Outings update as of 7/24/20
First the good news: the outing to First Dinkey Lake, scheduled for August 15, is still on. This is a day trip, all outside, so social distancing should be easy and risks minimal. Of course, nothing is totally risk free, so be aware.
Whether to share rides and with whom is up to you. We’ll plan to meet at the lake and share stories and fishing tips.
About the lake: First Dinkey is a fairly large lake and has a lot of brook trout. None of them are huge, but they’re decent size, generally fat and happy until they take a phony bug, then they’re just fat. They are usually not difficult to catch. The lake area can be mosquito infested, but they’re generally gone by mid August anyway. It is a beautiful place, worth seeing even for non anglers
The weather should be cool and clear, but thunderstorms are a possibility. Check the forecast, and, if there might be thunderstorms, bring rain gear. The lake is just over 9,000 feet, so the average temperature is about 27 degrees cooler than it is in Fresno. 100 here, should be about 73 there.
Getting there: The road from Dinkey Creek Road is still closed due to a bridge out. Take the route from Tamarack Ridge (168) instead. That dirt road was graded for a logging operation last year up to the last two miles, so isn’t too rough, but that last two miles is somewhat challenging, requiring a high ground clearance vehicle, preferably four wheel drive. The trail is not terribly difficult, about three miles and starting at 8,500 feet thus minimizing long steep climbs. The altitude gain is 679 feet. You have the option of returning via the loop and fishing three more lakes. That adds about a mile to your hike.
If you’ve never been to First Dinkey Lake before, you can get detailed driving directions at this website: https://flyflinger78.wixsite.com/alpine-lakes. Click on “getting there the roads,” then scroll down to “Willow Meadow from 168” Willow meadow is the trailhead.
You can also explore this site and find out about the trail, the lake, the fishing, and other lakes in the area.
Be sure to bring a lunch and plenty of water.
Flies that work at this lake include terrestrials (beetles, ants), small wooly buggers, soft hackles, Griffith’s gnats, and a lot more. They tend not to be picky. The trick is getting to the right depth, often right on the surface.
Now the bad news: Due to, yep you guessed it, the COVID 19, the Eastern Sierra outing to Tom’s Place has been scaled back to a day trip to the Cedar Grove Area. Too much togetherness at Tom’s Place. Look for more details in the September Dope.
October 10 Note change of date due to the Yuba Fest: Twin Lakes. Hike to the lake is 3 miles. The road to the trailhead is paved all the way.
This is George Lake:
Check out all of the above places on my website here: https://flyflinger78.wixsite.com/alpine-lakes
Mark your calendar for the O’Neill Forebay striper outing, assuming state parks are open:
November 14 Note change of date due to the banquet
And check back periodically for updates to outings. Don’t miss out!
Update: Sacramento drift trip is scheduled for October 17. Save the date!
As you probably also know, this trip filled up fast last year, so don’t delay. There is room for the first 12 anglers who fill out the form and mail it with a check to the address on the application.
Please pay Lance Gray and Company directly by check, and send the application form to them, not to me or to the club.
And, please be advised that the money is not refundable, but that there’s likely to be a waiting list of people who will pay for your spot.
We just got home from the December outing. This was a beginner’s outing, with the more experienced anglers helping the neophytes get off on the right foot. Thanks, everyone, for making this a successful outing. I think everyone had a good time, most caught fish, and even the experienced anglers learned something new. That’s the great thing about our sport: A beginner can catch fish and have a good time, but even those of us who have been waving a rodover the water for decades still can learn something.
