Global Courant 2023-04-30 02:36:30
Frozen lakes, closed roads and fast-moving water failed to deter die-hard anglers along the eastern Sierra ahead of trout season opening day Saturday. Many were out before dawn to stake out a stretch of snowy shoreline in the highly anticipated event.
The record snowfall left many areas inaccessible to fishermen as roads to popular fishing spots were closed and most lakes were still frozen over. Fishermen braved a walk on a thawing but still frozen Crowley Lake, drilling holes through feet-thick ice to drop a line into the water. Intake 2 at Aspendell saw fishermen crowding a snow-covered shoreline to cast.
Down at lower elevations, anglers around the Owens Valley faced fast-flowing water and unusually crowded spots to cast a line. Bill Sear of Seal Beach and Bishop pulled a trout from the chilly North Fork of Bishop Creek Canal just after dawn and proclaimed, “I’ll kill it. You have to know where the best spots are, and I know them.”
Seal Beach’s Bill Sear hauls a trout from the Bishop Creek Canal in Bishop.
(Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times)
A fisherman waits for a bite on frozen Crowley Lake on the official opening day of trout season in the Eastern Sierra, Saturday. Ice fishing was the only option on the lake as the marina was still frozen.
(Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times)
Anglers cast long shadows on the snow-covered shoreline at Intake 2 at Aspendell in Bishop.
(Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times)
Kelsey Hammond exits an icy Convict Lake after soaking for three minutes.
(Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times)
A fisherman heads out to try his luck against the backdrop of a snowy Sierra Nevada along the North Bishop Creek Canal.
(Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times)
The crest of the Sierra Nevada is reflected on Intake 2 near Aspendell.
(Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times)
Bill Waters fishes his second trout of the morning in Bishop as the sun rises over the White Mountains.
(Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times)
