LOVELOCK - Despite the reports of low water levels, Rye Patch Reservoir and Nevada State Park are still attracting many folks wanting to get away for the day or weekend, Park Supervisor Jim Hawkins says.
The park is gearing up for the free fishing day on June 8 and the summer's usual crowd. Hawkins said he doesn't expect a decrease in visitors to the park.
"We can still launch some boats. The water is a little down but the ground at the water's edge is good for launching most boats," Hawkins said.
Randy Martin caught a nice sized wiper May 30 from his small outboard boat while Martin and his wife Sherry celebrated her birthday with a special camping trip to the state park.
Martin said he had no trouble getting his boat in or out of the lake.
Sherry Martin caught two smaller wipers.
"It was a really nice afternoon out on the lake," she said.
Finding where the fish are biting may be just the luck of the draw. A group of lucky friends found that spot, catching "probably at least 16" they estimated.
Kim Moore said that she had joined her friends after work.
"It has been a fun day," Moore said.
She said that she planned to visit the lake all summer.
"I don't think it (water level) will make any difference in coming down and having fun," Moore said of the lowering of the water at the reservoir.
Allen Laudenslager said he had no plans of changing his Reno trip tradition.
"I come out here all the time. Every time I go to Reno I stop here and fish" Laudenslager said.
Four-year-old Ethan Cantwell was enjoying his first fishing trip to Rye Patch Reservoir with his parents Tony and Connie. The family said that the younger Cantwell took to fishing so well they planned to take advantage of the free fishing day on June 8.
Hawkins said that visitors who showed fishing poles would be given free entrance to the park.
Proving that a bad day of fishing is still a good day, Jim Wood and Tom Ames said they hadn't caught anything but were still having a good time.
"If you are coming out to catch a big fish, go somewhere else, but if you're coming out to relax and have fun then come on out," Wood said.
Aside from fishing and swimming, the park offers camping and picnicking, including many nature trails within the park and miles of ATV trails outside the park.
Later in the summer the park will host the Rye Patch Nugget Shoot, a fair celebrating gold prospecting in the area. Hawkins said there will be demonstrations in high banking, dry washing and detectors. Vendors for gold prospecting equipment will also be at the fair. The event will take place Sept. 28. The $5 park entry fee will also give access to the fair.[[In-content Ad]]
