Fishing in Northern California

[Megan P]

Hey Everyone,

I have never done any fishing while backpacking and this trip I'm bringing my fly rod. Any tips?

I'm going to be in the Emigrant Wilderness, and backpack almost solely in Northern California. Just for fun, but it would also be fun to catch something. Anyone have any ideas on which flies should I bring for the lakes? I'm not too sure it they're high alpine lakes, but they are higher up and probably cold at this time of year. It's pretty obvious I've never done this so any advice on a set up would be great. Thanks so much!!

Megan

[Richard Lyon]

Megan,

I've only fished a couple of times in the California backcountry, but my limited experience was similar to what has been the general rule in the Rockies. Thanks to the altitude the ice-free season is relatively short, and the fish see relatively few artificials. They are hungry and stupid and will go for most flies, particularly attractors such as wulffs, humpies, adams, and trudes and general streamers such as wooly buggers or mickey finns. But your best bet is to call a local fly shop for advice.

Tight lines, Richard

[Megan P]

Ok great. Thanks for the info. At this point anything helps :-)

[USA Duane Hall]

Sorry can't recall their technical names. I use several mosquito patterns, the bestest has been a grey/striped mosquito, red mosquito, at least with a reddish tail, several types of bead eye nymphs or whatever they are called with what looks like green peacock feathers. A Humpy? too. There are maybe half a dozen that work best, others may be needed during a specific hatch. I've had killer days with the correct pattern black gnat and on another trip, used a winged red ant I'd carried for years and wore it out. Get a couple each at least of the hotter patterns. I do best or catch fish when they are biting good. If in the area of Rae Lakes, give them a shot and keep fish from there to thin them out, they are over populated.
Duane

[Justin Mckinney]

Hi Megan, really simple : Nymph- bead headed birds nest, Dry Fly- lots of caddis in various sizes. LOTS of terrestrials- ants, beetles, ect.

[stephen jennings]

Everything you'll need to know will be found here, http://stevenojai.tripod.com/

[Stephen Barber]

A Parachute Adams is killer for on top, and I like a small maribou leech for under water in lakes and ponds, with bead head nymphs for under water in streams.

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