The Northern California Fly Fishing Board

Greetings! I'll be coming out early summer to visit my brother who lives in bay area and then hike into some N. California mountains. I'm going to bring my gear and would love any advice on a good mountain lake that we can hike into and camp near. I'm not picky. As long as I got a line in the water with a decent chance to make it tight, I'm happy!

Thanks ya'll!

Phishy
(Bryan)

well, from the bay area within a 4 to 5 hour radius are literally 100's of fishing opportunities. Can you narrow it down a bit.

Willing to hike? If so, how far?

Species? trout, bass, maybe even shad at that time of year.

lodging "Orvis" approved, tents, rv's?

and so forth.

Paul

Hi. Thanks for the reply, all good questions.

4-5 hour drive is fine.

Willing to hike a few miles in for some back country camping. We have the gear.

Looking for trout.

Thanks again!!!

Bryan (Phishy)

a ton of spots exist. I seldom hike and I usually fish north of Hwy 80, so I can't help you out much.

Pick up National Parks Map of the area and explore.

Tight lines

Paul

Bryan,

For a base camp type outing, I like the Cedar Grove district of Kings Canyon Nat'l Park. It's at the far end of your 5 hour drive spec, but worth it.

For more back country, I'd get a wilderness permit and head up Bubbs Creek Trail for about 2000 feet in four miles, to Sphinx Creek, and fish up Bubbs Creek. Good dry fly water. Lots of black bears, come prepared.

A bit closer, Big Sur. Can't fish downstream of the Park upstream boundary, but a five mile hike along the Pine Ridge trail to Ventana Camp or Barlow Flats will put you onto some small rainbows [mostly steelhead smolts] All barbless, artificial, catch and release, but they'll come up to a #16 dry all day. A ten inch fish is a trophy in there.

Right at five hours north, south end of the Upper Sacramento, lots of campgrounds, lots of people, fair fishing.

Just noticed the 'Early Summer' spec. Runoff could be a big problem in Cedar Grove between Memorial Day and late July, depending on snow pack. Got barely fishable in late August this year. Could be a problem for the upper Sac too. Usually not for Big Sur, but it doesn't open until the fourth Saturday in May. Regular season opens fourth Saturday in April.

Good luck!!

That's great info. Thanks so much. I look forward to seeing this part of the country! Cheers!