Saddlebag fishermen will see action all summer, but expect the big fish to really come alive later in the season. Some of the bigger holdover fish will thrill early-season anglers, but the continuous action for big Alpers begins in late September.

BRIDGEPORT RESERVOIR
The last lake on our Alpers tour will be the big Bridgeport Reservoir, located right next to the tiny town of Bridgeport in a huge meadow between towering mountains.

This lake is hard to fish until you learn the good spots. Ray Robles loves to help people do just that.

The lake sits at an elevation of 7,000 feet and extends more than 4 1/2 miles in length. While many anglers consider Bridgeport and nearby Twin Lakes as the heart of brown trout fishing, don't overlook the action that the aggressive Alpers can provide.

Robles is a guide on Bridgeport Reservoir. His own personal best, a 5-pound Alpers rainbow, hangs over the fireplace at his Casa Michaela Restaurant south of town.

"There is something very special about Alpers," he said. "They are healthy and aggressive. They fight like wild fish, not like fish raised in concrete tanks."

Because Bridgeport is so large, the action shifts to different areas as the season progresses. Robles said that opening-day and early-season fishing for big Alpers is best off of Rainbow Point and Paradise Shores.

You can get a good lake map at Ken's Sporting Goods in town.

Another good area is known as "the Bathtub" at the north end of the lake near the dam. Trolling seems to work best with gold and red lures. This will surprise some, but Robles also trolls night crawlers on a No. 8 hook for some great success.

"Rapalas also catch fish, but the trolled night crawlers always do better," he said. During mid-season, Robles warns anglers to stay in water between 22 and 26 feet deep.

The best mid-season places can be just outside the marina, along the underwater East Walker River Channel and at a place called The Blue House on lake maps.

Fall is a little more unpredictable. Water conditions and temperatures affect the fishing.

"But when fishing is hot in the fall," Robles said, "you can expect lots of 3- to 5-pound Alpers."

If you get hooked on hunting Alpers, our journey will provide you with a season of exciting fishing destinations. The lakes listed here are by no means the only good lakes for Alpers, but from experience, they won't let you down.

Find more about California fishing and hunting at CaliforniaGameandFish.com