BISHOP — Aug. 19 marked the final plant of Adopt-A-Creek heavyweight Alpers rainbows, following close to two decades of the privately-funded non-profit program providing trophy-class rainbows for bishop-area waters.

"The final plant will be the middle fork of Bishop Creek and North Lake," said Ron Scira, who has spearheaded the operation since its beginning in 1994.

"It's unfortunate, but the money we need to operate just hasn't come through, and a lot of people who promised funds didn't produce. Our operating cost has been right around $5,000 a month. We're entirely dependent on private funding. The money's not there and the economy isn't helping."

He added, "It's been a great run, I have no regrets. The program has been very popular with our visiting anglers and has been good for the community from an economic standpoint." The primary funding source over the years was a trading card company, but the economy forced the company to end that commitment last year.

Past years have seen Bishop Creek, Intake II and North Lake on the Adopt-A-Creek stocking schedule, providing anglers with the chance at taking a trophy-class rainbow. Alpers trout stocking from other sources, DFG, Bishop Chamber of Commerce, SCE and private resorts will continue. The program was entirely dependent on private funding.

Scira is the operator of Creekside RV Park and plans to remain in the Bishop area. He will continue to stock private water at his location ("Ron's Pond") with heavyweight Alpers earmarked for his guests.