Concessionaires Get Angle on Trout Opener

Spring has finally arrived, and bears aren’t the only creatures coming out of hibernation.

Eastern Sierra concessionaires have awakened to the task of preparing for the tens of thousands of anglers, most from Southern California, who will ascend upon the region for the April 27 general trout season opener.

“It’s like knocking ducks down: Every day we have four or five more things we have to get done,” said John Frederickson, whose company, Sierra Recreation, runs concessions at Crowley Lake and June Lake.

Frederickson is busier than most. Crowley, the most popular spot on opening day, lost some boats, all of its motors and other equipment in a late-January fire that destroyed a storage shed. A few days before that, shifting ice wiped out a sliver of docks.

This week Crowley has new motors--four-strokes from 15 to 30 horsepower--arriving from Seattle and Georgia. Docks are being trucked from Bellingham, Wash., and heavy moving equipment is coming from Ridgecrest, Calif.

“But it’s much more than that,” Frederickson said. “We’re getting all new cushions, new oars and oar locks, anchors and anchor ropes, and seats in the boats.”

What he means is, while the fire was costly to him (and his insurance company), those who have booked his 70 rental boats for opening weekend will motor around in style.

As for the sprawling reservoir, located south of Mammoth Lakes alongside U.S. 395, it should be highly productive for opening-weekend anglers.

The last of the ice disappeared Sunday, and an early thaw generally means more lively fish when the fireworks light the dawn sky to start the new season.

Tough Row to Hoe

Bridgeport Reservoir is a wonderful fishery for anglers seeking big and feisty rainbows and browns. As for its concessionaires, they’ve had their hands full with the blues.

The water level in the reservoir is governed by Nevada’s Walker River Irrigation District, which is more interested in farming than fishing. At times, the water gets so low that the marina’s ramp and docks are high and dry.

Two years ago, the concessionaire defaulted on his lease. Last year, Steve Marti, owner of nearby Twin Lake Resort, gave it a go and said the venture cost him more than $10,000. After July 4, Marti said he had to move his boats from the marina to the dam, where they could be launched, and rent them from the cab of a truck.

“I have nothing against farmers. In fact, a lot of my friends are farmers,” Marti said. “But the reality is, this lake is run as an irrigation district and recreation is not a high priority.”

This year, Mike and Mary Booher are taking over and, like those before them, they’re enthusiastic. They have built docks and ordered a fleet of boats.

The irrigation district has been somewhat supportive--it poured cement for a new launch ramp during the winter.

But unless the region receives considerably more snow in the coming weeks--the snowpack is 90% of normal for this time of year--the ramp might be covered with more sunshine than water come midsummer.

The Boohers are taking on-line reservations for boats and campsites at www.bridgeportmarina.net.

Big Mac Attack

Those planning on spending opening day at Bridgeport’s Lower Twin Lake might want to drive through a tackle shop and pick up a Big Mac. A Nevada angler trolled one of those deep-diving lures in a rainbow pattern last opening day and caught brown trout bookends at 11 pounds 13 ounces, and 11 pounds 1 ounce, respectively.

“It was a life achievement,” Marti said. “He’ll probably be back this year, but he’ll be disappointed if he expects to do that again.”

Thrown for the Loop

The region’s biggest fish on opening day last year was a 12-pound 15-ounce brown caught on a Rapala at June Lake, so its allure will be even greater this year.

However, all of the lakes on the scenic June Lake Loop contain big fish, and all are free of ice, which points to a productive opener.

June still might have the edge: Frederickson will release 1,000 pen-reared rainbows weighing 2-4 pounds a week or so before the opener and plans periodic releases throughout the season.

Southern Exposure

High above Bishop, atop picturesque Bishop Creek Canyon at about 10,000 feet, is South Lake. It also has a faithful following on opening day, despite the chilly reception its anglers often receive.

Will the road to the lake be open or will the lake be reachable only on foot, after a one-mile hike? Will the lake be covered with ice, or will it have open water in which to fling some bait?

These are the questions every year. This year, concessionaire Gary Olson is guaranteeing an open road--based on visible patches of pavement seen this week during a scouting run on a snowmobile--and predicting a layer of ice thick enough to stand on and drill holes through.

“I would bet on ice fishing if the temperatures stay low, but as usual the weather from now until then is crucial,” Olson said, adding that the lake was stocked with Eagle Lake rainbows and browns at the end of last season to boost prospects for opening day.

Southern Exposure II

The Eastern Sierra has its annual trout opener. The Southern Sierra, much closer to Los Angeles, has its annual Kern Valley Bioregions Festival, held this year April 26-28 in the Kernville area near Lake Isabella.

The event, sponsored by Audubon-California’s Kern River Preserve, is a celebration of the region’s “natural and recreational diversity at the height of spring abundance.”

It’s a big hit among bird watchers (during the last seven festivals birders logged between 182 and 226 species) but activities are varied--from reptile- and mammal-study field trips to whitewater rafting.

News and Notes

* Pointed response: Fishermen on boats aren’t faring well yet, but those plunging in with spears are doing OK. Al Schneppershoff, a veteran spear-fisherman from Van Nuys, took a dip Thursday morning just south of Malibu and emerged with a 19-pound white sea bass. On Wednesday, Schneppershoff’s friend, Daniel Carlberg of Redondo Beach, speared an 18-pound halibut off Palos Verdes.

* The white stuff: Last weekend’s storm freshened things at the local resorts--just in time for spring break. Conditions are hardly ideal, with base depths of about two feet, but they could be worse. Mountain High in Wrightwood is celebrating the break with Snow Jam 2002, Sunday through March 31. On tap: pond-skimming and live music. Mammoth Mountain received 10 inches of new snow and more is expected this weekend.

* South of the Border: It was reported here last week that tourists visiting Cabo San Lucas next fall will have to contend with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit Oct. 21-27, and with considerable preparations being made in advance of the summit.

Part of that planning calls for the construction of a freeway from the airport to San Jose del Cabo, and for widening of the highway between San Jose and Cabo San Lucas.

* Encore performance: The Fred Hall Fishing Tackle and Boat Show, a scaled-down version of the recent Long Beach extravaganza, is in progress through Sunday at Del Mar Fairgrounds.

Admission is $9 for adults, $8 for seniors and free for military personnel and children 15 and under.

* Paving the way: Pathways to Adventure, a free event designed to enhance appreciation of outdoor recreation, will be Saturday at Laguna Niguel Lake from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

The focus is on fishing and camping. Park admission is $4. Details: (949) 245-8698.

* Taking aim: Turkey-hunting season begins March 31 and runs through May 5. Hunters can take one bearded bird per day and three per season.

They cannot legally hunt after 4 p.m.

Details: www.dfg.ca.gov.

FISH REPORT, D15