First Backpacking Trip of 2010

[fourbizz]

Well, my girl and I had a few days completely to ourselves and were dying to get to the high country. After some searching we found our potential destination. The Lane/Roosevelt area out of Leavitt Meadows in the eastern Sierra. Since I couldnt ascertain real time snow conditions up there, we packed very heavy, and packed so that we had the option of doing several other things if conditions dictated. As soon as we got to the junction of 108 & 395, I knew we would be good.

We started up the trail and opted to take the more difficult, but more scenic route to Roosevelt via the Secret Lake trail. Some great scenery for sure.

Looking back towards the Marine Mountain Combat Training Center

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_2bPMvJ99Jus/TA_3Cd8AHsI/AAAAAAAABNQ/A0bbnxEe1O8/s800/SANY2090.JPG

This tree is cool. Click link for more detailed view http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Vp8HTeEigcF2tKYnSKlohgtNjyV9gk2xizeZAHvzSkw?feat=directlink

That is Kirman Lake down there.

Secret Lake. Fished for a little while. Did see one small rediside, no sign of trout.

After a little fishing, lunch, and a great nap on the rocks we moved on down the trail to Roosevelt and Lane Lake. Our destination for the trip.

I was bummed to see how much of a challenge this lake would be to fly fish without a tube. Somehow I had missed out on that little jewel of information during my short research of this trip. But, while my girl played home maker and set up the tent, i played hunter/gatherer and put my fly rod to work. After only ten minutes of fishing, I had this nice Lahontan come up and suck in my redside imitation streamer that I came up with this winter. Killer.

After making a circuit of the lake with my fly rod and finding only a couple places to cast, I headed back to camp and picked up my girl's spinning rod. After a bit of experimenting, I found the lure that they liked and spent the rest of the evening catching probably 20 fish. Most were between 8 and 12 inches, but did catch a couple nice ones the size of the first fish that I caught. Had a great dinner, found a tick on my male anatomy, dispensed justice to it, then went to bed. Had a very nice, mild night and got to sleep on my insulated Big Agnes air pad for the first time. Talk about an upgrade. I didnt realize you could wake up on a backpacking trip and not feel like the Crypt Keeper.

After breakfast, I caught another 15 or so fish, and we decided that since I couldnt flyfish effectively, we would opt not to spend another night here. Had a blast with the spinning rod, but after a little while, I get bored of that. So we packed up and headed out on the normal trail into these lakes. There were some awesome views of the valley on this stretch too.

So we got out of there, and headed to Bridgeport to get a Jolly Kone burger ( d**n those are good! ) and talk to Jim at Kens Sporting Goods. We were still undecided on what to do for the rest of our trip at that point, but after talking with him, we opted to spend the rest of the day on the East Walker river.

Caught 2 fish and missed a couple more. Both were very nice Browns. The bigger one got foul hooked and took forever to land. I didnt know it at the time, but she got a video of it. Be forewarned, there is a bit of language.

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/CMezEmnDfvrbtIuunmLLtgtNjyV9gk2xizeZAHvzSkw?feat=directlink

I told her to be ready to take a pic, because I didnt want to stress the fish anymore. She snapped this just as it flopped free of my hands ( i had already dehooked it)

Mad Jedi fish levitation skills. The force was with me.

And that was our first backpacking trip of '10. FINALLY!

Bridgeport is beautiful.

[Dan:]

Great report--you really are a talented writer, Jay. The pics are fantastic as well, I think my favorite is actually the one of the tree.

[Adi]

Beautiful pics.  Nice Jedi-fish tricks.

[b.Lee]

So that is close to bridgeport? I have fished and camped in that area before. Very very nice up there.

[DRhodes]

Very nice write up. Enjoyed reading it. Glad you guys had a great time.

[Lipped M]

Beautiful shots,thanks for sharing .

[Grey Wolf]

Fantastic !!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you very much for sharing.

[firefightn15]

Very cool pics bizz, and I think I figured out where you ran into trouble with that tic (8th pic).

[shimmy]

great report. Love those adventure trips.

[Dwight Hottle]

Sweet as always.

[I.rar]

wow. beautiful place.

thanks for sharing!

[fourbizz]

Very cool pics bizz, and I think I figured out where you ran into trouble with that tic (8th pic).

Didnt even think of that. I'm sure youre right. I was out for like half an hour.

[Mrs. Matstone]

Awesome report, fish and pics. Congrats to you both on a fantastic trip.  ;D

[roadwarrior]

Livin' large!

[burleytog]

Horrible that hat is.

[Lucky Craft Man]

Is that a Sage TXL?

[1inStripes]

Thank God theres no tic pics.

[fourbizz]

Thanks all.Glad you like the pics, but they dont compare to the real life scene.

Burley, the hat may be ugly, but I can take it off. You are stuck with that face... ;D

The rod is a Sage Launch

and b.lee that is out of the Leavitt Meadows trailhead, about 15 miles from Bridgeport.

[CJ]

That is some beautiful country bizz. Nice fish too!

Thanks for sharing!

CJ

[Dockhead]

Talk about God's country.

Very lucky to live where you do. Glad you're enjoying it the right way.

[Hammer 4]

Who says Cali doesn't have scenic country..

Great report bizz...pic's are very cool too...

[Tokyo Tony]

Don't ever stop posting your backpacking reports here - I love reading them. Sounds like it was a great trip!

[shootermcbob]

Wow. just Wow. Awesome pictures, story, and Wow.

Thanks for sharing