Southern Inyo opener - California Fishing

THansen · 02-27-2005, 03:04 PM

Southern Inyo county opens for trout on March 5. I am going, anyone else.
There waters that are open are
Southwestern portion, in all waters bounded by the Inyo County line on the south and west, Independence Creek on the north, and Highway 395 on the east (also see Cottonwood Creek Restrictions).
OPEN DAY First Sat. in Mar. through Nov. 15. 5 per day 10 in possession

There isnt alot of area open, but it beats fishing local or staying him. At least I get to look at the snow covered peaks and imagine how good fihsing will be once the snow starts to melt (assuming we dont get an early hot spell, then the creeks will be raging and become unfishable)
I fish Lone Pine Creek and Tuttle Creek, thinking about heading to PVR for some afternoon action.

FishSlayer · 02-27-2005, 07:48 PM

Those waters are what you call "drive by fishing", you just drive by them and think of fishing somewhere else! I am looking forward to the Big opener, I love heading up there and hiking a REAL wild stream or float tubing a lake.

PlatinumHooks · 03-02-2005, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THansen

Southern Inyo county opens for trout on March 5. I am going, anyone else.
There waters that are open are
Southwestern portion, in all waters bounded by the Inyo County line on the south and west, Independence Creek on the north, and Highway 395 on the east (also see Cottonwood Creek Restrictions).
OPEN DAY First Sat. in Mar. through Nov. 15. 5 per day 10 in possession

There isnt alot of area open, but it beats fishing local or staying him. At least I get to look at the snow covered peaks and imagine how good fihsing will be once the snow starts to melt (assuming we dont get an early hot spell, then the creeks will be raging and become unfishable)
I fish Lone Pine Creek and Tuttle Creek, thinking about heading to PVR for some afternoon action.

Tom, I happen to like those areas. I love Independence Creek. Those waters this time of year pose a big challenge, and isn't that what river and stream fishing is all about? Can't go this time, but you can bet I'll go on the next one. We can plan a bigger trip maybe sometime in late August.

THansen · 03-04-2005, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FishSlayer

Those waters are what you call "drive by fishing", you just drive by them and think of fishing somewhere else! I am looking forward to the Big opener, I love heading up there and hiking a REAL wild stream or float tubing a lake.

FishSlayer,
I would have to disagree with you. I always fish Lone Pine, it has easy access to fish after sitting in the car for 3 hours. There are some wild fish up on Tuttle Creek and in Lone Pine Creek. Would I normally plan a trip around fishing Lone Pine creek. Usually No! But I prefer fishing anywhere in the sierras over the local OC lakes. Lone Pine is a regular stop and if you know where and how to fish it, it is challenging and fun. Once the general season opens. I will also hit up Big Pine as we drive up into Bishop Creek South Fork.
Havent fish Independence much (once actually) Or Tinnemaha or Gooddale.
SARL is a driveby lake/mudhole
Good luck hiking a real stream come this years opener, everything is packed in snow (and I dont think we will get enough warm weather to reduce all the snow pack) and expect serious shrinkage if you tube the opener. I think the only lake other than Crowley that is open for the opener is Convict.
I will be up there for the general opener and again in May. I would love to check out some of the wild streams that you referenced.
The sierras are a beautiful place.

PlatinumHooks · 03-04-2005, 11:34 AM

Tom, We're planning a trip to my condo in Mammoth in early June, you should think about going.

FishSlayer · 03-04-2005, 04:45 PM

What about the San Gabriel river, the Santa Ana river, Piru Creek, Kern River etc., all I am saying is that there are better rivers that are the same distance or closer than those out in the middle of the desert. I'm sorry dude but sitting on the bank of a Sand Trap with 100 other guys is not my idea of creek fishing, if there is more oportunity than that on those creeks you are going to have to give me directions because I have not seen them, but like I said I usually "drive by" those areas.

PlatinumHooks · 03-04-2005, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FishSlayer

What about the San Gabriel river, the Santa Ana river, Piru Creek, Kern River etc., all I am saying is that there are better rivers that are the same distance or closer than those out in the middle of the desert. I'm sorry dude but sitting on the bank of a Sand Trap with 100 other guys is not my idea of creek fishing, if there is more oportunity than that on those creeks you are going to have to give me directions because I have not seen them, but like I said I usually "drive by" those areas.

I do have to agree with Fish Slayer interms of, there are high quality/productive rivers and streams located here in So. Cal. that are worthy of the exact same praise that the desert and sierra waters are -(i.e. Piru Creek, Sespe River {upper and lower}, Cuyama River, San Gabriel River, Kern, etc.). However, the northern systems, especially above the Mammoth Lakes parallel, like the Yuba River, Sacramento River, American River, McCloud River, etc., are some of the most renowned Trout, Steelhead, and Salmon fisheries in the country if not the world. But, we live here in SoCal. and subconsciously people fall into that "the grass is greener on the other side" mentality; so we always think of up north being "the" anglers haven, and fail to prasie our local waters.

I just think we're fricken lucky to live in Cali and be close enough to access all of these waters within a few hours time.

FishSlayer · 03-06-2005, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony"PltnmHooks"Z.

I do have to agree with Fish Slayer interms of, there are high quality/productive rivers and streams located here in So. Cal. that are worthy of the exact same praise that the desert and sierra waters are -(i.e. Piru Creek, Sespe River {upper and lower}, Cuyama River, San Gabriel River, Kern, etc.). However, the northern systems, especially above the Mammoth Lakes parallel, like the Yuba River, Sacramento River, American River, McCloud River, etc., are some of the most renowned Trout, Steelhead, and Salmon fisheries in the country if not the world. But, we live here in SoCal. and subconsciously people fall into that "the grass is greener on the other side" mentality; so we always think of up north being "the" anglers haven, and fail to prasie our local waters.

I just think we're fricken lucky to live in Cali and be close enough to access all of these waters within a few hours time.

Amen brother!
There is nothing wrong with fishing those Southern Inyo waters I just couldnt see planning and entire trip just for them. They are great places for stopping for lunch while on the way home or if you are on your way to Bishop or Mammoth and its too early in the morning to check in at the Motel I could see stopping for a couple of hours.
Two years ago I caught two big DFG tagged trout out of the sand trap area so I do stop there time allowing.

PlatinumHooks · 03-07-2005, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FishSlayer

Amen brother!
There is nothing wrong with fishing those Southern Inyo waters I just couldnt see planning and entire trip just for them. They are great places for stopping for lunch while on the way home or if you are on your way to Bishop or Mammoth and its too early in the morning to check in at the Motel I could see stopping for a couple of hours.
Two years ago I caught two big DFG tagged trout out of the sand trap area so I do stop there time allowing.

Agreed.

WreckinBall · 03-14-2005, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THansen

SARL is a driveby lake/mudhole.
The sierras are a beautiful place.

Amen to that.

Some people (like my folks, who are getting up there in years) don't like the "circus comes to town" atmosphere which is soooo prevalent in the small towns along the 395, during the summer holidays, and the "big" trout opener. And while I can see the difference between a fat Alper's and a 6" DF&G stocker, a stocked trout is a stocked trout. Many stocked trout of considerable size are taken every season from those little streams south of Independence creek (Taboose, Tinemaha, Goodale, etc.), especially at the area mentioned by Fishslayer, the "sand trap" (or sand pit, depending on who you're talking to).

The Southern Inyo opener is looked forward to by many folks, and I think it's a good thing.

PlatinumHooks · 03-14-2005, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WreckinBall

Amen to that.

Some people (like my folks, who are getting up there in years) don't like the "circus comes to town" atmosphere which is soooo prevalent in the small towns along the 395, during the summer holidays, and the "big" trout opener. And while I can see the difference between a fat Alper's and a 6" DF&G stocker, a stocked trout is a stocked trout. Many stocked trout of considerable size are taken every season from those little streams south of Independence creek (Taboose, Tinemaha, Goodale, etc.), especially at the area mentioned by Fishslayer, the "sand trap" (or sand pit, depending on who you're talking to).

The Southern Inyo opener is looked forward to by many folks, and I think it's a good thing.

I agree with you. Aw hell....man, I just love to fish period....no matter where.

THansen · 03-15-2005, 08:41 PM

I think Southern Inyo is worth planning a trip around.The trip is planned around the early opener. It is the only game going right now
I agree about the sand trap. The sand trap isnt the only spot to fish, but the best for WFO action early in the morning. You gotta know where to fish and know how to fish the rest of the area to have consistent action, but sometimes not even skill works, that is when you gotta be lucky.

What about the Kern (it is too early in the season, the water is too cold right now
What about San Gabriel, is the raod even open right now. The water has to be way to fast to fish.
What about Santa Ana, I dont think the season is open right now.
So Southern Inyo was worth the drive, You show me those mountain peaks anywhere further south. Not Big Bear, NOT ANYWHERE
Maybe I wouldnt plan a trip here in the summer. But it is always worth a stop as I head to Bishop.
However, have any one the haters gone up the hill and stayed up at Whitney Portal campground. It is nice up there and certainly worth a weekend trip.

PlatinumHooks · 03-15-2005, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THansen

I think Southern Inyo is worth planning a trip around.The trip is planned around the early opener. It is the only game going right now
I agree about the sand trap. The sand trap isnt the only spot to fish, but the best for WFO action early in the morning. You gotta know where to fish and know how to fish the rest of the area to have consistent action, but sometimes not even skill works, that is when you gotta be lucky.

What about the Kern (it is too early in the season, the water is too cold right now
What about San Gabriel, is the raod even open right now. The water has to be way to fast to fish.
What about Santa Ana, I dont think the season is open right now.
So Southern Inyo was worth the drive, You show me those mountain peaks anywhere further south. Not Big Bear, NOT ANYWHERE
Maybe I wouldnt plan a trip here in the summer. But it is always worth a stop as I head to Bishop.
However, have any one the haters gone up the hill and stayed up at Whitney Portal campground. It is nice up there and certainly worth a weekend trip.

Tom, in my opinion you don't have to explain anymore. I totally enjoy Inyo county fishing. there are some awesome spots. You seem to know it well. A trip up there sounds great!

FishSlayer · 03-16-2005, 12:38 AM

Sorry, its just that my experience with the Southern Inyo waters are a bunch of off road dirtbikers or old people who sit around drinking beer all day or riding their bikes. Then on the day that the DFG stocks they all run down to the pathetic little trickle of a creek to snag as many trout as they can before their beer gets warm.
I have honestly never fished Diaz Lake this early in the season so I dont know how it is this time of year but its still out in the middle of the desert. Thats why I dont fish the Owens river, Pleasant Valley Res. or Crowley Lake, I need to see Pine and Aspan trees when I am fishing, not sage brush and cactus.
The only camping spots I hit are either on Big Pine creek or up in Mammoth, I just dont like the campgrounds in the Bishop area or any of the spots South of Big Pine. I will admit that I dont remember what Whitney Portals campground looks like but if its anything like Onion Valley NO THANKS! That was the biggest waste of time ever, I made that freakin drive up there once to find a pathetic creek and horrible campgrounds.
Maybe it would be worth a trip if I was going to pack in to some of the back country lakes that can be accessed from there, but not for the waters that are in the Owens valley itself. They are fun for a couple of hours on the way up to or back from Bishop or Mammoth but to drive five hours just for them? No thanks. Might as well just fish Bouqet canyon creek...(LOL)

THansen · 03-16-2005, 10:10 AM

Fishslayer,
I had this same ocnversation with my older friend that I took to the Early Opener. He said that the Kern is nicer. Cant argue with that. But Convict lake is prettier than the Kern (and I will have some of my ashes thrown into the Kern, with a couple Salmon eggs) I love the Kern (back to the point)
I agree that fishing in the valley isnt the best scenary, sage brush and scorpions. I also like fishing in the pines trees, but a grassy meadow is fine with me. Whitney portal is surrounded by pine trees and is a great spot to head into the backcountry, Not alot of fishing options, a small pond and the creek. Hell you are already in the backcountry when you get up there. I think we have beat this dead horse enough. Whack!!!