Winds are abating as I write this informal blog
This is a quick update from Mammoth Lakes and the Sierra if you are coming up. I came up early Wednesday and fished the Owens Gorge with my brother-in-law Bob Lawrence and guide Pat Jaeger. Had a blast with perfect weather. I'd never fished the re-watered Gorge before, and it was a nonstop day of fishing the pools with dry mayfly with beaded nymph under it for 15 to 20 small browns. The Owens River is open all year, like many other Sierra like the East Walker River, Hot Creek and Pleasant Valley Reservoir. So some of us from SoCal were up early to get a shot at these waters.
That was Wednesday. By Thursday the anticipated winds came and it blew hard. Very hard, and now as I write this Friday at mid-day as the stream of cars and RVs on Highway 395 continue to come through, the winds are abating and as expected, we anticipate a cold opener, and I pray it will be without the brutal winds. So far so good. I tried fishing Pleasant Valley Reservoir. No way. The winds were brutal this morning, but like I said, now diminishing as predicted.
It will be cold Saturday for anglers but warmer by mid-morning and the weather will be even better Sunday before a storm is expected. So we're good to go.
Let's see, for WON, NorCal edition editor Bill Karr will covering Bishop and Rainbow Days, I will be working the Crowley, Convict Mammoth area, Ernie Cowan will be reporting on June Loop and the Monster Trout Contest Saturday and Martin Strelneck will be working the Bridgeport Area. Next week's issue, the May 6 edition, will have all the big fish lists, photos and stories and derby results, so stay tuned.
It's beautiful up here, but there is no question the price of gas and some limited access to camping has cut participation, probably by 30 percent. But there's plenty of us up here who will be enjoying the experience. The lakes are filled to the brim, and the massive snowpack has now even started to thaw.
It will be a great season up here, and for the all-around outdoorsmen, skiing season is still going strong at Mammoth.
|
