I love fall in the High Sierra. Crisp days, glowing aspen, brightly colored trout — and no people around.

I rarely get to enjoy it, however, as I’m usually chasing salmon down on the Valley floor.

Well, I had a day off Thursday and was hankering for a change in scenery so BD and I headed to the high country.

First stop was Taylor Creek near South Lake Tahoe, where the fall leaves were all gone, but there were still some crimson Kokanee to see spawning.

Being so late in the season, a lot of the kokes had already fulfilled their destiny…

But there were still some groups of live ones around, too…

After a quick check on the landlocked salmon, we drove to the Carson, where the flows were super low and clear…

But despite the tough conditions, we put a good drubbing on the 12-inch planters…

And also some smaller cutthroat and ‘bows…

Mostly dinks to be sure, but it was just so nice to get out and think about something other than salmon fishing for the first time 4 months!

All too quickly the sun started to set and our late season Sierra trout fest was over. Man, it was sure great to get away even for a short time!