We just got back from a week of fishing the Mammoth Lakes area and here’s some early season observations. First, the water in all the streams is low, really low, as low as I’ve ever seen it for this early in the year. On top of that there’s no more snow to melt, so expect a dry season if you’re headed for the Mammoth area later this year. Second, the Devil’s Post Pile side of the ridge past the ranger’s car enforcement stop experienced prolonged gale force winds last November and the Forest Service estimated that over 10,000 trees were uprooted. That closed most of the trails until recently. The majority of the main hiking trails are now open, but some of the lesser backcountry areas are still impacted. You can get information on line from the Park Service at http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/inyo/home/?cid=stelprdb5355082
We set up camp as always in the New Shady Rest Campground behind the ranger station on the edge of town. Old Shady Rest Campground is another nearby alternative. Both are on the reservation system. Check on line at www.ReserveAmerica.com. Buying wood from the camp host is expensive. If you want to have a fire I suggest that you either bring your own with you or continue driving on the road past the campground to where it turns into dirt, and then in about half a mile or more you’ll come to areas where they have done some tree thinning and you can morph into a wood branch scavenger.
We did some camp cooking, but mostly ate out for dinner. Our favorite restaurants in the area include Roberto’s for a good Mexican menu, The Stove for their prime rib special or chicken fried steak, and best of all, Thai’d Up for wonderful tasty and spicy entrees. You can also go to the market and buy a precooked, hot chicken, deli sandwiches, or potato salad to take back to the camp if you’re so inclined. There are no showers in this campground so unless you have one available with your camping rig you’ll have to go to one of several nearby spots where they will rent you a shower. You can get a list from the ranger station or talk to the camp host. Or, of course, you can be a dirty old man or dirty old lady.
We were fortunate enough to be on the first bus to carry passengers down the San Joaquin River side of the mountain on June 29th, and we got to witness the opening ceremony. Interestingly, instead of cutting a ribbon they used a chain saw to cut a log. Even though the water in the river was low, the fish were hungry. Every deep hole produced an all-out bite, and it was easy to select limits from the larger fish. We caught rainbows, browns and brook trout in the mix with the smallest kept fish in the bag over 12 inches. I wouldn’t expect that to last much past July, so those who are planning a late summer fishing trip to this area might want to think about gearing up for fishing the lakes instead of the streams. Lakes along this road include both Sotcher and Starkweather Lakes. These are especially popular with tube fishermen, and if you are carrying tubes or kayaks you can drive in with your own car. These are both regular stops on the bus route which is mandatory unless you are camping along the river or have a handicapped sticker. Check at the ranger station if you are not familiar with the large selection of lakes available for hikers in this area.
Water flow in Hot Creek, Mammoth Creek, Dead Man’s Creek, and the Owens River was exceptionally low, too. These are all drive-to fishing spots that I’ve enjoyed fishing in the past. We were there for a week and none of these particular waters had been recently stocked, so we had to work hard for our fish. I expect that they’ll do more stocking beginning on the 4th of July though, so if you are into planted fish, these spots should produce. Hot Creek is a no-take barbless hook area that’s fun for catch and release. My favorite meat store river is the Owens. You can throw everything including the kitchen sink at the fish there as long as you are below the Benton Crossing bridge. Check your Fish and Game Regulations for fishing upriver. Fish at Dead Man’s Creek run on the small to very small size, and with the low water I wouldn’t bother with this spot this year. Mammoth Creek can be another meat store when planted. Check out the area east of the main highway, if your timing is right it will be productive.
You might have guessed correctly that I like stream fishing, but once in awhile we do lake fish. My favorites include Crowley, Twin Lakes, and lakes in the June Lake loop. We didn’t fish any of these on this trip so I’ve got nothing to say about any of them in this report.
(To be continued next week….)