Howdy from "Lake Cuyamaca"

Well, the weather hasn't been too co-operative...cool and windy, but the hearty anglers still are giving it a go. Like on 11-11-11.....Tim Martin of Spring Valley who caught an 18 pound- 8 ounce channel catfish on mackrel. Jim and Samantha Liebold of Lemon Grove caught a double limit of trout with the largest weighing in at a respectable 2 pounds using the "Cuyamaca Sandwich".....inflated night crawler and power bait. Also on 11-11-11 Dylan Bell (11 years old) from Downey, Ca. caught 3 trout with the largest weighing in at 2-1/2 pounds on rainbow power bait at the dike. On 11-12-11 Mike Balk of San Diego in two hours caught his limit of 5 trout using a 49'ers spoon at the "honey hole". Charles Haze of Alpine caught 3 trout with the largest at 2-1/2 pounds using lures at the sandbar. Folks are taking advantage of our "Off-Season" Specials.....the two most popular so far are the $25.00 all day motorboats and the sleeping cabins (with the choice of a free motorboat for each night's stay or, up to 4 complimentary fishing permits for each night's stay or, a second night's stay for half price). Melvin Langhorn of Chula Vista has visited the Lake 4 times in the last 6 days. He usually hangs out at the south end looking for bass. The man never goes away without catching a few no matter what the weather looks like.

I was able to take a ride up north to visit a few fish hatcheries and happened to spend some time with Tim Alpers at his place. A gracious host, he took time out of his busy schedule to show us around. We saw the raceways where the fish are grown, the "Catch and Keep Pond"....for all ages, the "Trophy Float Tube Pond" where the huge Alpers trout are found, the "Challenge Pond" where an angler can hone his skills, and the "Glory Pond" for the angler who wants a challenge. His place is just off Hwy 395 and the 167 north of Mono Lake at the foot of the Conway grade on the old Conway Ranch. Tim has been trying to enhance the fishing opportunities at the Conway Ranch since he moved to this location from the Owens River property. As we spoke about the visions that he has for his new hatchery Tim's comments came straight from the heart with a passion for his father, grandfather, his family and their challenges through the generations, their legacy, and how things evolved the way they did. You could write a book. Tim has more challenges ahead of him but I am confident he will overcome them. He has a decided conviction in what he is doing for the kids and folks who come to visit and is determined to see his vision through.....

Tight Lines......Dusty Britches