Saturday, October 24, 2009

Lake Beardsley... another hole with no water

Riding at 5000 feet
Found this old logging train,in the wood
Great water
The water is low,should be at the top of the ridge
Nice water and lots of fish
Nothing like a camp fire
The water should be up to the green tree line
Lots of wood for a good fire

Some people might call Beardsley Reservoir their personal heaven because of the sometimes great trout fishing. Some might swear it is the other place because of limited, primitive facilities, a typical low water level and afternoon winds.

Yet of the hundreds of lakes in the Sierra Nevada, it is Beardsley that often provides some of the best trout fishing in California after first being opened, along with many side trips and nearby cabin-style lodging.

Beardsley is located east of Sonora, up near Strawberry along Highway 108. This reservoir is set in a deep canyon on the Middle Fork Stanislaus River, some 2,000 feet below the ridge. So while the actual elevation at the lake is 3,400 feet, where spring is taking hold, Beardsley has the feel of a lake set at much higher elevations.

This can give rise to a fish-catching phenomenon that many might dream about. I've had many April days at Beardsley where the trout seem to shout, "Catch me!" -- including brown trout in the 15- to 22-inch class. After the lake has been closed for five months, the trout often seem to forget about the wiles of anglers.

Upon arrival, the first thing you will notice is that the lake is now 55 percent full, which might seem very low. Actually, it's ideal. The lake often fishes best when it is low, not full, because it is easier to find the submerged ledges and drop-offs where the fish school. With the snowpack at Sonora Pass now melting, Beardsley is projected to rise over the next two months and present a more classic setting.

The facilities are limited, the services nonexistent. There is a boat ramp, parking area and a primitive Forest Service campground (still closed earlier this week) that consists of places to park self-contained RVs or pick- up trucks with camper shells, or pitch a tent.

Another problem is the late-afternoon wind, with a westerly breeze that whistles up the canyon in spring. Some loathe it, but it can unlock the bank vault: With a small boat, if you let the wind push you over the submerged ledges, your speed will match that of food drifting by. We've tested this with dozens of offerings: The best technique is to thread a night-crawler on your hook and line so it lies perfectly straight, and then trail it 17 inches behind a set of hammered brass/silver Cousin' Carl Half-Fast flashers.

Several side adventures can furnish more highlights. When Sonora Pass is cleared of snow, which usually occurs in early May, a must-do is the trip up Highway 108 to the Donnells Vista. Since Donnells Reservoir is set in a deep gorge and always is kept very low in the spring (now only 18 percent full), the view into the gorge will be eye-popping gorgeous. This is a baby Yosemite Valley with towering granite walls, a miniature El Capitan, and several waterfalls.

There is also access to the Middle Fork Stanislaus downstream of Beardsley Dam, with an unsigned river trail available. Fly-fishing, catch-and-release, for small natives is often good; the trout season for mountain streams opens April 24.

The resort at little Pinecrest Lake at Strawberry provides additional nearby options for boating, fishing and lodging, with the marina opening April 23


IF YOU WANT TO GO

Cost:the best part it is Free.

Facilities: Boat ramp, primitive campground with vault toilet (no water, trash service).

Maps: Ask for Stanislaus National Forest; send $6 to USFS, Map Sales, P.O. Box 9035, Prescott, AZ 86313; (928) 443-8285 with credit card; www.fs.fed.us/recreation/nationalforeststore.

Lodging: Cabins at Strawberry, info (209) 965-0885, reservations (888) 965-0885; www.strawberrycabins.com. Rivers Resort, info (209) 965-3278, reservations (800) 514-6777; www.gorrr.com. Tuolumne County Visitors Bureau, (800) 446-1333; www.thegreatunfenced.com/.

Directions: From the foothill town of Sonora, at the junction of Highways 49 and 108, go east on Highway 108 past the town of Strawberry for a total of 33 miles. At Beardsley Road (Forest Road 52), turn left and go 7 miles to Beardsley Reservoir.

Fishing info: Rich & Sal's Sporting Goods, Pinecrest, (209) 965-3637; www.pinecrestsportshop.com.

Contact: Stanislaus National Forest, Summit Ranger District, (209) 965-3434; Stanislaus National Forest, (209) 532-3671; www.fs.fed.us/r5/stanislaus/.

Beardsley... another hole with no water

Some people might call Beardsley Reservoir their personal heaven because of the sometimes great trout fishing. Some might swear it is the other place because of limited, primitive facilities, a typical low water level and afternoon winds.

Yet of the hundreds of lakes in the Sierra Nevada, it is Beardsley that often provides some of the best trout fishing in California after first being opened, along with many side trips and nearby cabin-style lodging.

Beardsley is located east of Sonora, up near Strawberry along Highway 108. This reservoir is set in a deep canyon on the Middle Fork Stanislaus River, some 2,000 feet below the ridge. So while the actual elevation at the lake is 3,400 feet, where spring is taking hold, Beardsley has the feel of a lake set at much higher elevations.

This can give rise to a fish-catching phenomenon that many might dream about. I've had many April days at Beardsley where the trout seem to shout, "Catch me!" -- including brown trout in the 15- to 22-inch class. After the lake has been closed for five months, the trout often seem to forget about the wiles of anglers.

Upon arrival, the first thing you will notice is that the lake is now 55 percent full, which might seem very low. Actually, it's ideal. The lake often fishes best when it is low, not full, because it is easier to find the submerged ledges and drop-offs where the fish school. With the snowpack at Sonora Pass now melting, Beardsley is projected to rise over the next two months and present a more classic setting.

The facilities are limited, the services nonexistent. There is a boat ramp, parking area and a primitive Forest Service campground (still closed earlier this week) that consists of places to park self-contained RVs or pick- up trucks with camper shells, or pitch a tent.

Another problem is the late-afternoon wind, with a westerly breeze that whistles up the canyon in spring. Some loathe it, but it can unlock the bank vault: With a small boat, if you let the wind push you over the submerged ledges, your speed will match that of food drifting by. We've tested this with dozens of offerings: The best technique is to thread a night-crawler on your hook and line so it lies perfectly straight, and then trail it 17 inches behind a set of hammered brass/silver Cousin' Carl Half-Fast flashers.

Several side adventures can furnish more highlights. When Sonora Pass is cleared of snow, which usually occurs in early May, a must-do is the trip up Highway 108 to the Donnells Vista. Since Donnells Reservoir is set in a deep gorge and always is kept very low in the spring (now only 18 percent full), the view into the gorge will be eye-popping gorgeous. This is a baby Yosemite Valley with towering granite walls, a miniature El Capitan, and several waterfalls.

There is also access to the Middle Fork Stanislaus downstream of Beardsley Dam, with an unsigned river trail available. Fly-fishing, catch-and-release, for small natives is often good; the trout season for mountain streams opens April 24.

The resort at little Pinecrest Lake at Strawberry provides additional nearby options for boating, fishing and lodging, with the marina opening April 23


IF YOU WANT TO GO

Cost:the best part it is Free.

Facilities: Boat ramp, primitive campground with vault toilet (no water, trash service).

Maps: Ask for Stanislaus National Forest; send $6 to USFS, Map Sales, P.O. Box 9035, Prescott, AZ 86313; (928) 443-8285 with credit card; www.fs.fed.us/recreation/nationalforeststore.

Lodging: Cabins at Strawberry, info (209) 965-0885, reservations (888) 965-0885; www.strawberrycabins.com. Rivers Resort, info (209) 965-3278, reservations (800) 514-6777; www.gorrr.com. Tuolumne County Visitors Bureau, (800) 446-1333; www.thegreatunfenced.com/.

Directions: From the foothill town of Sonora, at the junction of Highways 49 and 108, go east on Highway 108 past the town of Strawberry for a total of 33 miles. At Beardsley Road (Forest Road 52), turn left and go 7 miles to Beardsley Reservoir.

Fishing info: Rich & Sal's Sporting Goods, Pinecrest, (209) 965-3637; www.pinecrestsportshop.com.

Contact: Stanislaus National Forest, Summit Ranger District, (209) 965-3434; Stanislaus National Forest, (209) 532-3671; www.fs.fed.us/r5/stanislaus/.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Some may call it a Lake Pillsbury... I just call it a hole with no water


My camp site

There is meant to be water where I am standing


Wow the water was low

Home sweet home

Man must have fire

Some may call it a Lake Pillsbury... I just call it a hole with no water

It was nice to get away for a few days though

Lake Pillsbury is an artificial lake in Northern California created from the waters impounded from the El River. Elevation is 1,818 ft (554 m) with 65 mi (105 km) of shoreline and covering 2,003 acres (811 ha). Activities in the Lake Pillsbury Recreation Area include powerboating, fishing, swimming, sailing, picnicking, hiking and hang gliding. There are two main access roads to the lake. At the north end of the lake is a small gravel airstrip.


In 1906, W.W. Van Arsdale formed the Eel River Power and Irrigation Company and contracted with the city of Ukiah for a hydroelectric generating station to increase electricity supply for the city. A diversion dam was built on the Eel River and a mile-long tunnel was constructed to divert water into the Russian River. A powerhouse was constructed in Potter Valley. It was called the Eel River Project.

Later that year, the Snow Mountain Water and Power Company incorporated and took over the project from Van Arsdale's company. By 1908 water was being diverted to the power plant and then to the Russian River. Part two of the project was building the dam which created Lake Pillsbury, located 12 miles upstream. It was completed in 1922 and maintains water flow to the hydroelectric plant during times of low water runoff. PG&E acquired the project in 1933, and maintains the facilities today. The lake is named for one of the founders of Snow Mountain Water and Power Company. The Pillsbury hydroelectric plant is the only one in the north coast region of California.

The Eel River Project is now known as the Potter Valley Project.

Hope you enjoy

Cheers Peter Bruce Photo