Supplement of The Sierra Reader 2019
FISHING IN THE HIGH SIERRA AND OWENS VALLEY THE SIERRA
BY CHRISTINA REED THE HIRED PEN
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Cover Story he Eastern Sierra is a fishing haven for many, and it has been magical for thousands of years, even before the word “recreational” was used. Native Americans in the Great Basin, the Owens Valley Paiutes, Payahüünadü, from the place of flowing water, caught small tui chub fish, and the northern Paiutes, Nüümüyaduha, still catch agai, cutthroat trout in Pyramid Lake, NV. Today, recreational fishing, and fish stocking continue a tradition that was begun in the late 1800s and early 1900s, initially in the southern Sierra, where it said commercial fish stocking was conducted by pack trains (mules and horses) venturing into the Sierra. Mule Days, Memorial Day Weekend in Bishop, CA, celebrates the heritage packing industry in the Sierra. Some of these fish were brought to Lone Pine, CA. The Sierra Club planted golden and rainbow trout on a trip to Bench Lake in 1910, and years of discovery were needed to find out which stock fish were best for which waters. The early inhabitants of the Owens Valley, both indigenous and European, also stocked the streams, creeks, rivers, and lakes nearby, to supplement their own diets. The High Sierra’s creeks, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs support a variety of fish species, including Golden trout, native to Kern County, CA; Cutthroat trout, with its large head, mouth, and jaw; Rain-
bow trout, the most commonly stocked trout in the Sierra; Brown trout, which tolerates higher water temperatures, more than other trout; Brook trout, which has many large yellowish spots and a few small red spots, with blue halos, and like the Cutthroat has a jaw which extends well behind its eyes; Lake trout, mainly in deep cold waters of Lake Tahoe and its nearby lakes; Sacramento perch (the only native western U.S. Sunfish), bluegill, smallmouth and largemouth bass, which have spiny dorsal (top) fins and are all in the Sunfish family; they like the shallow well-vegetated lakes and ponds, like Buckley Ponds, east of Bishop, CA, and Alpers trout, a real, home-grown trophy-sized species, which used to be raised on the Upper Owens River, in Mono County, CA. Fishing Season ranges from the last Saturday in April, to November 15, on most streams, lakes, and rivers, although there are special restricted areas that are accessible for year-round fishing, including the Pleasant Valley Reservoir, parts of the Owens River, parts of the East Walker River and Hot Creek in Mono County. A fishing license is necessary for anyone fishing, age 16 or older, and the license must be on your person while you are fishing. You may keep five fish a day, with 10 in possession, during the regular fishing season. Some areas, like on the Owens River below Pleasant Valley Reservoir, have special fishing regulations to protect the fisheries. Photos: Large fish photos of several species: rainbow, brown, and Tim Alpers stocking back in the day (1990s), on the Owens River, near Bishop, CA.
Supplement of The Sierra Reader 2019
Supplement of The Sierra Reader 2019
FISHING TRADITIONS IN THE SIERRA BY CHRISTINA REED THE HIRED PEN
For those who live for the annual fishing opener, the week leading up to “The Opener,” is an exciting time, where new equipment, baits, and old techniques and stories get brought out of the garage or closet for the season. And, there is the “Fishmas Eve” traditions, like staying up too late, due to unseasonably cold weather for campers, and reminiscing with spirits over a campfire, perhaps a bit too much. However, when dawn arrives on Saturday, April 28, this year, there will be plenty of anglers looking to get to their favorite fishing holes, or spots, and many of them will be driving boats on Crowley Lake (truly the place where most anglers congregate on opening morning). Anglers come in all shapes and sizes of vehicles, and towing a variety of trailers, boats, toy haulers, and other off-road vehicles. Some of those fishing stay and camp nearby, and others spend time in towns at RV parks, resorts, or motels. When not fishing, or even just taking a break from the fishing, many visitors go sightseeing, shopping, beer or spirits tasting, restaurant-hopping, off-roading, skiing, snow-
boarding, hiking, hot tubbing, rock hounding, exploring, biking, climbing, or running. Recreation in the High Sierra, weather permitting, can be any or nearly all-of-the-above choices. Fishing recipes are also as varied as the types of fish you catch, and what you’ll be cooking them on or inside of. Learning how to clean your catch, if you like fish dinners or tacos, is another aspect of fishing, and not everyone is keen on the cleaning part. To clean fish, be sure to be respectful of where you are cleaning them, and properly dispose of all the unused fish parts. Don’t throw them back into the creek or lake, as this just attracts all the wrong kind of attention, like animals rummaging in your trash. Cook fish quickly, and gently. All fish, regardless of age, are tender and can be fried, baked, broiled or poached, but generally not stewed. And, fish needs to be cooked over a low heat, just until the flesh flakes off nicely with a fork. Rolled Fish Fillets Recipe Three tablespoons of butter or margarine One small onion, finely chopped Six to eight fish fillets Two cups of tomatoes, canned or fresh One half cup fresh mushrooms One cup of cold water
FISHING LINGO AND EQUIPMENT Two tablespoons of flour Melt one tablespoon of butter in a skillet, and sauté onion, stirring constantly. Then spread the onion over the bottom of the skillet, and season the fish fillets with salt and pepper. Roll the fillets, like a jelly-roll, and arrange the rolls in the skillet over the onions. Top with the tomatoes, water, and mushrooms. Simmer about 10 minutes, or until fish is cooked. Remove the fish, and place on a platter. Now, cook the tomato sauce until it thickens, and season with salt and pepper, with the rest of the butter (two tablespoons), and flour. When everything is blended well, pour it over the fish. This recipe will feed six for supper, and takes about 20 minutes to prepare (once you have the fish fillets), and cook. Serve with wild rice, or freshly baked biscuits, or warm dinner rolls. Photos: Freshly caught rainbow trout, served with wild rice and warm biscuits can make a traditional, and heartwarming dinner during the annual fishing opener. Dip a trout (which you have cleaned, properly) in lemon juice, salt and pepper the fish, and arrange on an oiled baking pan or rap in tin foil. Bake at 350°F (degrees Fahrenheit), for 20-30 minutes, or until done.
BY CHRISTINA REED THE HIRED PEN Fishing is a real science, and the terms and equipment that you use make a big difference in your success rate of catching fish, or catching and releasing fish safely. Some of the most common terms and equipment for angling can be learned about in the average department store or big box outlet, however, to get the finer points of the art of fishing, you need to speak to sports shops in the area you are going to fish in, to get the best advice and techniques available to you at that time. Bait- Live and prepared Bobber- a float Casting-the action of getting the fishing hook into the water Ferrules-male and female Guides-the eyes on the fishing rod where the fishing line goes through Hook- a J-shaped piece of metal with and without barbs for catching fish Jig Leader License-a permit, you purchase, either short-term or seasonal for fishing (16 years or older)
Line Lunker-a big fish Lure Net Rod Rod Action- slow, medium, and fast Sinker- slip sinker, which slides on the line; split-shot sinker, which is one attached on the line Snap Spinner Standing End-in the knot tying of your fishing line, this is the line leading to the reel Strike Swivel Tackle Box- where your fishing gear and tackle, bait, hooks, lures, flies, etc. go for travel Tag End- in the knot tying of your fishing line, this is the end line, and the one you clip off Topwater Lure Trolling Tube bait Windings-help keep the guides on the fishing rods, by winding around the rod to hold guides Photos of many of the pieces of equipment from various places around the Sierra.
Supplement of The Sierra Reader 2019
ANGLING SPECIALS AND NEWS IN THE SIERRA
News
High water run-off and fishing in the early portion of the season New tackle bags by Plano Lew’s speed spinning reel Pure Fishing Berkley Western Outdoor News Fishing report websites- Eastern Sierra Fish Reports Sierra Drifters Guide Service- Tom Loe, who distributes flies at Reagan’s Sports and Crowley General Store (not at the lake). Special guiding services, with permit from the Inyo National Forest Fish planting by the CA Department of Fish and Wildlife
Town Specials The Winnedumah Casino and Paiute Palace Casino give free play when you show your fishing license. Buy your fishing license locally, and then shop at the neighborhood store for old-fashioned memories, before the big-box-outlets. Open 24-hours a day, Denny’s is a good place to stop in and check out their late-night menu. Breakfast Specials on Opening Day Fish storage while you are vacationing: The Meat House, and Manor Market Rainbow Days at the Tri-County Fairgrounds