bishop question

[lizzay]

So I want to go up to Bishop and have a first time experience up there. I understand that the "season" is over and I wanted to also know if it's still worth the trip up there. I tried looking up stuff online but got a bunch of resort type things and they are closed or something. Anywhow. I'm interested in getting some information about lodging locations, fishing locations (are there lakes? streams? where do i find them?) This is all new to me as I'm only used to the reservoir lakes that we all reside near in So Cal. Any help would be much appreciated and as for the lodging maybe somewhere where I can do some real close fishing and discovering as well as near towns,foods, etc. This is a plan for a day and a half type trip. Thank you for all the help.

[Koshaw]

Heres some info I dug up on the board.

http://fishingnetwork.net/forum4/showthread.php?t=9192&highlight=bishop+fishing+lodging

More info to follow. I would check on the regs regarding the fishing season up there and where barbless and C&R are only allowed.

Some places in Bishop are cheap to rent about fifty bux a night depending...

Always use noaa.gov for weather reports and take chains and cold weather gear. \

Good luck and Tight Lines!

[gwjones00]

This time of year should be pretty pleasant in Bishop. I would expect nights in the upper to mid 20's, days probably in the upper 50's to lower 60's. That being said - it is the high desert, so at this time of year you should be ready for just about any weather. A few years ago there was a snowstorm that effectively shut 395 down in the Lone Pine area, but that is very rare. The best thing about Bishop is that it is low enough in elevation, that chains and the like in the event of a snowstorm are pretty unlikely (I can only think of a couple of times in 40 years of going to Bishop where there was significant snow on the ground - and that was in January/February). Pay attention to the weather report before you go.

I like Bishop becuase there are plenty of places to stay and eat. Also, there is a Vons Supermarket and a K-Mart in town, not to mention the Casino and a bowling alley for entertainment. All in all, small quiet town with a few things to do.

What is your price range? Best place to stay in town in the Best Western Creekside Inn, located at http://bishopcreekside.com/. It's also on the high side of the price spectrum though, but nice, comforatble,arm, and has a great continental breakfast bar included in the price.

Food is plentiful. The best "home style" food is probably Jacks Waffle Shop, right on Main St. Don't miss Schat's Bakery (and deli) - also on Main St. There are plenty of other places to eat as well. If you are looking for something a little higher end, check out Whiskey Creek.

As far as fishing goes, Pleasant Valley Reservoir about 10 miles north of town is open year round. To get to PVR, drive on 395 about 10 miles north of Bishop. Follow the signs pointing to Pleasant Valley Reservoir to the East. Drive about 6 to 8 miles on a paved road to where it ends (past the PVR campground). You will then need to hoof your gear about 1/4 mi to get to the Dam. I've had good luck before fishing about midway off the dam using Power Worms. If you are more adventurous, you can always walk further along the road. Maybe a mile down the road, there is an access road that leads down to the lake. I've also had luck there. I have also heard (although I've never been) that there is access at the north of PVR where the Owens River enters the lake. I've read about good float tube fishing there.

Also, the Owens River is a year round fishery. You need to be careful though, there are special regulations along certain parts of the river: from PVR to footbridge at the lower end of PVR campground (from 10/1 through 12/31 - artifical lures with barbless hooks, C&R only), and from footbridge along Chalk Bluffs Road to Redwood Sign (artifical lures only with barbless hooks, C&R only)

There is also a lot of fishing close to Bishop too. There are really three main points to access the river:

() Laws: As you get to the north end of town (at the "Y"), continue north on Hwy 6. In about 4 to 5 miles, you will see the Laws Railroad Museum. Just before you get there, you will drive over the Owens. Park your car there and walk either north or south for fishing. If you have a 4X4, you can drive along any of several use roads along the river at that point. The use roads eventually get you to the other access points that I'll mention below.
() East Line St: At the signal in downtown Bishop at Line St, turn East (toward the airport). Just past the airport, you will once again drive over the Owens. Park and enjoy fishing north and south of the bridge.
() Warm Springs Road: About 4 miles south of Bishop, you can turn East on Warm Springs Road. Drive 4 to 5 miles, and park at the bridge over the Owens and fish north or south

Bishop is one of my favorite places around for sure!

[Badfish2]

Honestly, if it's your first time up... I recommend waiting until next season and the snow is all gone so you can check everything out and not just Pleasant Valley Reservoir (the ugliest lake in the sierra) Don't get me wrong, it's AMAZING up there when the mountains are covered in snow. IF you're not hardcore fisherman, then it might not be bad to get up there this winter, However you're going to find the roads that go up to most of the canyons will be gated off, and that's where 90% of the fun is and scenery too. You're more or less limited to fishing the owens and PVR in the winter, that's why I say head up next year when everything is open, including the roads. That's unless you can get up there this next weekend before it closes. My guess? you're going to need more than a day and a half trip unless you own a plane... you'll be doing a lot of driving up there, although everything seems "close" once you're up there, the drives are actually 30+ minutes between most canyons and places to visit. Bishop creek canyon is known to be a one stop shop type of thing, with lakes, streams..pretty much some of the best the sierra has to offer. It's a great place to get started, but like i said, after this weekend all of that will be closed,.Seriously, plan it out a little more here on the forums, and online and then take one kick *** trip next year when it's all open to see. You can do the winter trip, but for a first timer i'd wait

[tpfishnfool]

Yea forget PVR in the winter.. Its ugli and there aint no fish in there anywhoo.. Diaz is where you want to go..........

[Badfish2]

PVR isn't that bad really, but it's definitely not much to look at. Big browns in there though, although none have come out in some time

[lizzay]

Thanks for the help guys, I'm probably just gonna check out the Sacramento River instead and get a guide down there. Word has it that they opened up from nov till sometime in dec. for the salmon. Love to get some 20+ full protein with me to bring back home. Stealheads should be making their run as well per the resort I spoke to.

[Big Country]

Might want to check the salmon returns before you go and invest in a guide service up on the Sac. If you are willing to pay for a guide and you want to do some incredible fishing and have a great one day experience go to www.sierradrifters.com as they specialize in the Owens during the winter months. The fishing is incredible this time of year and you do it from a float boat.

As for fish reports up in that area, just because someone doesn't post a report and a photo of a 6 lb brown from PVR doesn't mean that they aren't getting caught. Yes they are there and yes they do get caught frequently. It just that there are a lot of people that have a lot better sense and selectively censor when it comes to what they post on these boards.

Just because it ain't in writing here doesn't mean it ain't happening. That's rule #1A when it comes to looking and posting on websites like this.

[billy b]

Is the best way to access PVR from that turnoff at the base of Sherwin Grade just as your starting up the hill? I believe it has an Owens Gorge sign? What's with the people who bike ... do they go further down the river?

[gwjones00]

Might want to check the salmon returns before you go and invest in a guide service up on the Sac. If you are willing to pay for a guide and you want to do some incredible fishing and have a great one day experience go to www.sierradrifters.com as they specialize in the Owens during the winter months. The fishing is incredible this time of year and you do it from a float boat.

I can vouch for the guide service on the Owens! Great day floating down the river catching quality fish!

[Badfish2]

I consider myself more or less a pro at trout fishing the sierra and I'd still consider doing that guide service with sierra drifters to take a boat down the owens just for the hell of it. Sounds fun

[gwjones00]

The thing that impressed me was how much water there is to fish on the Lower Owens. We got in at the Laws bridge at 9 AM, got out at 4:30 or so in the afternoon (was in February, so it was getting cold and dark by then) and didn't even make it to Line Street.

My son and I went - probably caught 10 a piece - nothing under 2 lbs.....