Labor Day weekend camping/fishing.

[stingray4540]

So my wife and I got a chance to take a 4 day, 4 night camping trip into the Sierra Nevada mountains. Courtright Resevior to be exact for those that know the area.

You can't complain when you wake up the first morning, open the tent flap and have a view like this:

Then that night we were treated with this sunset:

There were tons of chipmunks at our campsite. I decided to try my trap making skills with a figure 4, but unfortunately these chipmunks seemed completely disinterested in Danish pastries:grumpy:

Of course there was plenty of fishing going on and plenty of fish caught. Anyone wanna come over for a Rainbow Trout dinner?
P.S. That's our pet lizard on my wifes shoulder, not a second head growing out the side of her neck.

A cool caterpillar and a comforting campfire:

 

[stingray4540]

The last day, my dad and I took a long (couple hour) hike down a creek to try for some brook trout. I tell you this is an area that few people have ever set foot on, and it is absolutely beautiful. Pictures could never do it justice.
Anyways, I caught my very first brook trout while we were there. They are small but on a super light action 6 foot rod and 4lb. test fluorocarbon, these guys fight like 3lb rainbows. Of course the best pools were nearly impossible to get to and required some hairy rock climbing in and out. And of course the best looking pools were impossible to get to unless you had rappelling gear.

Photos: 1st one was small, second one was a lot nicer, and of course the pool we were fishing, My dad fishing the same pool a few steps downstream from me right before a waterfall, then some more scenery of the area:

 

[Diamond Dog]

That looks like a fantastic place to spend some time! Thanks for the pics. Your wife is crazy taking her pet lizard camping too!! I love trout! Just about all I fish for here in the Rocky Mountains! I mix a little corn meal with flour and fry up with potatoes and onions--umm yummy!

 

[tonym]

Excellent trip bro! Although when I saw it was you posting I did get all excited thinking I was gonna see some pics with fish in there.

That sunset is beautifull, should be a post card.:thumbup:

 

[Grampa]

The problem with the chipmunk is that it's actually a golden-mantled ground squirrel - well known to disdain Danish pastries!

 

[pitdog]

Wow those first two pics are amazing, there can't be a better place to camp anywhere in the world !!!!

 

[mtnfolk mike]

very cool nick... those are some great pics...:thumbup: looks like a sweet spot to camp... we might have to look into that one...

 

[j williams]

Stunning. My God I miss Cali. That fire pic is awesome. Fantastic scenery man!

 

[Diamond Dog]

Just beautiful! Nice little fishing hole too! Brookies are just a beautiful looking fish as well!

 

[stingray4540]

I mix a little corn meal with flour and fry up with potatoes and onions--umm yummy!

Sounds like a great recipe, I'll have to try it this time. Usually I fillet them (I know, small fillets, but...) Then I marinate in a mix of white wine, olive oil, lemon, salt, pepper, garlic, very small splash of both worchesterchire and soy sauce, and some seasoned salt. Oh, yeah, and the kitchen sink, lol.

Although when I saw it was you posting I did get all excited thinking I was gonna see some pics with fish in there.

You didn't wait until I was finished with my second post, come back! The fish pics are here!

The problem with the chipmunk is that it's actually a golden-mantled ground squirrel - well known to disdain Danish pastries!

Oh, thanks for the edumication. Too bad I didn't have a picture of another species that was there. It was very familiar but half the size, with pointy ears and nose. I knew it, if only I had some peanut butter...

Wow those first two pics are amazing, there can't be a better place to camp anywhere in the world !!!!

I grew up camping this lake and the lake below it(Wishon), and I tell you it is my favorite place in the world to be. One of my favorite pictures that I have is one of my mom fishing here while she was 8 months pregnant with me.

My dad considers it HIS lakes, since he's been coming here since he was a teenager, before the road was paved, and the only people there were PG&E workers. Of course he knew about it and started coming because his father in law was a PG&E worker back then. Then they paved the road and Fresno became more populated and people realized this place was only a 2 hour drive away, and well now I spend half my time picking up beer cans, etc.

 

[tonym]

Excellent, I knew I was gonna see some tight lines with fish hanging off them!

Sure is pretty over there!

 

[stingray4540]

mtnfolk mike: No, go away, there are too many people there as it is! J/k Maybe sometime if our weekends line up, my wife and I can take your family up there. It's about a 5 hour drive at most from San Jose.

Tonym: Glad you came back, I hate to disappoint.

 

[Mentor]

Beautiful pics. Looks like it was a great outing. That sunset with the little pine in the foreground is great.

All the best,

- Mike

 

[Fletcher Knives]

Those pictures are terrific bro! Great shots.

 

[stingray4540]

Thanks everyone, I'm glad you like.

Here is one more I took specifically for the "knives stuck in trees" thread, but it dissapeared. Oh well, here it is anyways.

 

[vic2367]

beautiful pics,,great trout also