I am planning a backpacking trip out of Mineral King up to Franklin Lakes over Franklin Pass and then down to Rattlesnake Creek.  Then it's down Rattlesnake to the Kern River.   I have read that Rattlesnake Creek is a good fly fishing creek and that the Kern River in these parts holds lots of big fish.   Is anyone familiar with these areas.  
Maybe I should reword this to ask is there anyone here with experience in fishing the backcountry and if so what areas do you recommend?

Man i would love to fish that area - please post some pictures when you get back.
 
 
I think many people are worried about this...  
 
View with caution
 
http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2169517940096533268ixPuVE
 
 
Here is a picture I found of rattlesnake creek...  Due to the time of year - I am sure it is running very low - but still worth the hike down to get to the Kern I am sure.  I am sure its a very pretty area.
 
http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2926174340096533268AjgKPE

Guero,
I have made that trip many times by horseback.  Beautiful country and the fishing is superb.  Franklin lakes has stunted brook trout in it or at least the last time I fished it they where stunted.  Rattlesnake creek has a good population of small trout in it.  But the gem of the trip is the the Funston Meadow are of the Kern where Rattlesnake Creek comes in.  It is a long hike down Rattle Snake to the Kern but if I where making the trip I would spend as much time as I could in Funsten Meadow.  
 
Beautiful  area and the Kern is a totally different river there.  The river will remind you of a montana, Idaho type river winding its way through Funston Meadow. Alot of sweeping bends with lay downs, nice waist deep runs, cut banks, and all of them hold lots of trout.  And some nice ones also.  It is not at all like the river below the lakes.  Great hooper water and you can catch them on a variety of techiques.  In a days fishing there depending on your skill level you could expect 10 to 20 fish if you are a novice and you can double or triple that if you are more experienced.  I nave never caught anything of 20 inches in this section and most of your fish will be between 10 to 15 inches but you should have opportunities each day for fish in the 18 t0 20 inch range.
 
Also in the upper Funston Meadow there is a hot spring or at least there used to be.  Very nice if you are on the trial for several days.
 
I hope you get a chance to see this section of the river most people have never went that high. It is worth it and you will not forget it.
 
kg

Thank you everyone for all the information.  It is a big help.  I leave on my trip Thursday and come back Monday.  I will take lot's of picture and post a trip report sometime after Monday when I get back.  
 
Todd Homchick