Mother Nature threatens to mar opening of trout season

Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times
Johnny Martinez of South El Monte casts a line into Convict Lake last year during the trout season opener.

The forecast is calling for rain and snow, or at least clouds, in parts of the Eastern Sierra through the weekend. Low pressure and cloud cover, however, might inspire more trout activity.

Pete Thomas, Outdoors
April 24, 2009

For thousands of anglers driving northbound today on U.S. 395, the question is not whether fish will cooperate during Saturday's opening of the Eastern Sierra trout season.

All mid-elevation lakes have been ice-free since mid-February. Water temperatures have climbed into the low 50s, which is ideal, and insect hatches are luring rainbows and browns to the surface.

Fish will be eager to bite. In fact, a harvest of high proportion is anticipated beginning at dawn at locales such as Crowley Lake, Bishop Creek Canyon, the June Lake Loop, Convict Lake, Bridgeport Reservoir and Bridgeport's Twin Lakes.

There is, however, cause for mild concern. Mother Nature, after producing balmy and cloudless skies for the previous two openers, is threatening to deliver rain and snow -- or at least clouds -- to parts of the Eastern Sierra through the weekend.

It's a relatively weak system, though, and probably will not dampen spirits or hamper the effort. And the storm brings with it a silver lining: Low pressure and cloud cover might inspire more and longer trout activity.

This would starkly contrast to the previous two openers, when the bite essentially shut down after 9 a.m., and near-summer-like temperatures prevailed.

"Trout-fishing is better during a low pressure, and this could be the year the big browns bite at places like the Twin Lakes," says Anaheim's Marlon Meade, a perennial opening-day angler who traditionally fishes in Bishop Creek Canyon.

But there's more cause for concern: Ice fishermen at the high lakes -- including those above Bishop Creek Canyon -- will find conditions ranging from reasonably safe to perilous.

At South Lake, ice cover is two feet thick. That should be sufficient. Jared Smith, who runs South Lake Boat Landing, described conditions as "favorable" but cautioned, "Dark ice is bad -- don't go anywhere near it!"

At nearby Sabrina Lake, ice cover is only one foot thick and there's open water at the back of the lake. Ice fishing is not recommended; Sabrina-area anglers will be wise to ply creeks below the lake instead. (But don't miss the hot breakfasts and homemade pies cooked by the Apteds, who run the Sabrina concession.)

Anglers are advised to check with concessionaires before venturing out onto the ice at North Lake, Virginia Lakes and Rock Creek Lake.

A few more tidbits to chew on:

* Crowley Lake boat anglers must have their vessels inspected for quagga mussels. They can do so today from 7-10 a.m. at the Vons parking lot in Bishop or at the lake's South Landing today and Saturday morning. Be sure to present a clean, dry vessel, or you'll be denied access.

* Bridgeport Reservoir, traditionally one of the top opening-weekend fisheries, has been drawn down somewhat by the Nevada Irrigation District. It will not affect fishing, but the marina surface area has shrunk and this might delay the morning launching process. Anglers can try the free launch area near the dam, but that's uncontrolled and will be a circus.

* Some fly-fishing hot spots: East Walker River (open year-round; lots of impressive browns caught this past week on nymphs and streamers); West Walker River (good flows now; hike into the canyons to escape the crowds); Crowley Lake tributaries (always fun on McGee, Hilton and Convict creeks, close to but not part of the Crowley madness.)

* Top overall destination: June Lake Loop. The scenery surrounding the lakes is spectacular, and this area always produces top-caliber catches and smiles galore. This might also be one area most affected by the storm, but it's worth the risk.

* Be mindful of regulations. Wardens will be citing those without valid fishing licenses (required of anyone 16 or older) and in violation of the five-fish possession limit.

* Lastly, bring bug spray. If the weather turns nice and warms, as it might despite the forecast, the biting insects will regard Saturday as opening day on humans.

pete.thomas@latimes.com