OUTDOOR NOTES : Prospective Anglers Can Take the Bait
Been wanting to try fishing but don’t want to buy a license, or risk the penalty of being caught without one?
If so, Saturday may be your day. It’s California’s second “free fishing day” of 1991, a promotion the state uses in hopes that fishing will catch on with more Californians.
With that in mind, the Department of Fish and Game will conduct a fishing seminar, also on Saturday, at its Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., raffling free trips and tackle.
Noted fishing experts and fisheries biologists will be on hand to instruct proper techniques, and participants will be given a list of lakes in Los Angeles and Orange counties that have been stocked heavily with rainbow trout.
For details, call John Scholl at the reserve, (714) 640-6746, or the DFG’s Long Beach office, (213) 590-5126.
The hottest issue for sportsmen these days is the growing movement to ban hunting, so on Saturday, the 20th anniversary of “National Hunting and Fishing Day,” the protection of hunting as a sport and as a means of wildlife management will be the primary focus.
In Southern California, the anniversary will be observed at the Antelope Valley Sportsmen’s Club from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., with proceeds to be “used to obtain sound scientific management of California’s wildlife, and to protect hunting as a part of sound management.”
Sponsored by the Southern Council of Conservation Clubs and the Antelope Valley Sportsmen’s Club, with cooperation of the Los Angeles Chapter of Safari Club International, Saturday’s affair will feature shooting events at extra cost, fishing in the California aqueduct, dog trials, falconry performances, archery exhibits, a swap meet and raffles.
Cost: $10 for adults, $5 for children 12 and under. Details: (818) 797-1287 or (818) 351-0700.
State and federal waterfowl regulations and dates have been adopted for the 1991-92 season. Among notable changes for California hunters are six extra days of goose hunting in the Colorado River zone, a ban on coot and moorhen shooting between splits in the Colorado River zone and a new zone in the Southern San Joaquin Valley.
A new Central California zone encompasses Kings and Tulare counties, and the northwest portion of Kern County. Duck and goose seasons are scheduled to open Nov. 9 and close Jan. 5, the goose season closing Jan. 12 in the new zone.
The federal framework conforms to Arizona and California regulations along the Colorado River area, giving California goose hunters the six additional days at the beginning of the season, Oct. 19, 1991 through Jan. 19, 1992.
Waterfowl regulation booklets will be available at license outlets shortly, according to the Department of Fish and Game.
Briefly
SALTWATER FISHING--San Diego long-range boats remain the only vessels able to locate the tuna and dorado, and the overnight fleet continues to suffer at the docks.
Locally, marlin season is winding down and it could be one of the worst. Last week during the Catalina Gold Cup, the richest tournament in California, 120 teams accounted for only 21 marlin. No complaints from those aboard the Taja, which won $50,000 with a 211 1/2-pound striped marlin. Results weren’t any better during the Balboa Angling Club’s Master Anglers Billfish Tournament last weekend, when 233 anglers aboard 61 boats caught just 16 marlin. The lack of sunshine and cooler than normal water temperatures are reportedly among reasons for the poor showing of billfish.
Cabo San Lucas: Fishing for almost all species has improved but the bait situation has not. Live bait is hard to come by. Still, the fish aren’t lure-shy. Top fish: a 616-pound blue marlin reported by Capt. David Grimes aboard Simplicity. Striped marlin are the most abundant billfish and tuna and dorado are coming in regularly at 30-40 pounds.
East Cape: Sailfish, dorado and tuna providing most action. Blue marlin showing mostly south of Punta Colorada, but a 250-pounder was caught off Espiritu Santos Island near La Paz. Roosterfish have been feeding along the beaches, primarily the sandy stretch from Punta Colorada south.
Loreto: Limits of dorado reportedly the rule. Fish averaging 14 pounds. Tuna averaging 20 pounds and biting as close as a mile out. Sailfish scattered.
FLY-FISHING--The East Fork Fly Fishing Store in Irvine will have a fall series of classes starting Oct. 1, in rod building, salmon fly tying, beginning, intermediate and advanced fly tying and stream fishing. Fees are $50-$65, with free beginner mini-courses. Details: (714) 724-8840. . . . At Marriott’s Fly Fishing Center in Fullerton: Hal Patterson and Mark Walpin, 1 1/2-day weekend classes throughout October, and rod-building classes Tuesday nights.
POACHING--Last week’s column addressed the problem of the illegal use of gill nets in taking near-shore species in the Santa Monica Bay. Peter Wallerstein, director of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, said the organization is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of offenders. Those with information on poaching can call the Whale Rescue Hotline at (213) 543-2888. Wallerstein also said his organization has purchased two inflatable craft to patrol the coast at night.