The Current Magazine Winter 2015 | Page 28

FIELD REPORT

Wolf Creek

Silver Creek is currently in the third summer of going through the process of removing invasive brook trout to expand habitat for native LCT. It remains closed to fishing until a stable population has taken hold. CalTrout is also conducting restoration work in upper Wolf Creek meadow along with several other meadows in the area including Pickle, Upper and Lower Sardine, and Cloudburst with partners including the US Forest Service and others.

Wolf Creek is near the Marine Corps base off Hwy 108 and the marines stationed there often use the area for training. It’s not uncommon to see buggies, quads and large trucks buzzing by on the road or hear gunshots during training exercises. The Marines even have a private ski lift tucked up in the hills. While I was out on the creek a large helicopter flew over several times making passes through the canyon and right over the meadow. As the sun fell down over the hill and the temperature began to drop, I hopped in the truck and rattled my way down the long dirt road back toward the highway. The aspens were starting to change and that cold crisp air seeped through my cracked windows. I felt like I’d had a good conversation with an old friend even though I hadn’t said a word all day. Fall in the Eastern Sierra is magical.