Did you run into many backpackers in August? I'm heading out there late September for a three-nighter and wondering where you'd recommend the best lake is for camping and fishing, with other lakes nearby for day trips to fish at. I know, it's not a long trail out there, but I'm lazy so might basecamp to avoid breaking/making camp each day. Rather spend my time fishing, photographing and contemplating. Thanks for the great video, Jim!
You know, I never see that many backpackers. That said, the one time I did plan to backpack in, we were going to Conness Lakes. Now, I think there maybe some restrictions these days about camping up there. I don't know what they are but I would look to camp on the bluff between Greenstone and Conness. Not the creek but the bluff to the east of the creek. Helen Lake also has some great camping and decent fishing and is close Odell and such. Again, check the regs. It's been a decade since I've looked at the restrictions there. Good luck!
@@highcountrychronicles Thanks, Jim! Here's the latest from the USFS Inyo NF page: "No camping at Greenstone Lake (south side), Saddlebag Lake, Conness Lakes, Wasco, Alpine, Green Treble, Maul, Big Horn, Finger, Spuller, Fantail, Shell Lakes, no camping near Bennettville or the Great Sierra Mine." Not crystal clear but I think this means I can camp on the bluff btwn Conness/Greenstone that you mention, since it's not a the actual lakes? Also seems like one can camp at Greenstone, except for on its south shore? Who knows. Some of those other lakes I couldn't even find on the map (granted, it was a quick check) and probably require off-trailing. Have you ever camped/fished at any of those? Finally, which lake in this basin would you say is the most productive for fishing, regardless of fish type, sight fishing, prospecting, etc. Thanks a ton for sharing your knowledge!
@@HNSeventyFive Wow. That's a lot of lakes. LOL. I think you're right though. I don't think they want people impacting the lakes proper. South side of Greenstone makes sense as that is the most scenic and probably gets a lot of folks. It's also fairly open. Most prolific? Probably Z lake actually. It's a bunch of small brookies last time I fished it. It fishes well for numbers but I wouldn't really recommend it. And like I said it's been some years since I've fished it. In recent years, I've frankly done equally well at most of the lakes I've fished. With not one outshining the others regardless of type of fish. The brookie lakes have fished as well as the golden lakes and so forth. Frankly, the best fishing is probably in the creeks and the creek between Conness and Greenstone and below Greenstone can hold some big fish. Of course, they all have their moods and you have to catch them when they're not moody. LOL.
Bummer on the jacket. I Haven't Heard much good about it which surprises me because I have there 0 degree summit bag and love it. But, beautiful area to hike and fish. Thanks for sharing.
Did Twin have a trail to it? I was up by Odell a few years ago and never saw one, just wondering if you had to bushwack it up there. Thank you, awesome vid!
Did you run into many backpackers in August? I'm heading out there late September for a three-nighter and wondering where you'd recommend the best lake is for camping and fishing, with other lakes nearby for day trips to fish at. I know, it's not a long trail out there, but I'm lazy so might basecamp to avoid breaking/making camp each day. Rather spend my time fishing, photographing and contemplating. Thanks for the great video, Jim!
You know, I never see that many backpackers. That said, the one time I did plan to backpack in, we were going to Conness Lakes. Now, I think there maybe some restrictions these days about camping up there. I don't know what they are but I would look to camp on the bluff between Greenstone and Conness. Not the creek but the bluff to the east of the creek.
Helen Lake also has some great camping and decent fishing and is close Odell and such. Again, check the regs. It's been a decade since I've looked at the restrictions there. Good luck!
@@highcountrychronicles Thanks, Jim! Here's the latest from the USFS Inyo NF page: "No camping at Greenstone Lake (south side), Saddlebag Lake, Conness Lakes, Wasco, Alpine, Green Treble, Maul, Big Horn, Finger, Spuller, Fantail, Shell Lakes, no camping near Bennettville or the Great Sierra Mine." Not crystal clear but I think this means I can camp on the bluff btwn Conness/Greenstone that you mention, since it's not a the actual lakes? Also seems like one can camp at Greenstone, except for on its south shore? Who knows. Some of those other lakes I couldn't even find on the map (granted, it was a quick check) and probably require off-trailing. Have you ever camped/fished at any of those? Finally, which lake in this basin would you say is the most productive for fishing, regardless of fish type, sight fishing, prospecting, etc. Thanks a ton for sharing your knowledge!
@@HNSeventyFive Wow. That's a lot of lakes. LOL. I think you're right though. I don't think they want people impacting the lakes proper. South side of Greenstone makes sense as that is the most scenic and probably gets a lot of folks. It's also fairly open.
Most prolific? Probably Z lake actually. It's a bunch of small brookies last time I fished it. It fishes well for numbers but I wouldn't really recommend it. And like I said it's been some years since I've fished it. In recent years, I've frankly done equally well at most of the lakes I've fished. With not one outshining the others regardless of type of fish. The brookie lakes have fished as well as the golden lakes and so forth. Frankly, the best fishing is probably in the creeks and the creek between Conness and Greenstone and below Greenstone can hold some big fish. Of course, they all have their moods and you have to catch them when they're not moody. LOL.
Bummer on the jacket. I Haven't Heard much good about it which surprises me because I have there 0 degree summit bag and love it. But, beautiful area to hike and fish. Thanks for sharing.
The Backpack Blazer Ironically. I have been wearing it a lot lately. It's a strange jacket with a small temp range.
So I've returned the jacket for a replacement. I may have gotten one of their early defective jackets. Stay tuned.
Did Twin have a trail to it? I was up by Odell a few years ago and never saw one, just wondering if you had to bushwack it up there. Thank you, awesome vid!
No trail. Bushwack all the way. It's a simple up and over if you take the right path.
Hey Jim, I'm planning to head up into the 20 Lakes Basin in the coming weeks, are Odell and the Twin Lakes the best bet for goldens up there? Thanks.
I would say the best bet is Conness 1. But all 3 should produce fish.
Best place
and do you usually fish your nymphs in still water under an indicator, or just strip it? just wondering cuz im going up soon!
I usually use a strip / pause retrieve of some sort or a figure of 8.
@@highcountrychronicles thx
u should get a gopro my man. will be able to film while fishing and get underwater fish shots.
Check out my latest videos. Got one, still learning how to use it. :) Not gonna do the underwater thing though.