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JHO Fishermen Rock and Roll at DoubleHaul

Fritz Schmitt - Southern California
September 28, 2004

ProStaffers, David Blake and Fritz Schmitt, headed up to Lake Crowley, California for the Fall classic float tube event. The Double Haul In The Fall has become one of the premier one-day fly-fishing tournaments in the country. Western Outdoor News (WON) has put together this event for 12 years.

Originally the event was a float tube fly fishing only contest. Now, Mammoth Lakes and WON have opened up the Double Haul to include canoes and kayaks. The field of almost 270 was smaller than years past. Some events had over 350 fly fishers slinging lines. Bill Hutcheson of WON, taking over the reigns from Rod Halperin, did an outstanding job as Tournament director. He upped the awards and prizes to over $50,000 value. He did apologize that WON misrepresented the value at only $40,000, and all the contestants overwhelmingly thanked him for his efforts.

You can only fish from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. As all too often happens, the weather can become a factor in making the time shorter. This year, they called the end of the Tournament at 11:00 a.m. because of wind. In my opinion, the wind, rain, or even lightning, have been worse in years past, but they felt it was too much to continue.

In order to qualify for a prize, you have to enter a fish over 18", worth 18 points; 19" fish are worth 20 points; 20" fish are worth 22 points and so on. This year there were only 67 scored fish. A small group of anglers caught and released 3 scoreable fish each, which placed them in the better goodies. More about that later…

The fish grow large in Lake Crowley. There is something about the food source that acts like a steroid for trout. The Department of Fish and Game can plant ½-pounders in the fall that grow to a pound or better by the spring opener in April. The lake once held the State-record brown trout. A copy of the mount can be seen in Jack’s Waffle House in Bishop.

Along with the large trout, the lake holds a nice population of Sacramento Perch. The lake record for the perch is 13+ pounds and I measured a copy of the fish at 13+”. In my first Double Haul event, I caught 2 perch over 15", to which I said some harsh words as I threw them back. I really thought I had caught a qualifying fish, only to find this big flat slab on my line. Who knows, maybe a new State record left my net with a friendly word or two about keeping my fly available for a big trout. Catching any of Crowley’s large fish from a float tube can get your blood going.

In years past, I have seen large fish strike, get hooked, swim directly towards the angler, get unhooked as they go between the angler’s legs and leave one bewildered fisher talking in the breeze. Another angler caught a very large trout. It was large enough to fill his net with the body, leaving the head and tail hanging out. As he waved the flag to get a judge, he decided to splash some water on his prize (would have been worth $3000-$4000 as a team qualifier and individual qualifying fish). The fish came out of his stupor and flopped out of the cotton hammock, all within 20 yards of the judge’s boat. I was 30-40 yards from the show and would guess that fish weighed over 8 pounds and was close to 30". I can still hear the wails of “NO, NO, aaaah...”

This year, Team JHO ProStaff gave a valiant effort to qualify in the Tournament, but ProStaffer, David Blake, could only muster a 14" fish. I was too far away to get him the fish stretcher. We both caught fish, but my 8 and his others, were smaller than that fish. Maybe next year, we can do a bit of practice with JHO member, Hronk, and get better dialed in for the lake.

Who knows what could have happened if the tournament had gone the full time? That extra 3 hours might have made a difference. The one time in a past Double Haul that I placed, I tied for tenth, but lost the official title by a draw. That day I caught my qualifier at 1:30 p.m.

Also, ProStaffer Blake will become better acquainted with his float tube and Lake Crowley. I give him credit for jumping in with both fin-wearing feet. After he mastered the simple art of kicking in a straight line, he used his good fishing skills to catch some small fish. Guess it is a good thing he does not have one of the original ‘donut’ float tubes. He would still be spinning in a circle. The first time fishing any body of water is tough, to do it in a big event, makes it tougher. One lesson that can be learned is to watch the wind and your drift. The farther you travel down wind, the farther and HARDER you have to kick to get back. Ask Dave; he knows a thing or two about kicking now.

After the contest ends, the real fun can begin… like the 5.4 and 5.5 earthquakes, 30 miles away, that hit at 4:02 p.m. and 4:43 p.m. respectively.

Around 3:30 p.m. the awards banquet begins with a general raffle. Contestants get a raffle ticket with their entry. While some prizes are nice, other prizes can be very good. I was lucky this year and won a pair of Elton sunglasses along with some other goodies. They give away G Loomis Rods, different reels, Cortland lines, Jensen Smokers, Bucks Bag, numerous gift certificates, guided trips, lodging and other excellent prizes. It amazes me how many don’t show up for the awards. Some folks missed out on great raffle prizes because they did not show up. More about that later...

Tournament Director, Bill Hutcheson, awards the finalist in the kids competition, women division, and team winners. Winners get plaques, some great rods, new tubes and many other miscellaneous prizes. The Team winners also won a nice trip.

He then gets to the top ten finishers in the contest. This year, all had a multi-fish day on the water. Places 10th - 8th all caught the same number and size of fish, so the deck of cards comes out and high card wins; 6 of Diamonds beat 6 of Clubs for eighth place, while the 2 took tenth. Prize value went from $300 for 10th, $400 for 9th, and $500 for 8th. Another tie for 6th and 7th was also decided by a card pick. Their prizes had equal values on awards. The top 5 get great prizes, but also a plaque to memorialize their accomplishments. The top 3 winners won rods and reels, other goodies and a beautiful hand carved trout trophy... something I will drool over until next year when I might get to that level.

Each contestant caught 3 scored fish. 3rd place had 59 points and his prizes were worth $1000; 2nd place had 60 points which earned him $1350 worth of prizes. The number one fisher, with 64 points, took home a quality rod, some other goodies, and a $4200 trip to Alaska, total winnings worth $5,000. On top of all that, he also had the big fish that earned him a plaque and a hand wrapped Thomas and Thomas rod valued over $900 made by Sierra Custom Rods.

After the winners are announced, Hutcheson then puts all the tickets back into the bin and shakes them up for the grand prizes. This year he had 3 excellent items; Zeiss binoculars, Stearns inflatable craft, and the grand prize a 4-day trip for 4 to Alaska worth $8,000. At the last minute, Malibu Kayaks donated a $1,100 boat. The amazing thing was that after the first number was picked for the Alaska trip, a dozen or more people bailed out of the room. The first ticket had no takers. So they drew another 3 tickets. Just think, someone that was entered in the Tournament could have had a 4 day-$8k- trip to Alaska.

Next year, JHO would love to have a full contingent of JHO contestants. The event promises camping by the side of the lake, a nice BBQ and campfire followed by a day on the water. The event can be tough for some because of the conflict with deer openers. I know I did not fish this event for three years because I held coveted deer tags for X9A and X9B. You never know if you get on a hot spot, you too could be taking home a bunch of goodies and a great plaque or even a hand-carved trophy. This year, Team JHO ProStaff took home the coveted inaugural “JHO Rock n’ Roll” award. To qualify you have to be on a posted JHO event and have a 3.0 earthquake strike within 35 miles of the event or outing.