fishing for words

If the first three games of the BHS Panters’ football season are any indication of how the rest of the season will turn out, most fans will be without fingernails in November… AGAIN, the game was a squeaker! The defensive lines of both teams were nearly evenly matched, especially during the second half. The ball was turned over both on fourth downs and by punts by both the Panthers and St. Patrick-St. Vincent’s Bruins. Sean — despite receiving a big hit that apparently bruised his shoulder — was all over the field, making some good plays. Let’s just say that the announcer has said his last name often enough to know how to pronounce it. A couple of times he and his fellow teams ensured St. Pat’s ended up with negative yardage. Just like the Lodi game, this one came down to the wire. At the half, it was tied at 20-20. With Benicia leading 34-28, the Bruins got the ball on their own 25-yard line with 1:21 left in the game. The Bruins drove the ball into Benicia territory, and with 6 seconds left, St. Pat’s QB threw an interception which left 1 second on the clock. Sean told me this afternoon that he’s doing fine, but he sure toughed it out under the Friday night lights…

Perhaps for the last time this trout season, Chris and I made a quick trip to the cabin, got some shuteye for about five hours, then headed over Sonora Pass to wind up to the Tioga Pass area about 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 23.

It’s amazing the difference three weeks can make. We first stopped at Saddlebag Lake, where the chill in the air and the cold breeze that would follow us all day bit into our fingers. Our visit earlier in the month wasn’t this cold! I don’t think the temperature rose much about 68°F. Generally, the water level seemed to be almost perfect. New pools to target, but still enough water to allow the fish to move up and down the streams.

We ignored the possibility of frostbite as we settled into the rhythm of fishing. At Saddlebag — which we have never fished before — we were teased by some bruisers cruising the shoreline near the dam but they paid little heed to our flies or spinners. A few rose to my son’s flies and a few chased my spinners, but none would commit to a strike. (Next time maybe we’ll head across the lake to the inlets or even hike up to some lakes behind Saddlebag.) Regardless of the lack of catching, it was beautiful…

After an hour and a half, we headed over to Lee Vining Creek (South), where we just knew we could find some trout. Sure ‘nuf, skittish brookies were skittering up and down the shallower reaches, where Chris was able to pull in five of the fish with flies (small, as to be expected in the high elevations), but fun nonetheless. I also convinced a brookie to grab a small Panther Martin. We wandered up and down the creek for about four fun hours. I eventually pulled in two wild rainbows and two stockers, as well as being surprised by another brookie in the bend of the creek just before it heads under the road. Just as important, it was great to be in one of my favorite places. Even my modest lunch seemed to taste better under the clear blue skies.

During our descent we stopped at the lower Lee Vining Creek, near Poole Power Plant, but didn’t stick to the more usually fished areas and instead headed upstream a bit. After fighting our way through some bushes, I was rewarded with a heck of a strike in a small pool and Chris got a fish on, but it didn’t want to be landed, and wasn’t.

There was just enough time at the end of our day to stop by Pickle Meadows. It was amazing the number of boulders and rocks that have appeared since June. We fished up and down a few spots with the only action being a smallish rainbow that snagged my lure in one of those pools I tend to think holds only water. Always a surprise to get a fish in one of those! In the end, Chris pulled in nine fish; I landed seven. Not bad for a beautiful day in the Sierras!

Here’s to hoping we’ll get in one more trip before mid November. After that, we’ll have to settle for planning for next year…

Another squeaker! This football game came down to the last three minutes or so, with the score at 7-9 in favor of Armijo. Armijo had the ball but couldn’t move it past the first-down marker, and rather than go for it, decided to punt into fierce winds that were a heavy influence that evening. The center hiked the ball which, caught by a sudden breeze, sailed over the head of the kicker. The kicker chased the ball down and landed on it near the 20-yard line and he was immediately smothered by few Benicia Panthers.

Taking over, Benicia tried to move the ball into the end zone. At the 2-yard line Sean got the ball for a short 1-yard gain. On a third down Benicia unsuccessfully tried to pass the ball for the score. On fourth down, with less than five seconds on the clock, Benicia’s kicker nailed the field goal and the game. Sean’s stats for the night exemplified the whole team’s strong effort: 10 tackles and at least four assists, and one field goal block! Good job all around and one heck of a game!