living the dream in Hawaii How the Eastern Sierra is coping with

THE FISH WILL HAVE TO WAIT

CORONAVIRUS THREAT PROMPTS EASTERN SIERRA TO DELAY TROUT SEASON; ‘SUCKY SITUATION’ FOR AREA DEPENDENT ON VISITORS BUT WORRIED ABOUT HEALTH RISK, CAPACITY TO HOST OUTSIDERS

By Chris Cocoles

Throughout the winter, April 25 was circled on calendars inside and outside the Eastern Sierra. Any day that’s referred to as “Fishmas” is usually reason to celebrate and anticipate.

So imagine waking up that day with no place to go, no visitors to welcome and, worst of all, no fishing to do. The threat of COVID-19 spreading convinced officials in three Sierra counties to postpone the traditional state trout opener.

It was indeed a melancholy mood around Mono, Inyo and Alpine Counties when the sun rose that Saturday morning.

“The weather was just perfect. And I was thinking this would have been the best opener in so many years,” says Jeff Simpson, an avid angler born and raised in Mono County and who also works for the Mono County Economic Development Department

in Mammoth Lakes.

“I know we’re postponing it and we’ll have a rebooted Fishmas, part two, here. But just to have that date come and go without seeing the towns busy again and the businesses open was difficult.”

COMMON SENSE PREVAILS On April 1, a letter sent to California Department of Fish and Wildlife Director Charlton Bonham requested that the trout opener, which annually

attracts thousands of visitors to the Eastern Sierra, be delayed until at least May 31.

“This influx of anglers and potentially families/companions will promote transmission of COVID-19 and put additional strain on ouralready taxed health care services,” the letter, signed by Mono County officials, read in part.

CDFW announced that news later in April in a press release.

“Decisions like these are never easy, and we appreciate the state's support in addressing issues unique and specific to the Eastern Sierra,” said Stacy Corless, chair of the Mono County Board of Supervisors. “We look forward to welcoming anglers to Mono County when it is safe to do so.”

And with a limited number of hospital ICU beds in the county and surrounding areas, it was a decision based on common sense and erring on the side of caution.

As has been the case throughout the country during a time when the economy has been ravaged by stayat-home orders and contention about when to reopen states, Simpson admits not everyone agreed with the decision to postpone the fishing season.

“I think you have – like the rest of the nation right now – people who want to get open right away, and rightfully so. And then you have business owners that are more cautious and concerned about their employees and concerned about their well-being and want to take it slow,” Simpson says.

“I think with regards to the fishing season delay, because we have all campgrounds closed, lodging closed, facilities closed, bathrooms closed, if we had the opener, regardless of the stay-home order, we would see mass crowds come up (to cure) cabin fever, get out of the city and get into the mountains and do some fishing. Without any facilities open and ways to house those people, I think there are two things: The increased

potential of coronavirus, but also not having the facilities open to take care of these people and make sure they have everything they need.”

DIFFICULT TIMES Doug Rodricks owns and operates Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760- 935-4250; sierradrifters.com). While fishing hasn’t technically been banned in the state – despite closures of many launch ramps, recreation facilities and lakes – guides haven’t been allowed to take out customers. And with business usually booming when trout season begins, Rodricks has been in wait-and-see mode, though he agrees with the decisions to delay Fishmas.

“There have been mixed opinions from different guide services on how this should be handled. Most are for the closure and side with Inyo and Mono Counties on their decision. We feel it is best for the community, since the opener draws thousands of people here for the weekend,” Rodricks says.

“There have already been a plethora of out-of-town visitors to the area during the past two months who do not feel they need to stay at home. We have been declining trip requests and will continue to do so until June 1. In the meantime, I have been staying afloat with fly sales and future trip bookings,” he says.

Rodricks is staying positive and expects fishing to return soon as most residents around Mono County are adhering to the stay-home restrictions Gov. Gavin Newsom has ordered around the state in the hopes of “flattening the curve” for the virus.

Simpson has a son with asthma and is in the high risk category, so he only leaves his home when necessary to get the family groceries and supplies or for emergencies.

“We’re really a ghost town because we’re almost 100-percent tourismdependent and we’re normally seeing people in our stores and gas stations along the highway,” Simpson says. “And it’s just not the case. I went to Mammoth for a medical checkup and the town was deserted. (Highway) 395 was spooky. I’ve never seen it that dead – even in the middle of winter. It was strange.”

WHAT’S NEXT? In reality, there’s no guarantee even by the end of this month that Newsom will green light a return to normalcy for Californians.

“We can’t supersede the governor’s orders, so we’re kind of waiting on him. And in terms of us reopening after the governor gives an all-clear, I don’t think we have a solid yes or no (plan), whether we follow suit right away or if we have a date after that,” Simpson says.

“I think the hardest part for a lot of people right now is, ‘When can I open my business and when can we start fishing?’ No one knows and that’s a tough pill to swallow,” he adds.

In Mono County, four main yearround fisheries continue to be open: the West Walker River, East Walker River, Hot Creek and sections of the upper Owens River. They have a zero-bag limit with artificial flies and lures only with barbless hooks. That said, Simpson doesn’t think too many locals are trying their luck right now anyway, and in an area that depends on tourism dollars, the normally hospitable Eastern Sierra can’t welcome anyone these days.

“It’s actually the opposite. We don’t want people coming up there and enjoying the outdoors at this point. That’s kind of the messaging we have given, that we have a small hospital and a rural nature,” Simpson says.

“When Saturday morning (of opening day) comes I usually can’t sleep because I’m so excited. And all those emotions of traditions of fishing with your family, of generational fishing, it was hard. I think that’s what our visitors are experiencing.”

“It was tough for me as well,” Simpson adds. “We love our visitors, and I see people I’ve seen every single year for the opener. And I’m missing those people and want to see them back. It’s a sucky situation.” CS

Editor’s note: For information on Mono County, go to monocounty.ca.gov or call (866) 745-9719.

Hot Creek remains open for locals to fish, but throughout the Eastern Sierra most residents are staying home to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. “For the most part I don’t think many people are out fishing at this point,” says Jeff Simpson of the Mono County Economic Development Department. (MONO COUNTY TOURISM)

BEDLINERS | ACCESSORIES PROTECTIVE COATINGS

WHEN PROTECTION MATTERS MOST, LINE-X IT.

California

Line-X of Placerville

161 Fair Lane Placerville, CA 95667 (530) 295-1813 www.linexofplacerville.com