395 Campfire Cooking: The Ultimate Guide to Campfire Meals & Trout Fishing in Bishop, CA
Welcome to 395 Campfire Cooking, where we explore the best campfire meals, hot sauces, dry rubs, and fishing experiences along California’s legendary Highway 395. This guide is dedicated to Bishop, CA, a high-desert town surrounded by alpine lakes, trout-filled streams, and some of the best outdoor cooking spots in the Eastern Sierra.
Whether you're grilling tomahawk steak, pan-searing trout fresh from Bishop Creek, or kicking back at Tom’s Place, this guide has you covered with campfire recipes, fishing tips, trout farming insights, and drink pairings.
🏕️ Best Campgrounds & Outdoor Cooking Spots in Bishop, CA
Bishop is camping and fishing paradise, with scenic campgrounds, fire pits, and legendary cooking spots. Here are some of the best:
🔥 Bishop Area Campgrounds
✔ Four Jeffrey Campground – Near South Lake, great for trout fishing and open-fire grilling.
✔ Bitterbrush Campground – A favorite for hikers and anglers, ideal for campfire steak nights.
✔ Bishop Park Campground – Located right on Bishop Creek, perfect for trout fishing and grilling fresh fillets.
🔥 Tom’s Place: The Eastern Sierra Icon
Tom’s Place is a historic lodge and restaurant just south of Bishop, famous for:
✔ Fishing supplies & licenses
✔ Comfort food & post-fishing beers
✔ Camping & cabins near Rock Creek
🎣 Fishing in Bishop, CA: Best Spots & Tips
Bishop’s cold, clear waters are home to rainbow, brown, brook, and golden trout. Here’s where to catch them:
🐟 Best Trout Fishing Locations
✔ Bishop Creek (Lower, Middle, & South Forks) – Great for brook and brown trout, with stunning views.
✔ Lake Sabrina – Stocked regularly, ideal for both shore fishing and float tubes.
✔ South Lake – High-elevation spot with larger trout, perfect for morning fishing trips.
✔ Owens River – Flows year-round and is prime for fly fishing.
🐟 Best Time to Fish for Trout
⏰ Morning (6-10 AM) – Cooler water, more active trout.
⏰ Evening (4-8 PM) – Trout return to shallow feeding zones.
🎣 Best Bait & Lures for Bishop Trout
🐛 Live Bait: Nightcrawlers, crickets, and salmon eggs.
🎣 Lures: Kastmasters, Panther Martins, and Mepps spinners.
🦐 PowerBait: Chartreuse and garlic-scented work best.
🏭 How Bishop’s Trout Are Farmed: The Fisheries of the Eastern Sierra
Did you know that many of the trout you catch in Bishop are farm-raised before being stocked in local lakes and streams?
🐟 Bishop Fish Hatchery (Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery & Black Rock Hatchery)
✔ These hatcheries raise thousands of rainbow and brown trout for stocking in Bishop Creek, Lake Sabrina, and surrounding areas.
✔ Fish are raised in temperature-controlled raceways before being released into the wild.
✔ The goal is to ensure healthy trout populations for anglers while maintaining sustainability.
🔹 Want to see the fish farming process? Stop by Black Rock Hatchery, where you can learn how trout are raised and stocked across the Sierra.
🔥 Campfire Cooking: Beef, Pork, Poultry & Trout in Bishop
🥩 Beef: The Ultimate Campfire Protein
✔ Carne Asada: Grill thin-cut steak over an open flame, seasoned with 395 Smoky Mesquite Rub.
✔ Tomahawk Steak: Reverse-sear with 395 Smoked Garlic & Chili Rub, then finish over high heat.
✔ NY Strip Steak: A classic choice with sea salt, cracked black pepper, and a touch of hickory smoke.
✔ Campfire Cheeseburgers: Use 395 Whiskey Pepper Rub, cook in a cast-iron skillet, and top with melted cheddar.
🐖 Pork: Smoky, Sweet & Perfect for Open Fire Cooking
✔ Baby Back Ribs: Slow-cook over campfire coals, using 395 Applewood Honey Rub.
✔ Campfire Pulled Pork: Season with 395 Carolina BBQ Rub, wrap in foil, and cook low and slow.
🐓 Poultry: The Juiciest Campfire Cooking
✔ Fire-Roasted Chicken: Rub with 395 Citrus & Herb Dry Rub, cook over indirect heat until crispy.
✔ Campfire Wings: Toss in 395 Buffalo Wing Rub, grill over an open flame, and serve with blue cheese dip.
🐟 Trout: Fresh Catches, Campfire Flavors
✔ Classic Whole Trout: Stuff with lemon, garlic, and 395 Campfire Seasoning, wrap in foil, and cook over hot coals.
✔ Pan-Seared Trout Fillets: Coat in 395 Cajun Heat Rub, then pan-sear in butter.
✔ Garlic Butter Trout: Season with 395 Smoked Garlic Rub, cook skin-side down until crispy.
🍺 Beer & Cocktail Pairings for Campfire Meals
🔥 For Steak & Burgers: IPA or Bourbon Old Fashioned (hoppy, smoky, and rich).
🔥 For BBQ Ribs & Pulled Pork: Amber Ale or Whiskey Sour (sweet, bold flavors).
🔥 For Grilled Chicken: Wheat Beer or Classic Margarita (light, citrusy, and refreshing).
🔥 For Fresh Trout: Pilsner or Gin & Tonic (crisp, clean, and enhances the delicate fish flavors).
🔥 Fire Safety & Outdoor Cooking Tips
✔ Use Designated Fire Pits – Prevent wildfires and maintain safe cooking conditions.
✔ Keep Water & Sand Nearby – Always be ready to extinguish flames.
✔ Never Leave Fires Unattended – Wind can spread embers fast.
✔ Follow Inyo National Forest Fire Restrictions – Check before lighting any fire.
🏕️ 395 Campfire Cooking: Where Adventure Meets Flavor
Bishop, CA, is a campfire cooking paradise, whether you’re grilling carne asada, smoking trout, or enjoying a cold beer after a day of fishing. With legendary campgrounds, world-class trout fishing, and bold flavors, 395 Campfire Cooking is all about great food, the open road, and the beauty of the Sierra Nevada.
