I have been escaping the August heat in Owens Valley by visiting with friends up in Mono County in a dispersed camping area I have nicknamed The Pine Flats, although it's actually flat only in places. We hiked up to a ridge that overlooks the former Alpers Trout Hatchery ponds and loops (now a ranch retreat). The headwaters of the Owens River collect in this area and flow through a "hidden" valley I had never seen before, mostly private ranching property, down into Long Valley and Lake Crowley.
My fishing experience has been dismal recently, except for catching one brown trout in Pine Creek. Browns have golden fins and rich red dots along the sides--almost too pretty to eat, but also delicious. I am looking forward to autumn.
