Ernie's Great Outdoors

BACKYARD  BIRD-WATCHING DAPPER BLACK PHOEBE NEATLY THRIVES ON INSECTS IN FLIGHT They seem to enjoy being around people BY ERNIE COWAN I noticed a small bird following me as I walked through the knee-high grass at the edge of San Elijo Lagoon. This dapper little black and white bird seemed quite friendly and interested in my travels. I’d stop and he’d land on a nearby tree or fence post until I started moving again. I then realized he was simply taking advantage of my movement. As I walked, tiny insects were flying up from the disturbed grass, and my hiking companion was reaping the benefits. Launching from his perch, he would repeatedly swoop down and grab an insect in flight, and then move on to  his next perch behind me. On this trip, my little friend was a black phoebe, one of more than 400 tyrant flycatcher species found through the United States. The black phoebe is more localized, occurring from Southern Oregon, along the  California coast, through the Southwest in...

Union Tribune -Outdoors CARLSBAD ANGLER NABS ‘TROUTZILLA’ Some people fish like they are playing the lottery. Jed Dickerson fishes like a big game hunter. He stalks his game, only looking for the trophy fish. Over the years, Dickerson has made headlines for some of the monster fish he has caught, including a potential world-record bass at Escondido’s Dixon Lake. He has earned his reputation as a master, trophy  bass hunter.  This week, Dickerson has done it again, but this time he targeted and landed a spectacular rainbow trout at Dixon Lake. While not quite a lake record, his 14-pound, 4ounce trophy still attracted a lot of interest for the Carlsbad fisherman, along with a good story about his adventure. Dickerson’s decision to visit Dixon Lake, one of his favorites, was a last-minute choice. "I dropped Jed Jr. off at school and decided to go to the lake. Someone said they saw a huge trout there the other day, so I decided to go look for it," he said. He r...

ERNIE COWAN  - Union Tribune Outdoors COLDNESS DOESN’T SCARE THE REAL TROUT HUNTERS The true trout hunter will understand when I say you never hang up your rod. For most anglers, a few glorious summer days in the Eastern Sierra, watching your fly dance on the sparkling waters of pristine mountain lakes, or a few Saturday trips to local lakes for planted trout, satisfies their cravings to fish. But the real trout hunter is always on the water, adjusting to seasons, conditions and what nature has  to offer.  Just about anyone who has fished for trout will tell you that California’s Eastern Sierra is a world-class destination for these freshwater fish. Rainbow, German brown, brook and native golden trout offer anglers experiences that range from armchair angling from the tailgate of your car to the thrill of catching a magnificent native golden, found only in the pure waters of wild lakes in the rare air above 10,000 feet. The beauties and challenges of the High Country seem...