REDS MEADOW LURES ANGLERS; PLANTING OF ALPERS RAINBOW MAKES LAKES EVEN MORE ATTRACTIVE THIS SUMMER.

Byline: Brett Pauly Outdoors Editor

When the road to Reds Meadow is cleared of snow in either late spring or early summer, Eastern Sierra anglers view it as a mini-trout opener.

Fish at lakes such as Sotcher and Starkweather are finally within line's length, nearly two months after the regular regional trout opener on the last Saturday of April.

Situated less than five miles west of Mammoth Lakes, Reds Meadow is an oasis for anglers, backpackers and sightseers. It features Devils Postpile National Monument, breathtaking Rainbow Falls and several entries into the High Sierra, punctuated by the jagged Minarets and towering Ritter Range.

This summer for the first time, as a complement to the Department of Fish and Game's traditional trout-stocking efforts, Sotcher and Starkweather will be planted with Alpers rainbow, the world-renowned hand-reared trout raised on nearby resident Tim Alpers' family ranch. Alpers' truck will dump some 750 pounds of trout - about 200 fish at 3 to 6 pounds and heavier - on July 1, Aug. 2 and Sept. 2.

It's a move that excites area residents and anglers alike, who to this point could only hope that the half-pound trout the DFG stocks into the two lakes would grow to the size that Alpers trout are usually released into the wilds.

``It's an enhancement to the area,'' said Emile Rummel of Crowley Lake, a general contractor who moved from Beverly Hills to the Eastern Sierra 30 years ago and has fished its trout-rich waters ever since.

``Let's be realistic. Fishermen like to catch big fish. You never brag about a 6-inch rainbow trout. You do brag about fish that are 2, 4, 6 and 10 pounds or more. It's an experience you want to repeat more than once in a lifetime.''

The program is funded by the Mammoth Lakes Chamber of Commerce and is part of a $50,000 effort to stock Alpers trout into area waters, including Mammoth Creek and Mary, George, Mamie and Twin lakes in the Mammoth Lakes Basin. Recognizing the potential attraction to anglers, the chamber has more than doubled what it spent on last year's stocking project with Alpers.

``The city mothers and fathers in their wisdom have determined that stocking these lakes and creeks in the Mammoth Lakes area is a very astute move in enhancing the local economy,'' said Alpers, understandably upbeat about the increase in spending on the program.

Alpers explained that the only time he has planted his trout in Reds Meadow was about eight years ago, when he put 30 rainbows into Sotcher Lake during the filming of a cellular-phone commercial.

``I'm looking forward to it,'' Alpers said. ``It will be the first time that I've really stocked down there with any type of serious poundage and I think it's going to be a real draw for that area down there.''

Alpers trout and the DFG's stockers should be an enticing combination, according to Mike Haynie, senior hatchery supervisor for the DFG in Bishop.

``I think our beneficiaries will be the angling public,'' Haynie said. ``There is a large number of anglers and there are limited resources available for angling opportunities. Both Mr. Alpers and the Department of Fish and Game help fill that need.

``In addition, there is a diversity in the type of product that we put out. He is putting out a larger fish. We are putting out a smaller fish. However, we put out a greater number. So there are opportunities for people to catch fish and opportunities to catch large fish.''

Madera County's Sotcher and Starkweather lakes - both easily accessed - may be fished at all hours of the day and night, unlike their Mono County counterparts, which can only be targeted in daylight hours. Five trout may be taken per day; 10 may be in possession. No other special regulations apply, but the DFG recommends anglers become familiar with the 1999 California Sport Fishing Regulations handbook.

Starkweather is a veritable little pond with little fish when compared to the wider, deeper Sotcher, where trout to at least 13 pounds, 11 ounces (at least according to the description on the 1987 photo of the trophy fish at Reds Meadow Resort) have been taken.

Rummel recommends anglers use floating processed bait (light green), lures (Thomas Buoyant in a perch pattern), and, when the fish are jumping, a fly-and-bubble setup with 4-pound line, three to four feet of 2-pound leader and an olive Matuka streamer pattern.

IF YOU'RE GOING . . .

To reach Starkweather and Sotcher lakes, drive the 300 miles north on highways 14, 395 and 203 to Mammoth Lakes. In town, proceed to the second stoplight and turn right onto the extension of Highway 203 at Minaret Road - alternately known as Reds Meadow Road and Minaret Summit Road upon passing the Mammoth Lakes Scenic Loop.

Anglers have a transportation option upon reaching Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort. Starting Friday, private vehicles can be driven into Reds Meadow - home to the lakes - only before 7:30 a.m. or after 5:30 p.m. daily. During midday hours, anglers must tote their equipment onto a shuttle bus; the fee is $9 for adults, $7 for ages 13 to 19, $5 for ages 7 to 12 and free for children 6 and younger.

Anglers with camping or cabin reservations in Reds Meadows and motorists towing boats are exempt from having to ride the bus. ``It's hard to put a boat on the bus,'' a Mammoth Lakes Visitors' Bureau representative said.

Information: [phone], camping; [phone], cabins; [phone] or [phone], shuttle bus.

- Daily News

MAMMOTH HAPPENINGS

Several fishing events are scheduled in and around Mammoth Lakes:

The Mammoth Lakes Five Grand Derby continues until 8 p.m. Sunday at Mary, George, Twin and Mammie lakes in the Mammoth Lakes Basin, as well as at Convict Lake and Crowley Lake. One tagged trout worth $5,000 and 59 other trout tagged for lesser prizes were stocked for the nine-day event. There is a $10 registration fee. If the top-tagged fish is caught this season following the derby, it's worth $500 to any registered angler. Information: [phone].

The Trophy Trout Roundup, which features cash awards and other prizes for the top three catches by men, women and youth 16 and under, takes place through June 30 at Crowley Lake. Information: [phone].

The Mammoth Lakes Chamber of Commerce and other Eastern Sierra sponsors and tackle manufacturers host the 1999 Mammoth Lakes Children's Fishing Festival from 8 a.m. to noon July 24 at the Snowcreek Golf Course ponds in Mammoth Lakes. Children 12 and younger fish for free; prizes are awarded for the biggest catch. Instruction, fish-cleaning and loaner tackle also are complimentary. Information: [phone].

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Photo

PHOTO (Color) Starkweather Lake in Madera County, which can be fished day and night, will benefit from the planting of Alpers trout.

David Moss/Special to the Daily News