Eastern Sierra Opener 2005

[aconcrete]

Only 62 days and 12 hours left till trout opener http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-dancin-red.gif
Better start early and get your gear ready time is short http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-bag-on-head.gif

The shotguns cleaned and put away for the season and now it&#39;s time to get out the poles.

Is the time between the end of january and the end of april drive anyone else crazy http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-ren.gif ...Or is it just me. http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-crying-blue.gif

[tmoniz]

I needed a Prosac the day after deer season ended. I&#39;ve been way to busy to think about flyfishing until you brought it. Now I&#39;m really a wreck.

I usually avoid the opener in the Eastern Sierra&#39;s because every time I go I freeze my butt off. I&#39;ll probably fish the Owens while the wife snowboards in Mammoth.

[aconcrete]

I&#39;m glad i could get ya started on gettin ready for the next season. http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-faces-toast-beers.gif

I&#39;m with you though, i usuall y dont go out till the 2nd week of may.
Mostly because of the opening day crowd.
The weather is part of the fun out there.

Last november a week before closing i went out float tubing upper twin in Bridgeport. http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-ren.gif
Snow everywhere no fish under 3+ lbs, had a blast

[Cloak N Dagger]

I can remember pacing the floor waiting on opening day of trout season. Not being able to sleep the night before, and standing by the creek bank looking at my watch. http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/uploads/post-55-1109449223.gif

Fortunately, they did away with "opening day" a few years ago here in VA. Now we can trout fish 365 days a year!!! http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-dancin-red.gif http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-dancin-red.gif http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/banana-man-yeah.gif

[gc4279]

I&#39;m SOooo ready for trout season to start. http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thumbs-up-ani.gif As a marter of fact I&#39;m so ready I&#39;ve got two trips to the Kern planned batween now and then. As far as the Sierra opener goes things are still kind of open. Some friends and I have gone to Crowley the last few years but are thinking of waiting an extra week this year too because of the crowds. At the same time it&#39;s kind of nice seeing some of the same people every year opening weekend.
Gary C.

[aconcrete]

Every year is a different experience.
Last year we had great weather, the Virginia lakes were thawed out and fished well.
So did a lot of the others.
The year before it snowed 4 out of the 5 days we were there and we walked across big virginia(frozen solid) http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-ren.gif
Both trips were a blast.
This year should be interesting.
I think the higher lakes will be frozen over and there will still be plenty of snow around.
Last year we were able to drive up to ellery and tioga, the year before they still had the road closed at lee vining pond.

Im getting all excited just talking about it......is it may yet? http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-bag-on-head.gif

[karstic]

We were up at Convict last weekend and the fishing bug bit. I CAN&#39;T WAIT. Don&#39;t think I&#39;ll hit the opener but sometime soon after. It may be an interesting year with the amount of snow up there.

Southern opener is on Saturday, you know.

[Loye]

Anybody here going to fish the Inyo Co. Opener next weekend. Im planning to fish Cottonwood Creek and Lone Pine Creek.

[aconcrete]

Planning on that second week of may.
Works to backed up from all this rain http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/afraid_face.gif
Plus gotta put a few bucks away so i can make it a 5-6 day trip this year.

[tmoniz]

Did you say the Lee Vining Pond!

Quiet. No body should know about that place. That place is like fishing in Disneyland.

They trashed it this year due to construction and drained it. Broke my heart.
I&#39;ve caught tons of fattys there on a Prince Nymph. Some big Brooks as well.

I had a lot of fun at Leavitt Lake last October. Nobody there and full of fish.
I&#39;ll probably hit the Owens below Pleasant Valley in about 2 weeks while the wife and kids are up on the hill trying to hurt themselves.

[aconcrete]

Went up to Leavitt in the middle of July, the drive in was great and thought we were on to something that no body else new about.
Once we got in...........people everywhere.
Fished for awhile and took off to try and find a place with a few less people around.

From now on well just call the other place the pond.
I was there last year too when it was drained..........a pretty depressing site.
Hopefully it will be going full blast this year.

[tmoniz]

I only fish Leavitt in the fall when everybody is gone and during the week.
Yeah the pond was depressing. I hope they are done and refilling it for the opener.
What with all the snow it should fill in a few minutes.

[aconcrete]

Have you ever fished Dynamo and green creek?
Stayed there a few nights last year not to many fish but very peaceful and quiet.
Only saw 1 or 2 other fishers out there.

[tmoniz]

My boys camp and fish at Green Creek. I&#39;ve only driven part way in and scouted for deer. Nice country. I think their trips are more beer related than fish.
Leavitt can be alot of fun in the fall when all the flatlanders are at work. It&#39;s a zoo in the summer. Last year my brother and I caught and released about 3 dozen rainbows. Kept three for dinner. Never heard of Dynamo.

[aconcrete]

Dynamo pond is not to far from green creek.
It has a marker that says it used to supply power for the town of Bodie back in the day.

[wello]

For those not familiar with these areas being talked about I would highly recommend going for a multi day hike/fish experience.. Upper and Lower Twin Lkaes is where the state big brown boys came from so that has created a mad house atmosphere for many years now. Sort of an LA folk recreation destination with reserved cabins and RVer&#39;s. It does have plenty of bank access and boat rentals and is good near the West end as mentioned for floaters. But putting the resortiness of it aside the whole area in general is the definative Trout Mecca http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-bowdown-purple.gif with hike trails back into high country ponds, lakes, and streams that team with rainbows, brookies, and even some goldens...
I can hardly wait them fish are always so hungry. I fish the area yearly ever since some old timers took me out and showed me the secret- Park and camp at twin and make it look like that is where you got your big fish... http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-wnk-yellow.gif-
I plan to fish the Walker, Buckeye, Bridgeport, and maybe hike upto Mt Emma.
For those that might want to hike out of the Twin area I hear Barney is a great spot... might trip over the bear that layed that doody Backcountry was playing with last hunting season though .. http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/afraid_face.gif

[aconcrete]

Wello,
When are you planning on the first trip?
I like float tubing the upper twin just outside the marina or shore fishing the rocks leading into the village. http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-dancin-red.gif
I&#39;ve caught some nice fish out of that lake as long as the wind stays down.
Looking forward to a good fishing season.

GOOD LUCK AND HAPPY FISHING http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-faces-toast-beers.gif

[wello]

Aconcrete, Not at all exactly sure yet. Have to make plans around heaps of work and bigger younger family (babies)....And so I have to buy a new real cheap townhouse sized tent over at Costco this next week (on coupon) and make sure weather warms up enough and such. And oh yea, a new cooler is in order as a bear got mine last year at Frenchmeadows. I&#39;ll likely hit that place first with my older son as soon as I know I can get all the way in past the snow. If you hit that place at just the right time you can hook onto some huge +4lb. browns in the incoming melt off when the water is still high.....

With what I just said, I guess I am not at all ready. http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-hitting-self.gif



..also, what is it you do with concrete?..I use high pressure on it myself..

GOODlUCK YA ALL..& HAPPY FISHIN !! http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-wave-hello-yellow.gif . ..watch out for them rattlers if yer goin low..well not too low as I done seen them there abouts at 7k ft. a time or so... http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-wnk-yellow.gif

[aconcrete]

Wello,
I&#39;m a concrete contractor, pretty much do foundation work and all sorts of flatwork.
Where abouts is frenchmeadows.
Dont have to give me exact location, but ive been going up to the E. sierras about 30+ years and ive never heard of it http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-bag-on-head.gif
Ill be hitting the general area for 5 days come the 2nd week of may.
Will fish lee vining creek, the virginias(if not frozen), lundy, upper twin and hopefully more.
Can&#39;t wait for May http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-dancin-red.gif

[Gotdux]

aconcrete- ever fished Kirman? I think that&#39;s how you spell it...I&#39;m planning on hiking in there after a fishing the Walker...I once wrote an article on Green Creek,fished it plenty great scenery! GD

[tmoniz]

That&#39;s it!

I&#39;m heading up to the Owens next week.

One of my boys fishes Kirmin. He mentioned it&#39;s not fishable from the bank. You have to tube it.

The only French Meadows I can remember is in the Tahoe National Forest out of ForestHill. I think. Gets kinda crowded.

[aconcrete]

Have not fished Kirman lake but i have also heard that it is only fishable by tube.
Plan on trying it this spring/summer, they say its about a 2 mile hike in and a fairly easy hike.
Most reports i get though is that it aint a secret spot anymore and plenty of people fish it, most fish are 2lbs+.
In that general area we did a 4-5 mile hike to Roosevelt lake/lane lake.
Beautiful area saw 3 people all day.
Saw plenty of BIG fish cruising the shorline but of course they werent biting.
Still a long hike but worth the adventure.

[wello]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>
Where abouts is frenchmeadows.[/b]
umm, maybe about a half dozen mi. from Hell Hole over Chipmunk ridge (have seen ratlers there)towards the North West..It is a long stretched out lake with game refuge around it and now a big fire burn below it to the West. It goes by another name on most maps...Starts with an "E" and is some guys name..Them two lakes are basically the most Eastern lakes you can get to between the 80 and the 50 without going all the way around. Only way you Navada guys can get to them is via Soda Springs to Robinson flat and then down into Frenchmeadows or off 50 around near Ice House or such to get into Hell Hole (pure boat lake)..Sorry for all the info..Just dreamin of getting up there and maybe doing some hiking in the wilderness to the East... Talk about getting away from the fruit and nut folks these places are way in...

[aconcrete]

Wello,
You sound like my kind of fisherman.
I like to stay away from all the crowds also.
Every year it seem to get busier and busier up there, especially over the weekends.
I started going when i was about 8 into the june lake loop and could remember how great it was very few people and great fishing.
now a days its like a zoo on the weekends so i fish the main lakes like the virginias, lundy, twins, ect and over the weekends i&#39;ll hike back to a lake to stay away from the crowds.
Used to like to hike into walker lake by grant lake, but last year did that on a saturday to stay away from the crowds, we spent the night in the parking area so we could get out at first light.
By 10 am we must have had 20 people down by us, the most ive ever seen at this lake.
I spend most of my time fishing farther north now and every year i keep going a little farther.
All in all still love to fish the sierras.
Would be nice to hook up with you up there sometime.

[awackywabbit]

Good to see some old timers here. :) I&#39;ve been visiting the E. Sierras since I was 6 months old, now 30 years later I too long for the old days. We used to hunt & fish, & hike all over. It is like second home to me, but the last 15 years it seems that it is just getting more and more over run with people. I don&#39;t think I&#39;d mind it too much if only they would not litter so much. There is nothing I hate worse then hiking back in to some faraway place and finding trash left behind from careless fisherman, especially tackle fishing line.

Not sure if you ever used to hunt there, but back in the day there were a lot of folks using CB&#39;s. My Dad&#39;s handle was "Dusty", we&#39;ve kept in touch with some of the CB folks we used to talk with, but have not talked to many of them in years. This was back in the late 70&#39;s & early 80&#39;s.

[YORT40]

Well, I&#39;m not into fishing as much as hunting, but it has been a tradition in my family to always be on the lake for the opener. My father started taking me when I was 4, and now I take my kids. The point is, I don&#39;t know if any of the lakes will be ready for the opener. Crowley has only 1 large crack in the ice which travels from Mcgee bay toward Sandy Point. June & Gull lake are completely locked up. I drove by on Friday and the remains of 2 snow slides are still sitting on the ice. It will be too close to call, but if the ice melts in time, it will be a great opener as far as the fishing. Bring your ice pick just in case.

[aconcrete]

Hey yort,
If you get a chance this week take a few pictures and post them on this thread.
Im sure many of us that have not been up since the fall would love to see crowley or the Loop, snow and all

[YORT40]

Thats not a problem, except for today & tomorrow, theres another foot of snow on the ground today in Mammoth & more coming. Yesterday I took the dogs down to the marina, the ice is thick. But there is 1 positive point, for whatever reason LADWP has let the water level get real high. So the shore lines are showing a little water. If the water level continues to rise, it will really help break up the sheets of ice.

[aconcrete]

Looking forward to seeing those pictures!!!
Hopefully we"ll have a warming trend in a few weeks to start breaking things up.
Looking forward to seeing all the lakes this year.
They definetly will be fun to see higher that they were last year.
Looks like we could have a real good year fishing http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-dancin-red.gif

[aconcrete]

Were down to 37 days and 6 hours till opener http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-dancin-red.gif
I must have a serious problem http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-ren.gif
I cant wait much longer im gonna have to start wetting my line in the back yard pool. http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-bag-on-head.gif

[YORT40]

Alright, heres some pictures from yesterday afternoon. A couple of things I want to point out. I SUCK AT TAKING PICTURES!!!! & it took all morning trying to get them to this forum, so don&#39;t laugh. http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-far-sdie-guy-yellin.gif

[YORT40]

Heres a crappy shot of the Convict Lake marina.

[YORT40]

Heres an even more crappier shot of June lake.

[YORT40]

And I&#39;ll end with a crappy shot of the Gull Lake marina.

[aconcrete]

Yort,
Outstanding pictures!!!!!!! http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-dancin-red.gif
Thanks for going out of your way and taking those.
Still quite a bit of snow up there and the lakes sure dont look like their ready to thaw out to soon. http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/afraid_face.gif
I guess all that matters is if they do by the last saturday in april or for me the middle of may.
Thanks again yort.
By the way what is it you do for a living up there by Lake Crowley?

[YORT40]

Its not photography, thats for sure. Actually, I&#39;m an Electrical contractor in Mammoth.

[aconcrete]

None of us are pros with a camera, but its still worth the time to take a few pictures.
Ive never seen june or gull frozen over so i appreciate you taking the time to stop and take a few photos http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-bowdown-purple.gif

[wello]

Is all that snow making you neurotic Yort?....Them be fine pics!. Keep up the effort please as I am about 100% sure the whole forum greatly appreciates high country pics.. http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thumbs-up-ani.gif

[YORT40]

Yep, I must be getting spring fever, or something. I should mention the last few days have been sunny, & Crowley Lake is starting to open up fast. The shore lines are now blue, & the ice is starting crack & pile up in the middle. We will see what happens.

[aconcrete]

I&#39;m with you Yort, I have spring fever as well.
Hopefully the rain for me and the snow for you will end soon.
Its time for those lakes to thaw out and start planning trips up to your neck of the woods.
How long have you been living up there?
Its gotta be nice at the end of the work day to just grab the pole and get in a little fishing before dark!!!!!! http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-dancin-red.gif

[YORT40]

Besides 4 years in college, & a couple in San Diego. I grew up in this area. Another storm hit last night, another 12" of snow!! http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-far-sdie-guy-yellin.gif
I&#39;m over it!!

[aconcrete]

We had rain down here this morning again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-hitting-self.gif
Will this winter ever end????

[aconcrete]

Looks like we are going to get almost a full week of sunny weather down here http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-dancin-red.gif
Yort, Hows the weather up there in Gods country?
Our temps are about to hit in the 80&#39;s.

[aconcrete]

25 days and 7 hours till the OPENER!!!!! http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-dancin-red.gif
I really must get a life http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-bag-on-head.gif
Work all day and sit on the computer at night trying to pass the time till i can exchange my keyboard for a fishing pole.
Bare with me for a little while longer.
I"ll get my fix soon enough http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-ren.gif

[YORT40]

Well, we got another 4" of snow Sunday night, but it melted by Monday afternoon. Heres what Crowley looks like, as of yesterday.
Heres Hilton Bay with a nice high water level. (Last year my duck blind was next to that willow in the middle)

[YORT40]

Heres what the marina looks like:

[YORT40]

Last one, even though the wind is a pain, it will really help break up the ice, if we get more 50 mph bleezes it we did on Saturday.

[Orygun]

wind chill at 50 mph, you can flash freeze your trout for the long trip home

[aconcrete]

Once again great pictures Yort,
I think i can keep my sanity for a while longer as long as you keep the pictures coming.
Helps pass the time.
Thanks for the effort.
If we cross paths this summer...I&#39;m buying!!

[aconcrete]

Gonna bring this back to the top.
Who&#39;s going for the opener?
Where do you plan to fish?
While were at it give me you best Sierra fish or camp story.



Got to much time on my hands http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-bag-on-head.gif

[Cazador Suerte II]

Any predictions on how fishing will be on Crowley for the first couple of weeks?

Last year, if I remenber right, was very warm before the opener, and the midge bite was on early....guessing that wont be the case this year....probably stipping wolley buggers??

[aconcrete]

Yort40 posted on another thread that the ice has finally broken up on crowley.
I would think that it shoul be pretty good all season!!!
But what do i know i spend all my time here http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-bag-on-head.gif
Better start breaking out the gear soon opener is just around the corner http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-dancin-red.gif

[crodog]

Trout opener..Burney,Ca on the 29th and fishing Hat Creek on the 30th... http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/banana-man-yeah.gif

I have a date with my mother in-law...she is one hell of a fisherwoman... http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-wnk-yellow.gif

I also mite wet my line at Baum lake...It&#39;s just outside of Cassel, Ca.

Good luck guys...... http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-wave-hello-yellow.gif

Dan.

[aconcrete]

Sound like your set to go crodog, http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/banana-man-yeah.gif http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/banana-man-yeah.gif
Good luck to ya and knock em dead.
Sounds like ol mom in law may out fish ya http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/afraid_face.gif JK

[YORT40]

Yikes,
Maybe we&#39;ll just skip spring & summer, stay with winter all year. I woke to another couple of inches of snow. Here&#39;s what Convict Lake looked like @ 6 this morning.

[YORT40]

This is for all the knuckle draggers on Jesses. Mammoth this morning.

[aconcrete]

Wow those pictures are unbelievable.
Does it ever stop snowing up there?
Thanks for the update and pictures.
When i come up in a few weeks, instead of fishing i may have to just come up and ice skate http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/afraid_face.gif

[karstic]

Yort that pic of Crowley is actually kinda neat. Wish I was going. http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-crying-blue.gif

[aconcrete]

Less than a week to go till opener!!!!!
Who&#39;s going?
Give us a update when you get back on conditions.

I will be waiting a couple more weeks to let it THAW out a little bit more.
Any info would be great.

And to those that are going this weekend....Good luck and Happy Fishing
Let the Fishing begin.

[wello]

http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/banana-man-yeah.gif http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-dancin-red.gif Gettin very excited over here... what we got a week to go now?...

[aconcrete]

A week is right http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-dancin-red.gif http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-dancin-red.gif
Now that your done with that swing set Wello you can concentrate on setting those poles up http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-faces-toast-beers.gif
Happy Fishing

[wello]

Am debating..snow or not to snow..... Don&#39;t think I can get in where I want to go.. Might ask my other half if I can get away for last week of turkey season instead of trout opener even though I got poisoned real good where the sun don&#39;t shine last time out.... can fish anytime before water level drops at that place I was talking about... http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-sideways-laff-aqua.gif

[wello]

Anyone told ya you got the fishin bug real bad?

Hey aconcrete!.. looks like you got that fishin bug real bad . http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-sideways-laff-aqua.gif

[aconcrete]

Yes, it is true.
The time between the end of quail season and the start of trout season drives me insane http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/stimpy--sm-ani.gif http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-ren.gif
I do love to fish and especially love that trip up to the sierras.
Wello, great pic of your kid.
Mine are 20 and 15 i forget they were cute and adorable at one time(2boys)