Storm arrives in Lake Tahoe area as resorts plan weekend openings

The Lake Tahoe area is already feeling the effects of the season's first significant winter storm, and resorts in the region are expected to receive about a foot of fresh powder through tonight.

At Heavenly ski area, which overlooks the sprawling lake, today's planned opening is postponed until Saturday because of strong winds that arrived in advance of the storm. Light snow began to fall during the lunch hour.

I checked the Heavenly website and plucked its "Snowmakers" video (above), which provides an entertaining glimpse of the crews in action, and some new powder as seen from spectacular vantage points the resort is famous for.

Boreal and Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe are already open. Northstar-at-Tahoe and Squaw Valley USA will open Saturday. Alpine Meadows will open Dec. 5. Kirkwood and Sierra-at-Tahoe will open when conditions allow.

Mammoth Mountain Ski Area in the Eastern Sierra also hopes to receive a boost from the storm. It has about 100 acres open with top-to-bottom runs and a 16- to 24-inch base. Mountain High in Wrightwood and Bear Mountain and Snow Summit in Big Bear are open. Mt. Baldy plans to open before Thanksgiving.

-- Pete Thomas

Eastern Sierra hikers asked to keep eyes peeled for Karma, the red-tailed hawk

Hikers, birders and other visitors to the Eastern Sierra are encouraged to be on the lookout for Karma, an adult male red-tailed hawk that for the past two-plus years had resided at the Eastern Sierra Wildlife Care facility in Bishop.

The majestic raptor was believed to have been kept illegally as a pet before it was abandoned in the wild. It could not fly when it was discovered floundering and suffering from heat prostration and brought to the center, which cares for injured and abandoned critters.

But Karma learned to fly at the facility and was regularly driven afield for brief falconry-type flights. He always returned to his handlers, but last Thursday in the Keough Hot Springs area west of Highway 395, he dipped behind an outcropping and disappeared.

Cindy Kamler, who runs the facility, told Outposts that people have been scouring a two-square-mile area but have not spotted the bird, which is wearing black leather bracelets on both legs and might be trailing a short orange cord. 

It's feared that Karma will be unable to fend for himself or find his own food, but Kamler is hopeful and cites a few instances where the bird captured and killed sparrows that had entered its enclosure.

Interestingly, it had recently begun communicating with wild hawks during its flights, notably a juvenile red-tailed hawk that was present during Karma's last controlled flight. Could Karma simply have answered the call of the wild and sought freedom?

Kamler concedes it's a doubtful scenario, since the bird had been raised in captivity. "It'd be unique," Kamler says, "but not impossible."

Anyone who spots the hawk is urged to call the center at (760) 872-1487.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo of Karma the red-tailed hawk courtesy of Chris Morrison

Trout and catfish plants for Southern California and Eastern Sierra during the week beginning Nov. 9

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked with rainbow trout or channel catfish throughout the week of Nov. 9 by the Department of Fish and Game:

Trout:

LOS ANGELES: Alondra Park Lake, Belvedere Lake, Cerritos Lake, Downey Lake, Echo Park Lake, El Dorado Park Lake, Hollenbeck Park Lake, Kenneth Hahn Lake, La Mirada Lake, Legg Lake and Lincoln Park Lake.

ORANGE: Laguna Lake.

RIVERSIDE: Hemet Lake, Perris Lake and Rancho Jurupa Park Pond.

SAN BERNARDINO: Cucamonga-Guasti Park Lake, Prado Park Lake, Seccombe Park Lake and Silverwood Lake.

SAN DIEGO: Chollas Park Lake, Lindo Lake and Murray Lake. 

INYO: Pleasant Valley Reservoir.

Catfish:

LOS ANGELES: Cerritos Park Lake, Downey Lake, El Dorado Park Lake, Ford Park Lake, La Mirada Lake, Legg Lake, Peck Road Park Lake, Puddingstone Lake and Santa Fe Reservoir.

Photo credit: Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times

Trout and catfish plants for Southern California and Eastern Sierra during the week beginning Nov. 2

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked with rainbow trout or channel catfish throughout the week of Nov. 2 by the Department of Fish and Game:

Trout:

LOS ANGELES: Castaic Lagoon, Elizabeth Lake, Puddingstone Lake, Pyramid Lake and Santa Fe Reservoir. 

ORANGE: Carr Park Lake, Eisenhower Park Lake, Greer Park Lake and Huntington Park Lake.

RIVERSIDE: Cahuilla Park Lake and Rancho Jurupa Park Pond.

SAN BERNARDINO: Big Bear Lake, Glen Helen Park Lake, Mojave Narrows Regional Park Lake, Seccombe Park Lake and Yucaipa Lake. 

SAN DIEGO: Cuyamaca Lake.

INYO: Lone Pine Creek and Owens River Section 2.

Catfish:

LOS ANGELES: Alondra Park Lake, Belvedere Lake, Downey Lake, Echo Park Lake, Kenneth Hahn Lake, Hansen Lake, Hollenbeck Lake and Lincoln Park Lake.

SAN DIEGO: Chollas Lake, Lindo Lake and Murray Lake.

Photo: Jeff Winter of Van Nuys fishes for trout in hopes of dinner as the sun sets over Lower Pine Creek Lake. Credit: Ken Hively/Los Angeles Times

Trout and catfish plants for Southern California and Eastern Sierra during the week beginning Oct. 26

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked with rainbow trout or channel catfish throughout the week of Oct. 26 by the Department of Fish and Game:

Trout:

SAN BERNARDINO: Silverwood Lake

INYO: Lone Pine Creek and Owens River (below Tinnemaha)

Catfish:

ORANGE: Carr Park Lake, Centennial Park Lake, Eisenhower Park Lake, Greer Park Lake, Huntington Park Lake, Laguna Lake, Mile Square Park Lake, Ralph Clark Regional Lake, Tri-City Park Lake and Yorba Regional Park Lake

Photo: Trout on a stringer. Credit: Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times

Mammoth Mountain closes temporarily because of warm weather

So much for Mammoth Mountain's second-earliest opening on record. The Eastern Sierra ski area, which opened Friday after a sizable storm had blanketed the region, has temporary closed because of warm weather.

"Mother Nature forced our hand -- after a big storm earlier this week and great skiing and riding on Friday, record-breaking warm temperatures rolled in, wreaking havoc on our snow in the process," the resort stated in a news release issued Sunday night.

The warm, humid weather melted the snow quickly and also made it impossible for the resort to use its snow-making equipment. That could change quickly, however. In fact, rain and snow showers are in tonight's forecast.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: Mammoth after last week's storm. Credit:  Mammoth Mountain

Trout plants for Southern California and Eastern Sierra during the week beginning Oct. 19

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked with rainbow trout throughout the week of Oct. 19 by the California Department of Fish and Game:

LOS ANGELES: Castaic Lagoon, and Elizabeth and Pyramid lakes.  

RIVERSIDE: Hemet and Perris lakes.

SAN BERNARDINO: Big Bear and Gregory lakes.  

INYO: Bishop Creek Lower, Owens River Section 2 and Pleasant Valley Reservoir.

Photo credit: Ken Hively/Los Angeles Times

Mammoth Mountain will open Friday for skiing and snowboarding

Mammoth Mountain Ski Area has announced plans to open Friday. It's the second-earliest opening
for the resort and almost a month sooner than the scheduled opening date of Nov. 12.

The storm moving through the area dumped at least two feet of snow at Main Lodge and significantly more on the upper slopes.

Free lift tickets are being offered for Friday, with only Broadway Express operating beginning at 8:30 a.m.

--Pete Thomas and Kelly Burgess

Photo: A skier speeds down the slopes at Mammoth Mountain last November. Mammoth's slopes received a substantial blanket of snow during the current storm and will open Friday, much earlier than planned. Credit: Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times

Trout plants for Southern California and Eastern Sierra during the week beginning Oct. 12

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked with rainbow trout throughout the week of Oct. 12 by the Department of Fish and Game:

SAN BERNARDINO: Mojave Narrow Regional Park Lake and Silverwood Lake.

SAN DIEGO: Doane Pond.

INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, North Lake, Lone Pine Creek and Owens River (below Tinnemaha).

MONO: Convict Creek, Lee Vining Creek, Mary Lake, Rock Creek (Section II), Rush Creek, Sherwin Creek, Trumble Lake, Twin Lakes (Mammoth) and Virginia Lake (Lower & Upper).

Photo by Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times

Mammoth Mountain signs agreement for summer airline service from LAX

Mammoth Mountain Ski Area has reached agreement with Horizon Air to begin summer airline service to and from Los Angeles and Mammoth Yosemite Airport beginning in April.

The Mammoth Times reports and sources confirm that a deal has been signed and an official announcement will be made as early as next week.

Horizon already provides winter flights on a schedule that has grown from one to four flights per day -- with service from LAX, Seattle, Portland, Ore., and San Jose. Winter flight service is from Dec. 17 through April 11. Summer service will begin April 12.

The ski area helps subsidize the winter flights, and the ski area and Mammoth Lakes will subsidize the single daily summer flight.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: A Horizon Air turboprop plane touches down at Mammoth Yosemite Airport during a test run last October. Credit: Peatross/MMSA

Trout plants for Southern California and Eastern Sierra during the week beginning Oct. 5

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked with rainbow trout throughout the week of Oct. 5 by the Department of Fish and Game:

LOS ANGELES: Bouquet Canyon Creek

RIVERSIDE: Hemet Lake and Perris Lake

SAN BERNARDINO: Santa Ana River and Santa Ana River South Fork

INYO: Bishop Creek Lower, Bishop Creek (South Forks), Diaz Lake, Owens River Section 2, Pleasant Valley Reservoir and Sabrina Lake

MONO: Convict Lake, George Lake, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Mamie Lake, Mary Lake, Robinson Creek, Rock Creek Lake, Saddlebag Lake, Silver Lake, Tioga Lake, Trumble Lake, Twin Lakes Bridgeport (Lower & Upper), Twin Lakes Mammoth and Virginia Lake (Lower & Upper)

Photo credit: Stephen Osman/Los Angeles Times

Trout plants for Southern California and Eastern Sierra during the week beginning Sept. 28

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked with rainbow trout throughout the week of Sept. 28 by the Department of Fish and Game:

SAN BERNARDINO: Big Bear Lake and Gregory Lake.

INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek Intake II, Bishop Creek (Middle & South Forks), Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, North Lake, Owens River (Section 2), Pleasant Valley Reservoir, Rock Creek Lake, Sabrina Lake, South Lake, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek and Tuttle Creek.

MONO: Convict Creek, Mammoth Creek, McGee Creek, Rock Creek (Sections I & II) and Sherwin Creek.

Photo: Trout jump out of the water after bits of feed in a holding pond at the Kern River Hatchery. Credit: Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times

Bear shot to death by angler at Lake Mary in Mammoth Lakes area

A 175-pound adult female black bear was shot to death Tuesday afternoon by a 58-year-old visitor to Lake Mary near the Eastern Sierra town of Mammoth Lakes.

Steve Searles, wildlife manager for Mammoth Lakes, described the shooting as "unprovoked," according to a report on the Sierra Wave website.

The California Department of Fish and Gam is investigating the case. The department's Lt. Marty Markham said this morning in an interview that the man and his companion were frightened away from a spot on the lake's shore by an approaching bear. Another person helped "haze" the bear away.

The couple returned to the site and the bear returned. The woman tried to "haze" the bear away. The man retrieved a large-caliber handgun from his vehicle and shot the bear once in the head.

Markham said the investigation should be complete within a week, and could not say whether charges will be brought against the man, whom Markham would describe only as a 58-year-old from San Bernardino County.

Don Barrett, who runs Lake Mary Marina & Store, did not witness the shooting but was at the lake and heard the shot. Barrett, in an interview, said he heard that the bear was aggressive and standing on its hind legs approaching the couple when it was shot with a .44-caliber pistol.

Barrett said bears have learned to frighten anglers from their fishing spots, then steal their stringers of fish.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: A bear near South Lake Tahoe, Calif., last year. Credit: Associated Press

Trout plants for Southern California and Eastern Sierra during the week of Sept. 21

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked with rainbow trout throughout the week of Sept. 21 by the Department of Fish and Game:

LOS ANGELES: Bouquet Canyon Creek. 

RIVERSIDE: Hemet Lake.

SAN BERNARDINO: Big Bear Lake, Santa Ana River and Santa Ana River South Fork. 

INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek Intake II, Bishop Creek (Middle and South forks), Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, North Lake, Rock Creek Lake, Sabrina Lake, South Lake, Taboose Creek, Tinemaha Creek and Tuttle Creek.

MONO: Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Crowley Lake, Deadman Creek, George Lake, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Leavitt Creek, Little Walker River, Mamie Lake, Mammoth Creek, Mary Lake, McGee Creek, Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Sections 1 and 2), Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake, Twin Lakes Bridgeport (Lower and Upper), Twin Lakes Mammoth and West Walker River (Sections 2 and 3).   

Photo: Rainbow trout being prepared for pan frying. Credit: Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times

                       

Hot Creek Ranch trout fishing 'monumental' as the caddis hatch is on

The summer heat is fading, leaves are beginning to reveal brilliant colors of fall and caddis flies are hatching, which places fly fishermen in some areas of the Eastern Sierra in paradise. 

Chatsworth angler Bennett Mintz provided the accompanying photo of a 20-inch rainbow he raised, hooked, landed, photographed and released while fishing last Saturday at Hot Creek Ranch near Mammoth Lakes.

"This chunky rainbow fell victim to a size 20 Bob Brooks’ Hot Creek caddis [fly] on a 6X tippet," Mintz said via email.

The Hot Creek caddis hatch is occurring between about 9 a.m. and noon, and again from 4 p.m. until dark. That latter period, Mintz said, "is monumental."

He suggests anglers use a size 18 or 20 gray or tan elk-hair caddis, Schroeder caddis, parachute or other popular pattern.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: A 20-inch rainbow was no match for Chatsworth angler Bennet J. Mintz. Credit: Bennett J. Mintz

Trout plants for Southern California and Eastern Sierra during the week beginning Sept. 14

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked with rainbow trout throughout the week of Sept. 14 by the Department of Fish and Game:

SAN BERNARDINO: Gregory Lake.

SAN DIEGO: Doane Pond. 

INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek Intake II, Bishop Creek Lower, Bishop Creek (Middle & South Forks), Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, North Lake, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Owens River (Section 2), Rock Creek Lake, Sabrina Lake, South Lake, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek and Tuttle Creek.

MONO: Buckeye Creek, Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Deadman Creek, Ellery Lake, George Lake, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Lee Vining Creek South Fork, Lundy Lake, Mamie Lake, Mammoth Creek, Mary Lake, McGee Creek, Mill Creek, Owens River (Section 3), Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Sections I & II), Rush Creek, Saddlebag Lake, Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake, Tioga Lake, Trumble Lake, Twin Lakes Bridgeport (Lower & Upper), Twin Lakes Mammoth, Virginia Creek and Virginia Lake (Lower & Upper).   

Photo: The Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery in Independence, which was closed last year after a mudslide, reopened recently to visitors, though it will not be raising trout. Credit: Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times

Trout plants for Southern California and Eastern Sierra during the week beginning Sept. 8

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked with rainbow trout throughout the week of Sept. 8 by the Department of Fish and Game:

LOS ANGELES: Bouquet Canyon Creek and Jackson Lake 

RIVERSIDE: Hemet Lake

SAN BERNARDINO: Jenks Lake, Santa Ana River and Santa Ana River South Fork 

INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek Intake II, Bishop Creek (Middle & South Forks), Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, North Lake, Rock Creek Lake, Sabrina Lake, South Lake, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek and Tuttle Creek

MONO: Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Deadman Creek, George Lake, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, South Fork, Little Walker River, Mamie Lake, Mammoth Creek, Mary Lake, McGee Creek, Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Sections I & II), Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake, Trumble Lake, Twin Lakes Bridgeport (Lower & Upper), Twin Lakes Mammoth, Virginia Lake (Lower & Upper) and West Walker River (Sections 2 & 3)

Photo: Jeff Winter of Van Nuys fishes for trout in hopes of dinner as the sun sets over Lower Pine Creek Lake. Credit: Ken Hively/Los Angeles Times

Manzanar Historic Site fishing tour taking place this weekend

Documentary filmmaker and Eastern Sierra fishing guide Cory Shiozaki will be a guest docent at Manzanar National Historic Site this weekend, leading discussions about the World War II internees who occasionally sneaked out of the camp at night to fish. He'll also lead walking tours to some of the locations where they fished.

Scheduled for Saturday  and Sunday, the fourth annual "From Barbed Wire to Barbed Hooks" project lecture and walking tour will begin at 11 a.m. in the West Theater with an illustrated talk with Cory. He will share the wartime stories from some of those who secretly left the camp at night and will have examples of the fishing tackle that was crafted in camp by hopeful anglers.

At 1 p.m., Cory will lead a walking tour from the Interpretive Center to some of the known fishing sites. Attendees are encouraged to wear sturdy walking shoes, sunscreen and a hat and to bring water. 

Afterward, he will host a "meet and greet" back at the Interpretive Center.

The programs are open to the public and are free. For more information and directions, visit Manazar's website or call (760) 878-2194.

Shiozaki's film, "From Barbed Wire to Barbed Hooks: Fishing Stories From Manzanar," chronicles some of the internees that would slip out of the camp to go fishing.

Colleague Pete Thomas wrote an L.A. Times story about the Japanese Americans interned at Manzanar during World War II who would do whatever it took to get away from the camp and go after trout in Sierra Nevada lakes and streams.

--Kelly Burgess

Photo: Heihachi Ishikawa, one of those who sneaked out of the camp to fish, displays a stringer of golden trout. Credit: Toyo Miyatake

Yosemite road closures in effect through Labor Day because of Big Meadow fire

Outdoor enthusiasts planning to head to Yosemite National Park for the Labor Day holiday weekend should keep in mind that road closures due to the Big Meadow fire will be in effect until further notice.

Big Oak Flat Road remains closed to through traffic at the Big Oak Flat Entrance Station to the junction of El Portal Road. Tioga Road is also closed from White Wolf to the Crane Flat Gas Station.

All park campgrounds are open with the exception of Crane Flat and Tamarack Flat campgrounds, and the community of Foresta is still evacuated.

Those going to the Strawberry Music Festival taking place at Camp Mather near Yosemite may also be affected by these closures.

Many other areas of Yosemite are accessible and unaffected by the wildfire, which has been burning for over a week. As of this morning, the fire has consumed 7,240 acres and is now 70% contained.

For updated fire information, visit www.inciweb.org or call (209) 372-0327, (209) 372-0480, or (209) 372-0669 daily during business hours.

-- Kelly Burgess

Photo: The Big Meadow fire as viewed last Thursday from Tioga Road. Credit:  Kip Evans /  ©KipEvansPhotography.com

Note: To follow this blog on Twitter visit @latimesoutposts.com

Camping increases in popularity, in part because of recession

I've noticed during recent travels to the Eastern Sierra that more people seem to be utilizing campgrounds. I've also seen more Cruise America RVs on the roads.

Now it's official. More people are camping, in tents and RVs. Why? Because more people are trying to save money by enjoying  a simpler existence.

The Outdoor Foundation, in partnership with the Coleman Co., have released a report stating there was a 7.4% increase in RV, car and backyard camping in 2008.

"In today's economy, people are returning to simpler lifestyles -- the 'less is more' ethic," said Christine Fanning, executive director of the Outdoor Foundation. "Reservations for campsites and sales for camping gear are up. Camping provides fun, affordable opportunities for families to enjoy time together."

Among the "Special Report  on Camping's" key findings:

-- 33.7 million Americans participated in car and backyard camping in 2008, an increase of 7.4% over the previous year.

-- 16.5 million Americans went RV camping in 2008, compared to 16.2 million in 2007.

-- Camping participants made more than 597-million outings in 2008, averaging 14 camping days per participant.

-- 56% of campers were male and one-third of them were between the ages of 25 and 44, and most campers have a household income of $50,000 to $74,999.

Unfortunately, during my recent travels in pursuit of wary trout in creeks that happen to be close to campgrounds, I've noticed a drawback to all of this: a lack of solitude.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: A recreational vehicle at Yosemite Falls in 2007. Credit: Robert Durell / Los Angeles Times

Yosemite fire situation improves; prescribed burn program defended

*Updated at 4:45 p.m. to reflect road closure information

As of noon Monday, the Big Meadow fire within Yosemite National Park had consumed nearly 5,000 acres but was 55% contained and crews were making enough progress that some of the air tankers being used to help battle the blaze were sent to Southern California, where a far more volatile situation exists.

The west end of Tioga Road has been closed to through traffic from White Wolf to Crane Flat Gas Station because of poor visibility, and it remains unclear when it will reopen. Tuolumne Meadows to White Wolf is still accessible from the east end of the park via U.S. 395.

Many hiking trails and campsites remain closed. No structures have been lost.

Meanwhile, many are asking the question: How did this prescribed burn, which was supposed to involve only 91 acres, get away from a National Park Service team that routinely carries out controlled burns? (None of those 91 acres actually burned; that's how quickly this fire changed direction and got out of hand.)

An interagency review panel will address the issue in a week or two, park spokesman Scott Gediman said.

Gediman added that prescribed burns sometimes leap beyond designated boundaries but no one at the park could recall a runaway fire of this magnitude.

Regardless, the park has no plans to abandon its prescribed-burn program, and that's understandable. Fires are beneficial in that they allow forests to regenerate by removing old growth. Since Yosemite and other national parks must suppress many naturally-sparked fires to protect lives and structures, prescribed burns in designated areas help accomplish regeneration while preventing fuel buildup that could eventually lead to larger and potentially more devastating wildfires.

The review panel will probably raise the issue of timing. The temperature exceeded 100 degrees when the fire began last Wednesday. The park addresses this issue, in part, on its website, but it fails to answer why the team could not have waited for slightly cooler temperatures.

Outposts will continue to monitor the situation.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: The Big Meadow fire as viewed last Wednesday. Credit: National Parks Service

Related:

California forest and park roads, campsites shut by wildfires: Where to find updates

Yosemite National Park Big Meadow Fire update

Yosemite National Park wildfire continues to grow

Trout plants for Southern California and Eastern Sierra during the week beginning Aug. 31

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked with rainbow trout throughout the week of Aug. 31 by the Department of Fish and Game:

SAN BERNARDINO: Big Bear Lake, Green Valley Lake and Gregory Lake.

INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek Intake II, Bishop Creek Lower, Bishop Creek (Middle & South Forks), Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, North Lake, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Owens River (Section 2), Pleasant Valley Reservoir, Rock Creek Lake, Sabrina Lake, South Lake, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek and Tuttle Creek.

MONO: Buckeye Creek, Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Deadman Creek, Ellery Lake, George Lake, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Lee Vining Creek South Fork, Little Walker River, Lundy Lake, Mamie Lake, Mammoth Creek, Mary Lake, McGee Creek, Mill Creek, Owens River (Section 3), Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Sections I & II), Rush Creek, Saddlebag Creek, Saddlebag Lake, Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake, Tioga Lake, Trumble Lake, Twin Lakes Bridgeport (Lower & Upper), Twin Lakes Mammoth, Virginia Creek, Virginia Lake (Lower & Upper) and West Walker River (Sections 2 & 3).   

Photo credit: Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times

Trout plants for Southern California and Eastern Sierra during the week beginning Aug. 24

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked with rainbow trout throughout the week of Aug. 24 by the Department of Fish and Game:

LOS ANGELES: Bouquet Canyon Creek. 

SAN BERNARDINO: Jenks Lake, Santa Ana River and Santa Ana River South Fork. 

INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek Intake II, Bishop Creek Lower, Bishop Creek (Middle & South Forks), Cottonwood Creek, Georges Creek, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, North Lake, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Owens River (Section 2), Rock Creek Lake, Sabrina Lake, South Lake, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek and Tuttle Creek.

MONO: Buckeye Creek, Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Deadman Creek, Ellery Lake, George Lake, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Lee Vining Creek South Fork, Mamie Lake, Mammoth Creek, Mary Lake, McGee Creek, Owens River (Section 3), Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Sections I & II), Rush Creek, Saddlebag Creek, Saddlebag Lake, Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake, Tioga Lake, Trumble Lake, Twin Lakes Bridgeport (Lower & Upper), Twin Lakes Mammoth, Virginia Creek, Virginia Lake (Lower & Upper) and West Walker River (Sections 2 & 3).                           

Photo credit: Ken Hively/Los Angeles Times

Yosemite National Park latest site of illegal pot farm discovery, eradication

Is there any wild place that isn't going to pot?

Yosemite National Park is the latest in a list of popular outdoor destinations to report discovery and eradication of illegal marijuana farms.

(If the photo looks familiar, it was used earlier this week to illustrate a similar occurrence in Mono County. That followed discoveries and eradication efforts in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park. Both discoveries prompted warnings for hikers to exercise caution and report suspicious activities.)

Yosemite rangers and National Park Service Agents, with assistance from Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, eradicated 4,735 marijuana plants valued at nearly $19 million from within the park on Thursday.

They found and removed nearly 400 pounds of fertilizer, 3,000 feet of irrigation hose and 200 pounds of human trash. The trash posed a threat to wildlife, especially bears, which are easily habituated to garbage. Park officials did not disclose the location of the discovery.

“Yesterday’s operation reaffirms our commitment that Yosemite remains safe for visitors, that the park will not accept these incursions, and organized growers will not profit from these activities”, Chief ranger Steve Shackelton said in a news release.

Presumably, this "abuse of public property" was the work of Mexican drug trafficking operations. Hikers who stumble into these areas are urged to leave as quickly as possible and report to the nearest authorities

-- Pete Thomas

Photo of pot plants by the Associated Press

Pot farm discoveries in Mono County prompt warning for hikers

Illegal pot farms are widespread throughout the wilderness and hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts are strongly urged to be on watch for telltale signs -- and to flee these areas as quickly as possible.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park has been in the news regarding this issue in recent months, but the latest discovery was made last week in Mono County in the Eastern Sierra, specifically in remote areas of the Glass Mountains and Wildrose Canyons. 

The Mono Narcotic Enforcement Team (MONET), with help from numerous other agencies, spent hours eradicating more than 26,300 marijuana plants from the combined sites.  Potential street value was estimated to be more than $78 million. No arrests were made.

The sites were on U.S. Forest Service land and that agency has planned an extensive cleanup and restoration of the areas damaged by the cultivators. Meanwhile, the Mono County Sheriff's Department has issued the following warning to people planning on recreating in the area wilderness:

"MONET would like to warn outdoor enthusiasts of the dangers of locating one of these grows while enjoying the outdoors. If you see anything that looks out of place such as cleared areas of forest that should not be, fertilizer bags, black plastic pipes, large camps where there should not be, or growing marijuana, you should immediately leave the area and note the location if possible and notify the appropriate law enforcement agency. 

"These large scale marijuana cultivators are known to be armed and will sometimes protect the gardens at any expense."

-- Pete Thomas

Photo of pot plants by Associated Press

Trout plants for Southern California and Eastern Sierra during the week beginning Aug. 17

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked with rainbow trout throughout the week of Aug. 17 by the Department of Fish and Game:

RIVERSIDE:Hemet Lake

SAN BERNARDINO: Big Bear Lake and Gregory Lake 

SAN DIEGO:Cuyamaca Lake

INYO:Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek Intake II, Bishop Creek Lower, Bishop Creek (Middle & South Forks), Cottonwood Creek, Georges Creek, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, North Lake, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Owens River (Section 2), Rock Creek Lake, Sabrina Lake, South Lake, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek and Tuttle Creek.

MONO:Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Deadman Creek, Ellery Lake, George Lake, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Lee Vining Creek South Fork, Little Walker River, Lundy Lake, Mamie Lake, Mammoth Creek, Mary Lake, McGee Creek, Mill Creek, Owens River (Section 3), Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Sections I & II), Rush Creek, Saddlebag Creek, Saddlebag Lake, Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake, Tioga Lake, Trumble Lake, Twin Lakes Bridgeport (Lower & Upper), Twin Lakes Mammoth, Virginia Lake (Lower & Upper) and West Walker River (Sections 2 & 3)   

Photo by Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times

El Nino forecast stirs up recollections of the crazy 1997-98 phenomenon

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Center last week issued a report stating: "While there is disagreement on the eventual strength of El Niño, nearly all of the dynamical models predict a moderate-to-strong El Niño during the Northern Hemisphere Winter 2009-10."

If the models are accurate, we're in for some crazy times -- some good, some bad -- along the West Coast.

The last powerful El Niño event was 1997-98. Some might recall the flooding associated with abundant rainfall, but surfers, skiers, snowboarders, fishermen and marine mammal enthusiasts might remember the massive swells, extreme snowfall, visits by exotic species and a devastating impact on seals and sea lions.

Here are a few random snapshots from that episode:

Trout plants for Southern California and Eastern Sierra during the week beginning Aug. 10

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked with rainbow trout throughout the week of Aug.10 by the Department of Fish and Game:

LOS ANGELES: Bouquet Canyon Creek and Jackson Lake. 

SAN BERNARDINO: Jenks Lake, Santa Ana River and Santa Ana River South Fork. 

SAN DIEGO: Doane Pond.

INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek Intake II,  Bishop Creek (Middle & South Forks), Cottonwood Creek, Georges Creek, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, North Lake, Sabrina Lake, South Lake, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek and Tuttle Creek.

MONO: Buckeye Creek, Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Deadman Creek, Ellery Lake, George Lake, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Lee Vining Creek South Fork, Little Walker River, Mamie Lake, Mammoth Creek, Mary Lake, McGee Creek, Owens River (Section 3), Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Sections I & II), Rush Creek, Saddlebag Creek, Saddlebag Lake, Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake, Tioga Lake, Trumble Lake, Twin Lakes Bridgeport (Lower & Upper), Twin Lakes Mammoth, Virginia Creek, Virginia Lake (Lower & Upper) and West Walker River (Sections 2 & 3).    

Photo credit: Los Angeles Times

Trout plants for Southern California and Eastern Sierra during the week beginning Aug. 3

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked with rainbow trout throughout the week of Aug. 3 by the Department of Fish and Game:

RIVERSIDE: Hemet Lake.

SAN BERNARDINO: Big Bear Lake, Gregory Lake and Green Valley Lake.

INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek Intake II, Bishop Creek Lower, Bishop Creek (Middle & South Forks), Cottonwood Creek, Georges Creek, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, North Lake, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Owens River (Section 2), Rock Creek Lake, Sabrina Lake, South Lake, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek and Tuttle Creek.

MONO: Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Deadman Creek, Ellery Lake, George Lake, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Lee Vining Creek South Fork, Little Walker River, Lundy Lake, Mamie Lake, Mammoth Creek, Mary Lake, McGee Creek, Mill Creek, Owens River (Section 3), Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Sections I & II), Rush Creek, Saddlebag Creek, Saddlebag Lake, Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake, Tioga Lake, Trumble Lake, Twin Lakes Bridgeport (Lower & Upper), Twin Lakes Mammoth, Virginia Lake (Lower & Upper) and West Walker River (Sections 2 & 3).

Photo: Rainbow trout being prepared for pan frying. Credit: Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times

Trout plants for Southern California and Eastern Sierra during the week beginning July 27

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked with rainbow trout throughout the week of July 27 by the Department of Fish and Game:

LOS ANGELES: Bouquet Canyon Creek. 

SAN BERNARDINO: Jenks Lake, Santa Ana River and Santa Ana River South Fork. 

SAN DIEGO: Cuyamaca Lake.

INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek Intake II, Bishop Creek Lower, Bishop Creek (Middle & South Forks), Cottonwood Creek, Georges Creek, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, North Lake, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Owens River (Section 2), Rock Creek Lake, Sabrina Lake, Sheperds Creek, South Lake, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek and Tuttle Creek.

MONO: Buckeye Creek, Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Deadman Creek, Ellery Lake, George Lake, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Lee Vining Creek South Fork, Little Walker River, Mamie Lake, Mammoth Creek, Mary Lake, McGee Creek, Owens River (Section 3), Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Sections I & II), Rush Creek, Saddlebag Creek, Saddlebag Lake, Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake, Tioga Lake, Trumble Lake, Twin Lakes Bridgeport (Lower & Upper), Twin Lakes Mammoth, Virginia Creek, Virginia Lake (Lower & Upper) and West Walker River (Sections 2 & 3).    

Photo: Jeff Winter of Van Nuys fishes for trout in hopes of dinner as the sun sets over Lower Pine Creek Lake. Credit: Ken Hively/Los Angeles Times

Trout plants for Southern California and Eastern Sierra for week of July 20

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked with rainbow trout throughout the week of July 20 by the Department of Fish and Game:

RIVERSIDE: Hemet Lake.

SAN BERNARDINO: Big Bear Lake, Gregory Lake and Lytle Creek (Middle & North Forks). 

INYO: Lone Pine Creek and Owens River (below Tinnemaha). 

MONO: Convict Lake, Deadman Creek, Ellery Lake, George Lake, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Lee Vining Creek South Fork, Little Walker River, Lundy Lake, Mamie Lake, Mary Lake, Mill Creek, Owens River (Section 3), Robinson Creek, Rush Creek, Saddlebag Creek, Saddlebag Lake, Silver Lake, Tioga Lake, Trumble Lake, Twin Lakes Bridgeport (Lower & Upper), Twin Lakes Mammoth, Virginia Lake (Lower & Upper) and West Walker River (Sections 2 & 3).   

Photo: The Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery in Independence, which was closed last year after a mudslide, reopened recently to visitors, though it will not be raising trout. Credit: Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times

Trout plants for Southern California and Eastern Sierra during the week beginning July 13

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked throughout the week of July 13 with rainbow trout by the Department of Fish and Game:

LOS ANGELES: Bouquet Canyon Creek and Jackson Lake. 

RIVERSIDE: Fulmor Lake, Hemet Lake and Strawberry Creek.

SAN BERNARDINO: Big Bear Lake, Green Valley Lake, Gregory Lake, Jenks Lake, Santa Ana River and Santa Ana River South Fork. 

SAN DIEGO: Cuyamaca Lake and Doane Pond.

INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek Intake II, Bishop Creek Lower, Bishop Creek (Middle & South Forks), Cottonwood Creek, Georges Creek, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, North Lake, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Owens River (Section 2), Rock Creek Lake, Sabrina Lake, Shepherd Creek, South Lake, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek and Tuttle Creek.

MONO: Buckeye Creek, Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Deadman Creek, Ellery Lake, George Lake, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Lee Vining Creek South Fork, Little Walker River, Mamie Lake, Mammoth Creek, Mary Lake, McGee Creek, Owens River (Section 3), Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Sections I & II), Rush Creek, Saddlebag Creek, Saddlebag Lake, Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake, Tioga Lake, Trumble Lake, Twin Lakes Bridgeport (Lower & Upper), Twin Lakes Mammoth, Virginia Creek, Virginia Lake (Lower & Upper) and West Walker River (Sections 2 & 3).   

Photo: Trout jump out of the water after bits of feed in a holding pond at the Kern River Hatchery. Credit: Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times

Trout plants for Southern California and Eastern Sierra during the week beginning July 6

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked throughout the week of July 6 with rainbow trout by the Department of Fish and Game:

INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek Intake II, Bishop Creek Lower, Bishop Creek (Middle & South Forks), Cottonwood Creek, Georges Creek, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, North Lake, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Owens River (Section 2), Rock Creek Lake, Sabrina Lake, Sheperds Creek, South Lake, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek and Tuttle Creek.

MONO: Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Deadman Creek, Ellery Lake, George Lake, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Lee Vining Creek South Fork, Little Walker River, Lundy Lake, Mamie Lake, Mammoth Creek, Mary Lake, McGee Creek, Mill Creek, Owens River (Section 3), Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Sections I & II), Rush Creek, Saddlebag Creek, Saddlebag Lake, Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake, Tioga Lake, Trumble Lake, Twin Lakes Bridgeport (Lower & Upper), Twin Lakes Mammoth, Virginia Lake (Lower & Upper) and West Walker River (Sections 2 & 3).  

Photo by Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times

Hikers, campers, anglers this weekend are cautioned to be bear aware

Southern California hikers, campers and anglers will flock to local mountains and the Sierra Nevada during the first holiday weekend of summer. They ought to know that bears are no longer hibernating and many are hungry. So here are some tips for those bound for the forests and streams:

--Do not intentionally feed bears and do not leave garbage strewn about.

--Enjoy your favorite pastime in groups (this should not be a problem on the busy weekend).

--Keep the kids in sight at all times, and keep pets on a leash.

--Try not to get caught between a female bear and her cubs.

--If you encounter a bear and it does not see you, stay calm and continue facing it while slowly backing away. True, this is easier said than done.

--If a bear does spot you or strolls into your camp, yell and make other loud noises and bang pots or pans together. Black bears do not like confusing unfamiliar noises.

--Do not run from a bear unless it's dangerously close. Running can trigger an attack response and no human can outrun a bear. 

--If a bear attacks fight back with whatever means you can muster. This doesn't work against larger and far more powerful grizzlies, but there are no grizzlies in California.

Lastly, do not let any of this spoil your mood or prevent you from visiting the woods. Your chances of seeing a bear might be fair, but your chances of getting injured by one are extremely slim. Happy Fourth and stay safe!

--Pete Thomas

Photo: A black bear hunts for fish along Taylor Creek near South Lake Tahoe, Calif. Credit: Associated Press

Trout plants for Southern California and Eastern Sierra during the week beginning June 29

 

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked throughout the week of June 29 with rainbow trout by the Department of Fish and Game:

LOS ANGELES: Bouquet Canyon Creek and Jackson Lake. 

ORANGE: Trabuco Creek.

RIVERSIDE: Fulmor Lake and Hemet Lake.

SAN BERNARDINO: Big Bear Lake, Green Valley Lake, Gregory Lake, Jenks Lake, Lytle Creek (Middle & North Forks), Miller Canyon Creek, Mojave Narrows Regional Park Lake, Santa Ana River and Santa Ana River South Fork.

SAN DIEGO: Cuyamaca Lake and Doane Pond.

INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek Intake II, Bishop Creek Lower, Bishop Creek (Middle & South Forks), Cottonwood Creek, Georges Creek, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, North Lake, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Owens River (Section 2), Pleasant Valley Reservoir, Rock Creek Lake, Sabrina Lake, Sheperds Creek, South Lake, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek and Tuttle Creek.

MONO: Bridgeport Reservoir, Buckeye Creek, Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Deadman Creek, Ellery Lake, George Lake, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Lee Vining Creek South Fork, Little Walker Lake, Little Walker River, Lundy Lake, Mamie Lake, Mammoth Creek, Mary Lake, McGee Creek, Mill Creek, Owens River (Section 3), Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Sections I & II), Rush Creek, Saddlebag Creek, Saddlebag Lake, Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake, Tioga Lake, Trumble Lake, Twin Lake Bridgeport (Lower & Upper), Twin Lakes Mammoth, Virginia Creek, Virginia Lake (Lower & Upper) and West Walker River (Sections 2 & 3).   

Photo credit: Ken Hively/Los Angeles Times

Trout and catfish plants for Southern California and Eastern Sierra during the week beginning June 22

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked throughout the week of June 22 with rainbow trout or channel catfish by the Department of Fish and Game:

Trout:

INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek Intake II, Bishop Creek Lower, Bishop Creek (Middle & South Forks), Cottonwood Creek, Georges Creek, Goodale Creek,  Independence Creek, North Lake, Owens River (Section 2), Rock Creek Lake, Sabrina Lake, Shepherds Creek, South Lake, Symms Creek, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek and Tuttle Creek.

MONO: Bridgeport Reservoir, Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Deadman Creek, Ellery Lake, George Lake, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Lee Vining Creek South Fork, Little Walker River, Mamie Lake, Mammoth Creek, Mary Lake, McGee Creek, Owens River (Section 3), Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Sections I & II), Rush Creek, Saddlebag Creek, Saddlebag Lake, Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake, Tioga Lake, Trumble Lake, Twin Lake Bridgeport (Lower & Upper), Twin Lakes Mammoth, Virginia Lake (Lower & Upper) and West Walker River (Sections 2 & 3).   

Catfish:

LOS ANGELES: Cerritos Park Lake, Downey Lake, El Dorado Park Lake, Ford Park Lake, La Mirada Lake, Legg Lake, Peck Road Park Lake, Puddingstone Lake and Santa Fe Reservoir.

Photo credit: Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times

Trout and catfish plants for Southern California and Eastern Sierra during the week beginning June 15

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked throughout the week of June 15 with rainbow trout or channel catfish by the Department of Fish and Game:

LOS ANGELES: Bouquet Canyon Creek, Castaic Lagoon and Pyramid Lake. 

VENTURA: Piru Lake.

INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek Intake II, Bishop Creek Lower, Bishop Creek (Middle & South Forks), Cottonwood Creek, Georges Creek, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, North Lake, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Owens River (Section 2), Pleasant Valley Reservoir, Rock Creek Lake, Sabrina Lake, Sheperds Creek, South Lake, Symms Creek, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek and Tuttle Creek.

MONO: Buckeye Creek, Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Deadman Creek, George Lake, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Little Walker River, Lundy Lake, Mammoth Creek, Mary Lake, McGee Creek, Mill Creek, Owens River (Section 3), Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Sections I & II), Rush Creek, Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake, Twin Lake Bridgeport (Lower & Upper), Twin Lakes Mammoth, Virginia Creek, and West Walker River (Sections 2 & 3).    

Catfish:

ORANGE: Carr Park Lake, Centennial Park Lake, Eisenhower Park Lake, Greer Park Lake, Huntington Park Lake, Laguna Lake, Mile Square Park Lake, Ralph Clark Regional Lake, Tri-City Park Lake and Yorba Regional Park Lake.

Photo: A trout jumps out of a pool at the Mt. Whitney fish hatchery near Independence in this 2007 photo. Credit: Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times

Trout and catfish plants for Southern California and Eastern Sierra during the week beginning June 8

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked throughout the week of June 8 with rainbow trout or catfish by the Department of Fish and Game:

RIVERSIDE: Fulmor Lake, Hemet Lake and Strawberry Creek. 

SAN BERNARDINO: Big Bear Lake, Jenks Lake, Mojave Narrows Regional Park Lake, Santa Ana River and Santa Ana River South Fork.

INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek Intake II, Bishop Creek Lower, Bishop Creek (Middle & South Forks), Cottonwood Creek, Georges Creek, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Owens River (Section 2), Rock Creek Lake, Sabrina Lake, Sheperds Creek, South Lake, Symms Creek, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek and Tuttle Creek.

MONO: Bridgeport Reservoir, Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Deadman Creek, Ellery Lake, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Lee Vining Creek South Fork, Little Walker River, Mammoth Creek, McGee Creek, North Lake, Owens River (Section 3), Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Sections I & II), Rush Creek, Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake, Tioga Lake, Twin Lake Bridgeport (Lower & Upper), Virginia Lake (Lower & Upper) and West Walker River (Sections 2 & 3).    

Catfish:

SAN DIEGO: Chollas Lake, Lindo Lake and Murray Lake.     

Photo: With the Sierra Nevada range providing a dramatic background, a young angler tries his luck in Convict Lake. Credit: Brian VanderBrug/Los Angeles Times

With Bodie ghost town targeted for closure, what becomes of the past?

If you cease funding and maintenance of a ghost town and it crumbles and fades into the landscape, what happens to the ghosts?

Have you been to Bodie State Historic Park in the Eastern Sierra? If so you probably experienced a sensation of time travel and envisioned yourself with a pistol strapped to your leg, walking a dusty street at high noon while waiting for a saloon fight to break out.

Bodie is a genuine gold-mining ghost town where once lived 10,000 people. Now it's on the list of 220 state parks slated for closure if Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's planned funding cuts are approved, and that leaves one to sadly ponder whether a treasured piece of our past, which requires upkeep, will simply fade into obscurity.

Mammoth Lakes is doing more than pondering. It has determined that closing Bodie and nearby Mono Lake Tufa State Reserve would cost California more than double what it would cost to keep them open.

According to a report on KSRW radio's website, Sheryl Watson of the California Department of Parks and Recreation, in a memo, stated that closing both parks would save $149 million, but would cost more than $350 million in lost tourism-related revenue.

Mammoth Town Manager Rob Clark told the council that closures of both parks would also diminish sales taxes collected by the state and the town and Mono County's share of sales and hotel taxes. Understandably, the council has complained to state representatives.

--Pete Thomas

Photo: A young girl walks past Bodie's old Methodist Church. Credit: Bob Carey/Los Angeles Times

Eastern Sierra fishing odyssey thrilling despite a slow bite

Some anglers have all the luck. Ron Obray of Auburn, Calif., caught and released the impressive brown trout in the accompanying photo while on a recent Crowley Lake excursion with Sierra Drifters guide service.

Guide Tom Loe shared the image in an e-mail delivered this morning. But the fish undoubtedly was caught before my brother and I rolled into the Eastern Sierra region Friday afternoon, along with massive clouds that produced booming thunder, lightning, hail, rain and even snow atop the higher peaks.

At one point Saturday, while on a remote section of Bishop Creek's upper South  Fork, we ran 100 yards through a lumpy meadow and dodged towering pines to escape pelting rain and hail. While sitting in my SUV waiting out the downpour, we witnessed amid the grayness a neon-white bolt strike a large rock close to where we'd been standing.

But there were dry periods during which we fished hard, learning first-hand that hatchery-planted rainbows -- the dumb fish, easy to catch -- had been all but eliminated by large crowds during the previous Memorial Day weekend.

The wild and far more warier brown trout were numerous and easy to spot through polarized sunglasses. But they were incredibly difficult to fool with mini-jigs and spinners, which we chose as our only arsenal, and we caught none worthy of photos.

Sunday fishing was even slower but the weather improved and the scenery was spectacular, with cotton-colored clouds floating amid the peaks and contrasting a brilliant-blue sky. We acknowledged that fishing in this region is secondary to its splendor and agreed that the only bad thing about an Eastern Sierra weekend getaway is returning home to congested freeways and the eye-sore that is a crowded city landscape.

But there's always another weekend.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: Ron Obray of Auburn, Calif., displays a brown trout caught on a Broke Back Gillie at Crowley Lake. Credit: Sierra Drifters guide service
 

Trout and catfish plants for Southern California and Eastern Sierra during the week beginning June 1

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked throughout the week of June 1 with rainbow trout or catfish by the Department of Fish and Game:

LOS ANGELES: Bouquet Canyon Creek, Castaic Lagoon and Pyramid Lake.

ORANGE: Trabuco Creek.

SAN BERNARDINO: Gregory Lake and Lytle Creek (Middle & North Forks).

SAN DIEGO: Cuyamaca Lake.

VENTURA: Piru Lake.

INYO: Bishop Creek Lower, Lone Pine Creek, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Owens River (Section 2), Pleasant Valley Reservoir and Sabrina Lake. 

MONO: Bridgeport Reservoir, Buckeye Creek, Convict Lake, Deadman Creek, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake,  Lundy Lake, Mill Creek, Owens River (Section 3), Robinson Creek, Silver Lake, Twin Lake Bridgeport (Lower & Upper), Virginia Creek and Virginia Lake (Lower & Upper).    

Catfish:

LOS ANGELES: Alondra Park Lake, Belvedere Lake, Echo Park Lake, Kenneth Hahn Lake, Hansen Lake, Hollenbeck Lake, Lincoln Park Lake and Magic Johnson Lake.

Photo: Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery in Independence, which was closed last year after a mudslide, reopened Saturday to visitors though will not be raising trout. Credit: Mark Boster/Los Angeles Times

Mt. Whitney fish hatchery to reopen Saturday

 
The Mt. Whitney fish hatchery will reopen to visitors beginning Saturday at 10 a.m.

The historic trout breeding center in Independence, which began operation in 1917, was closed last year when floods and mudslides caused extensive damage to ponds, pumps and outbuildings.

The Friends of Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery, headed by Bruce Ivey, led a cleanup and recovery effort that brought about the reopening of the facilities.

Visitors can tour the grounds and the main building, which is now an interpretative center with displays and historic information.

The pond in front of the hatchery has also been cleaned and stocked with trout. Though there are no plans in the near future to raise fish onsite, the ones currently in the pond are Department of Fish and Game brood trout that will be used next March for breeding.

To celebrate the opening, there will be a barbecue dinner held at the hatchery Saturday at 5 p.m., with tickets available at the location.

-- Kelly Burgess

Photo: Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery. Credit: California Department of Fish and Game

Trout and catfish plants for Southern California and Eastern Sierra during the week beginning May 25

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked throughout the week of May 25  with rainbow trout or catfish by the Department of Fish and Game:

LOS ANGELES: Castaic Lake, El Dorado Park Lakes, Elizabeth Lake and Legg Lakes. 

INYO: Bishop Creek Intake II, Bishop Creek Lower, Lone Pine Creek, North Lake, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Owens River (Section 2), Sabrina Lake and South Lake. 

MONO: Bridgeport Reservoir, Convict Creek, Lee Vining Creek, Mammoth Creek, McGee Creek, Owens River (Section 3), Rush Creek, Sherwin Creek and Virginia Lake (Lower & Upper).    

Catfish:

SAN DIEGO: Chollas Lake, Lindo Lake and Murray Lake.

Photo credit: Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times

Trout and catfish plants for Southern California and Eastern Sierra during the week beginning May 18

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked throughout the week of May 18 with rainbow trout or catfish by the Department of Fish and Game:

LOS ANGELES: Bouquet Canyon Creek, Castaic Lagoon, Puddingstone Lake and Santa Fe Reservoir

ORANGE: Trabuco Creek

RIVERSIDE: Hemet Lake and Perris Lake

SAN BERNARDINO: Arrowbear Lake, Big Bear Lake, Gregory Lake, Jenks Lake, Mojave Narrows Regional Park Lake, Santa Ana River, Santa Ana River South Fork and Silverwood Lake

SANTA BARBARA: Cachuma Lake and Santa Ynez River

VENTURA: Casitas Lake, Piru Lake, Rancho Simi Park Lake and Reyes Creek

INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek Lower, Cottonwood Creek, Diaz Lake, Georges Creek, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Owens River (Section 2), Sheperds Creek, Symmes Creek, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek and Tuttle Creek

MONO: Bridgeport Reservoir, Buckeye Creek, Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Deadman Creek, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Little Walker Lake, Little Walker River, Lundy Lake, Mammoth Creek, McGee Creek, Mill Creek, Owens River (Section 3), Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Sections 1 & 2), Rock Creek Lake, Rush Creek, Silver Lake, Twin Lake Bridgeport (Lower & Upper), Virginia Creek, Virginia Lake (Lower & Upper) and West Walker River (Sections 2 & 3)

Catfish:

LOS ANGELES: Cerritos Park Lake, Downey Lake, El Dorado Park Lake, Ford Park Lake, La Mirada Lake, Legg Lake, Peck Road Park Lake, Puddingstone Lake and Santa Fe Reservoir

Photo: An angler holds his catch at Paradise Cove along Lake Isabella. Credit: Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times

Mammoth Mountain to remain open at least through June 14

It's been a rocky season for Mammoth Mountain Ski Area. High gas prices, coupled with a recession, which led to laying off 100 employees, created financial hardship at the Eastern Sierra resort.

But there is good news for skiers and snowboarders. Because of abundant early season snowfall and a few robust spring storms, the expansive resort announced it will remain open until at least June 14. It currently boasts a base depth of 6 to 12 feet.

Numbers-wise, Mammoth should end up with slightly more than 1 million visits, which is close to last year's tally but well short of the record high of 1.6 million visits set during the winter of 2005-06.

Will the financial picture improve next season? It's anyone's guess. Meanwhile, conditions for skiing and riding are good, the slopes are uncrowded and the scenery is spectacular. Wish I were there now....

(Side note: Sierra Star Golf Course is scheduled to open May 22.)

--Pete Thomas

Photo courtesy of Mammoth Mountain

Brown trout devours 14-inch rainbow trout at Hot Creek Ranch

The following tall-but-true tale about a rainbow-eating brown trout at Hot Creek Ranch near Mammoth Lakes in the Eastern Sierra is shared by Ken Lindsay of Fisherman's Spot in Van Nuys:

Lindsay's report: "While waiting for the hatch to start, I was prospecting the run above the upper bridge and noticed something unusual in the pool below the bridge. It looked like two silvery orbs in the shallow section of the pool. I edged closer and realized that it was a huge 30-inch brown trout with a 14-inch rainbow in his jaws.

"The silvery underbelly of the rainbow was what had attracted my attention. I was able to get a little closer and get a couple of pics and a short video before he moved off into the deeper part of the pool where I could not see him through the camera lens. I could however see with my polarized glasses as the brown occasionally shook the rainbow and waited until it died. He then spat it out, took it head first in his mouth and swallowed it whole."

The video clip is not premier quality but here it is:

-- Pete Thomas

Trout and catfish plants for Southern California and Eastern Sierra during the week beginning May 11

The following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked throughout the week of May 11 with rainbow trout or catfish by the Department of Fish and Game:

LOS ANGELES: Alondra Park Lake, Arroyo Seco Creek, Belvedere Lake, Castaic Lake, Cerritos Lake, Downey Lake, Echo Park Lake, El Dorado Park Lake, Hollenbeck Park Lake, Jackson Lake, Kenneth Hahn Lake, La Mirada Lake, Legg Lake and Lincoln Park Lake.

ORANGE: Laguna Lake.

RIVERSIDE: Hemet Lake and Strawberry Creek.

SAN BERNARDINO: Green Valley Lake, Miller Canyon Creek and Silverwood Lake.

SAN DIEGO: Doane Pond.

INYO: Bishop Creek (Middle and South Forks), Bishop Creek Intake 2, Bishop Creek Lower, North Lake, Owens River (Section 2), Sabrina Lake and South Lake.

MONO: Bridgeport Reservoir.

Catfish:

SAN DIEGO: Chollas Lake, Lindo Lake and Murray Lake.

Photo credit: Stephen Osman/Los Angeles Times

Trout plants for Southern California and Eastern Sierra during the week beginning May 4

Barring adverse weather, water or road conditions, the following is a list of Southern California and Eastern Sierra waters, listed by county, that will be stocked throughout the week of May 4 with rainbow trout by the Department of Fish and Game:

LOS ANGELES: Castaic Lagoon, Cuddy Creek Pond, Elizabeth Lake, Hansen Lake, Peck Road Park Lake, Puddingstone Lake, Pyramid Lake and Santa Fe Reservoir.

ORANGE: Trabuco Creek.

RIVERSIDE: Perris Lake.

SAN BERNARDINO: Arrowbear Lake, Big Bear Lake, Gregory Lake, Jenks Lake, Mojave Narrows Regional Park Lake, Santa Ana River and Santa Ana River South Fork.

SANTA BARBARA: Cachuma Lake and Santa Ynez River.

VENTURA: Casitas Lake and Reyes Creek.

INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Cottonwood Creek, Georges Creek, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, North Lake, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Pleasant Valley Reservoir, Rock Creek Lake, Sheperds Creek, Symmes Creek, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek and Tuttle Creek.

MONO: Bridgeport Reservoir, Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Little Walker River, Mammoth Creek, McGee Creek, Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Sections 1 & 2), Rush Creek, Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake, Twin Lake Bridgeport (Lower & Upper), Virginia Creek and West Walker River (Sections 2 & 3).   

Photo: Trout swim through a holding pond at the Kern River Hatchery. Credit: Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times.

Eastern Sierra trout opener revisited: A picture is worth 1,000 words

Congratulations to Santa Barbara's Gary Ponto (above) for landing one of the prettiest fish during Saturday's opening of the Eastern Sierra trout-fishing season. The 2.5-pound cutthroat was caught at June Lake, which also yielded a 10.8-pound rainbow and lots of fish in the 3- to 6-pound range.

Congratulations also are in order for Garrett Arman, 8, who took top kid honors at nearby Gull Lake by catching a 5.4-pound rainbow (below).

As you can see by the clothing these two anglers wore, it was a cold opener. Arman, who lives in Trail, Ore., said he didn't mind the cold and just loves "trying to catch big fish." He succeeded Saturday, out-fishing John Arman, his pop.

-- Pete Thomas

 

Photo credit: Pete Thomas / Los Angeles Times

Trout opener provided thrills, chills for anglers of all ages

Orange County's Dave Finkelstein (pictured above) had reason to smile after pulling an estimated 3-pound Alpers rainbow from a hole in the ice Sunday morning at South Lake atop Bishop Creek Canyon.

The catch, on a mini-jig, marked an ideal ending to a wild and varied opening weekend of trout fishing in the Eastern Sierra. Saturday was snowy, blustery and bitter cold. Boats were swamped at Crowley Lake, and vehicles slid from icy canyon roads. Yet anglers of all ages toughed it out and made impressive catches. 

Sunday was sunny and calm, revealing the region in all its majestic splendor. I fished from the ice at South Lake with Marlon Meade, left, and a fun and enthusiastic group, and most of us caught limits before departing homeward, packing memories of another treasured opener.

Hopefully, the thousands who attended this year's angling extravaganza made it through the weekend and out of the region safely, and will be back next year. If you have never ice fished, I suggest you give it a try. It's a lot of fun and the fishing, as you can see, is generally very good.

--Pete Thomas

Photos by Pete Thomas/Los Angeles Times