A very special place tucked away in the Eastern High Sierra

By Don Quilici

I had the pleasure of spending last weekend at a very special place tucked away in the Eastern High Sierra as a surprise birthday gift from Elaine.

Also included in that birthday gift was the surprise appearance of longtime close friends Norm and Caroline Budden, Bob "Slick" and Linda McCulloch and Mickey and Nora Daniels, who spent the weekend partying with Elaine and I.

The hospitality, accommodations, company, food, drinks and scenery were all absolutely awesome and "Five Star."

Where were we?

Well, we were at a very special place known as Convict Lake, Calif.

And if you have never been there, you have missed out on an unforgettable experience. For those of you who have never been to Convict Lake, here's some information to whet your appetite:

Where:

Convict Lake is reached by driving south from Carson City for about 140 miles on U.S. 395. Then, just a couple of miles past the Mammoth Lakes Exit, turn off to the right when you see a signed paved road that leads to Convict Lake. It is located just two miles west of U.S. 395.

Convict Lake has lots and lots of overnight accommodations which include a U.S.F.S. Campground and cabins at the Convict Lake Resort.

U.S.F.S. Campground:

The campground is on a first-come, first-served basis, with no advance reservations. It has a total of 88 campsites, which are run by a concessionaire.

The daily fees are $15 per night until Sept. 21. Then the fee goes to $13 a night on Mon.-Thu. and $14 a night on Fri.-Sun., until its seasonal closure.

There are flush toilets and water throughout the campground.

There is a free sewer dump and hot showers are available at the Convict Lake Resort. Wood for the fire rings is also sold at the Convict Lake General Store.

There are no hook-ups.

Be advised that during the six months it is open (April 24-Oct. 31), the occupancy rate averages 94 percent!

Resort Cabins:

Accommodations at Convict Lake Resort's 31 different cabins are made by advance reservations.

Those 31 cabins can accommodate anywhere from as few as two people in the smallest cabin (Eastern Brook) all the way up to about 30 people in the largest cabin (Mt. Morrison).

Geez, 30 people in one cabin! That's what I call a party.

Each fully-appointed cabin is equipped with a stove, refrigerator, pots, pans, serving utensils, silverware, tables, chairs, coffeemaker and premium coffee.

All you need to provide is your very own "munchies," food and drinks.

Each bedroom comes with bedding, sheets, blankets and pillows.

Our cabin (known as Genevieve) featured a front porch, deck, barbecue, fireplace, two TV's, blender, dish washer, Jacuzzi and steam shower.

A Jacuzzi! That's what I call camping in style in the middle of nowhere.

Convict Lake Resort:

The Convict Lake Resort is managed by Dave and Adrienne DeSurra. They have been personal friends for a number of years and are the individuals who supply the up-to-date information for my weekly fishing reports for both Convict Lake and Convict Creek.

According to Dave, the Convict Lake Resort has a number of attractive features including: "The best restaurant between Reno and Los Angeles," those 31 cozy cabins, a well-stocked general store, rental boats, rental pontoon boats, rental canoes, rental bicycles, boat launch area, boat dock, horseback riding, summer packhorse trips, etc.

If you want it or need it, they got it!

The restaurant:

It is known simply as "The Restaurant at Convict Lake" and has more than earned it's "Four-Diamond" rating.

It is open year-round and here's a small sample of their current menu under Head Chef Matt Eoff:

Appetizers: Baked Brie, Steamed Venus Clams and Escargot.

California vintage wines.

Entrees: Beef Wellington, Roast Duck, New Zealand Lamb Chops, New York Steak, Rainbow Trout, Pistachio-encrusted Ahi Tuna and Venison Medallions. Heck, it even has Grilled Vegetable Strudel for vegetarians.

And, most impressively, all of this fabulous food is served by very efficient waiters dressed in black tuxedos.

Not too shabby for a fishing destination in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

For my birthday dinner on Saturday evening, I had Manhattan cocktails followed by an awesome Rib Eye Steak with all of the trimmings.

For reservations at The Restaurant, call (760) 934-3803.

Trout fishing:

If you are an angler, there is excellent trout fishing found in both the lake and the creek. Those waters are routinely stocked by the California Department of Fish and Game with nice-sized rainbow trout, throughout the course of each and every fishing season.

In the past, the big attraction here was the frequent stocking of Alper's Trophy Rainbow Trout. These huge rainbows (4-7 pounds!) were raised by Tim Alpers at his Alpers Fish Hatchery, near Mammoth Lakes, and they provided anglers with the chance-of-a-lifetime to catch a trophy-sized trout in a natural setting.

Unfortunately, this year, those trout are missing from the scene due to the discovery of the New Zealand Mud Snail at the hatchery, which has stopped the stocking of all Alper's Trophy Trout until that problem can be solved.

If you like to fish:

Shore fishing at the lake and along the creek is usually best with nightcrawlers, Power Bait or small lures.

Normally the best shore action will be found at the outlet on the resort end of the lake or at the finlet at the far end of the lake.

Surface fishing on the lake is usually most productive by trolling with silver flasher blades and something such as small Rapala lures or various colored Thomas Buoyant lures.

Some of the best trolling action is usually at the far end by the inlet.

How did we do fishing?

Well, the good news is that Norm, Slick and Mickey all got skunked while trolling from a pontoon boat on Saturday.

The bad news is that I also got skunked. Darn. I wanted to win our bet.

Oh well, I guess we can blame it on the windy conditions and the full moon.

Finally:

You might want to give serious consideration to visiting Convict Lake for an unforgettable, getaway weekend.

It's only a phone call away and you won't go wrong.

For information about Convict Lake, Convict Lake Resort, The Restaurant, campground, fishing, packhorse trips, etc., call (800) 992-2260.

- Bet Your Favorite Pigeon

Bet your favorite pigeon that he can't tell you the name of the spectacular peak that towers above Convict Lake.

If he is knowledgeable, he will get a big grin and say, "Heck that's easy. That big peak is Mt. Morrison."