THEEDITORâSNOTE 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)
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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 theyâve 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 Brodyâs Jaws character famously declared, âYouâre gonna need a bigger boat.â âWeâll see if thereâs enough room,â Jeff Simpson told me with a laugh. âItâs a family tradition for us â something we enjoy doing and bonding. I think that will make Grandpa so much happier.â James has âcaught the fish fever,â Simpson says. âWe have a place up at Topaz Lake right now, which is open for fishing. Heâs just a maniac and canât get enough of it. Iâm excited to take him out on the boat for his first Fishmas morning.â It almost happened last year when James was 4, but of course, the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered those plans. In Simpsonâs Eastern Sierra region â he grew up in Bridgeport â the last Saturday in April is a big party â a celebration of fishing and the kickstart to summer fun. âThose people are our friends. These are the people weâve seen every single year and every single summer,â Jeff said of the myriad visitors who flock to the Eastern Sierra from around the state. âItâs always been a starting point for opening back.â And weâre so glad that the big day is back this month. Weâd love to see three generations of Simpsons on Bridgeport Reservoir. âI think thereâs enough room for all three of us,â Jeff said. Stay safe, everyone and catch a lot of trout. Weâve 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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