Big Bear Today – the mountain’s preferred lifestyle guide

May 14, 2013

Huge Purse, $10,000 Trout at May Classic

Anglers will try to reel in their share of an expanded $8,000 cash purse plus equipment prizes during the 31st annual Jim Hall Memorial May Trout Classic on May 18-19.

"The Grand Daddy of Them All" fishing tournament is Big Bear’s longest running and has become a favorite with generations of anglers. And one tagged trout awaits worth $10,000 if caught on Pautzke Fire Bait, $5,000 even if it’s not.

Largest trout caught during the two days is worth $2,500 if the field of 500 anglers is full. Top nine trout are worth cash plus there’s tons of equipment prizes too. Winners need be present at the Sunday awards party at the Convention Center when checks are dispersed; no shows forfeit their cash prize to the fish plant fund.

Trophy-trout fishing is from 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 6 a.m.-2 p.m. on Sunday. Entrants receive a Jim Hall Memorial May Trout Classic hat, free jar of Pautzke Fire Bait, and admission into the awards party at the Convention Center with entertainment and drawings for thousands of dollars worth of fishing gear, bait and tackle from national manufacturers. At press time there were still openings to fish the Classic, one of the Southland’s premier trout tournaments since enormous trophy-sized trout are planted just days before the event. Municipal Water District (MWD) releases still more homegrown rainbows.

Last year’s winning effort caught by Dan Marshall of 11.07 lbs. was caught in Papoose Bay while trolling. Marshall took first place money and bested the previous year’s effort of nine-plus pounds. Marlin Johnson’s 8.81 would have won some years and the top nine trout receiving checks all weighed excess of seven pounds, making for a nice leaderboard.

It will take a beast to best the winning catch reeled in by George Burruss of San Diego four years ago, whose 13.83 lb. effort was the second largest in the tournament’s 27 year history. The lake record is 18.69 lbs. brought in by Trabuco Hills resident Erin Dominguez in 2009.

A great way to pay homage to the late Jim Hall, who founded the event in 1983 with Jerry Eden. The Classic has been a major reason Big Bear Lake has become a premium trout fishery, since approximately 30% of the proceeds go right back to stocking trophy fish into the water.

Visit May Trout Classic or call (909) 585-4007. Entry fee is $65 and participants age 16 and under with a paid adult get free tournament entry. Big Bear Marina is the official weigh station.

May Trout Classic is the first of the lake’s trout tournaments and is followed June 8-9 by Big Bear Lake Resort Association’s 5th annual "Fishin’ for $50K." Fifteen tagged trout in the lake are worth a variety of vacation and adventure packages, but one is worth a whopping $50,000. Four tagged trout have been caught the past two years, but the big bucks have yet to be reeled in during the event. Eventually it’s gonna happen...maybe on your line.

Fishing is each day from 6 a.m.-2 p.m. and entries are limited to 750 anglers. There is also $500 cash prize for biggest trout caught on Pautzke Fire Bait. Anglers have a chance to win a brand new Hobie Pro Angler 12/ fishing kayak as part of a separate raffle to raise funds for MWD’s fishery programs.

Any prizes associated with tagged trout that are not caught—other than the $50,000—will be awarded during the Sunday awards ceremony in the Bartlett parking lot in the Village at 3 p.m. Thousands of dollars of cool fishing gear, bait and tackle from national manufacturers like Phlueger, Abu Garcia, Shakespeare, Flambeau, Rapala and Luhr Jensen are raffled off plus a Cobra kayak. All entrants get a free jar of Pautzke Fire Bait plus a wristband for discounts at participating Big Bear restaurants, shops and specialty services.

All weighed fish must be at least 16 inches long and anglers can only weigh one per day on Big Bear Marina’s official tournament scale. Book lodging on June 7-9 or one or two day pontoon boat rental from participating lodges and marinas and receive free tournament entries. Otherwise entry is $55, $30 for anglers under age 16. Proceeds support Municipal Water District fish plant programs.

Call (909) 866-6190 or (800) 4-BIG BEAR.

May 10, 2013

Bird Day, Campfires, Kayaks at Big Bear Discovery Center

Memorial Day weekend sees the official kickoff of the busy summer season at Big Bear Discovery Center, but there’s plenty going on before the holiday too.

It all adds up to a busy month at Discovery Center, Big Bear’s recreation destination and the place to find everything from local hiking information and maps to permits and Adventure Passes. Every Saturday from 1 and 2 p.m., and Sunday at 11 a.m. and noon, there’s free Nature Walks around Discovery Center’s forested grounds with a naturalist, 30-minute adventures perfect for the entire family.

To view wildflowers that grow in Big Bear and nowhere else in the world, head east from Discovery Center along the north shore to Baldwin Lake Ecological Reserve. Open Saturdays 10 a.m.-2 p.m. through June 29, the facility is staffed by volunteers in a partnership between San Bernardino National Forest Association and Fish and Game Dept. and there’s information on what’s blooming on the unique Pebble Plain, plus trail guides for the adjacent interpretive path. Naturalists lead guided hikes through the reserve each Saturday at 11:30 a.m.

Help regrow the forest by getting your hands dirty during the Greenthumbs native plant restoration volunteer day held by the Forest Service on May 18. Workdays last from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Bring a sack lunch, water, sunscreen, hat, jacket and work gloves if you have some. Meet at the Ranger Station, 1/4 mile east of the Discovery Center.

Discovery Center celebrates International Migratory Bird Day Saturday, May 11 with an array of bird-related activities for the whole family. Build your own well-designed bird house from 10 a.m.-noon for $6 per kit, a fun activity for the entire family sponsored by Riffenburgh Lumber Co. Build a Birdhouse is also on May 25.

Popular Campfire Programs return most Fridays and Saturdays from 7-8 p.m. starting May 24. Meet animals from Moonridge Zoo, learn about Native American traditions, peer skyward through telescopes or enjoy other great programs. Cost is just $5, five and under free.

Kayak Tours are quiet explorations of Grout Bay in search of wildlife, sights and sites. Outings include a quick paddling lesson and are on Saturdays at 9-11 a.m., 1-3 p.m. and 4-6 p.m. beginning May 25, plus Sundays from 9-11 a.m. Cost is $30 per person for ages 10 and up and includes water and snack; 1 p.m. tour on Saturday is half-price.

Also returning are Grout Bay Canoe Tours. The leisurely two-hour tours are led by naturalists who instruct even raw beginners on the fine art of paddling. Then the group heads out to the water in search of beaver, great blue herons and baby ducks. Along the way paddlers learn about the history of the lake, gold mining, and various animals found here. The $20 cost ($10 ages 6-12) includes canoe rental, water and snack. Canoe tours are from 1-3 p.m. Sundays beginning May 26, with additional Thursday and Friday outings from 4-5 p.m. beginning June 13.

The holiday weekend is when summer really takes off at Discovery Center. Saturday, May 25 plus Sunday, May 26 sees the return of popular family activities at Discovery Center including Gold Panning for youngsters from 10 a.m.-noon. The “gold” that fills their pans is really just pyrite, but kids love to swirl sand and water just like miners did 150 years ago in Holcomb Valley during Southern California’s largest gold rush. Kids take their findings home with them, included in the $3 fee.

Then there’s Map and Compass instruction Saturdays from 1-2 p.m. that just might come in handy someday. Learn how to orient yourself in the wild and prove it by walking a course to test your skills...free! Build your own High-Flying Rockets out of recycled materials for free from 2-3 p.m. on May 25 as well.

Youngsters make their own well-crafted Pinecone Birdfeeders for free every other Sunday from 1-2 p.m. beginning May 26. Sundays also see Nature Crafts as fun projects are made out of recycled materials from 1-2 p.m., also free. Call Big Bear Discovery Center (909) 866-3437.

April 17, 2013

Discovery Center, BVES Mark Earth Day in Big Bear

Make a weekend out of Earth Day in Big Bear with a wide array of nature activities on tap.

First up, Bear Valley Electric Service holds its Earth Day Expo on Friday, April 19 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. in its parking lot. Exhibitors include Department of Water and Power, Sierra Club Big Bear Group, Pine Knot Marina, Forest Care, Big Bear Discovery Center and more.

Admission is free. BVES is at 42020 Garstin Dr.; call (909) 866-4678.

Next day on Saturday, April 20 Big Bear Discovery Center has fun Earth Day activities on tap from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Start the day by volunteering for a trailside cleanup from 9-10 a.m. led by Leave No Trace instructors departing from the Discovery Center.

Then explore a variety of booths at Big Bear Discovery Center designed to show how to turn everyday "waste" products into FUNctional items. Plant a native seed and take it home to watch it grown and learn how to responsibly visit the outdoors.

Also on tap are easy nature bike rides led by knowledgeable naturalists from 11 a.m.-noon along the Alpine Pedal Path. Bike’s not yet ready for summer? Explore nearby walking trails with naturalist to gain a great appreciation of local flora and fauna. Plus regular nature walks around the Discovery Center’s forest grounds will be held at 1 and 2 p.m.

The Forest Explorer will also be on hand, a virtual rolling field trip specially outfitted with interactive exhibits and activities for all ages. Explore what there is to do in the forest and how fire plays a vital role in its ecosystem along with learning about the many forest neighbors that live amidst the towering pine trees.

Free Nature Walks led by naturalists explore Discovery Center’s forested grounds every Saturday at 1 and 2 p.m. and Sundays at 11 a.m. and noon. Each 30-minute, non-strenuous adventure teaches local flora and fauna plus local history.

Looking ahead, don’t miss next month’s International Migratory Bird Day celebration at Discovery Center on May 11. From 10 a.m.-2 p.m. there’s information on local birds including walks, build a birdhouse, activities and nature crafts. Admission is free.

Call Big Bear Discovery Center at (909) 866-3437.

April 12, 2013

Flying Fingers, Fine Wine at Wolf Creek

Back in the day, when there were no flashing strobes or neon lights at nightclubs, there was often a mirror right above the piano player so listeners could see the flying fingers at work.

Mike Cross remembered it and decided to add his own twist. "This is the 21st century," Big Bear’s masterful "Piano Man" said. "I thought, why not do it electronically?"

Mike Cross at Wolf Creek Wine Room Opening So for the new Wine Room at Wolf Creek Resort, where he is the entertainment director and plays each weekend, Cross had a video camera installed just to the left of the keyboard on his baby grand piano. As he plays everything from jazz standards to "Route 66" and "Don’t Cry for Me Argentina" his dancing fingers are displayed on a big screen color television just above where the whole room can see them, a new age solution to an age old tradition.

Everything is top shelf in the Wine Room, where fine wines are served amidst rustic mountain lodge decor elegance. Relax in plush chairs and sofas or at your own table next to the fireplace and enjoy fine wines, gourmet beers, perfectly paired meats and cheeses, even luscious chocolate-dipped strawberries.

The refrigerated walk-in wine room is impressive, sporting hundreds of chilled bottles of wines of exceptional vintage. There are also many red, white and sparkling wines to enjoy by the glass.

For beer drinkers the Wine Room offers a vast selection of unique offerings in addition to standard domestics and imports. Like Paulaner Octoberfest, smooth and rich, and Long Coast Great White and Belhaven Scottish ale. Plus offerings from Bitburger, Fuller and many others. Not to mention the house’s own signature label Stone Summit selections.

Around the room there are hand-drawn murals depicting outdoor mountain scenes, and there’s beautiful stone floorwork and dramatic lighting. Not bad for a room that started off as a laundry before owner Dave Stone realized it would make the perfect wine room he had dreamed of building. Out back there’s a patio that looks out onto the wooden grounds plus vineyards that next year will produce Big Bear grapes that will be turned into the Valley’s own wine.

The April entertainment schedule is full featuring Cross by himself or on occasion as part of his Real Jazz Trio featuring Steve Boggio on drums and actor Mark Cade on string bass.

Also set to join in is fiery saxophonist John Bolivar on April 13-14. Cellist Peggy Baldwin, who played with Electric Light Orchestra’s Jeff Lynne as part of his "Zoom" project and has worked with Stevie Wonder, Yani and Henry Mancini to name but a few, accompanies Cross on April 26. Plus local talents like renowned vocalist Nancy Walker, a cabaret singer from the South Bay who has performed at the White House, and Serena Saunders often join in on weekends as well.

The Wine Room is open Thursday from 5-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday noon-10 p.m. and Sunday noon-6 p.m.

Wolf Creek Resort is at 41421 Big Bear Blvd. Call (909) 709-2890.

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Big Bear Lake, CA