Q-Tip: A little-known jewel

Convict Lake is a small, scenic, high-mountain lake, tucked way in a canyon on the eastern foot of California's High Sierra.

It is a little-known jewel to most people. In fact, many people are either completely unaware of its existence or have never been there.

You can easily reach Convict Lake by driving south from the Carson City area on U.S. 395 for about 120 miles. Then, just follow the highway signs and the paved road for two miles to the lake. It's only about 35 miles north of Bishop.

If you do visit it, both the lake and the Convict Lake Resort offer visitors a multitude of choices for enjoying themselves such as:

-Camping in an 88-unit, U.S. Forest Service campground (Camping fees are $11 per night).

-Overnight accommodations at the resort in about two-dozen cabins for parties ranging from 2 to 20 people. Reservations are highly recommended for all cabins and especially for the Yosemite House, which can hold 20 people.

-The only "four diamond" dinner house in the Sierra. It is open seven nights a week. The food, wine, decor and service are superb.

-A free, public boat launch ramp for boaters. it is at the end of the paved road.

-Rental of boats, boat motors, canoes and row boats.

-Fishing licenses, tackle, equipment and various types of bait.

-Groceries, soft drinks, beer, wine and ice.

-Fishing in Convict Lake and/or Convict Creek.

-Hiking, horseback riding, photography, boating, swimming, etc.

-Gorgeous high-mountain scenery. This area is strikingly similar in appearance to the Swiss Alps.

For those people interested in fishing, Convict Lake offers excellent fishing opportunities. It contains both German brown and rainbow trout.

They can get very large and run up to about 10 pounds.

The biggest trout of the 2000 fishing season, so far, is a 7.78-pound rainbow. There have been a large number of other trout taken in the 7-pound class.

As a matter of interest, there is also excellent fishing in nearby Convict Creek, except for a short study section which is closed to fishing. It contains German brown and rainbow trout, which can run up to about 10 pounds.

As an added bonus for fishermen, at selected times during the course of the fishing year, the lake receives special plants of Alpers Trophy Rainbow Trout in the 5-8 pound class.

As a special fishing tip, David DeSurra, the owner of the Convict Lake Resort, recommends that first-time visitors either bring their own boat or rent one. Then he says to travel in the boat to the back side of the lake for the best chance for a huge trout.

Once you're there, either troll, anchor your boat to stillfish or fish from the shore. The best area is near the inlet. If you do anchor or stillfish, use Power Bait or inflated nightcrawlers and according to DeSurra, the secret to success is to keep your bait moving.

Who knows, you could be the fisherman who catches the first 10-pounder of the year.

So, if you want to visit a special place in Eastern High Sierra, put Convict Lake high on your list. It will be a great destination for having fun in the Great Outdoors.

For information, call David or Adrienne DeSurra at the Convict Lake Resort at (800) 992-2260 (after about 8 a.m.).