Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area is a reservoir hanging between the San Bernardino Mountains and the high desert community of Hesperia. We like to visit its southernmost tip, Miller Canyon, and walk the two miles to Serrano Beach Landing. Now that we are licensed to fish, 
Matt prepares the rig for my trout fishing pole.
The moment we reached the water's edge, we saw a 10-inch trout darting around in the shallows. But I allowed Brisket to splash and swim for sticks, scaring away the fish.
We moved on to the dock so that Matt could try the deeper water for stripers and Brisket's play couldn't come close enough to disturb our prey.
I plied my trout rig in a clearing of water weeds. I could see many 10-12 inchers come and have a sniff. One even took a nibble. A huge catfish also visited my bait, but none took the hook.
Matt tried his luck at the deeper water at the end of the dock. He got one hit, but the fish did not set the hook and swam free.
We realized that it was getting late. We had to hurry back before they locked the gate at 8pm. It is hard for me to focus on clocks and gates when in nature. Across the water, an Osprey squawked as it bedded down in its stick nest atop a towering dead tree.
I also spotted an Egret roosting on the far side of the lake.
We had to yield the road to a Western Diamondback who stretched his entire length on the warm asphalt, charging up for its nighttime hunting.
Miller Canyon is a snakepit! Immediately after stepping around the rattler, we encountered this gorgeous California Kingsnake rippling across the road:
I was relieved to reach the truck before we were locked in for the night. I relaxed and let my beloved take us back up the winding road to Crestline, where we were treated to a panorama of city lights.
May all beings dwell in love, kindness, peace and joy!
