March 9, 2002

Greetings Rock Creek fans!  Here's some quick information I wanted to let you know about...

The Fred Hall Fishing Show is taking place at the convention center and sports arena in Long Beach this weekend, and for the first time Rock Creek has a booth!  Moving up in the world I guess.  We're in a line with the Bishop Chamber of Commerce, Bishop Creek Resorts, and other Eastern Sierra businesses.  I'll be manning the booth on Sunday from 10-2.  Come by and say "HI" if you're going to the show.

The brief showers that Southern California received the middle part of last week brought a fair amount of snow to the Sierra, which is welcome considering that on February 18 Rock Creek was only 72% of average for the date.  The northern portion of the range received more than the south last week.  If you go to the weather page on the site there is a graph showing the water content at the lake.  Jim King, the resort's owner, informed me that the snow pillow sensor from which that information is taken is inaccurate.  He and Sue, his wife, have been performing snow surveys in the Sierra for the state of California for years now, and he went up to take his own measurements.  He checked four separate locations around the pillow and averaged them, and he found there to be about 3 more inches of water
content present than the pillow indicated.  This morning, the sensor showed 9.9 inches of water in the snow, so if Jim's measurements are correct there's actually probably over 13 inches of water in the snow...much better than the state may realize.  Still, more snow is needed in order to make up for the extremely dry winter last year.  I was up there 2 weeks ago, and there was a fair amount of snow, especially on the north-facing slopes.  South-facing slopes, such as the trail that links the boat dock area with the outlet, had all but melted out, even at 9,700 feet!  I'm sure that the snow of last week has turned the area back to winter.  Let's hope it continues for another month or so.  It is definitely needed.

Here's something that will interest the anglers...
The fishing season in Mono County has been extended to November 15 this year!  This means that fisherfolks can continue to fish Rock Creek from roughly Upper Pine Grove Campground down to Tom's Place beyond the usual
October 31 closing date.  Rock Creek Lake is in Inyo County, so its season will end on October 31.  Still, having those extra 15 days will be nice for many anglers that go into withdrawals immediately on November 1.  Convict Lake, the lakes around Bridgeport, June Lake Loop, and the Mammoth Lakes will remain open for fishing until November 15.  Pretty cool!  I've updated the fishing regulations for the area.  Give them a look...
http://www.rockcreeklake.com/fishing/regs.htm

The newsletter that Jeff promised us is still in the works.  The lack of snow and relatively warm temperatures apparently stifled his creativity.  Hopefully last week's snow has inspired him.  He's probably sitting in his cabin right now contemplating the newsletter's content over a roaring fire in his woodstove.  Well, I guess he could be on an exhilarating ski up Little Lakes Valley too.  Heck, the newsletter can wait!

Until next time, do a snow dance, take it easy and THINK CREEK!

Tim