Fishing Gear

Dave's Sierra Fishing

Before you set out on your Sierra fishing adventure, check out Dave's Fishing and Camping Equipment reviews to learn about my choices for everything from the newest fishing tackle to the best sleeping pads.

• The latest and best fishing tackle on the market
• The best camping equipment for the Sierra
• The most comfortable outdoor clothing for Sierra climates
• Safety equipment that could save your life
• My ten favorite flies for High Sierra lakes and streams

Fishing Tackle

Fly Fishing Rods and Reels

Orvis Clearwater Fly Rod

The 9' Orvis Clearwater 4-piece rod is a great choice for Sierra fishing. It's light weight and well-balanced, making it easy to use on Sierra lakes. It makes a great all-around rod, and with Orvis providing a 25-year guarantee, you need not worry about breaking it while packing in to a remote mountain lake.

The Clearwater comes in a range of lengths from 8'6" to 10', in either 2-piece or 4-piece in line weights from 4 to 6. Users report that it loads and unloads smoothly, easily casting up to 60 feet.

Orvis Mirage Reels

Orvis reels are popular choices among anglers. The LA II is designed for line weights 3-5 while the LA III is for 5-7. Using a carbon to stainless drag, the reels give smooth, consistent, and infinitely adjustable stopping power. The best part is a sealed, maintenance-free drag system which keeps out all the little grit and grime that tries to mess up reels. Strong, lightweight, with quick-release spools that change from right to left-hand retrieve.

Abel TR Trout Series fly fishing reel

Since I am always looking to save weight without sacrificing quality, I was pleased to find the new Abel TR Trout Series reels back in production. They use a click-pawl drag which is great for trout, protecting a light tippet. This reel is for 3 - 4 wt. line. It's priced on the high end range for me, but with only two moving parts and smooth feel, I expect it to last for years. The only thing I've heard is that it's important to keep it away from sand and grit.

Spin Casting Rods and Reels

Okuma VS-605-20 Voyager Spinning Travel Kit

A 5-piece, 6-foot rod and a 20 size reel, the Okuma Voyager Travel Spinning Pack is great for packing into the back country. The graphite composite rod casts well and the ball bearing reel makes for a smooth return. The well-padded case protects the rod when traveling, whether by air or car.

KastKing Centron Spinning Reel - Fishing Rod Combos

Fishing rods 6' - 8', 2-piece, stainless Steel Guides w/O-Rings - Strong and durable stainless-steel guides, Centron Spinning Reel. The KastKing Centron features a 5.2:1 or 4.5:1 gear ratio, 9+1 Maxi-Dur ball bearings, anti-twist line roller, light weight graphite frame and aluminum spool.

Flies

My Ten Favorite Flies for High Sierra Lakes and Streams

• Royal Trude - high-floating, low-profile, match hatch of caddis and stoneflies
• Elk Hair Caddis tan - floats well in rough water
• Adams - mayfly imitation, one of my most reliable all-around flies
• Red Quill - I got hooked on red quills fishing New York's Neversink. Mayfly imitation
• Black Gnat - dark color especially good for early morning and evening - I use it all day long
• Kings River Caddis - a dark colored caddis, great on slow water, western slope of southern Sierra
• Ant - great at the beginning of the swarm and the end, good on streams where trees overhang water
• Woolly Bugger a wet fly most often fished near the bottom, good in low-light
• Griffith's Gnat - best when midges are hatching - my go-to when nothing else is working
• Grey Wulff - a bushy, high-floating fly, good on a rough mountain stream

High Sierra Trails

A Backpacker's Guide to the Most Amazing Trails in the Sierra Nevada