Recommendations for spin setup for Sierra fishing?

I have used the Diawa mini spin setup for a few trips. It is cheap and light. Works very well for me. I have also hauled in some large ones with this setup.

http://www.amazon.com/Daiwa-System-Minispin-Ultralight-Spinning/dp/B0000BY56T/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413464635&sr=8-1&keywords=daiwa+mini+spin

Ben

+1 on the mini-spin. I have 2 of these from the 1970s (and 2 mini-casts as well), they still work flawlessly. Today's versions are most likely lighter :)

As for lures, I always had luck with a few basics: Panther Martin spinners (black & yellow or red), red & gold super-dupers, red & gold Mepps spinners. If those aren't working, use fly-fishing nymphs or wet flies tied below a small clear bobber that you fill with water, using a small split-shot to hold the bobber a few feet above the fly. Adjust the water in the bobber to get a slow sink.

edit: The clear "bobbers" are listed on Amazon as "slip cast spin floats."

Dave,

Did you read my thread a couple down?: http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=94711

I was basically looking for the exact same thing as you are now.

I can't say enough good things about the Pflueger President 6920. It is a great reel. If you want something nicer check out the Pflueger Patriarch and the Pflueger micro reel if you want something cheaper.

The only telescopic rod designed for ultralight line (2-4 lb) that I could find is the stuff sold by p&s fishing. I haven't tried mine out yet, but it seems like a quality rod.

If you want something more compact and cheaper, you can check out pen rods. If you want a nicer rod, St. Croix makes some great compact rods.

Definitely agree with the lure advice you got above. The red and gold super duper is my favorite.

If you are catching for food, make sure you bring a stringer. I always have a hard time finding a nice small stringer that doesn't chew up the small 8-10" brook trout you mostly catch in the eastern sierra.

"If you are catching for food, make sure you bring a stringer."

Just use a piece of Kelty Triptease, or some such, tied off in the middle of a small stick. Light, cheap, and makes use of local material to keep the fish on the stringer. You can also tie a loop in one end of the line, thread the lead end of the line thru the first fish's gill opening, out the mouth, and then pass the line thru the loop. This uses the first fish instead of the stick to retain fish on the stringer.

Last trip to Mammoth lakes area used my "abuser" 12ft Tenkara setup – had plenty of fish to eat. Even caught some on the larger lakes such as 1000 Island. Smaller lakes and streams were almost too easy. I did wish i had a spin-cast setup on big lakes in the mornings and evenings when fish was feeding away from the shore.