California Sportsman Mag - April 2021

THEEDITOR’SNOTE Young James Simpson, 5, has become a fishing fanatic and hopes to join his dad and grandfather at Bridgeport Reservoir on April 24 for the trout opener. (JEFF SIMPSON)

J

eff Simpson, meet Martin Brody.

Simpson and his dad John have been regular fishing partners for the usual last-Saturday-in-April opening day of trout season.

Bridgeport Reservoir is their go-to spot, where they’ve launched the boat in hopes of catching an early-season rainbow.

So as the Eastern Sierra and those who will flock to the mountains on April 24 get ready for Fishmas (page 26), 5-year-old James Simpson is ready for his chance to join Dad on the boat. And maybe Grandpa too? As Brody’s Jaws character famously declared, “You’re gonna need a bigger boat.”

“We’ll see if there’s enough room,” Jeff Simpson told me with a laugh. “It’s a family tradition for us – something we enjoy doing and bonding. I think that will make Grandpa so much happier.”

James has “caught the fish fever,” Simpson says. “We have a place up at Topaz Lake right now, which is open for fishing. He’s just a maniac and can’t get enough of it. I’m excited to take him out on the boat for his first Fishmas morning.”

It almost happened last year when James was 4, but of course, the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered those plans. In Simpson’s Eastern Sierra region – he grew up in Bridgeport – the last Saturday in April is a big party – a celebration of fishing and the kickstart to summer fun.

“Those people are our friends. These are the people we’ve seen every single year and every single summer,” Jeff said of the myriad visitors who flock to the Eastern Sierra from around the state. “It’s always been a starting point for opening back.”

And we’re so glad that the big day is back this month. We’d love to see three generations of Simpsons on Bridgeport Reservoir.

“I think there’s enough room for all three of us,” Jeff said.

Stay safe, everyone and catch a lot of trout. We’ve all earned a few rainbows making those lines tight as we hope to get our sanity back. -Chris Cocoles calsportsmanmag.com | APRIL 2021 California Sportsman

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