There are many unexpected things in our lives that can blindside us from enjoying activities we so dearly love doing. In my case, it was an unwelcomed stroke that changed my life permanently and temporally stopped me from participating in my pastime of fishing. For anyone who has known me, my name and the word fishing have gone hand in hand.
Not to be deterred from doing the things I love, I had to figure out how to fish with my new disabilities. You might just say “reinvent” fishing in a way that I might participate. The places I once fished had to be scaled back a little. Ok….. a lot. Saltwater trips for now are on hold but I expect to be able to resume them sometime in the future.
I set my sights a little lower. Starting with the way I could access places to fish was the first thing that needed to be addressed. I choose Yorba Regional Park for their easy access to the fishing ponds and friendly access for the handicapped. It proved to be a good building block to test new angling skills that were needed as well as just getting me and equipment to the waters edge. Knot tying one handed still proves to be a challenge but not impossible with a good attitude and extreme patience. After several successful outings to Yorba Regional Park I wanted to fish a bigger body of water and set my sights on Lake Dixon down in San Diego County.
I have fished Lake Dixon many times in the past. Mostly for big bass but on several occasions, I went trout fishing. I remembered the lake’s facilities seemed favorable to handicap anglers but I needed more information. Lake Dixon is managed by the Lakes Division of the City of Escondido. It’s located in the hills outside of the city but is easily accessible. When entering you will notice three public piers at various places around the lake. Picturesque hills surround the area and gives the lake a great ambience. The lake not only has fishing but camping and hiking trails too. The Daly Ranch is right next door to the lake and another great place for day tripping as well.
I have a mobility scooter that I use when there is a lot of ground to cover and leaving the parking lot I went to the front offices where I met Gregory Gould the Lakes Supervisor. I explained to Greg that I wanted to know about the lake’s fishing facilities for the handicapped. He generously offered his time to tell me how disabled anglers might enjoy fishing the lake which included a pontoon boat specially set up for them.
I was very intrigued to hear about the pontoon boat since walking the shoreline would prove impossible for someone with my mobility issues, so fishing the lake by boat was a real advantage.
Since the lake is run by the City of Escondido there is no California fishing license required either. Fishing permits are $9.00 for adults and $6.00 for seniors over 60. Youths permits (for children ages 8-15) are $6.00. A two rod stamp is only $3.00 extra. An All day aluminum boat rental with electric trolling motor is $40.00. The cost for the handicap pontoon boat was only $60.00 for the full day. I couldn’t believe it! What a great deal. The boat can also be reserved in advance.
After my conversation with Greg, I decided to take my mobility scooter for a ride down to the municipal pier and get a better look and a “feel” for access. The paved path was easy to negotiate and I was on the pier. There were a few anglers fishing at the pier’s end. An ample amount of benches and railings were available to accommodate anglers. For disabled anglers wanting to fish with the pontoon boat, a fold up ramp was integrated to the pier. The rental dock personnel bring the pontoon boat over to the municipal pier to load and unload disabled passengers. Space aboard the pontoon boat is limited to maybe two persons with wheelchairs and one person handling boat operation. There were railings all around the boat so falling off the boat would be difficult to do. I would be able to put my electric scooter onboard with little effort needed.
Fishing success is never guaranteed but the lake is stocked with rainbow trout during winter months and has a healthy largemouth bass population. There are catfish, carp, bluegill and crappie also in the lake. In addition to fishing activities there is (1) one cabin, that is setup for disabled persons who would like to camp over. Again, reservations are required and cost is very affordable.
For those disabled anglers needing to wet a line, give Lake Dixon a try. I found the personnel and the lake’s facilities just one step above most places offering fishing to the disabled. Good luck and happy angling.
See Photos Below
