I had planned a fishing trip with my son to the lakes along the Mirror Lake Highway, but as sometimes happens, something came up and he wasn't able to make it. Rather than cancel the trip, I decided to keep the date with myself and head up the mountain anyway.
I started the trip by driving up in the dark and making my way to Whitney Reservoir. I found a place to spend the night in the back of my truck and settled in for a few hours of sleep. As the early morning light started to fill the mountains, I got up, grabbed my fishing gear, and set up along the west side of the reservoir.
It was beautiful. A cool fall morning, mountains all around, and not another soul in sight except for an SUV camped off in the distance.
I started with my usual casting bubble and Power Eggs setup. It didn't take long to catch six rainbow trout. These were planters, and they seemed more than willing to cooperate.
Then I noticed something more interesting happening just a few feet from shore. Tiger trout were cruising the shallows, slurping flies off the surface. They were close enough that I couldn't help but change tactics.
I shortened the leader, dumped about half the water out of the casting bubble on one of my rigs, and put on a piece of nightcrawler. It only took ten minutes or so before the bubble took off.
On the other end was a beautiful 15-inch tiger trout.
I kept catching rainbows on the other rod and managed to catch another tiger of about the same size before packing up and heading down the highway to the next lake.
Whitney Reservoir had been a pretty good way to start the morning.
Butterfly Lake
The fall colors were in full effect, and the drive along the Mirror Lake Highway was almost as enjoyable as the fishing. The canyon was filled with color, and every turn seemed to offer another reason to slow down and look around.
My next stop was Butterfly Lake. I set up on the west side of the lake, on my left as I approached, and went back to work.
The Power Eggs and casting bubble continued to produce rainbow trout. I also wanted to catch some brook trout, so I tried fishing a fly behind the casting bubble.
I had seen fly fishermen catching brookies on ants, so I figured a small Renegade would be worth a try. Unfortunately, the brook trout weren't nearly as impressed with my selection as I was.
While I was fishing, a family spanning three generations came and sat down nearby. I enjoyed visiting with Grandpa and sharing a few fishing stories. Some of the grandkids were interested in how I was catching rainbow after rainbow, so I helped rig up a couple of their lines.
It's funny how quickly fishing can bring people together. We were strangers when they arrived, but before long we were talking fishing, swapping stories, dad jokes, and getting the kids set up to catch a few fish of their own.
After about an hour and a half, I said my goodbyes, traded some power bait for a hand full of flies and moved on.
Teapot Lake
Next up was Teapot Lake, one of my favorite little stops along the highway.
I like this lake because it's easy to access right off the road, yet it still feels secluded. The trees surround the water, and once you're only fifty feet or so away from the highway, you can hardly tell you're fishing next to a road at all.
I set up and got started, although for some reason the fishing was slower at first. I eventually rigged both rods, and things started to pick up.
Over the next 45 minutes or so, I hooked a dozen fish. But, hhe best part came when a young man walked up just as I had doubled up. I looked at him and asked, "Would you mind?"
He picked up the other rod with a big old smile.
While fishing, I also spotted some larger, native-looking fish cruising the shallows. I couldn't quite tell whether they were tigers or brookies, but they were big enough to get my attention.
I wanted to try the nightcrawler trick that had worked so well at Whitney Reservoir. Unfortunately, the nightcrawlers were sitting in the cooler back in my truck.
I could have gone back for them, but by that point I figured I had done enough damage and there were still other places to visit, so I packed up and headed for my final destination.
Mirror Lake
I have visited Mirror Lake several times over the years, including family camping trips when I was a kid. It had been about fifteen years since my last visit, so I was looking forward to making the nostalgic trek back to one of our old fishing spots.
I parked and walked along the path toward the lake, trying to find the place I remembered. A tree or two was missing, but other than that, it felt remarkably familiar.
There is something interesting about returning to a place from your childhood. You half expect everything to be exactly as you left it.
Of course, the lake hadn't been waiting fifteen years for me to come back, but it was nice to find that our old lucky fishing spot was still there.
I set up with the same basic approach I had used at the other lakes, putting Power Eggs on one rod and a nightcrawler on the other. The fish cooperated, and I caught more than ten before a gentleman came and sat down nearby.
I wasn't sure where he was from, but I guessed he might be visiting from the Philippines. He explained in broken English that he was traveling around and sightseeing in several states.
At first, I wasn't sure why he had chosen to sit and watch me fish. I figured there were probably more interesting sights to see around Mirror Lake than a guy standing on shore catching stocked rainbow trout.
Then he leaned toward me with a smile and said, "At home, I good at fish."
I smiled and visited with him for a few minutes.
After a little while, he leaned back toward me again and said, "You good at fish."
That time, I was smiling a little bigger.
I don't know if I had convinced him I was a good fisherman or if he was just being friendly, but I'll take the compliment. After a day of catching fish, meeting people, and enjoying the fall colors, it was a pretty good way to end the trip.
A Good Day to Get Out
I eventually packed up and made the drive home. I had caught plenty of fish, visited four different lakes, and met several people I probably never would have crossed paths with otherwise.
I had also spent the morning remembering old fishing and camping trips with my family. Walking back to our old spot at Mirror Lake brought back memories I hadn't thought about in years.
I had originally planned this trip with my son. When he couldn't make it, I could have canceled and stayed home. Instead, I decided to go anyway.
I'm glad I did.
The fish were cooperative, the fall colors were beautiful, and the people I met made the day even better. I didn't need a big fish, a fancy boat, or an elaborate plan. I just needed to get out of the house and spend some time on the water.
Sometimes a solo fishing trip turns out to be pretty good company after all.
Final Tally:
Four lakes visited
Plenty of rainbow trout
Two tiger trout at Whitney Reservoir
A few unsuccessful attempts at catching brook trout
Several good conversations
A handful of old memories brought back to life
One beautiful fall morning well spent
