Alpers trout grow in natural runs in flowing water and look like a rainbow should. Jared Smith of Parcher’s Resort caught this Alpers in South Lake. Photo by Ernie Cowan.

Big, aggressive, colorful and good tasting, Alpers trout are legendary to serious trout fishermen in California's Eastern High Sierra. From Bishop to Bridgeport, these trophy rainbows are the beacon that attracts fishermen.

These fish are raised in a natural environment and hand-fed. Arriving in Sierra waters, they are full of fight.

In the 1970s, Tim Alpers took over the Owens River ranch from his father with a vision of expanding the hatchery and the range of Alpers trout up and down the 200-mile Eastern Sierra front.

Earlier this year, news that Alpers Ranch was being sold struck fear in the hearts of Sierra anglers. But Tim Alpers is not going to end his stocking program. As he said in a recent interview, "I've dedicated my life to creating a strain of trout that will provide High Sierra visitors with a quality fishing experience."

Having now sold the ranch -- to be maintained as an open space and fishing preserve -- he's established a new hatchery operation north of Mono Lake. In addition to his trophy rainbows, the new hatchery will begin to produce brown trout.

Initially, Mono County contracted with Alpers to stock his fish, averaging 2 to 3 pounds each, in a few popular local lakes. Alpers now has contracts with both Inyo and Mono counties to stock fish. He's also supplying many private lakes.

Today, nearly 30 lakes and streams find his monster rainbows waiting for lucky anglers to offer the right bait at the right time.

Everyone seems to have a preferred hole for Alpers trout. But a few Sierra guides and fishing experts produced a short list of favorite places.

Load your gear and let's hit the road -- starting at South Lake in the Bishop Creek Basin west of Bishop.

SOUTH LAKE
South Lake is one of the higher elevation lakes, sitting at 9,800 feet between towering granite ridges.

Often open only to ice-fishing when trout season begins in late April, it has become known as a prime Alpers lake.

Jared Smith owns the nearby Parcher's Resort and operates the lake concession and boat landing. There are four spots on the lake he considers "Alpers honeyholes."

"We do get a few Alpers on the troll," Smith said, "but the real action spots are from shore."

The lake's south end offers some of the most concentrated action at inlets.

The Long Lake inlet at the southeast corner, the Treasure inlet at the south end and the Gilbert Glacier inlet to the southwest are great spots, as is the Rock Slide on the rugged western shore.