OUTDOOR NOTES : Dunsmuir Not Hooked on DFG Trout Strategy

The Department of Fish and Game is soliciting comment on its proposed management strategy for the devastated upper Sacramento River, and it figures to get plenty from the folks in the small town of Dunsmuir.

The latest proposal, released Friday, differs sharply from a resolution agreed upon by the Dunsmuir Chamber of Commerce and Fish and Game after a July 14 chemical spill that killed most of the fish and insect life in the river. That resolution essentially stated that, at the opening of the 1992 general trout season, hatchery fish again be planted in a 14-mile stretch of the river that runs through Dunsmuir.

The DFG now says it is concerned that planting hatchery fish would endanger the wild trout remaining in the river and is proposing the capture of up to 50 pairs of adult fish and relocating them “in the hopes the fish would spawn in the river or nearby tributaries this spring.”

Residents of Dunsmuir, meanwhile, are strongly opposed to this strategy, claiming that many businesses rely largely on hatchery trout to survive. They estimate that up to 40% of their business comes from people who come to town to fish.

“The recession has hit us hard, but our tourism had been going strong,” said Ron McCloud of Dunsmuir Hardware. “It’s the only thing going for us. We’re suggesting that they plant that (14-mile) stretch so people can come here, buy some worms catch a few fish and enjoy themselves and we can have a good summer.”

Roy Haile, a retired Sacramento lobbyist and spokesman for the Dunsmuir Chamber of Commerce in its fight against the proposal, said: “The Chamber of Commerce has not changed its position--that they abide by the resolution and give us hatchery fish this year.”

Haile said he checked the stocking record of Fish and Game to 1958 and said 4 million fish have been put in the upper Sacramento. Haile and others are concerned that the DFG wants to turn the upper Sacramento into a wild trout fishery, which would mean strict regulations on the fishery and no more stocking.

“Our economic situation requires serious consideration, not only serious consideration, but that they do it,” he said about the future stocking plans for the river. “We have good reason to scream and yell and kick, and we’ll continue to do so.”

Written comments, which should be marked “Cantara Loop,” will be accepted at the DFG’s Sacramento office until Feb. 21.

Southland fishermen might find trout fishing somewhat slow in 1992, thanks to some hungry sea gulls and other fish-eating birds that have been preying on rainbow fingerlings at the state hatchery in Victorville.

Preliminary estimates place predation rates as high as 95%, and limited funding is preventing hatchery personnel from taking necessary steps to control the problem.

The Department of Fish and Game has expressed doubts as to whether it will be able to maintain past stocking efforts in Orange, San Bernardino, San Diego and Imperial counties.

The Bush Administration might have won the favor of some in the slumping boating industry when it announced its opposition to the luxury tax on boats costing $100,000 or more, but others say the move could cost middle-income boat owners more than $100 million in the next few years.

Richard Schwartz, president of the Boat Owners Assn. of the United States, charged in a news release that “the fine print of the Bush tax plan calls for a new tax on diesel fuel used by boaters--as much as 21 cents a gallon--to offset the revenues lost by a repeal of the boat luxury tax.”

“Instead of singling out the American boating consumer for yet another tax, the Congress should look closely at levying a few pennies per gallon tax on diesel or bunker fuel used by foreign flag commercial vessels or cruise ships which use U.S. ports for gambling junkets to nowhere and who currently pay no tax at all.”

If you are a fisherman stuck in traffic on the way to work today, and if you are anywhere between Ventura and Newport Beach, turn your AM dial to 670.

You’ll hear California’s first radio talk show dedicated to fishing, “Western Angler--Fishing With Don Iovino.”

The weekly program, with a listener call-in format to co-hosts Iovino, a bass-fishing pro, and outdoor writer-producer Frank Blaszcak, will make its debut today between 7 and 8 a.m. on KWNK, an ABC Radio Network affiliate.

The show encompasses freshwater and saltwater fishing and will include regular guests and fishing reports.

Briefly

SALTWATER--It’s fill-the-freezer time for most Southland fishermen, who are loading up on rockfish and rock cod at most of the outer banks. “Boats are coming out of the harbor like shotgun blasts,” said John Shull, owner of the Pacific Dawn out of Ventura Sportfishing. “And about all of them are returning with limits.” Top catch, aboard the Pacific Dawn, was a 45-pound lingcod taken by Mike Durham of Camarillo.

Cabo San Lucas: Fishermen are finding a steady combination of striped marlin, dorado and yellowfin tuna up to 100 pounds. Live mackerel is plentiful and air temperatures are in the mid 70s.

La Paz: Pargo and red snapper have become active in the rocky shallows with boats averaging about 10 a day. Yellowtail are feeding around the sunken ferry boat, but most are able to break free in the structure. Heavy tackle is a must. Light winds and rain have persisted over the last two weeks.

Loreto: Yellowtail are active at Perico Reef and Punta Lobo, averaging 20-35 pounds. Bait supply good. Wind picking up at noon.