Calif. trout opener means its time for 'Fishing The California Alps'

The Calif. trout season opened on April 28 and with that opening, it's also time for the annual "Fishing The California Alps" publication.

The 2007 edition is bigger and better than ever, with 56 pages, jam-packed with all kinds of useful outdoor information.

This newspaper, now in its 16th year, is produced by Paul and Gloria Washam of Family Enterprises of nearby Woodfords, Calif.

"Fishing The California Alps" is your guide to fishing spots, hiking trails, camping opportunities and all kinds of outdoor activities in our part of the world.

That publication covers a large geographic area from Inyo County on the south, to the Sierra Nevada Mountains on the west, to Lassen County on the north, to Mineral County in Nevada on the east.

A total of 50,000 copies will be distributed to subscribers, resorts, fishing lodges, convenience stores, sporting goods stores, shops, Chambers of Commerce, Visitor Centers, marina's, motels, hotels, U.S. Forest Service and BLM offices, to name just a few locations. Another 10,000 copies are reserved for the Bridgeport, Calif. Chamber of Commerce to distribute at various sports and outdoor shows.

Here are some of its contents:

• Front page:

The feature story has a detailed listing of selected nearby fishable waters, including: Davis Lake, East and West Carson Rivers, Lundy Lake, Mammoth Lakes, Upper and Lower Twin Lakes, and Winnemucca Lake, all in California, plus Walker Lake in Nevada and Topaz Lake on the California/Nevada stateline.

• Important phone numbers:

In Alpine, Inyo, Lassen, Mono, Plumas and Sierra Counties in California, and in Douglas County, Nevada. Some of the emergency telephone numbers in those areas include: Douglas County Sheriff's Office in Minden, 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, June Lake Fire Department, Bridgeport Medical Clinic for Urgent Care and the Walker Paramedics.

• Alpine County Chamber of Commerce Directory:

Telephone numbers or websites for: Arts and Music, Foo and Lodging and Shopping, Recreation Services, Insurance andReal Estate, plus Business/Individual Members.

• Campgrounds:

A two-page listing of information on campgrounds in Alpine, Inyo, Mono, Plumas and Sierra Counties in California and Douglas County, Nevada. It includes: Number of campsites, features, price, elevation, season, responsible agencies and phone numbers.

• RV Parks:

Telephone numbers for R.V. parks in Carson City, Carson Valley and Topaz Lake in Nevada, plus Mammoth Lakes, Alpine County, Amador County, June Lake area, Bridgeport, Inyo county, Eagle Lake/Northeast Lassen County, Susanville/Southwest Lassen County, Chester, Lake Almanor and Sierra County.

• Some of this year's articles:

"Eagle Lake, a jewel in the fall" by Bryan Roccucci.

" Lake Davis, making lemonade out of lemons" by Bryan Roccucci.

"Lake Tahoe angling Q's and A's" by Victor Babbitt.

"Darting fish and tumbled stones" by Gina Gigli.

"Crater Lake, one of Alpine County's hidden jewels" by Don and Liz Weirauch.

"Still water fishing in the Tahoe area" by Victor Babbitt.

"Northern Mono County, a very special place indeed" by Tim Fesko.

"Mono Lake boat tours" by Tom Crowe.

"Bridgeport Founder's Day Celebration" by Kent Stoddard.

"The where and how to dish from the Lower Owens River to the June Lake Loop" by Bob Waggoner.

"Wahoo's Trolling Treasure Trove" by Wahoo Washam.

• Finally:

Be sure to pick up a free copy of "Fishing the California Alps." And, while you're at it, pick up a couple of extra copies for your friends, co-workers, neighbors and relatives.

That 2007 version is available at nearby locations including:

Carson City: Carson Tahoe Marine, Fandango Casino, Frontier Smoke Shop and the U.S. Forest Service office.

Minden/Gardnerville: Angler's Edge, Carson Valley Inn, Chamber of Commerce, Stockdale Creative Marketing/Advertising, Laura Springs Ranch/Country Antiques, and Washoe Smoke Shop.

Topaz Lake: Topaz Lodge, General Store and Topaz Marina.

And, just about anywhere in Bridgeport, Markleeville, South Lake Tahoe, Walker and Woodfords.

For information:

Call Paul or Gloria Washam in Woodfords, Calif. at (530) 694-2966.

• Bet Your Favorite Pigeon

Bet your favorite pigeon he can't tell you about the mailing address for subscribing to Fishing The California Alps on an annual basis.

If he grins and says, "It's Family Enterprises, 19750 Highway 89, No. 9, Woodfords, Calif. 96120," he could already be a subscriber.

• Don Quilici is the Outdoors editor for the Nevada Appeal