The Editor’s Note: Coronavirus

The trout opener is scheduled for April 25, but the coronavirus pandemic has put a lot of upcoming events in doubt. (CHRIS COCOLES)

Idon’t think the gravity of the coronavirus outbreak really hit me until I watched the Streets of San Francisco. No, not the 1970s Karl Malden/Michael Douglas crime TV show (though I do have great memories of watching reruns of that version of The Streets of San Francisco with my mom). But when CNN and various internet photos/videos depicted the emptiness of my birth city after California Governor Gavin Newsom’s “stay-at-home” order in hopes of slowing down the pandemic, I was floored.

I talked to one of my closest friends, John, who sells wine to local stores and is on the San Francisco route. He said it was eerie to see such deserted scenes in the usually bustling Financial District and along traditionally tourist-filled Fisherman’s Wharf.

“It’s sure been a lot easier to park around the City lately,” John told me.

This is a moment in history I don’t think anyone envisioned. It’s affecting everyone and everything, including the state’s outdoor recreation opportunities. Newsom also announced parking lot closures at several state parks as residents have been told to properly socially distance but many weren’t. Several popular fishing lakes were shut down and who knows how long such orders will stretch into this month.

Our April issue is usually my favorite of the year for our extensive preview coverage of the statewide trout opener, given my memories of fishing at Bay Area and Sierra fisheries for rainbows. Though it’s a bit condensed, we still have a couple of great trout stories from Scott Haugen and Lance Sawa, plus an excerpt from author John Gierach’s new book that includes fishing for the legendary cutthroat trout of Nevada’s Pyramid Lake.

Until then, stay safe and I hope to bring you plenty more trout content later this spring. –Chris Cocoles