fishing for words

(and tossing out random thoughts)

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our first opening day

What a learning experience! Chris and I approached this as more of a learning experience, and it was a good thing we did so. After getting up at oh-dark-thirty, we headed up the Lyons Canal in Twain Harte (Nick and Nathan, that’s were we have taken you fishing.) and found nothing going on, so we departed for Moccasin Creek. It’s about thirty minutes away, and because we though the only access was through a gate, we delayed our arrival until about 7:00 a.m.

We found out upon arrival that there was a trail that allowed access around the gate, and from all appearances, some folks set up prior to the 6:00 a.m. opening. Most were bait fishing right around the dam, so we headed downstream a bit. Targeting pools, Chris and I had some good strikes on spinners. A gold/red Panther Martin for me, a gold Mepps for Chris. Devin, Chris’ friend who had come with us, also had a few. Devin hooked one fish but lost it; Chris hooked quite a few and landed five. I hooked three solid fish.

Though I didn’t land any (using barbless lures for the first time), I did hook one that was probably the biggest trout I’ve ever had the opportunity to play. Using 4 lb. line, I didn’t want to be too aggressive, so had my drag set low. Then, zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. The line peels off the reel as this fish takes off for one side of the stream (about 15-feet across), then back again. It did this six or seven times, then took off downstream, again taking line. Then it was upstream. I figure this went on for about four, maybe five minutes. I finally gained some ground, edge him in…four feet…three feet…and he raises his head and throws the hook. What a fight! Know I understand these folks who year after year chase after that one big fish they hooked by never landed.

Mid-morning we headed out to check a few other places, again don’t some reconnaissance for future trips. One stream had terribly limited access. We drove up to Lyons Reservoir, and while a beautiful place, the action was limited to bait. Devin hooked another fish here. We made one last visit to Lyons Canal, figuring the crowds had died down. We saw a few fish, but they were a bit cagey and the neighborhood dog wasn’t helping by jumping into the water. (Ask Chris about that.)

All in all, it was a good experience, and we gained some good knowledge that will help us in the future. And I’ll be back to Moccasin Creek looking for that bruiser…


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countdown to trout season opening day

“Some go to church and think about fishing, others go fishing and think about God.”

          ~ Tony Blake

“To go fishing is the chance to wash one’s soul with pure air, with the rush of the brook, or with the shimmer of sun on blue water. It brings meekness and inspiration from the decency of nature, charity toward tackle-makers, patience toward fish, a mockery of profits and egos, a quieting of hate, a rejoicing that you do not have to decide a darned thing until next week. And it is discipline in the equality of men – for all men are equal before fish.”

          ~ Herbert Hoover


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At the Cabin One Warm July

After months of planning before our June wedding, we weren’t much for picking up the kids and traveling too far from home. Besides, Sean and Chris for a few years had wanted an extended stay at the cabin that would allow them to play bingo at the lake, which is held every Tuesday and Thursday. This visit to the cabin included some of the best weather I have experienced in Twain Harte. Warm enough during the day for swimming, but cool enough at night to allow for a good night’s sleep. (The lack of insulation puts one at the mercy of the weather…if it’s hot during the day, it’ll be hot that night!)

Sean, Chris, Nathan, Adam and Nicholas on the trail.

Sean, Chris, Nathan, Adam and Nicholas on the trail.

During part of our visit, my sister, her husband and my two nephews (notice, not their sons – my nephews) joined us for a few days. In the album below is a photo of the boys heading down a trail that leads along side the Lyons Canal in Twain Harte. We hiked for quite a while and never reached the end! I probably would have kept going, but Nathan had to take three strides for my one, and it was warmish. Then again, I think my sister was a bit apprehensive about the nearby shooting range.

One way to escape the heat in Tuolumne County is to head underground, and there are three or four various caverns or mines within a hour’s drive or so. We headed for Moaning Cavern, just outside of Vallecito. The cavern was first discovered in approximately 1851 by miners prospecting for gold, but they didn’t have enough vision to understand tourists might offer up gold to see this natural wonder. It was rediscovered in 1919. Legend says tourists were lowered into the huge chamber in ore buckets with only the light of candles. The cavern got its name from the sound created by drops of water that fall into holes in a flowstone formation with a bottle-like shape. This drumming sound echoes throughout the cavern, and sounded like a distant moaning to early explorers.

Some Moaning Cavern statistics:

  • In the cavern one can find stalactites, stalagmites, draperies and dripstones.
    Large enough to contain the Statue of Liberty.
  • 234 stairs descend to a depth of 165 feet below ground level.
  • Above-mentioned stairs were built from salvaged materials from a World War 1 battleship and was built in six months.
  • Bones of prehistoric people who had fallen into the cavern thousands of years ago were found on the cavern floors.
  • The cavern’s current total depth is 410 feet.

Other formations in the cavern include the “Chocolate Waterfall,” “The Meat Grinder,” “The Lasagna Factory” and “The Fruit and Vegetable Market.” Seems the early cave explorers were a bit hungry. The oddest name for a formation is probably “Godzilla’s Nostril;” though one can see it after staring for a bit.

One of the things we enjoy quite a bit while at the cabin is nearby fishing. The same irrigation ditch I mentioned earlier is also stocked with pan-sized rainbow trout (about 11-12 inches and ½-¾ pound). About a year ago we took my nephews there and lucked upon newly stocked fish, and they had a blast. Between five of us we must have pulled in 15 or so fish!

Well, figuring lighting might strike twice, Chris and I took our friends’ son to the same spot. Sure enough he hooked into a very decent size fish with a decidedly undersized pole. It was so very cool to help him reel in that first fish. And I hear that his mother enjoyed it for lunch shortly thereafter!

In between all of the above, we went swimming almost daily, hit the annual barbecue dinner at the lake on the fifth of July, visited Covers’ Apple Farm, enjoyed miniature golf, bowled (to get out of the heat) and generally just spent time as it should be when on vacation!