Waiting for breakfast the next morning precluded an early start but ensured that I would be well fueled for the fishing adventure ahead. It was an easy walk to the lake below rlown’s favorite CT lake but I foolishly decided to negotiate the s. shore and encountered some steep rock and large talus.
- View toward Raferty Peak/Johnson Peak Ridge
The n. shore would have been a walk in the park. Did find some interesting flora around the outlet stream from my target lake.
- What are we looking at?
- Monkey Flowers
Following rlowns suggestions the route to the lake was steep but not unduly difficult.
- looking up the lake
About 1 or two casts and I hooked a 12” plus CT that was brought close to shore but when I turned to get my camera it shook off the hook. Oh well that meant I didn’t have to stress it anymore. The fish was as golden as a golden, one of the most beautiful I have ever seen but … not very game, kind of like pulling in a stick that somehow shook every few seconds. I soon had another much larger fish on but when it came into view it too shook off and again did not put up much of a battle. Another hour of fishing brought up not a single fish but 3 other non anglers did show up but quickly left the area. One even took a photo of me just as I was leaving the lake.
- Looking toward outlet old fart ruining good shot!
Scrambling down and around the lower lake I angled up the ridge to the big lake to the n.
- Looking back S as I was heading N
I had the lake to myself though several people hiked the trail that passes n. of the lake. Starting at the sw corner of the lake I worked my way n trying a variety of z-rays and pm lures. After 40 minutes or so for some reason I decided to put on a glow in the dark z-ray that simply appeared off white in the day light. On about the second cast I got strong strike and the battle was on, not at all the same as the wimpy CTs I had on earlier in the day. I did my best to take a couple of photos then released a beautiful 15” rb, my best of the year.
- 15" Rainbow in lake markskor can't catch a fish!
I continued slinging for another hour to no avail before heading back to the HSC. Another washcloth bath and a glass of wine and I felt about as good as a man can feel. Dinner was great and we sat in on the first of 3 ranger-naturalist talks we were to experience as a ranger guided group had caught up with us and would be spending the next two nights at Merced Lake as would Kathy and I.
- Sunset on Vogelsang Peak
Mike
