The MidCurrent blog is three hours ahead of the Trout Underground, so he gets to all the good stories first. I’d be cranky about it, but in truth, it just makes my life that much easier.
This time, Marshall uncovered a bit in the San Diego Union-Tribune about the new “early” season regulations allowing fishing in the Eastern Sierra.
There seems to be a bit of confusion about the regulations (given the non-impact of a winter season on the Upper Sacramento, expect to see more winter fly fishing in the state).
“‘When we didn’t see any other fishermen by 9 a.m. we thought we messed up and actually called Fish and Game from the river to make sure we weren’t breaking any laws,’ said Gary Conway, 60, who drove seven hours with his fishing buddy, Dennis Stevens, 60, from Solvang to fish the Upper Owens River.”
I read the whole story in the San Diego paper, and caught myself wondering if a lot of fly fishers aren’t a few flies shy of a full box, if you get my drift, but I suppose they catch a break because the signs were wrong.
More interestingly, I thought the local Sheriff’s objections to an early season (”Scholl wondered how many search-and-rescue operations would be needed for fishermen not accustomed to fishing in freezing temperatures and driving on snow-covered roads”) were ludicrous.
Fly fishers unsafe at any speed? C’mon…
If the roads are dangerous, close ‘em. If not, well, people are allowed to drive on them.
Anyway, here’s today’s question: are fly fishers simply too dumb to figure out minimally complex regulations? And if not, are they incapable of driving in winter conditions?
Discuss…
[tags]fly fishing, season, sierras, midcurrent, california[/tags]
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Kevin 03.02.07 at 9:14 am
I have never once had the DFG actually answer the phone when I called a regional office.
Bill Anderson 03.02.07 at 9:48 am
Driving in the snow! All I want to know is how did they keep the ice from building up on their rod eyelets. If I knew how I could fly fish all year !
rriver 03.02.07 at 9:51 am
I remember when I first moved to Oregon, and would spend hours reading the regulations. They can be quite confusing. Especially during certain times, when for instance Steelhead are legal and trout are not. You can fish, but you need a steelhead harvest tag, even if you catch and release. Using terms like “Below Hog’s Creek” can be meaningless to someone who is not familar with the area, as an example.
I find that the regular person you bump into fishing has no idea, and as a result kill fish illegally, claiming ignorance.
Most fly fisher’s though do know the regs. I have only run into one illegal fish killing fly fisher in 8 years.
- rriver
Tom Chandler 03.02.07 at 10:39 am
Rivers involving anadromous fish often have complex regulations. Believe me, none of the Eastern Sierra rivers have that problem.
Ice buildup? The pastes only work so long. Eventually you end up shortlining everything so no line carries water into the guides…
Steven 03.02.07 at 12:04 pm
“I’d be cranky about it, but”
No buts, you sound pretty cranky to me.
The new reg change was a bit confusing. I only got confirmation that the Pit opened up on 03/01 a few days ago but I have been hearing about it since the regs passed back in December. Being outta town I did not follow up on it cause I’m not in a position to do much about it, kinda bummed to miss a ‘new’ opener.
How about a report from someone who hit it on the opener, if they managed to survive the drive? But ya know, it is sometimes scary when some desert-bred folks (SO CA and AZ) try to drive in the snow.
No experience at it. It can get ugly.
I wonder how much (if any) snow is on the ground around PIT 5? Now we really have to get someway to check PIT flows online so we don’t drive over there when it is blown out.
Dave Neal 03.02.07 at 2:18 pm
The answer to your questions…yes, sometimes…and yes, definetely. Alkaline/snow mud on the U. Owens is avoided by even the local hardcore, toothless “muddin” crowd. Right now, the roads are in great shape…but that can change quickly with any storm.
Tom Chandler 03.02.07 at 5:35 pm
Maybe the roads do get greasy, but that’s hardly reason to negate the longer fishing season. The roads are closed or they’re not.
And wow, StevenB pops in from his vacation home in sunny Arizona. Slacker! When you coming back?
Sadly, you haven’t missed much this winter.
Larry Swearingen 03.02.07 at 8:14 pm
Hey Steven B,
It isn’t that far over to Pit 5. Just take that little shortcut around McCloud Res and past Ash Camp. :>)
You’ll be there in no time at all.
Assuming you have a snow cat that is.
Larry S from Sunny SoCal
Dave Neal 03.02.07 at 10:31 pm
“Maybe the roads get greasy…”? Dude, paved roads get greasy…these are not paved roads! The roads that access these streams are on dirt, sometimes alkaline laded dusty mud traps (in places) In a normal winter these roads are under 3 feet of snow, so they are essentially closed. But this year they are not…trust me, some yahoo is going to drive 3 mi up the Upper O. in the a.m. when the road is frozen. Then later, the road will thaw…he’ll get stuck (no cel rec.) and be up shit creek. I am stoked for these streams to be open, however, don’t get me wrong. But people have to understand the consequences. Mammoth weather isn’t typical Cali weather. I hope people just use common sense is all.