The West Walker is known best for its plentiful planted rainbows, though it has a small population of Lahontan cutthroats and German browns, according to Gieser. Fishing on the river is now great for anglers fishing bait, lures and flies in the stretch of canyon from Walker to Bootleg Campground off Highway 395 and in the Pickle Meadow and Sonora Campground areas off Highway 108.

"The fish being caught now range from 9 inches to 6 pounds," said Gieser. "Wild trout are a small percentage - maybe five percent - of the fishery. I estimate that 25 percent of the trout are holdovers."

However, as the forage base and habitat continues to recover from the flood of 1997, Gieser expects the percentage of wild and holdover trout caught by anglers to increase.

Some of the largest trout, including Alpers-strain rainbows raised on the Alpers Ranch on the upper Owens River, are caught by fly fishers. For example, Scott Freeman caught and released a 6-1/4 pound rainbow while fishing a parachute hopper on the West Walker this summer.

Among the better fly patterns to use include Prince, Hare's Ear and Aggravator nymphs in sizes #14 to #16. Royal Wulffs, Yellow Humpy, Elk Hair Caddis and Grasshopper patterns in size #14 to #8 are the top dry flies, according to Gieser.

Lures recommended by Gieser include Super Dupers, small Roostertails and black and gold Panther Martins. Salmon eggs, mini-crawlers, Power Bait, Power Eggs and Crave Amino Eggs are also productive.

After hearing of the great fishing from Gieser, I decided to give the West Walker a try on September 12. I left Sacramento late in the morning and stopped first at the West Carson River in Hope Valley off Highway 89. With my polarized glasses, I looked into the pools in the meadow and saw some trout swimming around. As soon as it hit the water, a small Lahontan cutthroat hit my Panther Martin. I landed several small cutthroats, but couldn't find any larger rainbows, so I decided to head on.

I stopped at Woodfords Station to see Dave Kirby and told him I was going to the West Walker. I purchased some flies from him, including Parachute Adams and Grasshopper patterns. I drove over Monitor Pass, passing by Heenan Lake, and got on Highway 395. The river was low and clear - and virtually deserted. I only saw several anglers as I drove through the canyon on my way to the Sonora Campground and Pickle Meadows.

After Labor Day weekend and before the final day of the trout season, November 15, the watershed receives relatively little fishing pressure. After stopping on the way at a bridge and seeing a few bait anglers with nothing on the stringers, I drove on to Sonora Campground.

I looked into the water at the first pool with my polarized glasses, but didn't seen any fish, and kept wading through the river. I saw one angler who said, "there's a bunch of fish in that pool over there," as he pointed to a deep, shady pool. However, he said that he and several fishing buddies had only caught one trout while using spinners.

I kept walking and found the pool - and saw big schools of fish in the water. Unfortunately, I couldn't find the flies that I had bought earlier from Kirby. I decided to fish a black and gold 1/8 ounce Panther Martin on my Tica 7 foot light action spinning rod with a Libra SA300 spinning reel.

As soon as I tossed my lure into the water, I began hooking one fish after another, all rainbows in the 10 to 13 inch class. I also hooked several fish while using Power Bait and Crave Amino Eggs. I ended up with an easy limit - and there was not a soul anywhere near me.

I drove to Pickle Meadows to get some photos of people catching and releasing or holding up fish. Although there were two cars in the parking lot, I never found out if the people who had left them there were fishing or hiking. I hiked along the river for 10 minutes and couldn't find anybody fishing.

It was getting late in the day and I decided to head back to Highway 395. On the way, I saw two anglers fishing a deep hole. I looked into the water and didn't see any fish - they were fishing in unproductive water. It's important when the water is low and clear to scan the water with your polarized glasses before you fish because the fish will be schooled up in the deeper holes this time of year, away from the shallow riffles and runs. On the way back to Garderville, I stopped at the Overland Hotel, an historic Basque Restaurant that I love to go to. The food is served family style. I ordered some juicy lamb chops and ate plenty of garbanzo soup and salad.

On a fishing trip to the West Walker River, you can also make side trips to Bridgeport Reservoir, Twin Lakes, Robinson Creek, Virginia Lakes and the East Walker River. For more information, call Ken's Sporting Goods in Bridgeport, (760) 932-7707.