By Dave Balcom
Publisher

4-29-2008

As the Eastern Sierra greeted the avid anglers from near and far Saturday with clear skies and calm waters, the annual fishing Opener took on an appearance unique to fishing openers around the nation.
Perhaps it’s the SoCal influence, maybe it’s the stocking program or the rich and fertile waters, but Saturday’s Opener was like a cross between a day at the beach and a tailgate party.

Oh, and there were fish caught, too.

One of the first things a person who has never lived far from outdoor pursuits notices about the Eastern Sierra is the unique place this country holds in the family traditions of those who visit here.
Everyone has a story about their lifelong love affair with the valley and the mountains that make up Inyo and Mono county life. They talk about coming up with their grandfather, always stopping at Schat’s or Jack’s or some other habitual place.
According to Paul Bedell of the Inyo County Sheriff’s Department, it’s those traditions that create the flurry of activity at Crowley Lake and all the rest of the fishing waters that dot the region.
“You won’t find many first-timers,” Bedell said as he navigated the county’s water patrol boat through and around the hundreds of boats that flocked to the bay off McGee Creek Saturday morning.
“People come back here, year after year. They learned to fish here, and they bring their kids back to learn too,” said Sgt. Keith Hardcastle from his perch in the back of the Inyo boat.
The sheriff’s jet boat went as far up the lake as possible, tracking the Owens River bed nearly into the river itself. The shores were dotted with lawn chairs and the lines from the hundreds of rods staked out along the beach glittered like so many spider webs in the rising sun.
During the ride the two officers paused to compare notes with Gary Williams in the Mono County boat, and the three recalled some of the things that have added spice to Opening Day patrol on Crowley.
“Oh, the occasional truck that has backed a boat right out into the lake, right up to the crew cab doors,” Hardcastle said with a smile. “But that’s about it …”
“We’re really not in patrol mode,” Bedell said. “We’re just here to make sure people are behaving themselves, and for the most part they all do.”
Back on the beach, the fishing had tapered off. There was a buzz about a fish that had been wearing a special tag from Berkley. “It was worth $500,” an angler said. “But he’s not sharing with me, even though I drove up here …” The lucky angler just laughed and cast again.
Tony Corsaro, a first-time angler from West Covina, took his 5-lb., 10.5-oz. prize straight to the scales. “Oh, I just caught him,” Corsaro said. “Just now. Wow.”
While Corsaro was on his first opener at Crowley, his two sons-in-law, Eric and Paul Sharp, both have been coming to the Eastern Sierra since they were toddlers. “We brought him,” Eric said of Tony.
Jim Mitchell of June Lake was helping the people at the fish camp direct traffic. “I won’t fish until the bait fishermen have had their days,” Mitchell said.
He’s been volunteering at the camp on Opening Day for years. “You know, this is a great fishery for fly fishermen,” he said. “When the activity around opening day slows down, it’s really quite tranquil, too.”
Mitchell agreed that people flocking to opener belied the stereotype of Southern California road rage or even the “combat fishing” that marks so many opening days around the country.
As boaters waited patiently for their chance to launch, they talked and joked. Nobody seemed bent on a mission except those who were making a bee line to the comfort station.
“It’s always like this,” Mitchell said of the laid back body language of the Opener. “I think it’s because everyone knows it’s going to be busy, but they also know they’re going to catch fish.”
Or perhaps it’s because the tradition is about the journey.
At least it was for the 70 or so anglers on hand Saturday in tribute to Tony Gonzales of El Monte. Gonzales died in February, his son Dave  explained, and Saturday was a day shy of Gonzales’ birthday.
“We’re having a tournament in his honor,” Dave said, showing off the new traveling trophy up for grabs for the angler with the most weight at day’s end.
“They’ll get their name engraved … this trophy’s good for 10 years.
“Tony opened his hand to all of these people,” Dave said waving up and down the beach. “He brought each and every one of us here. I’ve been coming since I was 5.”
While the radios played, and a game of catch with a football started up, most the anglers sat in the sun and contemplated the next bite. The smell of roasting meat was on the gentle breeze.
“We even have a home-brew beer in his honor,” Dave said. The label reads, “To Tony, this bud’s for you, buddy.”
Another Opening Day tradition is born …