Team Bridgeport 07

bare with me a brief history before the report.
In 94 I was playing in a volleyball tounament and started talking trout fishing trash with a guy from SoCal. He mentioned that he and some friends he had played college/club ball with were headed to Bridgeport for some stream fishing and asked if I wanted to get taken to trout fishing school.
 My arrogance would not allow a decline. It was a amazing adventure and good friends were made. It was casually mentioned around the fire that it would be fun if we all got back together and played in a v-ball tourney somewhere. The oppotunity came around and we decided play under the name Team Bridgeport. After that we have gathered every year at Robinson Creek to explore/fish the Bridgeport area Lakes and streams.  The float tube option was being seriously considered for us all to gain greater access, but I had been kayaking ww and some lazy rivers for about 8 years and had "a few" boats. I know I dont have to explain to this forum what happened next, but I will anyway in a word      madness.
Ultralight gear with low maintenance Panther Martins and Thomas Bouyants are the weapons of choice. Standard issue fishing yaks for the lakes and short agile SOTs for the streams like a frenzy,riot, or mini x. And every trip to this area warrants a stop at Kens fishing shop. These are great people with great reports and advice.

It was the usual suspects this year and the usual haunts, but things were challenging due to the lack of a healthy snow pack and low water levels. The west Walker was my first clue as to how bad things would be. Green and Lee Vining creeks were on the kayak menu but after scouting it was decided that it wouldnt be much fun portaging every 60 feet. Instead we paddled across Saddlebag lake and trolled for bows then did a modified loop in the 20 lakes basin. The fishing was slow there and only Brookies were found where we used to be able to hunt for the grand slam. We didnt hit the higher lakes though for a "golden" chance. Saw some other fisherfolk using worms and putting them on the bottom for success.

 Spent alot of time on Twins lakes looking for a big Brown and got some quality nightfishing in as well. One of us had to learn "the net lesson" when a monster was lost at the boat when he was reaching down for it. Most fish were taken on the lower Twin and a mix of Bows and small Kokes. The upper lake's water level is still ok but the lower is very low and is effecting Robinson creek.

 Robinson was just about perfect for stomping but it was easy to see that the stream was losing strength everyday. After 12 days there I could clearly see it wont be long before things are grim.
We took so many Bows that they seemed like cannon fodder in our hunt for the Brownies.

One day we were stomping Robinson and catching standard issue bows until a seirra storm came booming through. A complete change in energy took place and we could all feel it. The Bows were gone and the Brownies came out and were ready to party. There was a good brown under almost every log but you only get one chance with these fish. They would bolt out and strike and if it didnt happen then it wasnt going to. Alot of beautiful small fish and a few really healthy ones.
 This years Lake county tour winner nabbed a beauty, but him being 6'5" 250ish makes all his fish look smaller than actual size for the photo op. He will still gain the title of  "coach" for the year until next year when Ill try to reclaim the title and the coveted coaches shirt.

Virginia Lake had good water levels but was getting alot of pressure both from the bankies and float tubes. It couldnt have felt promising to see this crew show up, put in, and start trolling in force. Everyone caught standard issue bows here and some healthy brooks were taken as well.

 This year did have some fantastic advantages due to the low water though. Not 1 misquito encounter, which is unheard of up there, and the water temp was perfect for swimming and being in the streams for extended periods. Had a disagreement with a deer reguarding my cool ranch dorito's but its her house. Some of the pictures were taken with waterproof disposables so the quality isnt very good but ill post a few anyway.
Anyway, if you want to fish the area this summer it needs to happen soon.
go easy and guard your chips.

 

2nd attempt with pics

twin lakes

robinson

virginia and others

sweeeeet

Very Cool!

Nice Pics. We ususally do the Bridgeport Opener.  Do Topaz before Bridgeport opens.  Next, year we are going to Twin Lakes first.  Nice to get big Browns and big Rainbows.  Done the Walker. But, only during deer hunting.

Also, that my sporting goods shop.  Ken's in Bridgeport.   (Just kidding...but, maybe some day)  Great place to spend $$$.

Ken Kickfish

I haven't been back there in decades. If I can remember correctly, I was 19 the last time I was there. I now have kids in their 20's. Long time. the photos don't capture the true beauty of what it looks like, but look great. And oh how I used to love to fish those streams. . Really learned a lot about reading water on them

That's ONE HELLUVA REPORT Terry!    Sweet pics of fish,lakes, streams and kickinit!  can't beat that!
that steelhead lake looks EXOTIC BLUE!...ewww!

Niiiiice pics. Beautiful!

Z

Nice job Terry.
I was expecting you to stop by and say hi on the way home.  j/k
I bet you came home stress free too.

Nice report, sorry I missed it.

A cool group-trip report.