Hetch Hetchy Reservoir - CA

Hetch Hetchy Valley

It is advantageous to imitate the resident baitfish – roach. Introduced from Europe, they are best identified by their big red eyes…when alive. One of my fish puked up this one.

I cherish the rainbows here. They’re much better sport than the browns. Simply hanging on for the ride, this wild rainbow launched 4’ out of the water and I’ll never forget the tail slaps. While fighting these fish, you forget to breathe.

Views from a secluded honey hole.

Get some!

Wapama Falls cascades 1,080 feet into the lake. It can be reached by walking across the dam, through the tunnel, and continuing on a trail that traverses on the north side of the lake. A five-mile round-trip hike, this is an ideal place to fish.

It doesn’t look like it but Tueeulala Falls tumbles 880 feet to the trail below. Everything in Yosemite is much larger than it appears. It’s also hard to judge distance here.

Fish the foam line where water from several different waterfalls enters the lake. Remember the old phrase, "The foam is home."

This brown trout has chomped on a few roach.

I’m unsure if the brown trout are descents of von Behr (German Brown), Loch Leven (Scotch Trout), or both. Both strains are listed as being introduced way back in the day, and hatcheries are on record of rearing both. Though some are more colorful than others, biologists say the trout are likely a mix.