Tim Whitehouse

For the third year in a row, a snowfall sent the big trout away from the shoreline, on the opening day, April 30, of California’s premier trout fishery in the Eastern Sierra. Four inches fell overnight, sending the fish to deeper water.

The high country lakes from Bishop to Bridgeport were packed along the shores by the 5:00 a.m. start time, with thousands of Southern Californians that made the trip.

“It was my first opener,” said Eric Richards of Santee. Richards said he tried five different lakes, hoping to get a bite; Silver Lake, June, Gull, and Lundy, ending up at Bridgeport’s Twin Lakes. Nothing. He described his first opener as, “Just like the Padres — shutout!”

Anglers faired better from the boats. In the morning hours, an 8-pound, 12-ounce officially weighed in, caught in June Lake. By midday, an 8-pound, 13-ounce came in from Silver Lake, followed by 8-pound 15-ounce from Grant Lake.

Tim Whitehouse of Oxnard brought in the trophy fish at 9 pounds, 2 ounces, caught on a White Light Fishy lure at Gull Lake, cementing the lake’s advertised moniker, “Home of the Monster Trout.”

San Marcos’s Mike Hill won the Ugliest Fish award, for his small, deformed trout caught at June Lake.