Opening Weekend

With many of our rivers going to year round, opening day isn't as big of an event as it used to be.  However, there are some choice waters that still open on the last Saturday in April.  This weekend Brent Dawson of WarPath flies and i got out for a little opening day action.  We checked out some spots around the tahoe area.  As was to be expected, there was a tone of bait dunkers and other fisherman lurking around and staking claim to the spot they had been dreaming of for the past few months.  Alpine County did it's usual stockings that create a big scene on rivers like the West Carson.  This serves as a perfect distraction from some of the less know waters that still have wild fish.  Brent and i managed to navigate our way around a slough of bait fisherman to a couple good runs and pools on some rivers and lakes around North Shore.  We caught several nice healthy wild rainbows, but none of the all coveted browns.  The weather was cold and there was still some snow on the ground from the day before.  Didn't seem to stop those fish from biting.  All and all it was a great way to officially kick off the trout season here in California.

Save Delta Fish.com

Mokelumne Wild and Scenic

The Mokelumne River Canyon is no doubt the shineing gem of the Central Sierra's.  Much of Amador County was tamed long ago by Ranchers and Miners, Dams and Flumes but there are still places that are wild, remote and rugged.    The Mokelumne River Canyon from Salt Springs to Hwy 49 has been has been recommended to be classified as Wild and Scenic.  When you spend some time down there and hike away from the road, the noise of the powerhouses and the buzz of the power lines you can start to hear it talk to you.  It's an ancient voice echoed from stone to stone, whispered by the trees and sang by the river.  It's an experience that can't be measured by dollars or by time.  It's a constant and priceless expression of nature and source of wonder, inspiration and awh.  It's a home to wild animals who's lives are dependent on it like a mother.  It carries the water we drink and turns the turbines that make electricity for our homes.   In many way's is the very source of our existence.  The life blood of the land, animals and people of this region.  

I love to visit the Moke in the Spring.   Amador County is alive with flowers and blooming trees. The hills are green and dotted with splashed of bright colorful flowers.  All the animals are out and prowling around and gathering food.  The river is flowing with cold fresh water and the fish are happy and hungry.  Mr. Otther dives down and catches crayfish while the Eagle over head waits for a fleeing fish.  The elated insects dance in the warm air.  Butterflies, Moths and Bees sip from fragrant flowers and flutter in the breeze.  Mayflies hatch from the depths of the cold water.   The lizards and Salamanders along the river wait for the ones the trout miss.  The birds sing, dip, collect and fly.  They are all part of an eternal spring dance. 

Let's show our respect for the Moke and all that it has given this area over the years.  Help organization like the Foothills Conservancy, Friends of the River, Cal Trout, Trout Unlimited, The Sierra Club, the Sierra Nevada Alliance and Oars in their fight to stop the proposed dam expansion project on Pardee and also to ultimately secure a wild and scenic designation for the 37 miles of the Mokeulumne River Canyon that is still free.  This is what's at stake.  

 

Mokelumne Wild and Scenic from Mikey Wier on Vimeo.

This is just a first cut of a longer video in the works.  More on the way. 

I'm a Brown Trout!