If you are fishing small mountain lake and streams your not going to catch big fish so you can use a really small pole. One could try out a kid pole with or without the reel. When I dont know there is fish in the area I dont bring fishing gear, but now i think ill have to try line fishing. I highly recommend TFO fly poles. They are cheap, its not to big of a deal if you scratch or break them. As far as the reel goes..thats optional.

I use to catch carp and cat fish with a willow pole or reel-less fishing pole. Lots of fun, caught trout like that before but when I was way younger. From now on if there is any body of water where i am hiking ill be sure to bring line.

Oh yes bait, well you cant go wrong with caddies in the sierras.