The Napa Valley Register from Napa, California • 11

a Thursday May 29, 2003 Napa Valley Register IMIiffHieius.com Contics03-C4 TravelC5 UR TOWN Executive Sports Editor: Marty James 256-2223 E-mail, napasportsnapanews.com New dams would threaten rivers Yosemite's stairway to heaven Young climber tells of trek up Half Dome hewn out of the canyon wall, 300 uneven steps. This was the Mist Trail, named for the spray thrown upon it by the falls. From the top of the falls, the Merced River plunged between the green canyon walls, running under permanent rainbows. I could feel the life of the canyon and the river as it rushed over the cliff. I felt fresh and ready for the day.

I paused a moment to enjoy the feeling. Then I pressed on. The trail took me up through a peaceful wooded set of switchbacks. But 1 could hear a growing roar as 1 approached Nevada Falls, where the river plunges onto boulders 600 feet below. I had made the approximately four miles from the trailhead to Nevada Falls in just under an hour.

Only a handtul of other people See DOME, Page C6 nia. The trail was long, 16.4 miles. And it was steep nearly vertical on the final approach. My trail book had described it as a two-day hike. But I did not have two days, and I was 17, strong and fit.

1 decided to get an early start and just push it. The morning air was cool as I moved up a trail shaded by towering pines. The trail was wide enough to fit four people walking abreast, and it was paved to make it more accessible to tourists. It led to Vernal Falls, one of Yosemite's landmarks and as far as most walkers get on the trail, although it would be only the first stop on my hike. Less than a mile along, I could see the waterfall at the end of a canyon.

Along the canyon and down both sides of the trail, shrubs and flowers were misted by its spray, a permanent morning dew. I climbed a staircase Editors note Last week, the National Park Service opend the cables that allow climbers to scale Half Dome for the 2003 season. This is a tale of a young climber's ascent of Half Dome in summer of 2002. By MIKE DREYFUSS For The Associated Press YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK Clutching a steel post in my right hand, dangling about 300 feet above the weathered granite of a canyon ledge, I struggled to get a hold on the cliff. The National Park Service notice at the trailhead had said, I Ialf Dome cables to be taken down for repair this Sunday.

Now I realized why. I had hit the trailhead at dawn for the bald gray peak of Half Dome, 4,737 feet above the valley floor at Yosemite National Park in Califor The Pacific Northwest is feeling the impact of some new federal laws on rivers and dams; this could also happen in California. In this state we are very concerned about energy costs and want to keep our rates at a level we can afford. U.S. Senator Larry Craig recently set the example and received the legislator of the year award for keeping the lowest electric rates in the nation in Washington.

Though hes from Idaho, Craig has drafted a section of the national energy bill now on the Senate floor that could affect dams, utilities, and endangered salmon runs throughout the Northwest. Craigs language would streamline the relicensing of dams, an archaic process that nearly everyone agrees is seriously flawed. In addition, Craigs proposal would give utilities an opening to avoid the sometimes-tough conditions imposed by federal agencies to protect salmon and other fish and wildlife species. The part of the new bill that is being opposed by many outdoor organizations, from the National Wildlife Federation and Trout Unlimited to the American Sport fishing Federation, is Section 51 1. We will watch this bill and see how it gets cleaned up.

Sturgeon poaching investigation Two weeks ago 10 people were arrested for the illegal take of sturgeon and the selling of their roe (caviar), ending a two-year joint federal and suite surveillance. This week, the Department of Fish and Game arrested an additional 12 people, most from Sacramento and Merced. Each suspect convicted is subject to a maximum of 10,000 and one year in county jail. The investigation is ongoing. Memorial Day memories This Memorial Day jumped up on us because we didnt have much of a spring.

Now it is summer already. The 90-degree days were a welcome sight for most of us. Berryessa, Clear Lake and all recreational areas were crammed with people. It was a chance to get away and the weather cooperated. I did some fishing with my oldest son, Guy.

We finally decided on Clear Lake and found some nice bass, though it was hard fishing for awhile. We finally found the fish around the state park area. We caught a few and broke off some nice ones, the big ones, of course. Conn Dam and Berryessa provided some fun action early in the morning for locals before speed boats and the wind took over. Plan those get-aways I spent part of my weekend going over my calendar and planning out most of the rest of the summer.

Next weekend Ill be canoeing down the Russian River and kayaking on the Napa River. The following weekend takes us to Oregon for fishing at Klamath Lake and Paulina Lake. Then I'll be at Clear Lake, the Sierras, and some new places. I want to go back to the Gold Lake loop, one of California's prettiest areas. Located near Grey Eagle, about four hours from Napa, the Gold Lake loop (about 8 miles long) includes eight small lakes and has hiking trails covering a total of 15 lakes in 6 miles.

Most all of the small lakes have a lodge on them, and reservations for these resorts need to be made at least one or two years in advance. I have made a list of 1 2 places I want to visit and fish in the next two years; they are all in Northern California. Also on our list for this year is a long weekend at Lake Pillsbury, and a houseboat trip on New Melones Lake. I also would love to take a houseboat trip in the Delta if we have time this year or maybe next year. Outdoor Notes I have been asked by a number of people about the use of minnows at Lake Hennessey.

Yes, you may use minnows. See CARL, Page C2 Mike Dreyfuss, right, stands on the summit of Half Dome. Other hiker is unidentified. Project Kokanee Fun Fishing Derby opens June 7 at Lake Berryessa Fishing derby The Project Kokanee Fun fishing Derby, offenng divisions for kokanee and trout, is June 7 at Markley Cove at Lake Berryessa. Its put on by the California Inland Fishery Foundation.

The CIFF is responsible for planting kokanee at the lake. Its an open tournament, and there are divisions for adults and juniors. There will be cash prizes and merchandise awards. Sweeneys Sports is a sponsor. Call Chad Hole at Sweeneys at 255-5544 to sign up.

You need to preregister. General trout season Conditions for high-mountain streams and rivers are improving for trout Shad fishing Try for shad in the American, Sacramento, Feather, and Yuba Rivers, said Hole. Shad is about to bust loose," he added. California Delta In the Isleton area, Can Nguyen of bass. Crappie are steadily coming in.

Night fishing for crappie is the ticket. Use a red and white or a yellow and white jig off the bottom. Anglers are getting their share of crappie. Capell Cove is the hot spot near Spanish Flat Resort for your crappie. The warm weather has stirred up the catfish.

Cats are now coming in at the 4-to 5-pound range. Anglers are using nightcrawters, chicken liver or a piece of hot dog. Fishing the many coves on the lake will get you your cats, said Righetti. Napa River Chad Hole of Sweeney's Sports said Tuesday conditions for striped bass are slow. They're getting fish but its pretty tough, said Hole.

The bite is pretty tough." Lake Hennessey fishermen are averaging 2-3 trout. Conditions are productive. Trolling has been working. Also, try power bait and nightcrawters. Bass fishing is fair, using plastics, crankbaits, or spinner baits.

Bobs Bait Shop said many fishermen did well last weekend in the San Joaquin River, and the Mokelumne River when fishing for stnped bass. The most productive areas for sturgeon are Sherman Island, Old Dairy, and Rio Vista Bndge. A 60-pound, 63-inch sturgeon was caught at Chain Island on grass shnmp on May 10. A 55-pound sturgeon and a 28-inch striper were caught on grass shrimp and pile worms on May 1 1 In the Rio Vista area, Audie Urbano of Haps Bait said a wide open assortment of mixed-size stripers up to 27 pounds really hit hard in Rio Vista this past week. The weather has been improving and the water clarity is much better.

Hopefully we can getback into trolling again, said Urbano. Blood and pile worms, shad and sardines have been the most effective and most consistent bait throughout the spring season. Anglers are picking up good-size female stnpers in areas like the Old Dairy, west bank of Decker and the Rio Vista Bndge. Mike Wrightsman from Oroville landed a 27-pounder on See FISHING, Page C2 From Register Staff The latest fishing developments from around the Napa Valley, North Bay region and Northern California: Lake Berryessa Tty for trout at 20-30 feet, said Chad Hole of Sweeneys Sports. Heavy boat traffic over the Memonal Day weekend made for difficult conditions.

Dino Righetti of Spanish Flat Resort said Tuesday that the Memorial Day weekend was a very windy one, but it was still rather warm. Trout are still coming in steady, but most of them are now around the 20-foot depth. Try trolling with a needlefish or pins minnow lure. The water temperature is now rising with the warmer daysi The temperature reading at the surface is approaching the 70-degree mark, so the fish are at deeper depths. Bass anglers are doing real well with nightcrawters or rubber worms all over the rock shoreline of the lake.

The narrows near the dam and the Putah Creek areas seem to be producing well on 9FTii4dr Fishing Report There should be a top water bite happening now that the warmer weather has arrived. BodegaBay Wil's fishing Adventures reported Tuesday that winds have died down and, as a result, the salmon conditions have improved. Passengers on the Blockbuster limited out on Monday, with the boat returning early. There were also quite a few fish on the Moku. Salmon fishing has been pretty good, a spokesperson said.

Theyre catching salmon four miles straight off Bodega Head, toward the buoy, in 300 feet of water. Rock cod season starts July 1. Call 875-2323..