Wilderness

Nevada Senators Harry Reid and Dean Heller jointly released a discussion draft Friday of the Nevada Sagebrush Landscape Conservation and Economic Development Act. The proposal would conserve sage-grouse habitat in Nevada while providing economic development opportunities to industries and local governments throughout the state.

As I look forward to the year of 2014 with high expectations, hopes and dreams, this is a good time to reflect back on some selected personal memories from the rapidly ending year of 2013.

Here are my top memories of this year, ranging all the way from Carson City to British Columbia and the Yukon in Canada:

It’s now officially Fall and it's that unique time of the year again.
This is when the days are very noticeably shorter, the weather is much crisper and Old Man Winter is lurking just around the corner, with all of his cold, frost, snow and ice.

If you were not aware of it, The Sierra Nevada Mountains got their first snow of the year this last Saturday! Winter is on its way!

So, if you would like a last try at fishing some of our higher altitude lakes before they freeze up or are closed for the 2013 season on November 15, here are some suggestions on where to go:

Fire restrictions will be lifted Tuesday for national forest land in the Lake Tahoe Basin, the U.S. Forest Service announced.

“The arrival of cooler, wetter weather brings safer conditions and has allowed us to lift restrictions on Forest Service managed lands,” said Forest Service fire chief Kit Bailey. “Even though restrictions will be lifted, we still need hikers and campers to use caution with campfires, stoves, barbecue grills and cigarette smoking.”

Last week, I wrote about our visit to the remote Ookpik Wilderness Lodge on Babine Lake in British Columbia.
This week, I would like to offer a suggestion for taking a 2014 vacation trip beginning in Smithers, British Columbia, traveling to Watson Lake in the Yukon and returning to Smithers.

It will basically replicate the trip we took, after our return to Smithers from staying at the Ookpik Wilderness Lodge. If you are interested and if you have the vacation time, you might want to consider a 2014 Canadian vacation trip.

Elaine and I just returned from a memorable visit to a very special place: It was our second visit to that remote, far-north locale. The first time was about 15 years ago, when Elaine and her late husband Jim McGee and I went there to film Canadian fishing experiences for our weekly TV show.

Oct. 16, 1927 - Aug. 2, 2013 Jack Edward Lund passed away August 2, 2013 after a short battle with cancer. Jack was truly a man of the wilderness, with a heart as ...

Sigh, it’s that time of the year again.

This is my annual reminder that if you’re someone like me, summer’s sweltering heat is not much fun. I do not like summer months.

I am an outdoors person who dearly loves the cold, frost, ice and snow of winter, and I absolutely and totally wilt at this time of the year.

And, especially, right now, with our record-setting temps in triple digits.
I am miserable and grouchy during hot weather months.

To be honest, I dislike the weather anytime it gets past 80-85 degrees.

Nevada Senators Harry Reid and Dean Heller have introduced the Douglas County Conservation Act of 2013, which is designed to promote conservation, improve recreation opportunities, and provide for sensible development in Douglas County.

Two weeks ago, I wrote an article about the wildflowers blooming along the paved highway in the Davis Lake area of Plumas County, California.

This week's article is about a high-altitude hike that Elaine and I took to little Frog Lake in the Mokelumne Wilderness Area of California, as our way to celebrate Father's Day on June 16.

Our purpose for that Sunday hike was three-fold: To walk on snow fields (which we did), to photograph wildflowers (which we did) and to fish for rainbow trout (which we did).

This is my annual reminder that it’s almost time to have fun fishing in the High Sierras once again.
On Saturday, April 27 the 2013 fishing season will open for all applicable lakes, reservoirs, streams, creeks and rivers in the State of California.

That season will then remain open until Friday, Nov. 15.

If you’re new to this area, here’s some information that can be useful if you would like to fish on that Opening Day or the entire Opening Weekend: 
Some of the nearby streams, creeks and rivers that will open:

Two free lectures by science experts - one about the violent geologic history of Lake Tahoe, another concerning global warming, will highlight the many free activities at Western Nevada College during Earth Week, April 22-27.
Renewable energy exhibits, an organic gardening lecture, alternative fuel vehicles and a tree planting ceremony will also be featured.

“Many diverse and interesting activities will be offered,” said Valerie Andersen, WNC public service librarian and college Earth Week event coordinator. Students, faculty and the public are invited to attend.

Here is this week's fishing report for rivers, lakes and streams in Nevada, Northern California and the Sierra. This fishing report For the week of March 27 through April 2.

This Yerington land transfer bill before Congress is getting complicated. U.S. Rep. Mark Amodei, R-Carson City, said Tuesday that he wants to add a second federally protected wilderness area to the bill.

Take a Snowshoe Trek with Snowshoe Thompson Saturday, Feb. 16. This free, family-friendly leisurely snowshoe trek is presented by the Carson Valley Trails Association.

As soon as the snow started to fly in Hope Valley, David Beck had the feeling that the short-lived "retirement" lifestyle he had been tolerating was going to be over very soon if he could have his way. He had the feeling that all he needed was to recover a little bit from his new knee replacement, and soon he could be out again mushing behind a full set of huskies on the snowy trails of Hope Valley.

With several early-season Lake Tahoe snowfalls, including 24 inches in the past two days, and plenty of cold weather days and nights, Sierra-at-Tahoe resort will open its mountain from top to bottom including the West Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 15.

West Bowl offers long cruisers and intermediate to advanced runs, along with unbeatable views of Pyramid Peak and Desolation Wilderness. Beginners to experts now have the opportunity to enjoy over 2,212 feet of vertical terrain, three terrain parks, and lessons for all ages and ability levels.

The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit will begin accepting reservations for the 2013 Winter Trek Express program on Monday, December 17, 2012.

Teachers may reserve a spot by calling the Forest Service front desk at (530) 543-2694, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

Winter Trek Express is a 5th-grade environmental education program that takes place at Heavenly Mountain Resort via the gondola. Forest Service rangers lead the class through the wilderness to learn snowshoe skills and discover winter adapting animals.

At Lake Tahoe, football is underway, the colors are starting to change, the days are getting shorter, and the smell of fireplaces are starting to fill the evening air.

With the comment period ending Thursday, August 30, the newly formed Sierra Pro-Access Group is asking outdoor enthusiasts to write against a U.S. Forest Service alternative plan that proposes creating new wilderness areas that would shut down some of the locals' most beloved recreation areas on public land around the Lake Tahoe Basin.

The economic effects on the Lake Tahoe Basin could be devastating, the group says, shutting out what clearly has been public access for not only snowmobiles, but mountain bikes, dirt bikes, and 4-wheel ATVs.

It’s that time of the year again. This is my annual reminder that if you’re someone like me, summer’s sweltering heat is not much fun. I do not like the summer months.
I am an outdoors person who dearly loves the cold, frost, ice and snow of winter, and I absolutely and totally wilt at this time of the year.
I am miserable and grouchy during hot weather months, especially August.
To be honest, I dislike the weather anytime it gets past 80-85 degrees.

The Lake Tahoe region will celebrates Independence Day holiday with multiple fireworks displays from virtually all points, with the first show set to kick off July 3.

“North Lake Tahoe is unique in that we have a series of fireworks events held throughout the region,” said Chief Marketing Officer Andy Chapman of the North Lake Tahoe Chamber/CVB/Resort Association. “Visitors to the area can take their pick in terms of when and where or enjoy more than one show during their stay.”

For the second time in history, mountain bike enthusiasts are welcome to join their peers on a great "Mountain Bike Nevada" adventure and ride through Nevada, border to border, from Sept. 8-18, 2012. "We're looking for riders who want to experience an epic ride across some of state's most spectacular terrain," said Todd Whear, ride organizer and event co-founder. The journey is touted as "once in a life-time experience" and is a fund-raising event for the Nevada Public Education Foundation.

On Friday, June 8, 2012, Heavenly Mountain Resort will begin operating the Heavenly Gondola seven days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for sightseeing, hiking and dining. The Tamarack Express Chairlift will also operate, accessing miles of hiking trails with the best views of Lake Tahoe.

Here is this week's fishing report and a reminder that Saturday, April 28 is the Opening Day of California lake, river and stream fishing. This report covers water ways throughout Northern California, the Sierra, Nevada and Southern Oregon. To learn more about opening day or to get a California fishing license, go here.

Here is the fishing report for rivers, lakes and streams in Nevada, Northern California, Lake Tahoe and the Sierra. This report is for the week of April 18-25, 2012. The opening day for all California fishing is on April 28.

It’s almost time to have fun in the High Sierras once again.
On Saturday, April 28 the 2012 fishing season will open for all applicable lakes, reservoirs, streams, creeks and rivers in California. The season will then remain open until Thursday, Nov. 15.
If you’re new to the Carson City area, here’s some information that can be useful if you would like to fish on that Opening Day or the entire Opening Weekend:


Some of the nearby streams, creeks and rivers that will open:

Here is this week's fishing report for rivers, lakes and streams in Nevada, Northern California, Lake Tahoe, the Sierra and Southern Oregon. This report is for the week of April 11-17, 2012.

Here is this week's fishing report for rivers, lakes and streams in Nevada, Northern California, the Sierra and Southern Oregon. This report is for the week of April 4.

The Eastern Sierra Back Country Fishing Guide is designed to provide anglers with a quick, informative and accurate account of the distribution of fisheries in back country high elevation lakes.
This guide does not address front country waters, defined as lakes and streams that are accessible by vehicle.
The individual lake information is based on DFG surveys conducted from 2001 to present, with some surveys dating back to 1995.
More than 3,000 lakes have been surveyed for fish and amphibians and related habitat features.