Travel letters: Fishing at Hot Creek Ranch

A favorite fishing hole

Wow! My favorite columnist went to my favorite place — Hot Creek Ranch [“No Frills, Just Fishing Thrills” by Chris Erskine, July 15]. I did have to chuckle when he said to book early because it fills up fast. Reservations are usually made two years in advance, unless there are cancellations, and the same people, like my husband and me, go year after year.

When we were there in June, there were only a couple of days available this season, and a man who had caught a 25-plus-inch trout was booking them hoping to catch it again. Ha! Thanks for reminding me of my annual favorite week.

Sandra Fair

Orange

Shopping Meccas? Not for him

Regarding “10 Easy Day Trips” outside London, by John Lee, July 8: In 1993, my wife and I stayed in Bicester for a week while I taught a course at nearby RAF Croughton. It was a typical English small town that had some surprisingly good restaurants. The news that it has now become an outlet store Mecca is, indeed, disappointing.

Cambridge is also a disappointment. We were first there in 1985 and were charmed by its character. We were there again a couple of years ago, and it has also become a shopping Mecca, but with pricey, trendy stores instead of outlets.

The small-town character has disappeared. Punting on the Cam was like navigating the 405 during rush hour. The only saving grace was attending evensong with all the famous Kings College choirs performing — a memorable event, indeed. But I heartily agree with Lee’s write-up on St. Albans.

Emanuel R. Baker

Los Angeles

Watch out for those ring sellers

Spent six days in Paris with my husband. We took the Métro and walked the city. It was magical. The French were charming and so helpful when we were lost. My tip is, approaching the Louvre or Orsay museums, a woman will pick up a gold wedding ring and ask if it is yours. She will then try to sell it to you quite aggressively. It happened to me twice.

Rosemarie Clemente-Johnstone

Sierra Madre