"Fresh One" - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

forefrazier · 08-09-2009, 10:29 PM

In this crazy sport of ours the pressure of conquering that trophy fish at LJ can often clog my head and take away the simplicity and pureness of a nice morning paddle, a couple rods and a few lures. That was all brought back to me this past few days as I made my first kayak voyage into waters of a less "salty" kind.

Destination: Twin Lakes @ Mono Village. Just north of Bridgeport in the High Sierras. View from above:

This place is just plain beautiful and makes you enjoy being alive....First morning paddle in search of some trophy trout...

Hardly any boats other than a few aluminum skiffs now and then....Looking for the creek side spots where water run off meets shoreline structure was my plan. Didn't know if it would be the correct one but it was my plan for the day. Found one....

After pitching my red/copper Thomas Buoyant spoon near as many rocks, fallen trees and mossy lanes, my first trophy size trout decided succomb to what he thought was a lone baitfish who had lost his way....Couple minutes later as he tried to break the 4lb test with a few valiant headshakes, he was resting quietly in the bottom of my net....

Wind picked up a bit so off to the lakeside tackle shop that has more of the feeling of a general store. Asked the owner if he would politely weigh my catch for me and was rewarded with his response.." Of course son, bring that beauty right on back behind the counter." I was surprised not once but twice. Thought it might go about 2.5-3lbs but a smirky grin came over my face when 3-11 came up on the scale.

My second surprise came when I was politely asked by the owner if I was, "in the derby?". "Derby? I proclaimed...."

$7 dollar entry WOULD have got me in the derby and WOULD have had me leading with the high weight fish for the $125 first prize. Took a shot and asked if I paid now could it be retroactive? I was politely told that I was once again a "day late and dollar short"

Paid anyway since I still had another shot the next day and the funds go towards keeping that place in top form. Funny how the fish get lock jaw after you pay your entry fee.

Nothing but stocker size for me the second morning out.

That evening we had a few visitors in camp one being a bear looking for some "leftovers". Another was also looking for a handout or two but was a bit more approachable...

Can't forget the good meal.....

Any of you who have not experienced the High Sierra's I suggest a trip up to see what you can find....Hiking, camping, fishing...and just plain beautiful area...

-Steve

FishingBeast · 08-09-2009, 10:45 PM

Thanks for report.

dadandsonkayak · 08-09-2009, 10:48 PM

thats pretty cool.. just chillaxin while paddling on the lake

LJ sometimes just gives me a headache as the fish keep evading me (ill get em soon). a day on the lake is maybe something i need.. smooth lake.. relaxing and some good fish.. makes fishing a little less technical and makes it simpler

nice 3-11..too bad about the derby

bigbarrels · 08-10-2009, 01:13 AM

nice

Whizz Bang · 08-10-2009, 04:49 AM

Awesome post. Thanks for bringing more than LJ to this forum. Seriously though, didn't you get just a little claustrophobic with all that land in every direction. Everywhere you look, land and thingys that live on land, gives me the heebie jeebies.
Come clean, wasn't there a little part of you that thought about gaffing the deer, they ARE delicious.

I gotta get up there...

Margarita Mike · 08-10-2009, 06:48 AM

Nice report and the pictures that came with it.
Mono Village is a great get away, my wife and I stay there once a year, in Oct, just before they close for the year. That was quite a hike you took in the first picture.

Did you see where they have the grow out pins? Some really nice fish in them. Also in Oct. the Kocanee (sp) salmon go up that stream you were fishing. They are small, but quite the site to see. Bears come out every night and sit on the banks feasting on berries and salmon.

Great hiking up that way also. Thanks for the pictures and write up.

Margarita

MVC · 08-10-2009, 06:54 AM

Great post. My family and I are spending the last week of August in the Mammoth area. We have gone there several time and the fishing is alway good.

08-09-2009, 10:29 PM	#1
forefrazier Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: OC Posts: 397	"Fresh One" In this crazy sport of ours the pressure of conquering that trophy fish at LJ can often clog my head and take away the simplicity and pureness of a nice morning paddle, a couple rods and a few lures. That was all brought back to me this past few days as I made my first kayak voyage into waters of a less "salty" kind. Destination: Twin Lakes @ Mono Village. Just north of Bridgeport in the High Sierras. View from above: This place is just plain beautiful and makes you enjoy being alive....First morning paddle in search of some trophy trout... Hardly any boats other than a few aluminum skiffs now and then....Looking for the creek side spots where water run off meets shoreline structure was my plan. Didn't know if it would be the correct one but it was my plan for the day. Found one.... After pitching my red/copper Thomas Buoyant spoon near as many rocks, fallen trees and mossy lanes, my first trophy size trout decided succomb to what he thought was a lone baitfish who had lost his way....Couple minutes later as he tried to break the 4lb test with a few valiant headshakes, he was resting quietly in the bottom of my net.... Wind picked up a bit so off to the lakeside tackle shop that has more of the feeling of a general store. Asked the owner if he would politely weigh my catch for me and was rewarded with his response.." Of course son, bring that beauty right on back behind the counter." I was surprised not once but twice. Thought it might go about 2.5-3lbs but a smirky grin came over my face when 3-11 came up on the scale. My second surprise came when I was politely asked by the owner if I was, "in the derby?". "Derby? I proclaimed...." $7 dollar entry WOULD have got me in the derby and WOULD have had me leading with the high weight fish for the $125 first prize. Took a shot and asked if I paid now could it be retroactive? I was politely told that I was once again a "day late and dollar short" Paid anyway since I still had another shot the next day and the funds go towards keeping that place in top form. Funny how the fish get lock jaw after you pay your entry fee. Nothing but stocker size for me the second morning out. That evening we had a few visitors in camp one being a bear looking for some "leftovers". Another was also looking for a handout or two but was a bit more approachable... Can't forget the good meal..... Any of you who have not experienced the High Sierra's I suggest a trip up to see what you can find....Hiking, camping, fishing...and just plain beautiful area... -Steve

08-09-2009, 10:45 PM	#2
FishingBeast Junior Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Ventura,CA Posts: 14	Very nice area Thanks for report.

08-09-2009, 10:48 PM	#3
dadandsonkayak Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: near palm springs Posts: 82	simpler thats pretty cool.. just chillaxin while paddling on the lake LJ sometimes just gives me a headache as the fish keep evading me (ill get em soon). a day on the lake is maybe something i need.. smooth lake.. relaxing and some good fish.. makes fishing a little less technical and makes it simpler nice 3-11..too bad about the derby __________________

08-10-2009, 04:49 AM	#5
Whizz Bang Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 396	Beautiful. Awesome post. Thanks for bringing more than LJ to this forum. Seriously though, didn't you get just a little claustrophobic with all that land in every direction. Everywhere you look, land and thingys that live on land, gives me the heebie jeebies. Come clean, wasn't there a little part of you that thought about gaffing the deer, they ARE delicious. I gotta get up there...

08-10-2009, 01:13 AM	#4
bigbarrels Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Vista Posts: 1,111	nice

08-10-2009, 06:48 AM	#6
Margarita Mike Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: San Diego Posts: 76	Nice report and the pictures that came with it. Mono Village is a great get away, my wife and I stay there once a year, in Oct, just before they close for the year. That was quite a hike you took in the first picture. Did you see where they have the grow out pins? Some really nice fish in them. Also in Oct. the Kocanee (sp) salmon go up that stream you were fishing. They are small, but quite the site to see. Bears come out every night and sit on the banks feasting on berries and salmon. Great hiking up that way also. Thanks for the pictures and write up. Margarita

08-10-2009, 06:54 AM	#7
MVC Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Costa Mesa Posts: 278	Great post. My family and I are spending the last week of August in the Mammoth area. We have gone there several time and the fishing is alway good.