually had the same weekend off of work; and we were going fishing hell or high water. Of course I should say rain or high water because we had both. When people think of California they don't think of rain well into June or the fact that we will have rushing rivers for, most likely, the remainder of this year. So on a cold and rainy June day; we went fishing.
       When I woke in the morning to a constant downpour I was surprised that she still wanted to go out. Caitlin was very antsy because she had just received a brand new hand crafted fly rod for her birthday. I won't say who she got it from but if you'd guessed a very handsome fellow with the initials JR, you might be right. Armed with her fly rod, reel and Gortex from head to toe we headed out to see what this day would bring.
       On years when the water is high and my favorite rivers are unfishable we are lucky enough to have a few afterbays that hold decent fish in our area. The afterbays are created when a dam is constructed just downstream from the main dam of a lake. This area usually holds the same water level year round and fluctuates only in speed of the current. We arrived to find the rain was not being picky on where it fell this day. It decided to just fall everywhere.

We spent the first few hours fishing in some prime looking water. I decided that an indicator would be best for the rookie. After only a few tangles the casts were looking better and we started to make some different drifts. Nothing biting. I made a couple casts with a bugger and was surprised with 2 fish hooked up but they decided not to enter the boat. Must have been too wet out for them. After this, the light bulb in my head made an appearance. I knew she would not be able to cast this big 'ol bugger very far so I decided to take the girl trolling. Now most of you might think that it's not a big deal to switch rods to the one set up for a certain application, but I can assure you that some people don't see it that way. After some resistance and questions about why she couldn't just use her rod, I finally convinced her to hold on to my rod while I rowed the boat upstream.
Not 5 minutes into my row upstream and "BAM," Fish On! I was excited for Caitlin. This would be her first fish she has ever caught. I'm starting to feel real proud of myself when she says, "here, you reel it in." She was so bummed out that she didn't hook the fish on her rod that she didn't even want to reel in the beautiful rainbow. I was quite shocked to say the least but I refused her pleading. She handled the fish like an old pro and I netted it. Couple pictures and quickly back in the water. I could see now that she is excited and convinced that I'm just doing what's best to catch fish. I did not let her down when on a drift downstream she landed a fish with her new rod.
Although the rain did not stop for more than than 5 minutes all day, it turned out to be quite successful. I am proud of the progress Caitlin made and for being a real trooper. I know many people who would have never gone out in that rain.