The Northern California Fly Fishing Board

As I'm down in Bishop, I thought I'd post the latest on the
Owens River Fire. The fire, which broke out on
Sunday, scortched about 1,200 acres on both sides of the wild trout section. Essentially both sides of the river from about 1/2 mile down stream of the campground (1st cattle grate) to the end of the wild trout section were charred. The fire was started by three men from So. Cal. who tried to use a campstove in very high winds. According to the paper, they were camping illegally (not sure how anyone could miss the damn LADWP signs). To their credit they did call 911 and report themseves to the local PD.

It's been a long time since I've studied any fire ecology or plant succession. I am interested if anyone cares to speculate as to how this will impact the fishery. Very few willows are left standing and nearly all of the vegetation is destroyed.

The owens is so beautiful and picturesque. Enjoyed fishing and photographing that area.

I read about this yesterday on Tom Loe's fish report. Bummer, especially since I'm heading down there for a week with some friends. Hope it doesn't affect the fishing. Sure will destroy the scenic beauty of the place, for now, which is pretty spectacular in the spring. These fires have happened before (a series of arson fires in recent years) and everything has always recovered pretty well. Just won't look normal for a year or so. Damn.
Betty

I'll be there the 27th & 28th. Was there last Thurs & Fri, fished only Thurs, 10 to hand, 12 - 15 LDRs missed another 6 - 8 strikes, fun day. Then it all came crahing down, my kids went to Mammoth, my son wrecked the car, no one hurt but now I have to go back up & get the car from the body shop, oh, and do a little fishing of course. Will be in a Kia Rondo (silver rental) or my tan Civic, stop by & say hi.

David

Typically, the roots remain alive after one of these things. You should see the streamside vegetation (willows, cottonwoods, etc.) resprout almost immediately. The dry land parts take longer, colonized by grasses and forbs first. Brush like sage and bitterbrush resprout more slowly and may take a generation to fully redevelop. Sometimes succession can be helped along by replanting seedlings of critical species. There's a volunteer based sagebrush/bitterbrush replanting going on in Idaho right now. One of their burns last year covered 1000 sq miles and involved some important antelope/deer range.

Just prior to leaving Bishop, the local paper reported that aerial recon. revealed that close to 600 acres burned (not 1,500 or so).

Heard from the guys at Brocks that this was the third recent fire on the Owens (first on Wild trout section). They weren't too concerned as the willows etc. have grown back quickly.

Might be a little late for some of you who were heading there this week but here you go:

I met up with my dad from So. Cal, and as we couldn't get into the Owens I talked him into the hike to Hot Creek. Little tougher than a month ago as the snow was not as firm. Fishing was superb: BWO on top WD 40s and tiger midges below. I know the recent fish survey revealed that the creek is back on track and some 12K + fish were counted, but it sure seems like that little creek could use a break. Obviously, I'm a bit hypocritcal as I've fished it twice recently. My dad did run into a person who was some sort of curator? who claimed he was trying to get the creek closed as it has been getting pounded. I'd be interested in any opinions on this. I def. support the recent openings on may of the sierra streams, but I'm not so sure about this one.

The Owens was a blast last week. We fished nymps Wed. morning and the bit was def. on. Typical Owens stuff: tiges, wd-40s, fbpt, micro mays. Not much of a baetis hatch, but the caddis hatch tha afternoon (lower river) was outstanding. Lots of fish were up on top and needless to say it was fun. Thursday was more of the same.

Briefly hit the Truckee on the way home. No mid-day hatch (:, and the only fish I picked up were Mt. whitefish. Oh well.

Paul-
As a former Mammoth resident, I second that Hot Creek could use a break. Close the creek for a year, even close access above the hot spring area. It is a place I have fished frequently over the years, but I could live with some protection on this incredibly productive stream.