Fly fishing at VVR

Few spots offer such superb opportunities for fishing as Lake Edison. With the 15 mile per hour speed limit for boats, it's easy to enjoy the peaceful setting. The crystal clear water and legendary trout fishing make this the ultimate destination for avid fishermen looking to hook up a German Brown, Eastern Brook, Rainbow or Golden Trout. The lake head dock is an easy one-mile walk to Quail Meadows and the JMT/PCT.

Gear Recommendations

Here are some recommendations for gear, equipment, and stuff to get you on (in) the water.

• ROD: A Five Weight, 8 1/2 foot or 9 foot, three or four-piece travel rod with an aluminum or pcv rod tube and cloth rod sack. There are good rods like this available from about $135.00. And up — of course.
• REEL: A single action reel that will hold 100 yards of backing (we like Cortland Micron Backing) and floating fly line.
• LINE: The best quality line you can afford is a must! If you have to skimp somewhere, buy a less expensive reel. The line is the most important part of your fly-fishing gear. Start with a Weight Forward, Five Weight Floating line (that matches your 5 wt rod.)
• LEADER: Start with a few 4X, 5X, and 6X leaders. These should be at least 7 foot, but you may catch more fish with 9 foot leaders. Tapered bass leaders work great for trout.
• TIPPET: A roll of each 5X and 6X will get you started. Fluorocarbon is more expensive, but it is also invisible.
• FLIES: A few of each of these will get you started: Dry — sizes 14, 16, and 18 Adams, and Elk Hair Caddis in the same sizes. As summer nears a couple of ants and Joe's Hoppers. Nymphs in sizes 14, 16, and 18: Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear and Bead-Head Prince, and a couple of size 10 or 12 black Woolly Buggers. Check back here next time for more on flies.
• STUFF: A vest with big pockets, a fly box, a pair of nippers, some floatant, sunscreen, bug repellant (or a cigar) — do not get the bug stuff on your flyline, it eats it. Add a small first aid kit, a pair of forceps to remove the barbless hook easily, a pair of polarized sun glasses (which may help you spot fish, but may also keep you from walking into an underwater hole) and finally a hat. The hat does keep your face in the shade. But the best reason for wearing a hat is to keep the flyline and hook from hitting your face — if a cast ever gets out of control. Some of us get a bit strange about our fishing hats. Yours can be a distinctive or personal as you make it.
• WADERS: Different strokes for everyone on waders: some like the lightweights, the newer goretex-types, neoprenes, or even the old Hodgemans. It's personal preference, budget, and region you are fishing that would affect your choice. Unless you really pay attention to your "hippers" you will probably wade out over the top of them — usually when playing a nice fish. If it is warm when you are fishing, try good tennis shoes and wade wet. You may not like it like that, but at least you will have tried it. You might find it less tiring than waders too when you are flyfishing.

What are We Fishing For?

Rainbow trout, German Browns, Eastern Brook, and even Golden trout can be found in the waters in and around Lake Edison. Lake Edison still holds the record for the largest Brown Trout caught in the State of California!