by Mike Brown

California’s Eastern Sierra is home to some of the prettiest high country to be found anywhere in the United States. Backcountry lakes and streams abound in the region, and some of the sweetest trails leading to those destinations can be found in Bishop Creek Canyon. Access to backcountry lakes and running waters is only limited by how far one is willing to walk. For those that are unable or unwilling to dayhike away from the high-traffic areas, easy-access fishing is also readily available from the main lakes (Sabrina, North and South) downstream for several miles.

Bishop Creek Canyon is one of the Eastern Sierra’s premier destinations for summer vacationers, tent campers, backpacking enthusiasts, dayhikers, and fishermen of all styles. The two primary forks of Bishop Creek (South Fork and Middle Fork) run either directly next to or very near to paved roads along a good portion of their downhill run. Naturally, waters as easily accessible as these tend to see their fair share of fishing pressure from the lawnchair enthusiasts, but they’re well worth a few casts. During the regular fishing season, the forks of Bishop Creek, South Lake, Lake Sabrina and North Lake are routinely stocked with rainbow trout. And every year, fishermen from all over the state come to try their hand at catching them. Most of the stocked trout range in weight from one-half to one pound, with the occasional lunker thrown into the mix to make the bait and lure fishermen happy. There are heavy use trails along all the streams in the canyon making access to just about any location relatively easy. Plunge pools, deadfalls and gorgeous, long runs encompass the length of both the south and north forks.

Bishop Creek Canyon also holds its’ share of wild trout as well. Browns as well as some rainbows can be found along nearly the entire length of the streams, along with the occasional brookie that accidentally gets washed down from the higher altitude waters (my own ratio of browns to rainbows averages about 20:1). And, if you’re willing and able to walk a few miles on one of the many maintained trails in the canyon, golden trout and golden/rainbow hybrids can be found in certain, high-altitude backcountry waters. Obvious use trails are found all along both sides of the creek, making movement from one place to another relatively easy.

Although every species of trout will occasionally fall victim to anglers using powerbait, worms, cheese balls, crickets and a host of other baits and shiny metal lures, flyfishing consistently surpasses any other means of catching wild trout. Flyfishing with dry flies, wet flies, weighted nymphs and streamer patterns will produce good numbers of wild trout throughout the entire Eastern Sierra fishing season. Considering the many different choices of water Bishop Creek Canyon has to offer, I’d humbly suggest to first-time visitors they bring along an 8’6” 4-5weight, medium-fast action fly rod. The longer length would be of great benefit to anyone that wished to air out a little line on the lakes while sitting in a float tube. I’ve watched flyfishermen in float tubes do exceptionally well on both South Lake and Lake Sabrina, and in each case they were all using a fly rod of at least 8’6” in length with a rod weight of at least five – sometimes even a healthy six.

If you’re anything like me and you prefer to flyfish the streams and creeks rather than the lakes, a sweet 8’ 3wt rod might be the best all-around weapon of choice for the flyfisherman. My personal preference for flyfishing Bishop Creek Canyons’ clear and cold running water is a 0wt, medium-fast stick that doesn’t exceed 8 feet in length. For flies, I’ve always preferred starting things off with a dry fly - no matter the time of year, water flow, clarity or temperature. I suppose I prefer fishing dries because of the romance associated with dry fly fishing. Besides, it’s just so cool to see a wild trout take a top-water fly that was delivered ever-so-naturally to its’ front door. Earlier in the season it might be difficult to coax an eager rise because of the cold water temperatures. In this case, I’d go with a dry-dropper or weighted streamer pattern. I know what you’re thinking here, too… ”Aw, c’mon Mike, you pull weighted streamers with a 0wt?” Well, yes, occasionally I will pull streamers with a 0wt if the circumstance dictates it. It can be done; you just have to be really careful with how you go about doing it.

Unfortunately, some of the best Bishop Creek fishing locations are roadside, or very near roadside. Although some locations are often literally choked with handfuls of bait and lure fishermen, it’s still possible to venture into parts of the stream that are a little more off-the-beaten-path and find some relative seclusion – for a while anyway. Still, don’t be surprised if someone else walks right up next to you and throws a line directly into the very water you’re fishing. It happens all the time in the high-traffic areas, and there’s nothing you can do about it except walk away and find another hole to throw in. Regardless, both the South Fork and Middle Fork of Bishop Creek both hold excellent populations of wild browns, and should not be overlooked.

Enjoy the many pleasures of Bishop Creek Canyon. For a real treat, visit the canyon in the fall when the aspens are turning gold. The fall season fishing can be phenomenal, and the incredible autumn colors in the canyon area make the place look like its on fire.

EQUIPMENT

A 4-5wt 8’6” medium-fast fly rod with a matching DT or WF floating fly line, 9-10’ tapered leader to 6x or 7x is most likely considered to be the all-around set-up for Bishop Creek Canyon waters. But lightweight and ultralight enthusiasts will really enjoy throwing a 0-3wt medium-fast fly rod with a DT or WF floating line, 9-10’ tapered leader to 6x/7x.

Flies of choice would include; Parachute Adams, Parachute Hares Ear, Black Ant, Blue Winged Olive, Bead Head Hares Ear Nymph, Bead Head Prince Nymph (all in size 16-20), Bead Head Black Wooly Bugger (size 10-14), and maybe a good grasshopper pattern (size 14) for the warm afternoons. This short list of flies should get you into trout during the entire season.

Waders would be a neat tool to keep close by if you have a pair. I routinely wear waders on Bishop Creek - even if I have no immediate need to be in the water. And if you’re interested in flyfishing the lakes, bring along a float tube

Two mandatory items to have along with you are toilet paper and a water filter bottle or Camelback Water Pack. The first is self-explanatory, and the second is a necessity to prevent dehydration.