By Don Quilici
This week's column is devoted to introducing you to a very specialized outdoor publication known as "Fishing The California Alps."
Be sure to remember that name - Fishing The California Alps.
It is your guide and Bible to fishing spots, hiking trails, camping opportunities and outdoor activities in the High Sierra and other nearby locales.
That publication is now available at a large number of locations stretching from nearby Woodfords, Calif., north to Winnemucca and all the way south to the Lone Pine, Calif. area.
Most importantly, Fishing The California Alps is free!
Yep! That's right, it is absolutely free.
This annual publication, now in its 13th year, is produced by Paul and Gloria Washam of Family Enterprises of nearby Woodfords, Calif.
Fishing the California Alps contains a ton of useful information about the who, what, why, when and where's of fishing, camping, etc. in many of the nearby areas of the High Sierra.
And, I would be willing to bet many of you have been completely unaware of its existence. But, I also guarantee that once you have read a copy, you will become a faithful reader in the future.
According to Washam, "Fishing the California Alps, the guide to High Sierra angling, is once again expanding due to the high-level reader and merchant interest and support. Our publication has dramatically increased in both total number of copies printed and its distribution area. We thank all of those participating in this journalistic labor of love."
Also according to Washam, he has printed a total of 50,000 copies this year, his supply is already running low and he is looking into additional printing runs.
The feature, front-cover story (complete with photos of the author and his lovely wife!) in this year's edition was provided by yours truly.
That story was specifically written for first-time visitors to our area and offers suggestions on where to go:
If you are lazy and like to have someone else do all the work, while fishing.
If you like to fish next to a paved road.
If you would like to reach your fishing destination by a dirt road.
If you are adventurous and like to travel to your fishing on a rough road.
If you would like to hike a short distance to your fishing.
In addition, this year's 44-page publication is jammed packed with all kinds of useful information, stories and articles by a large number of other contributors.
Here are some examples:
• A detailed listing of all kinds of important telephone numbers in Alpine, Inyo and Mono Counties.
These numbers include the California Highway Patrol, Alpine County Sheriff's Office, Inyo County Sheriff's Office, Mono County Sheriff's Office, U.S. Forest Service, Northern Inyo Hospital in Bishop, Mt. Whitney Fire Station at Lone Pine, the June Lake Fire Department at the June Lake Loop, Bridgeport Medical Clinic for urgent care and the Walker Paramedics at Walker.
• An index (including telephone numbers or websites) of those lodging locations, restaurants, general stores, sporting goods stores, automotive services, other services, emergency services, medical services and visitor information, available in the greater Alpine County area and the greater Bridgeport area. Those are provided by their respective Chambers of Commerce.
• A comprehensive listing of campgrounds which includes a variety of informaiton such as the managing entity, number of campsites, features, price, elevation, season and phone numbers for campgrounds located at:
Markleeville/Woodfords,
Hope Valley/Blue Lakes/Caples Lake/Kirkwood,
Bear Valley/Lake Alpine, all in Alpine County, Calif.
Topaz Lake, located on the Nevada/California stateline.
Bishop/Big Pine/Lone PIne/Rock Creek Canyon, all in Inyo County, Calif.
Mammoth Lakes, Lee Vining, June Lake and Bridgeport and Walker areas, all in Mono County, Calif.
• Names and telephone numbers for R.V. parks located in Carson City, Carson Valley, the Mammoth Lakes area, Alpine County, June Lake area, Topaz Lake area, Bridgeport and Inyo County.
• An annual report on the various activities of the Alpine County game warden, Larry Kuhl.
• Detailed information about Grover Hot Springs State Park, located just west of Markleeville.
• And, even a recipe for Lynda's Mexican Quiche, which is provided by Lynda Kirby of Woodfords Station.
Fishing The California Alps also features informative articles by writers:
Michael L. Buzzo writing about "Burnside Lake," "Lake Alpine," "The Fishing Co-op" and "Something About Mary."
Victor Babbitt of the Tahoe Fly Fishing Outfitters: "Stillwater fly fishing in the Tahoe area," and "Fly fishing gear, what you need and what you might want."
Karl Horeis of the Nevada Appeal: "Dunn's - A hangout for lion hunters, ice fishermen and tall tales."
Paul K. Washam: "Alpine County Fish and Game Commission."
Dennis Cocking: "STPUD and Alpine County - a relationship that works."
Adam Washam: "Scenic trails of Alpine County."
Roger Myers: "Just another day at the 'wood," and "If it gets too cold, tell a fish story."
Suzanne Rosevold: "Discover the Carson Valley."
Tim Fesko: "Fishing Northern Mono County."
Kent Stoddard: "Founder's Day."
Bruce Links: "Bridgeport/Walker outlook 2004."
Don Thompson: "Plan devised to save rarest trout."
• Finally, be sure to pick up a copy of this year's Fishing the California Alps.
And, while you're at it, pick up some extra copies for your friends, co-workers, neighbors and relatives.
That publication will be worth its weight in gold on your next fishing/camping trip to those areas.
Locations where it is available include: The Angler's Edge in Gardnerville, the Carson City, Carson Valley, Bridgeport, June Lake and Walker Chambers of Commerce, The Carson Valley Inn, Douglas County Parks and Recreation Dept., Topaz Lodge, Topaz Marina, Walker General Store and Woodfords General Store.
For information, call Paul Washam in Woodfords, Calif. at (530) 694-2966.
• Bet Your Favorite Pigeon
Bet your favorite pigeon that he can't tell you the mailing address for Washam's Family Enterprises.
If he grins and says, "It's Family Enterprises, 199750 Highway 89, No. 9, Woodfords, Calif. 96120, you lose the bet.