June Bugs...
 

The F&G Commission had a meeting on the 10th in Mammoth Lakes and discussed the new proposed lobster regulations...so...I thought I'd combine a little business and pleasure with a trip to the beautiful Eastern Sierras, the June Lake Loop was my destination.
Time for a road trip with the Pro Angler...headed up highway 14 out of Mojave.
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The only bummer about having the PA on a trailer is the 55mph speedlimit...the bonus is all the extra stuff I can just throw in the trailer.
We sure are lucky to live here in the USA....!

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The campsites at Gull were all taken by the time I arrived so I found a campsite at Silver Lake under the view of Carson Peak.

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The wind was howling that first evening so fishing was out of the question...so on to plan B...start drinking and hang out with a couple of old local friends!

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The DFG meeting went well and I was out of there by noon.
This is Gull lake at sunset...I set a few Crawdad traps and trolled up a few Trout...

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Nothing big on the Trout but cooked wrapped in some Meadow Farms double smoked bacon and stuffed with some vegies...WOW!
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Thursday morning's sunrise was spectacular...
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The clouds and rain stayed away long enough for me to pick up the Crayfish traps and troll the edge of the lake a couple of times...what a beautiful morning.
As usual the bugs were crawling and were all over the bait (chicken and cat food cans). The traps soaked overnight and were full the next morning.
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There were some big ones in the traps and they tried to takeover the Hobie...I had to fight em off they were so big...!!!

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I brought the catch home and we're having a big "boil" tonight. Cajun spices, corn, cellery, potatoes, artichoke, and some smoked Louisiana hot links.
YUM...I can't wait.

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Driving back down Hwy 395 towards Bishop, as you come down Sherwin Summit is this view of Long Valley...the magnitude of the valley and the majesty of the Mountains beyond always blows my mind and I feel so small and just an insignificant speck on this big planet...
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Thanks for sharing such a wonderful trip.

Trout fishing and freshwater bugs. Wow.






Hashem

395 down Sherwin. 14 isnt for a few hrs.

Great report. First eastern sierra crawdad report Ive ever seen. Enjoy the boil!

That's an awesome trip! I want to do that soon.

Thank you for sharing.

Way to tack on some fun while up there looking out for our best interests. LOVE Gull lake.

That's awesome Jim!

Can't wait to head up there next month. Family is camping in Yosemite for a week then moving to Mammoth for the second week. I can't swing taking my kayak, but definitely sneaking my fly rod into the van.

Those things look great. thanks for sharing and representing!

I have a love hate relationship with this view of Mt. Tom. I love it for the same reasons you discussed. I hate it because it means I am leaving the Sierras and headed home.

Looks like you had an awesome trip! And thanks for your tireless efforts for the hoop netters.

Nice job on the crayfish. Not something I eat often, but coming from such clean water I'd love to give it a try some day.

Clean
 

These mountain bugs are some of the cleanest and best tasting Crayfish I've ever eaten!

Do you purge them before cooking? Just curious if/how you get them ready for the boiler????

No Purge
 

No need to purge these clean mountain bugs...They are not mud bugs...!
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Dinner was delicious tonight. Cooked about 75 of the bad boys...Boiled some water and added cajun spices, some garlic and onion and bay leaves and a couple of Artichokes. Once the Artichokes were almost done I added some celery, potatoes, Louisiana hot links, corn, and mushrooms...brought it back up to boil again and let it cook for a few minutes then added the Crawdads and waited for them to turn red and float to the top...mixed up some coleslaw and opened up an ice cold beer...WOW...Was That Delicious ! ! !
Now I've gotta get back up to the mountains again..........

Great pictures!

Good report thanks for sharing.:luxhello::luxhello::luxhello: