Smith said that the Alpers also seem to turn on after Labor Day. But you can expect to nail a nice Alpers trout almost anytime.

"Fall is a great time because the plants continue and the weather is typically pleasant," he said. "But the fishing pressure in our canyon decreases significantly."

Cabin rentals are available at Parcher's Resort and Bishop Creek Lodge. Several campgrounds along the creek also provide accommodations for anglers wishing to stay awhile and fish the many other lakes in the area.

CONVICT LAKE
Our next stop will be Convict Lake, just two miles west of Highway 395 and only a few miles south of the town of Mammoth Lakes.

If you follow the weekly fishing reports that come out from Convict, you'll soon understand why this is such a popular place for anglers hunting the big daddy 'bows.

Convict Lake is a small but mighty pond, measuring only a mile in length and about one-third of a mile wide. It sits at an elevation of 7,600 feet, nearly surrounded by massive, colorful granite peaks that tower more than 4,000 feet above. In early fall, the shoreline and canyons around the lake are ablaze with the brilliant colors of autumn aspens.

Gary Gunsolley, owner of Brocks Fly Fishing in Bishop, knows the lake well and offers some advice about catching Alpers at Convict.

"Convict is one of those lake where you can expect to catch a nice Alpers just about anytime during the season," he said.

Gunsolley's favorite spots are at the far west end, where a glacier-fed creek enters the lake, the outlet at the east end and a deep dropoff about three quarters of the way back along the north shore trail.

The dropoff is a glacial gouge that falls to a depth of more than 140 feet.

"It's very visible," Gunsolley said, "because the water is very clear. The fish are not particular. I'd just toss what you like, let it drop into the hole and then slowly work it back."

If you are done fishing here, don't miss eating at The Restaurant At Convict Lake. There are two good reasons: the country French menu and the chef, who is one of best fishermen on the lake.

"There are some awesome fish in Convict Lake," said Executive Chef Matt Eoff. "They are raised in running water and associate that with food -- so that's where they go."

The biggest Alpers that Eoff has taken from Convict was an 8.4-pound beauty caught on a slow-trolled Rapala. It now hangs over the restaurant's bar. Other favorites include forest-green Trout Teaser lures, Thomas Buoyant lures, and Woolly Bugger, Scud and Hornberg flies.