The Crowley Fish Foundation participated in the California Waterfowl Association’s 12th Annual Owens River Clean Up held on Saturday, October 3, 2026, which was another very successful event. The weather gods blessed the roughly 50 to 60 volunteers who showed up on a beautiful blue-sky morning to partake in this well-established annual activity. The participants ranged from Eastern Sierra residents to Southern Californians who all believe that public-access lands should be clean and pristine. This matters to people, and it shows.
Volunteers met at 8:00AM at the metal footbridge in the Pleasant Valley Campground. They were greeted with coffee and baked goods which Trout Unlimited arranged from Great Basin Bakery. While enjoying cream cheese spread on a bagel, people mingled with the groups that were present. Tables were set up with representatives from California Waterfowl Association, Caltrout, Crowley Fish Foundation, Tenkara Tanuki, and Sierra Brite Dot. Jessie Sheldon of the California Department of Fish & Wildlife was present representing the local Bishop branch of the state agency. It was great to see support and representation from the local Fish & Wildlife office.
There was an impressive showing of representatives from various fishing clubs throughout the state, including Sespe Fly Fishers, Pasadena Casting Club, Long Beach Casting Club, Hi-Desert Fly Fishers, Deep Creek Fly Fishers, Aquabonita Flyfishers, and Santa Barbara Flyfishers. These are just a few of the several casting clubs that regularly frequent the area and take pride in the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power blue-ribbon fishery and its surrounding area. The people who regularly fish it also hold it dear to them as cherished waters. It can’t be overstated of the importance of having access to fish this river year-round. The Lower Owens River is a great place, and important to a lot of people.
The usual, predictable trash was taken from the area and put into a dumpster provided by the generosity of Preferred Septic and Disposal. Inyo County waives the dump fees for this event. Los Angeles Department of Water and Power grants permission to California Waterfowl Association to host it. Trash included the regular items picked up like empty beer cans, spent potato chip bags, and several yards of fishing line. The most interesting item found was a shopping cart that somehow managed to take up residence quite a distance from any grocery store. The beaten-up cart found its new forever home in the Bishop landfill.
The volunteers reconvened at the dumpster with their disposal loot at 11AM. They were fed Subway sandwiches, and there were several great prizes awarded in a raffle for participants. Participants won anything from a guided fishing trip with Sierra Brite Dot to gift certificates or swag items from local businesses. The selfless volunteers don’t do this to win a prize, but a raffle is always a fun time.
Chris Leonard thanks every group and business that offered support to make this possible. The supporters include Caltrout, Trout Unlimited, Fly Fishers Club of Orange County, Friends of the Inyo, Sierra Pacific FlyFishers, San Diego Fly Fishers, Sepse Fly Fishers, Long Beach Casting Club, California Waterfowl Association, Sierra Mountain Trout Guide Service, Preferred Septic and Disposal, Inyo County, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Virginia Lakes Resort, Sierra Brite Dot, Elevated of Bishop, Ducks Unlimited, Paymon Rokni, and Silver Lakes Resort.
Next year will be the baker’s dozen for this annual event. It will likely happen in October or November 2027. The date will find you when it is penciled down. Thank you again to everyone who helped make this possible, from financial supporters to the people who show up every year and give their time to this noteworthy cause.
