Columnist Paula DelGiudice: Fly fishing season about to heat up

Paula DelGiudice

Wednesday, April 25, 2001 | 9:46 a.m.

Paula DelGiudice's outdoors notebook appears Wednesday. Reach her at desertdenizens@aol.com.

If the weather would ever stabilize, then outdoors people could plan their weekends around their fishing excursions instead of the television set.

That's especially important with some of the best fly fishing of the season either just beginning or about ready to begin. Reports from the Owens River in California are just a hint of the fishing that's about to come.

Anglers drifting the Lower Owens River near Bishop are reporting catches of nice sized rainbows (three to five-pound range). The Lower Owens River wild trout section is producing excellent catches, as has the Owens River Gorge.

These are just hints to get you thinking about the impending California fishing opener on April 28. Other waters in the Bishop area that are slated for the April 28 opener are Crowley Lake and the Upper Owens River. Hot Creek and the San Joaquin River will open on the 28th as well.

For more information on the best spots to fish the opener near Bishop, call Brock's Fly Fishing Specialists and Tackle Experts in Bishop, Calif., at (888) 619-3581 or e-mail them at brocksflyfish@telis.org.

"There have been several instances recently where anglers who were using powered canoes and rafts didn't realize that these vessels needed to be registered," said NDOW game warden Dennis Roden. "However, vessels that are rowed and don't have motors do not need to be registered."

Roden also said that all boats must carry one wearable lifejacket for each person aboard. Throwable seat cushions do not meet this requirement.

Boat registration information and fees may be obtained by calling NDOW's Las Vegas office at 486-5127 or Henderson office at 486-6742. The offices are open weekdays, except holidays, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The new fees range from $2 to $8 for tours of Lehman Caves, depending on your age and the length of the tour. Non-refundable advance cave tour sales are available by telephoning (775) 234-7331 ext. 242. Advance cave tour tickets may be purchased with a Visa or MasterCard from one to 30 days in advance of the desired tour on a space available basis.

The fee for overnight camping is $10 per site. There are 11 sites available at the Lower Lehman Creek Campground, including six pull-through sites. The Upper Lehman Creek Campground, open weather permitting from May through September, has 24 sites, including one accessible site. The Baker Creek Campground has 32 sites including six pull-through sites and two accessible sites. The Wheeler Peak Campground has 37 sites, including one accessible site. The Wheeler Peak Campground is not recommended for vehicles longer than 24 feet.

For more information, visit the park's website at www.nps.gov/grba or call (775) 234-7331, ext. 0 for more information.