eastern sierra

Team Bridgeport was missing a few of the usual suspects this year and they were missed but it was still an epic adventure and definately one to remember.
We had some challenges due to our reservations being cancelled early in the year because of budget cuts and campgrounds being closed. We decided to just head up and hope for the best.
Initially the camp was up on buckeye creek. This place has been pretty rough on us in the past and the access is washboard fire road. That gets old fast when you hit as many different spots as we do. The fishing is just ok and that hotspring has lost some of its allure with me.
 Luckily our favorite campground opened up and camp was moved onto robinson creek.

 Greg and Peg(JTs Mom) have been coming up the past few years and have been our "support team" by running shuttle on streams. They are great additions to the TBP family and were a huge factor in the success of our trip on many levels. A big change in dynamic was JT brought up his girls who are 5 and 9. Sydney came up last year and got the feel of the kayak and even handled some moving water but this year JT started handing down his fishing skills.
He put both girls on fish in a calm safe section of stream and then one evening we decided to run over to lower twin and sling some steel from the rocks. Sydney was armed with a red/gold ThomasBouyant and nabbed a bow that weighed 5.1#s.
 What a moment! I love the smell of panic.
There was screaming, running, and cries for a net! awesome!
Team Bridge started fishing together in 93 and no other fish moment can touch this one. The fish was taken to the legendary Kens tackle shop where it was weighed photographed and placed in the trophy box.
If you are ever in Bridgeport this place is a must stop if only to see the trophy box.
Its also a fantastic place to share reports and gear up. They have purchased 2 mini-Xs for rental if you find yourself without a boat and are overwhelmed by the madness.

Weather was a factor. It stormed daily. I love the energy of the sierra storms but 9 days of getting rained on adds to fatigue issues and some VERY slippery rock and logs.
In other years the rain would turn on the brownie bite this year was not the case. We caught a great variety of browns brooks and bows but it never got unhinged.

Wanted to share a little TBP tradition. We have always had shirts and sweats with the TBP moniker but there is 1 sweatshirt that is worn by the player who had out fished everyone else for that year.
Last year JT was the big winner and this year he wore it proudly. But the responsibilities of being a great Dad kept him out of the running this year. It was between me and Shirk (AztecKayak). There was one day left and we agreed that it would be decided on lower twin hunting big brown that would decide who would be named "Coach" for 09.
Neither of us caught the big brown we were looking for but the bows were there for us.
The final score after about 4 hours on the water-     hydrospider 10         AztecKayak 11
congrats old friend. wear it with arrogance

here are some visuals
 

most of the trips were big kids only and with good reason.
we got thrashed but what a beautiful placed to get thrashed in.

this adventure involved 4.5 hours of challenging Green creek to end up on a beaver pond.
When we finally arrived we found it blown out and another storm coming down on us.
still, I think it was a perfect day

more thrashings and of course more rain

Those are some GREAT pics!!! Sounds like a great adventure.

I dont think I mentioned that it was cold.
it was to the bone.
when we were in the streams the water felt like fire and would then ache even after you got out of the water.

Beautiful pictures and Great story Terry. The scenery looks so spectacular you could probably almost enjoy it without a fishing pole.....almost.

Floating those creeks looks like a great time. I know the area a little bit - the family's camped up by Bridgeport each of the past two years. In '08 we stayed in the camp off the fire road, it was the only place with space, and was there ever lots of it. We had it to ourselves. That made it worth the jostling and dust.   

Would appreciate a little intel on the navigable sections if you don't mind. I may be up that way again this July, but suspect the water will be too low. I always respect requests to keep this or that unpressured secret spot out of the press.

Anyway, good on you guys for your epic traditions!

Completely Awesome!!! Easter Sierras is a place unto its own...Epic...

Thanks.........

Sweet pics and nice variety of gorgeous trout.  Looks like a fun time.

Beautiful! Thanks for the great report.

An awesome adventure expertly documented!  Thanks for sharing, Terry.

Cool pics, thanks.  My legs shake when standing up in the 140 in bath water, couldn't imagine doing it in the frio!

Damn that looks cold...you guys must have been way up there.  Excellent adventure and report.

 
 Gawd, how did you survive all that crisp, clean fresh air?  Must have been a UGE  big burden breathing in all that beauty.