Owens River Fishout
by Elaine Cook
Owens River Fishout
by Elaine Cook
This trip featured more babbling lips than babbling brooks. The fishing was made very challenging due to several factors. L.A. Water and Power was releasing over 500 cfs in the lower Owens. For those of you who are unfamiliar, this water way is best fished at 80 to 150 cfs. Over the years, the Gorge has become very silted because of no spring runoff. This has resulted in a decrease in size and number of fish. (Too bad!) Pleasant Valley Reservoir fished poorly. Due to the big snow storm that came through at the beginning of the week, we weren't able to access Hot Creek & upper Owens till late in the trip and never could get to Rabbit Ears. Hot Creek was the best by far. Waking up to two inches of snow in camp was beautiful, the campfires were great, and as said before, wonderful, abundant, interesting conversation due to the fine company of Betty Rentz, Deanna Raudman, Doug Severin, Kathy Powers, Thomas and Suzanne Mann, Shan Crockett, and Andrew Feldman (who recently moved to Bishop).
Roostercomb Ranch #1
by Fred Messner
Cecilia suggested that the people from Roostercomb1 might want to share their experience with the club. Since this was my first trip; I had many new things happen. I caught my first fish, a bass, on a fly line. Cecilia and Richard were "coaching" me from the bank on how to land it. At one point I had the poor fish totally out of the water and only 6 inches from my rod tip. I had seen videos of the proper way to land a fish; but my adrenalin caused me to forget all of that. Cecelia and Richard helped me correct my mistakes with come later catches. It was exciting!
The ponds and the surrounding countryside are postcard beautiful. Floating on the tubes is better than being in a hot tub wiith a Margarita. I did have some trouble with the back seat rest and I wound up unintentionally in a semi-lounge chair position. I need to make some adjustments.
I have never been in 4-wheel drive territory before and it did give me some pause. I kept thinking about the phrase "we have nothing to fear but fear itself". This initial fear was increasing when they told me to watch out for rattlesnakes. I'm a city boy from Philadelphia who has only seen rattlesnakes in the zoo. Yikes! Scott killed one while we were there. None of this will keep me from going on Roostercomb 3.
The rest of the club group treated me like I had known them for years. They were great! The food was extremely tasty. I am not a fussy eater but I do know good food when I get it. I hope the pancake recipe and Cecilia's potato recipes wind up in the newsletter.
I think I was the first one in bed both nights (by myself!)
Scott's hospitality was exceptional. He cooked aged Elk from his property for us two nights. He also drove me to the ranch and to the ponds since I did not have a 4-wheel drive.
I am looking forward to the next trip.