Hidden Treasures
Independence Creek
May, 2003
Independence
Creek is located between of Lone Pine and Big Pine along highway
395. We imagined that many anglers pass it by in-route to the
'bigger ponds' further north in Bishop and Mammoth. We couldn't have
been more wrong.
We pulled into Grays
Meadow campground on a Friday night at around 8pm. Luckily, we
thought to reserve a space the week prior., as the campground was filled
to capacity. As to what it meant, only the morrow will tell.
We were on the
creek by 8am Saturday morning. By noon, none of us had seen a single
trout. What the creek lacked in trout, it more than made up for in
people. I can't remember when I've seen so many people
fishing. From age 8 to 70 ... at every pool and bend ... in any
direction you looked ... poles and people everywhere. And no fish to
be had.
DFG had stocked
the creek only four days prior to the weekend., and already the creek was
depleted of fish. We found this hard to believe., so soon into the
season. Equally hard to believe, was that Independence Creek was so
popular.
After lunch, I
hiked down stream a ways. Each time I thought I found a spot, I'd
find someone else fishing it. One family, I came across, had decided
to 'homestead' on a rock overlooking a nice pool. Seems the wife had
been playing 'cat and mouse' with a trout for the past couple of hours.,
and they weren't leaving that spot until it was caught. The scene
reminded me of past history lessons relating to the California Gold
Rush. Mind your claim!
On my way back
up stream, I came across the campground host and confirmed that DFG had
planted the past Tuesday. And discovered that the creek was (for the
most part) fished out by Friday.
Remembering
what my father used to say about fishing in crowded spots, "Go where
they aren't.", I decided to leave 'Civilization' behind and hike up
stream. I found a small pool at the base of a 2' fall. And it
looked like a perfect place for a couple trout to hole up. Typical
of a pool/hole that hadn't been fished lately, I had my first strike
within seconds. My dashed hopes were quickly replaced with renewed
enthusiasm., as I landed a healthy 10" rainbow.
Practicing my
theory "Where there's one, there may be more.", I re-egged my
hook and lowered away for another. Again, within seconds, a fair bow
around 8". Doubtful of a third, I gave the hole another
try. A few minutes later I had another 10" bow. Which,
pretty much did it for that hole. The little 8" bow was C&R'd,
while the other two would be my dinner that night.
I explored
further up stream from the 'Hidden Treasure' hole and couldn't seem to
find another fishable spot. Though I dipped the hook as I went and
didn't even get so much as a snag. None the less, I was happy to
have caught 3 nice rainbows.
On returning to
camp I discovered that my partner hadn't had so much as a nibble all
day. After hearing my tale, he wondered if we should hike further up
stream Sunday morning. All considering, I felt that getting an early
start home was a better idea. It didn't take much convincing on my
part.
By 8am on
Sunday we said our goodbyes to Grays Meadow ...
We'll
be back someday, maybe.
