On the trail, it’s best to fish in the late evening and in your underwear.
At least, that’s what I did. After a 20-mile day on the Pacific Crest Trail, I would toss off my pack, strip down, and break out my Tenkara rod at the nearest piece of water. I did this every night on this section: a 127-mile commute linking the Tahoe Rim Trail to the John Muir Trail.
Fishing in your underwear allows you to get in the water without wetting your clothes. Then, if you don’t catch anything, you can just jump right in to wash off the dirt and grime of the day.
This only works at the magic hour, of course, before or after the mosquitoes swarm. Miss that sweet spot, and you won’t catch a thing. You’ll be far too busy swatting insects and cursing.
Among anglers, the mountains are something of legend for their isolated streams and lakes teeming with trout. Among long-distance hikers, the Sierras are better known for their mosquitoes. Many of the hikers I saw along this stretch carried a fly fishing rod. All of them carried DEET.