Updated 9-18-2023 Fall is in the air as temperatures are starting to drop. Streams, rivers and creeks are receding to levels that are safe to fly fish. Waters are clearing and the trout are taking nymphs and dries Lakes are at their fullest with some Eastern Sierra lakes spilling over the lakes dams. Fly fishers on the lakes that are exploring the newly rewatered areas are finding trout willing to take streamers, midge nymphs, and dry flies. Backcountry waters are accessible and brook trout, golden trout, brown trout and rainbow trout are feeding on nymphs and dries. Fish reports from Bishop Creek Canyon by Parchers Resort and Owens River and Hot Creek by Sierra Brightdot plus road access by LADWP.
By: Jeff Kozak The author runs near the rounded summit of Mazourka Peak in the Inyo Mountains, looking west across the Owens Valley near Independence to the Sierra Crest and two 14’ers: Mt. Williamson and Mt. Tyndall. Howie Stern Rising abruptly on the western...
Imagine someone loading a mountain lion into a station wagon and taking it to a trade show, such as the Fred Hall Fishing Tackle Show.It would never happen today, of course, and not just because there are no more station wagons around.But that’s what Blake Jones did...
Reminder to our human friends, please keep pets on a leash near swift moving water. If you think Bishop and its Big Backyard is great for us two-legged creatures, then it’s absolute nirvana for your four-legged family members. Just outside Bishop’s doorstep,...
Family vacations are about relaxing as well as creating memories of fun times. When it comes to a destination to visit, there might be none more suited for an affordable outdoorsy family getaway than Bishop and its big backyard. To help plan your trip, here’s 6 things...
First stop on the Eastern Sierra Ale Trail from the south – Bishop and Mountain Rambler Brewing. Home to a vast array of award-winning beers from the California Craft Brewers Cup and the Great American Beer Festival.
Deep in its core is Bishop, a place that rejuvenates the soul, that inspires visitors and residents alike to enrich themselves holistically and creatively. As the sunsets over the sharp razorback line of the Eastern Sierra, let these yoga studios and artistic outlets round out an already fulfilling trip.
Nearly four hundred miles long, the Sierra Nevada is bursting at the seams with scenery. Hundreds of shimmering alpine lakes. Razor-sharp ridgelines. Giant pines that seem to reach the sky. Some places will touch people’s souls more than others, but there is one...
From a leisurely pedal with jaw-dropping views to sufferfest climbs you’d see in the Tour de France, Bishop is arguably home to some of the best road cycling outside of Europe. Instead of dismantling your bike and shipping it to the Alps, take in the Eastern Sierra.
Local hero story. Bishop private pilot, Paula Sayer, flies her Cesna 182 to rescue at-risk dogs from shelters in California, flying them to rescue organizations in the state and beyond. It takes time, skill, and compassion to help dogs in need. Her dedication, skill, and love for animals enable her to make a real difference.
Horseback riding in Bishop and its big backyard isn’t just a hobby. It’s a tradition. To this day, the only way to access many parts of the rugged Eastern Sierra is by foot or horseback. That’s why Bishop has earned the moniker the “Mule Capital of the World.” While...
Bishop and its big backyard are magnetic to adventure seekers. An adult playground filled with an almost endless number of activities to choose from. Big scenery that arguably is some of the most beautiful in the world. If you and your partner are planning a wedding,...
This tutorial saves you time and makes life easier by providing up to date access and road information to guests planning to visit the area in the next several months. Guests who are “in the know” get their info through this comprehensive feature. It contains digital links in one central location to authoritative agencies and locals who monitor and manage local travel and recreation features.
Regardless if you’re an adrenaline junkie, a history buff, or just a nature lover, Bishop and the Eastern Sierra has something for you. Take yourselves on this journey of E.S.T. – the highest, lowest, hottest, oldest, saltiest, rockiest, earliest, purest, strangest, loneliest, and wildest 555-Mile Road Trip of the Eastern Sierra.
Fishing knots are created and used everyday by many anglers worldwide. There is a variety of fishing knots, each has a different role, from attaching a line to a hook or swivel, attaching a line to a lure, to connecting and joining lines. If you have the right fishing...
From the peak of Mount Whitney to the depths of Death Valley—that’s how many options there are for things to do near Bishop, California. If that’s a bit extreme, here are a few more ideas: birding and fishing, cool rocks and hot springs, 4-wheel drive and all-star skies. Written by Visit USA Parks. Story also available in French and German.
Death Valley is one of the most unique and beautiful places in all of America. This park blew us away as each area felt like a completely different world from the last. Making it in our opinion, one of most underrated parks in all of the US, and one you need to have on your bucket list.
There are places etched into your memory forever. That are different. Special. Unlike anywhere else you visit. I still remember the first time I laid my eyes on the moonscape known as Death Valley. It didn’t look like it belonged on Earth. Even as a young kid and...
The Tungsten Hills sit directly beneath the Sierra skyline towering above Bishop. The rocky mounds are webbed with trails and OHV roads. With plenty of options, it’s a playground for winter trail running. This Tungsten City Loop is a 4 mile run that gets you close to the big mountains with no shortage of additional miles if you desire a longer run.
Have you ever wondered where the giant radio telescopes in the 1996 movie The Arrival are located? Well, it’s HERE in Bishop’s Big Backyard at the Owens Valley Radio Observatory or OVRO for short. It’s also where Jodie Foster’s character Dr. Eleanor...
Less than five minutes from downtown Bishop, Rossi Hill is the quickest access to trails through Bishop’s sage and granite boulders. This 5.75 mile run serves as an ideal introduction to the Bishop winter landscape. Close to town, but within a warm-up jog, you’ll feel somewhere much further away.
When talking about California’s history, the Gold Rush casts a mighty big shadow and rightly so. It caused the biggest migration and brought wealth to the Golden State. The topography also showcases our natural history. And yet one piece of tragic history is sadly...
The trail angles evenly uphill for 4.5 miles where it meets Lower Rock Creek Road. Turn around and come right back down, or if you’d like a longer run, the trail continues up to Whisky Canyon and the top of the Sherwin Grade.
Bishop may be high desert, but its littlest residents are the reason why it’s home to world-class fly fishing. Artificial flies or fly lures used in angling are an imitation of the aquatic insects that are the natural food of trout and other species. So, let’s take a magnified look at the dragon flies and butterflies that you’ll see in our big backyard.
