LAKE JENNINGS TO STOCK “TROPHY” TROUT STARTING NOV. 1
October 22, 2013 (Lake Jennings) – Ten-year-old Doug Utz stood with a smile beaming across his face and his arms spread the length of a nine-pound Rainbow trout. The young fisherman was presenting his catch for a photo to commit the moment to history. That was many years ago, however, and such catches have since been impossible at Lake Jennings in San Diego’s East County. Rangers instead have been stocking higher numbers of smaller trout to help anglers bag their limits of five each. According to Head Ranger David Acevedo, that philosophy and practice are coming to an end. For this trout season, beginning Nov. 1, Acevedo said up to 3,000 pounds of trout will be stocked just before opening day with weekly 1,000-pound plantings thereafter. Average trout size in the deliveries will rise from a-pound-and-a-quarter to two pounds. The big change, however, is that 10 percent of the plants will be “trophy” trout, up to 12 pounds each. “We’re trying to give the anglers what many of them have been asking for,” Acevedo said. “Lately, when people have called on the phone and I’ve told them we’re getting ready to stock bigger fish, they’ve gotten very excited.” Acknowledging that not all fishermen are dedicated to trout but that nearly all anglers enjoy battling larger fish, Acevedo had some tips to help the uninitiated. “A lot of trout fishing is done with light gear, Acevedo said. “To catch an eight-pound trout on light gear, you really have to finesse the fish or you’re going to lose him. They’ll snap four- or six-pound-test line likes it’s nothing. “If someone asks me ‘what’s the best way to catch a trout?’ I would tell him to get into a boat and troll. If you do that, you’re probably going to be catching fish in the first 30 minutes.” Acevedo said that fishing from the lake’s banks should get pretty good, too, when the recently stocked Wipers (a hybrid of White and Striped Bass) gain control of the deep. “The Wipers will narrow down the areas where the trout will go,” Acevedo said. “The Wipers will be chasing shad out in the open water and taking over that territory. We think the trout will move from there and concentrate on working the shorelines, getting closer in, and becoming more accessible to shore anglers.” Suggesting bait for beginners, Acevedo noted that many experienced anglers use a “trout cocktail” that includes putting a night crawler worm on the hook, adding a dough ball on the head tip, and injecting some air into the worm so it will be forced to float up from the bottom a few feet above a sinker weight on the line. For trolling, Acevedo said a rubber Power Worm would be the best bet. Not only will there be larger fish to reward patient anglers this season, lake officials will offer prizes for catching “tagged” trout. Acevedo said actually tagging fish will be unnecessary since additionally stocked Emerald trout’s colorful appearance will be a suitable marking. Prizes have yet to be determined. Lake Jennings gets its fish, “Sierra Bows,” from Mt. Lassen Trout Farm in Red Bluff, a town in Northern California. “Those are pretty aggressive fish,” Acevedo said. “They have a reputation for being a good fighting fish. And our changing to larger fish—even the average trout at a half-pound bigger—is going to make a significant difference.” In a testimonial published on the trout farm’s website, Timothy Ports of Ports Seafood in San Francisco said that Mt. Lassen trout are as close to wild trout as you can find. “The flavor is clean and the freshness is always impeccable,” he said. “This is truly a handcrafted, artisan fish that changed my perception of farm-raised trout.” Some widely told tales insist that hooking the fish yourself can enhance the taste significantly. “If you fought it and caught it, that fish will be a feast,” Acevedo said. “You’ll enjoy every bit of it.” Utz, now 23, said he still remembers hooking his nine-pounder. “We were trolling,” he said. “It was my second or third time trout fishing. Suddenly there was tension on my line and I freaked out a bit. I didn’t see how big it was until we got him into the boat. “It was pretty exciting. That catch probably made a lot of other guys jealous. I still talk about that trout whenever anyone mentions fishing.” Utz said he is eager to take another shot at a hefty trout in Lake Jennings. “Opening day I plan to be out there trying to get another big one.”
PHOTO OF THE WEEK: HOWL-O-WEEN
October 28, 2013 (San Diego) — Photographer Debbie Ekhaml sent this haunting image — along with a description–and a follow-up shot. “The fog (and flash) made for a spooky Halloween photo of a coyote out in the SD Wildlife Refuge,” she wrote. “The flash did not seem to bother her, as I took more after the initial one.” Click “read more” and scroll down to see a second image of the coyote in brighter lighting.
HIGH WIND WARNING, SNOW FORECAST
By Miriam Raftery October 27, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning for the mountains and deserts from 10 p.m. tonight through 8 a.m. Tuesday. A high wind warning means a hazardous high wind event is expected or occurring, which can cause property damage. Snow is also forecast, with the snow level dipping down to 5000 to 5500 feet Monday. Westerly winds of 20-30 miles per hour with gust up to 70 miles per hour are forecast, with strongest winds on Monday. Visibility in deserts may be reduced by blowing sand. In mountain areas, watch for broken tree limbs and use caution if driving a high-profile vehicle.
FLAMES THAT SCORCHED COMMUNITY 10 YEARS AGO HAVE FORGED STRENGTH IN SURVIVORS, THOUGH SCARS REMAIN
By Miriam Raftery Photos of anniversary event by Pam Wilmers and Miriam Raftery October 27, 2013 (Lakeside) – “It started as a single flame in rugged, remote backcountry…The perfect alignment of extreme weather, fire weather and circumstances quickly transformed that flame into an enormously powerful and unstoppable force known as the Cedar Fire,” Lakeside firefighter Chuck Palmore said at yesterday’s 10-year anniversary of the Cedar Fire commemoration at the Lakeside Fire Station. The Cedar Fire touched the lives of thousands of people, he noted. “A decade later, we gather together here today to reflect and reconnect, to share with each other our journey that has taken us from victim to survivor to thriver.” The Cedar Fire remains the worst wildfire in California’s history in size (280,278 acres, or 438 square miles), buildings destroyed (2,820, including over 2,200 homes), and people killed(15). Of those who lost homes, most have rebuilt or moved on. But for the families of those who perished, the scars will forever remain. Molly Sloan lost her daughter, a granddaughter, and her daughter-in-law. She and other family members came to this memorial service to display a photo montage in tribute to their loved ones’ memories. “The smoke was so thick, I couldn’t see anything in front of me,” said Sloan, who drove through 30-foot-tall flames to escape the fire in Lakeside’s Wildcat Canyon at three o-clock in the morning. Other family members at home were supposed to following in their own cars, but didn’t. “They thought she was driving to her death,” Sloan’s grandson, Dante Perry III, told ECM. “So they tried to wait it out.” Mary Peace, Robin Sloan and her daughter, Jennifer Sloan, an El Capitan High School student, never made it out. “I don’t know how I got out, and they didn’t,” Molly Sloan said, her voice catching. (photo, right: Molly Sloan and Dante Perry III) The family never rebuilt. Molly owned the property and had given homes to each of her children, but was too traumatized to return. “We’ve let it go back to nature,” she said. Perry says he hopes to rebuild on the site someday. “I lived up there ‘til I was 16…I love it up there. It’s beautiful—if you can get past what happened.” Asked how her family is faring today, Molly tilts her chin up. “We’re actually doing very well now,” she replied, though she disclosed that Mary’s two children lost their father to cancer in July. Becky is going to college in Oregon and plans to become a registered nurse; Charlie is in Washington working in the lumber industry. “He has a nice family—two little boys. One just lost his first tooth,” Molly said, smiling. Life goes on. The nightmare began when a lost and dehydrated hunter lit a signal fire to attract rescuers near Boulder Creek. He was saved, but Santa Ana winds swiftly fueled the flames in the remote location into a firestorm that reached Ramona and Lakeside in the dead of night, catching many unaware before continuing its deadly swath across the county. Lakeside Fire Chief Andy Parr vividly recalls those turbulent times. Memories of the fire “are like a slide tray in your head that shows images,” said Parr, who worked “shoulder to shoulder to keep our community safe.” He voiced “pride and appreciation” for firefighters who worked valiantly to alert residents, saving many, as well as battling an inferno that spread faster than any wildfire on record. Out of the ashes of the fire, Lakeside built a new fire station that will be able to continue operations for at least three days without replenishing supplies, said Parr. David Kassel, founder of the Cedar Fire Rebuilding Resource Group, thanked all who helped those who lost everything. “The fire made paupers out of many of us, but there were those who reached out to help to give us more than a hand up.…We used to say this is the most expensive and exclusive group you never wanted to belong to,” he added ironically. “These people provided a way for us to move past the smoke, tears and devastation and rebuild our lives.” He also asked for donations to help create a Cedar Fire Memorial in Lakeside that will honor the memories of those who perished. A ribbon cutting for the memorial was held during the event. Rudy Reyes, the worst burned victim of the Cedar Fire, was charred over 65 percent of his body. “I cried,” he said after the ceremony, but was dismayed that no burn victims or others who lost family members were included among the speakers. Reyes has championed causes to help other burn survivors and has become an outspoken advocate for improving fire prevention since the ordeal, running unsuccessfully twice for Supervisor. Assemblyman Brian Jones was a newly elected Santee Councilman when the Cedar Fire occurred. He described the scenes as “a war zone”, recalling his shock to see homes burning all around and deer leaping in front of his vehicle to flee the flames. Jones, along with a representative from State Senator Joel Anderson’s office, presented a resolution from the State Legislature to commemorate Lakeside Fire Department’s 50th anniversary, which coincides with the Cedar Fire ten year anniversary. Many speakers praised the heroism of firefighters and other emergency responders, including Steven Rucker, a firefighter from out of the area who lost his life fighting to save a home near Santa Ysabel. “What starts in our backcountry does not stay in our backcountry,” Supervisor Dianne Jacob said, noting that the Cedar Fire was the first to burn into urban areas in San Diego. Since then, the County has spent $286 million to improve communications and boost resources, she pointed out. The County created a phone system for emergency notifications, added 70 fire engines and two firefighting helicopters, as well as creating a County Fire authority to consolidate rural fire departments. Despite recent news of closed stations, Jacob stated, “We are ensuring round the clock fire and emergency services in some
HIT AND RUN DRIVER ARRESTED FOR KILLING MAN, 20, IN SPRING VALLEY
October 27, 2013 (Spring Valley) – Jacob Greenwald, 20, was struck and killed while walking on a sidewalk on Campo Road near Cordoba Avenue in Spring Valley at 3:54 a.m. Greenwald, a recent Grossmont High School graduate, worked at a nearby McDonalds at State Route 94 and Avocado and was walking home from work. Jason Michael Palmer, 33, of Spring Valley has been arrested for fleeing the scene after fatally striking Greenwald while driving a Toyota 4Runner SUV. Authorities tracked him down after finding his license plate at the accident site. Greenwald died at the scene. Palmer is in county jail on suspicion of felony hit-and-run and felony manslaughter. 10 News reports that CHP has indicated alcohol or drugs may have been a factor, and that Palmer had a criminal record. Officers are checking businesses nearby for surveillance tapes.
TRAFFIC ADVISORIES: OTAY AND MOUNT LAGUNA
October 27, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – A Sig-Alert has been issued for a head-on crash at Highway 94 and Otay Lakes Road. Incident Page Network reports a fatality. CHP’s website indicates the head-on collision involved a white truck and a black sedan, with a third vehicle also involved. A serious accident is also reported on Sunrise Highway at State Route 79. According to the CHP website, one vehicle swerved to avoid another and rolled over. The vehicle is on its roof against support lines for a power pole. At least one serious injury is reported and emergency responders are en route.Sign up to receive free Viejas Wildfire & Emergency Alerts at the top right side of our homepage and also receive a free weekly copy of East County Magazine. You can also follow ViejasAlerts on Twitter for brief text alerts on your mobile phone. We recommend all of the above, since you don’t know what form of communications will work best in a major regional emergency.