5/30-31 Sierra Bass Lake

Well, for a change this is a kayak related post. However no fish were involved. Just too darn cold on Monday. This is by far the wettest/snowiest Memorial Day weekend I've seen at this lake in the past 7 years. I literally had first tracks into the parking lot. Probably because I'm the only one dumb enough to take two attempts at busting through the two foot thick drift.

Anyway, no fish sign to be seen, and we didn't even try, as the "partly cloudy" day predicted for Monday turned into 100% coverage, complete with light showers. We were out of there pretty darn early, in order to preserve a semblance of domestic tranquility.

Looks to be a darn good year for stream/river flows and for reservoirs to be at full pool.

Scott

Shorts wow thats brave sorta.

SORRY for the lack of fish.

DUDE! Are you related to Freddie?

Bare feet and shorts with snow on the ground! You're an animal.

-Brian G

looks like a hell of a spot - high fives to the little guy  - i know plenty of grown men that would not have braved that (I hope you are reading this next door neighbor)

Beautiful scenery!  Thanks for the report and pictures Scott.

it looks like your son is saying "dad really I let u use my shoes if ya had me that rod" lol...

FREAKING COLD...couldn't do that...Your Da Man!!!

I love the smells of the high mountains...

Thanks for the report

BRRRRRR. To cold for me, I never have liked the snow.

Don't let the pictures of snow fool you. The weather on Sunday was darn nice - a few clouds, temperature in the 65 range. Only the little one wanted (read that as "didn't have a choice") to go out on the lake with me though, right around sunset. It was Monday that was a bit of a disappointment, as I wanted to get James (pictured above) onto some drop shotted bass. No biggie though, as we did get to "highline" the kayak on a snow bank that came all the way to the water's edge. We left keel marks about two and a half feet up, then I figured that any higher, and the risk of capsize was going to be too great. Also, while I'm barefoot, the water is probably only 50 degrees, so not super cold. Those are convertable pants, not shorts, rolled up past the knee for wading and to keep the water droplets off. I'm no Savage.

I need to add that my wife is an angel for putting up with camping in a less than hospitable environment. There were streams literally running through all the other camp sites I looked at. Then again, on the way up, I did give her two free snowball shots at me, at a distance of 3 feet Anything for WAF?

Anyway, it's going to be a banner year for water up in the Sierras. While it's not saltwater, the scenery may make up for it. Get thee to the hills.


Scott

Didn't know XtraTuff made boots that small. James looks comfortable.

not so much the wx outside but the water temp was probly not even 50 and if u did take a tip for the unforseen reason it could have been bad. but the lake looks nice and I am in need of a seirras run myself.

Hojoman,

XtraTuff makes children's sizes down to 5. James started wearing his after I picked up a pair in 2007 (even the size 5 were too big then). I pick up a pair a year at either B&J in Anchorage, or Mack's in Kodiak. Jonathon is just about the right size to fit in the size 5's. The cool thing is at the rate kids grow, and the way the XtraTuffs wear, I'll give these away to a good home and at least 3, maybe 4 kids will get to wear "Alaska Boots".

RHYAK,

Water temps were probably in the low 50's. I was wading around, barefoot, and while cold the water wasn't feeling like "Oh crap I need out now" like it does when temps are in the 40's. Call me crazy, but I don't necessarily follow the rule of 120 on small fresh stillwater when the warmth of a heater and a change of clothes are less than five minutes away.

Scott

^^ what part of the sierras is that lake in , im headed up to jackson meadows this weekend