fishing on John Muir Trail

I've done little fishing, so don't be shy about answering with even the most basic of information.
This summer my boys (12 and 14) and I are hiking part of the John Muir Trail (starting a King's Canyon National Park) and we'd like to catch a few dinners along the way.
We have (and have used) packable spinner rods and reals, but don't have (don't mean to buy for this trip) fly fishing equipment.
I see lots of articles on trout fishing along the JMT-all of them geared for Fly Fishermen with more fishing knowledge than I'm starting with.
I presume we can use our our spinner rods to catch a dinner or two, but I don't know where to start in terms of tackle (ie, do we fly fish with the spinner and if so, how to set it up?)
Your advice will be appreciated. Regards, Dave

Hi Horse
if you could give me a general size of the river and its depth
I may be able to help you.


steeliebill

I've been there and the opportunities for fishing include mountain streams/rivers and lakes. In the rivers/streams I've seen people fishing in waders and recall the running water as pretty shallow and quick flowing.

Hi horse

small ant (black,brown)imitations fished under tiny bobbers.
small spinners (0,to size 1) in black blade or gold (brass)
fish bobbers in calm waters behind rocks or calmer water near
deeper water near shore. fish spinners through deeper pools and
the seames between where calm waters meet swifter waters.

I hope this gets you started. good luck. steeliebill

Hi Horse
Iforgot to mention to use light line,2 to 4 pound test would be
about right

tight lines



steeliebill.

My Dad and I are both hiking for 30 days on the trail and I would like to do some fishing. What should I bring that is light and easy to carry? please reply because 30 days of just walking could get rather dull.

Hi Wiechmij, welcome to the forum. I hope you will like it here
It depends. Where are you going hiking to? What are the waters (creeks?) or?

Will hike from Roads End (in Kings Canyon National Park). Trails out follows Woods Creek out to the John Muir Trail. Middle part of the trail passes a number of mountain/high altitude lakes. On the map, however, I can see they are generally connected by streams. Hike back in is along Bubbs Creek.
Short story, we'll always be near enough to running water to fish creeks/mountain streams. we will sometimes be near mountain lakes.
Thanks, Dave

I have fished parts of the JMT and its the best experience ive had in a while. Your question for fly fishing, if your not set of to fly fish then i wouldnt bother. Fly fishing has the best results in the high sierras but requires all appropiate equipment, you can not successfully use a spinner on a fly rod unless it is a fly converted with a small impeller.My faviorte fly to use is the yellow elk hair caddis. if your going to use your basic rod and reel i would stick to the 5 to 6 pound test with one extra reel with 7 to 8 pound test because there are some rather hudge fish in some of these lakes. Panther martens black and yellow in color work well, also a lip ripper in red and gold color. keep in mind its all barbless hooks and try to practice catch and release for the bigger fish. Fish on !
Cheers. . .

Welcome to the forum, Rayburn Great tips. Thanks (because also handy for others to know).

A ten inch trout takes 11 years to get that big at high elevation. Pack your own food and show some respect for the area you are visiting and the creatures there.

Show some class and leave the poles back home in your city.

Thank you for the sanctimony Richard!
My boys and I actually took the trip over two years ago, so you're a little late.
As it turns out, the trout at the high elevations are so thick and hungry, you could cast out a rusty nail and reel one in every time. We did this for a while, which was great fun for my boys.
We happened to be packing our food (that should please Mr Davis) and were catching and releasing but, if we had the ambition to catch and clean and eat, we could've and would've had a belly full in no time.