If you travel north from Carson City for about 50 miles on U.S. 395, you will reach the intersection of U.S. 395 and Calif. S.R. 70 at Hallelujah Junction. Take S.R. 70 west for 25 miles toward Portola. Then, four miles this side of Portola, there will be a rest area on your left side and a cemetery on your right side. Just past the cemetery is Grizzly Road. Turn right onto Grizzly Road, travel about a half dozen miles and you will arrive at Lake Davis (AKA Davis Lake).
The reason for all this travel information is two very important dates in the California fishing world (Saturday, May 17 and Saturday, June 7) at Davis Lake.
Mark those dates for lots of fun and you could also possibly win some very impressive money on that second date. Here's why:
(Saturday, May 17)
Davis Lake trout restocking celebration: At Coot Bay on the east side of Davis Lake.
Sponsored by: Calif. Department of Fish and Game (DFG) and Plumas National Forest.
Time: 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Displays: Watershed Model, The Living Stream and a 1,200 gallon live fish exhibit.
Informational Booths: K9 Corps, U.S. Forest Service, Hunter Education, Dept. of Water Resources, Invasive Species, DFG Hatchery booth and truck, CalTrans, Fishing Passport Program, Law Enforcement Agencies, Local Fire Districts. Eastern Plumas County Chamber of Commerce and Portola-Sierra Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Fishing Seminars (10:30, 11:30 and 1:30): Aspiring anglers of all ages will be provided with basic information on how to get started.
Seminars will cover catching fish, safety, ethics, knots, riggings, casting, regulations and conservation of fisheries.
Kids' activities: Fishing, meet Smokey Bear, make fish prints, games, contests and visit fire fighters and check out their fire trucks.
Food: Hamburgers, hot dogs, sodas and water will be sold by the local Elk's Club.
For information: Call (530) 832-4754 during business hours.
(Saturday, June 7)
Lake Davis Fishing Derby: At Davis Lake.
Sponsored by: The Rotary Club of Portola.
Registration Fee: $20 a person.
Time: 5 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Scoring: A combination of the length and the weight of your trout will determine its score.
Prizes: First Place: $1,000, Second: $800, Third: $600, Fourth: $400, Fifth: $200, Sixth: $100, plus raffle prizes galore!
Plus: The City of Portola has also sponsored one $20,000 trout and ten $1,000 tagged trout.
That's correct: A $20,000 tagged fish. Twenty thousand dollars for catching one trout!
In addition: DFG will have 1,000 $10 tagged trout. Not too shabby.
Rules: The Derby coincides with Free Fishing Day in California (No fishing license is needed).
All fish must be measured at Honker Cove on the east side of the lake by no later than 5 p.m.
Prizes awarded at 5:30 p.m.
No working guides will be allowed to participate in any way.
Registration Locations: Dollard's Sierra Market, Gold Rush Sporting Goods in Portola or at the Grizzly Country Store on the south end of Davis Lake by 6 p.m. on Friday (June 6), or after 5 a.m. on Saturday (June 7) at the dam.
For information: Call Sarah Bensinger at the Grizzly Country Store at (530) 832-0270, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Fish Plants: This year, Davis Lake will receive plants of nearly 1,000,000 (one million) Eagle Lake rainbow trout, up to 13 pounds, which will include 11 tons (that's 22,000 pounds) of Trophy Trout averaging 6+ pounds!
So, you will have the chance to catch rainbow trout in excess of 6 pounds and with lots of luck and perhaps a little skill, you might even catch that one special rainbow trout worth a cool $20,000. Wow: $20,000 for catching one trout! With that kind of money, you could pay for your fishing, hunting or vacation trip of a lifetime to far away places like Alaska, British Columbia, The Yukon, The Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Argentina, Brazil, Chili, Scotland, Russia, Australia or New Zealand, to name just a few.
Finally: Set aside the dates of May 17 and June 7, and plan to travel to Davis Lake on both days.
Have a "Ton of Fun" on May 17.
Best wishes on catching fish and winning some money on June 7.
And, if you do win lots of money, be generous and remember that Don Q was the one who told you where to fish. He will sincerely appreciate your generosity.
Special Hint No. 1: Be prepared for big crowds of fishermen, all trying to win that $20,000.
Special Hint No. 2: You should increase your odds of catching fish, if you fish from shore in the monring at Honkjer on the east side or troll from a boat (around the big island) or fly fish with Prince Nymphs from a float tube near the boat ramp at "Old Camp Five" on the west side.
Special Tip: If you forget to take your lunch, the hamburgers and French fries at "The Frosty" at the Grizzly Country Store are finger-licking good. Then, when you are done, top them off with a chocolate soft ice cream cone, while teasing Sarah, a good friend of ours. Tell her that we said, "Hi."
• Bet Your Favorite Pigeon
Bet your favorite pigeon that he can't tell you where I'll be on June 7.
If he grins and says, "Don will be attending a huge 80th birthday party and barbecue for his Mother-In-Law," he could be one of the many invited guests.
• Don Quilici is the Outdoors Editor of the Nevada Appeal