I just returned from a week’s fly fishing at Mexico’s Lake Picachos which is east of Mazatlán in the Sierra Madre Oriental Mountains, lying in the State of Sinaloa.  It is a unique, spectacular setting for bass fishing.  The shoreline abounds with exotic birds and wildlife, as such it is a photographers dream.  The 15,000 acre lake sits in the foothills and looks north, east, and south into the Sierra wilderness.  Every morning and evening the view changes and there was a subtle alpen glow as the sun went down. I was traveling with long time fishing partner Dave Draheim, and 18 others from Chico Fly Fishers.  All of us have been before and return regularly, because like the fish, we are hooked on this place.

The setting is as fabulous as is the topwater fly rod bass fishing. Combine that with great local people and interesting fellow travelers and it makes for a good week.  We lodged with Billy Chapman’s Angler’s Inn.  The service, friendliness and delicious food was part of the experience.  We had rib nights, shrimp and lobster night, steak night and Mexican night to go along with nice lunches and breakfast under an outdoor commidor and there was an open bar.  Coffee was brought to our casa doors at the five am wakeup call.  After dressing we enjoyed breathtaking sunrises before moving down the small hill to breakfast and then our bass boats at first light.  There was siesta time after lunch before returning to the lake for afternoon fishing.

Arriving home the weather forecast projected ten inches of rain in my Grass Valley foothill home for the week. We got thirteen.  As of this afternoon, we have received over sixty inches and the higher snowpack is in better shape than seen for a long time.

Bear Yuba Land Trust sent me to the California Climate Change Symposium and I came home with a better understanding of what is happening. More rain and less snow is the pattern that has been projected and that is materializing.  Fortunately, the North Central Sierras have gotten a good dose, for which we are grateful.  Our reservoirs and lakes will be full and our rivers are in flood stage as I speak.