[pct-l] Let's Fish II

[Jeff Moorehead]

Keith,
 Don't feel too put off by the naysayers on the list concerning your desire 
to fish along the way. I support you in your choice here. I walked the trail 
last year and arranged for my fly-rig to be picked up in Kennedy Meadows. 
That's the best place to start with it-- there's nothing before that of 
interest to an angler, unless you could sneak in to the Whitewater Trout 
Farm, and this is not recommended. I caught my first 3 fish in Monache 
Meadows the day after leaving KM. L-Rod can confirm-- she was there on the 
first night of her  JMT thru hike. The fishing was spectacular throughout 
the Sierra. In particular, there are many native trout streams on either 
side of all the major passes covered by the JMT (make sure and stop in 
Vidette Meadows and Palisade Creek canyon).
  My entire fly rig was less than 1 pound. I had a 4-piece, 3-weight 
Redington rod and the smallest of the Scientific Anglers plastic reels. I 
could rig it up in 5 minutes tops. Carry an extra leader, some tippet, and 
of course your fly box and you're ready to go. If you don't know how to fly 
fish, get a book or a video and go out into your backyard and practice until 
you can get a basic cast down. You don' have to be an expert to enjoy fly 
fishing in the Sierra-- the trout are very "forgiving" (read HUNGRY) in 
terms of sloppy presentations or choice of fly.
 Beyond the Sierra, the opportunities to fish become somewhat sporadic and 
unpredictable. In many northern California segments , the PCT stays high on 
the crest, seldom accessing any of the lakes below. Also, lakes are very 
rare where the predominant bedrock consists of extrusive volcanics. However, 
just when you're ready to pack your pole back into the bounce box, intrusive 
granitics reappear-- along with lakes and usually trout. Don't ever pass up 
the opportunity to fish the rivers in the bottom of the deep Nor Cal gorges 
(Middle Fork Feather is a good example). There is a stretch in southern 
Oregon called the Sky Lakes Wilderness where you'll want to have your pole 
and take the alternate route described in the guidebook. It takes you down 
and around these lakes. In general however, the PCT route through the the 
Oregon and Washington Cascades does not consistently offer good fishing 
opportunities. You won't be too regretful if you send your rig home at 
Crater Lake.
 Have fun researching, purchasing, learning, and finally, fishing! Your 
first trout (even if it is the only trout) will make the entire process 
worth it.
Whiptail