OUTDOOR NOTES : Five Are Arrested Along Piru Creek

Piru Creek is a small stream running between Pyramid Lake and Lake Piru on the west side of Interstate 5 northwest of Los Angeles. Its convenient location makes it a popular spot for members of the San Fernando Valley’s Sierra Pacific Flyfishers and others who can go there after work on summer evenings or on weekends, without an overnight stay required.

That location also made it an easy mark June 2 for alleged crimes that would outrage any responsible fisherman.

Fifteen months ago, after intense lobbying and rehabilitation efforts by Sierra Pacific, the upper half of Piru--1.3 miles--was designated by the California Department of Fish and Game as the fifth wild trout stream in Southern California.

That meant that only artificial flies and lures could be used. Also, because the population was determined to be fewer than 3,500 rainbow trout and no longer would be supplemented by planting, a zero limit was imposed to allow the population to grow and sustain itself naturally--meaning they would be wild trout.

It was a fragile situation but one with high hopes, until June 2.

On that night, DFG Wardens Cindy Adkins and Carol Haight, acting on a tip, cited five men for various violations of the Fish and Game Code on the posted wild trout section of Piru Creek. They were identified as Rigoberto Romero, 33; Redys Mendez, 29; Jose Hernandez, 39; Luis Hernandez, 25, and Hector Hernandez, 27.

The wardens said none had fishing licenses, which could cost them minimum fines of $100 each, and that they were fishing not with rods and lines but with five Hawaiian throw nets. That could cost them each $500 or six months in jail.

The wardens said the nets had taken 236 trout--estimated by the DFG to be 6.8% of the population of the wild trout section. That also could cost them $500 and six months.

What long-term damage was done to Piru won’t be known for a while, but it could be significant. The five are scheduled to appear in Newhall Municipal Court in Valencia next Tuesday at 9 a.m.

Briefly

CONSERVATION--For those who like hot, dry weather, hard work, long hours and helping wildlife, the 22nd annual Volunteer Desert Water and Wildlife Survey of Nelson bighorn sheep is scheduled in several Riverside and San Bernardino County mountain ranges July 4-7. Details: (818) 393-0706 or (818) 790-8850. . . . Sometime before July 4, Yosemite National Park will introduce 350 bear-proof recycling containers for plastic, glass and aluminum trash.

SALTWATER FISHING--The Dana Point Harbor Hooked on Bass Tournament is scheduled Sunday aboard the boats Clemente, Sum Fun and Fury. The $75 entry fee includes boat fare. Awards run from $100 to $1,000. Details: (714) 831-1850. . . . Kim Shull of the Pacific Dawn out of Ventura reported a catch of 75 calico bass for 20 passengers late Sunday afternoon. On a two-day trip, Zack Hitch of Van Nuys landed a 24-pound white sea bass off Santa Cruz Island; Christopher Roberts, 12, of Ventura, got a 20-pounder--his first. . . . David Chadbourne, fishing on the Apollo out of Fisherman’s Landing in San Diego, landed a 45-pound white sea bass to take the Whopper of the Week award in the second week of the 16-week Saltwater Whoppers Derby at 16 landings in Southern California.

BAJA FISHING--John Storie of La Jolla, fishing on the Relentless of the Gaviota Fleet at Cabo San Lucas, landed a 343-pound black marlin. The striped marlin action slowed, although it still averages nearly two fish per boat. There also is a fair catch of extra-large dorado and some sailfish. The best fishing is off Gordo Point, nine miles offshore. Inshore, pargo are strong and the roosterfish are there, but live bait is short. . . . At Rancho Buena Vista on the East Cape, Rick Hauser of Canyon Lake took a 363-pound blue marlin in 45 minutes. Steven Robinson of Agoura had a 116-pound wahoo; Jason Parr of Lakewood caught a 233-pound blue marlin. . . . At Hotel Punta Colorada, Tom McMillan of Reno and some friends took a 405-pound blue, an 80-pound yellowfin and a 70-pound dorado.

HUNTING/SHOOTING--The third annual Quail Unlimited Celebrity Sporting Clays Fun Shoot is scheduled Saturday at 9 a.m. at Raahauge’s Shotgun Sports, 5800 Bluff St., Norco. Entry fee: $85. Details: (714) 736-0570. . . . The Orange County Chapter of the California Varmint Callers Assn. will present three of the state’s top callers--Skip Christensen, Jim Terry and Jeff Buck--in a clinic Saturday at 8 a.m., at 1702 Kaiser, Irvine. Admission: $15. Details: P.O. Box 2582, Cypress, CA 96030. . . . The Department of Fish and Game says cottontail rabbits are more plentiful this year in Southern California because of the March rains. The season starts Monday.

EDUCATION--At Bob Marriott’s store in Fullerton, Hal Patterson and Mark Walpin will conduct 1 1/2-day weekend fly fishing classes July 13-14 and 27-28 and a rod-building class each Thursday evening. Charlene Hanson will teach fly tying on Monday nights in July, and a saltwater fly tying class is scheduled on three consecutive Thursday nights starting July 11. Oregon’s Deke Meyer will teach three nine-hour classes on “Float Tubing for Bass” July 18-20. Details: (714) 525-1827. . . . Classes in Offshore and Big Game Fishing are conducted at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut each Thursday night.

GRUNION--Runs are expected Friday at 10:25 p.m., Saturday at 10:55 p.m., Sunday at 11:30 p.m. and Monday at 12:10 a.m.