Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion Fishing potential on trail

I've fished the Eastern Sierra for 50 years. They are probably typical of high country lakes.

Try using a small float bubble with a 2 pound leader (4 - 5 feet) and a very small fly (dry or wet) size 18-22 hook)-- a large fly will scare the fish. Fish from the inlet and let the fly drift out into the lake, and wait a few minutes -- move, repeat. Best times will be early morning or late afternoon. If you see fish jumping and rising for insects, game will be on! The bulk of the trout diet is very small midges, not big bugs or other fish.

If the hook is set by the fish, it will start running. Or, if you detect movement of the float, gently raise the rod tip to set the hook. Resist the temptation to set the hook as though it is a large game tuna!

Reel it in, and hold the fish with your bare hands, remove the hook with you fingers or with a small forceps. Why bare hands? Trout have a coating on their skin that helps protect them from disease; handling with gloves or rags will remove this coating. Don't throw the fish back in, but lower it to the water and it will swim away.