West to the Owens River

Arcularius Ranch

Owens River Ranch

I stayed in the Aspen area through mid-September. mostly fishing the Frying Pan and watching the leaves begin to turn. My interest in Ray Bergman’s “ Trout” compelled me to stop at the headwaters of the Owens River on my return to Los Angeles. I decided to drive straight through to Mammoth Lakes, CA then retrace my path for a short distance and head East along the road that parallels the upper Owens to the Arcularius Ranch where Bergman had fished.

Ilse and Nadia flew back to Los Angeles the day before I left. I traveled West through Glenwood Springs and Grand Junction into Utah through Green River, Salina and Delta.
The Eagles “ Lying Eyes” was in heavy rotation I must have heard it fifty times. It was dusk as I drove through Ely, NV and South to Austin . In Austin, which at one time had been a mining town I stopped and ate at the only restaurant open at 9:00PM. I had one of the best Chinese meals ever, was introduced to the proprietor’s youngest # 1 son, George and continued on my journey.
As I made my way towards Hawthorne, the radio reported the arrest of Patty Hearst. I arrived in Mammoth Lakes.CA at 6:30 AM and had breakfast at Andersen’s ( since closed). I bought groceries and backtracked to the Owens River Road just North of the June Lake Loop`

The Arcularius Ranch was full so I went back up the road to the Owens River Ranch and checked in for five days. I began fishing with my Winston since the headwaters are rather narrow. I took a number of smaller fish on a dry renegade # 18. That evening, while entering the cabin without breaking down the rod, I managed to snap off the rod’s tip when the door slammed shut. This wasn’t the first time I would do the same with all kinds of doors. I’m still learning….

Owens River Ranch, 1975