We are going on a vacation to Lake Tahoe and near Yosemite. I want to fish some when I'm there but know nothing about it. I am either looking to take my float tube to some small lakes or just fish streams/rivers. I've read Rob's pages on trout fishing so I probably have most of the techniques in my head. What I am wondering is what spots I should try. I guess we are primarily staying in Oakhurst, California (south of Yosemite) and South Lake Tahoe. Where should I fish? And if you have any additional tips that would be nice also. Thanks!

Pete

You can't catch tomorrow what you kill today - please practice catch and release.

Pete,

Sorry I can't give you specific spots or areas but let me tell you this. I was at S. Lake Tahoe for sometime two summer ago and had my best luck hitting up a fly fishing shop on the California side of town. The rivers are easily accessible and those guys helped me out a lot with parking and local knowledge. Bring a 2 weight fly rod and small parachute adams and you'll do great, maybe even try some hopper patterns. If you've got the time the Walker over the hill has great potential too!

Sorry I can't dial you in better

southernswimbait.com
BigBait Fishing in the South

Matt,

Thanks, I was considering fly fishing but would rather spin fish. I'm one of those weird guys who knows how to fly fish but doesn't really like it that much. I prefer ultra-light spinning gear with spinners, spoons, and little crankbaits for trout.

I guess I should've mentioned that in my post.

Pete

You can't catch tomorrow what you kill today - please practice catch and release.

When fishing the streams or lakes use a panther maartin. Try differtent types, usually ones that resemble trout. Another good technique is to fly line with your spinning reel a night crowler in the stream. you should do well. I wish i had more time to tell you more but i have to go now. i fish at the eastern sierras almost every year for the trout open and i usually do well.

Good Luck

Thanks for your responses. I primarily stuck to Panther Martins and Thomas Buoyants and did pretty well. Near Yosemite I fished the Merced and got quite a few Rainbows mostly on the T.B. Near Tahoe I went East into Alpine County. I fished the Carson River the first day and got 13 Rainbows and Cut-bows. I started using the T.B. but switched to a Rebel Wee-Crawfish because I read about Brown Trout being more carnivorous than others. Anyway it was awesome on the Rainbows and Cut-bows (that lure catches everything - even halibut!). I also fished a few small lakes in that area for some Rainbows - mostly on the Thomas Buoyant.

Next time it's going to be hiking and backpacking into the desolation wilderness.

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You can't catch tomorrow what you kill today - please practice catch and release.

How do you go about catching halibut with panther martins. aren't they to light to get to the bottem?

I was talking about the Rebel Wee-Crawfish lure.

Also, halibut are not necessarily bottom feeders. They are "bottom livers". They come up and chase bait like any other preditor. I have caught numerous legal halibut in water 10 feet deep or more on lures that only dive a few feet. I have seen numerous halibut get airborne while chasing bait. In fact, I have caught one halibut (a 16 incher) topwater using a jerkbait like you would for largemouth bass. You, of course, have to watch for seagulls and stuff because they will usually find the lure before a halibut does.

You can't catch tomorrow what you kill today - please practice catch and release.

Thanks alot ill try at ocean beach some time and ill let you know how i do.

The Rebel Wee-crawfish will catch halibut but you'll have better luck with a plug that resembles some kind of baitfish.

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You can't catch tomorrow what you kill today - please practice catch and release.