NOTES : Two Bass Lakes Getting a Rise Out of Storms

The series of storms moving through Southern California is doing wonders for two of the Southland’s oldest bass fisheries.

Lake Cachuma, in Santa Barbara County, and Lake Casitas, in Ventura County, after suffering severe water loss during five consecutive dry seasons, appear headed for rejuvenation.

Cachuma, which has not been full since 1986, and which has since dropped 56 feet, had risen five feet by Tuesday afternoon. More rain was falling and two dams above the reservoir were spilling into the lake, bringing long-lost nutrients and cover for shrubbery that had grown upon the barren banks.

Lake personnel, including a park naturalist, predict a full reservoir by spring. “Even if it didn’t rain for two weeks, the runoff would continue for two weeks,” said Tiffany Hintz, a manager at the lake.

Lake manager Randy King, 43, who has been at Lake Casitas for 25 years, said saturation is such that for every inch of rain, the lake will rise about a foot.

Casitas is down about 47 feet, yet King said that in 1969 the lake rose 44 feet in two months. He didn’t predict a full reservoir by spring, but said the lake is already better off than last year, adding that “brush and weeds and little trees to eight feet tall” are already being covered.

“It’s the best thing that can happen, business-wise, fish-wise and enjoyment-wise,” he said of the rain.

Stocking the ocean with white seabass has moved beyond the research level and looms a realistic means of maintaining the troubled fishery, according to those in scientific and sportfishing circles.

Scientists and biologists have been raising and releasing white seabass fingerlings for years at Sea World Research Institute in San Diego, but now they are seeking money to build a hatchery to raise the fish to 8-10 inches in “grow-out” facilities before release, hopefully ensuring a higher rate of survival.

“We think this is the biggest thing that’s come along in a long, long time,” said Jim Paulk, director of the United Anglers of California, a group working to help finance the project. “With the loss of 95% of wetlands (in which white seabass spawn), we have to do something. We can’t depend on these fish to come back all by themselves.”

Partial financing is expected to come from the passage of Assembly Bill 960, which would reauthorize a current $1 charge for a marine enhancement stamp, which fishermen pay for when they purchase a saltwater fishing license. AB 960 has passed in the Assembly and awaits Senate Committee approval.

Paulk said additional money will be necessary and that the project committee has scheduled about a dozen fund-raising events this year, including a seminar Feb. 19 by Dick Gaumer on light-tackle bay and estuary fishing.

Information on the project and fund-raiser can be obtained by calling Paulk at (714) 891-5055.

Briefly

BAJA FISHING--While Cabo San Lucas receives most of the attention during winter months, fishermen in search of better deals, lighter crowds and more seclusion might want to try the East Cape.

Strong winds notorious for the region during the winter have been absent in the last couple of weeks, and therefore the ocean has been smooth and the fishing unusually good. “I can’t remember when it’s been this good at this time of year,” said Bob Van Wormer, the owner of Hotel Palmas de Cortez who has lived in the area for more than 30 years.

Word is getting out and fishermen are slowly filtering into the region--most are having little trouble catching dorado, tuna and striped marlin.

Cabo San Lucas: Striped marlin are reportedly thick in the area and the bite has been consistent in several areas. Tuna, dorado and sharks are also being caught, but most of the effort has been on the marlin.

Mazatlan: Tuna, sailfish and dorado are fairly abundant, while an occasional striped or blue marlin will strike, according to Bill Heimpel of the Star Fleet. Top fish: a 275-pound blue marlin caught by Bill Mundstock of Minnesota.

INSTRUCTION--Saltwater Fishing Tackle and Techniques--White seabass fishing at Catalina Island, by Russ Izor, tonight at the S.C. Rod & Reel Club’s meeting at Fudrucker’s Restaurant in Pasadena. Time and details: (818) 790-9800, ext. 215. . . .From Sportfishing Seminars, Inc.: How to Catch Big Halibut, Feb. 20 from 7-10 p.m. at Reuben’s Restaurant in Marina del Rey. Instructors are Tony Pena and Mark Wisch; Calico bass & white seabass school, Feb. 22 aboard Islander out of 22nd St. Landing in San Pedro. Instructors are Dan Lengning and Kit McNear. Details: (818) 762-5873.

FLY FISHING--Tom Rosenbauer, a well-known author and fly tier, is making the rounds: Feb. 18 at the Wilderness Fly Fishers’ meeting at the Ramada Hotel in West Los Angeles, 6:15 p.m. Details: (310) 280-3459; Feb. 20 at the Sierra Pacific Flyfishers’ meeting at the Encino Glen, 6:30 p.m. (818) 785-7306; Feb. 21 at the Long Beach Casting Club, 7:30 p.m. (310) 782-6571.

MISCELLANY--Mike Folkestad of Yorba Linda used lighter tackle than the rest of the field at the recent BASSMASTER Florida Invitational and took the first prize of $35,000 with 12 bass totaling 14 pounds 10 ounces, the lightest winning weight in the 24-year history of the B.A.S.S. tournaments. . . . The California Wildfowl Arts Festival, featuring more than 250 of the top decoy carvers in the United States and Canada, will be held Saturday and Sunday at the San Diego Princess Resort. Cost is $5. Details: (619) 421-1034. . . . The Moore-N-Moore Sporting Clays facility in San Fernando will play host to the National Sporting Clays Assn. Los Angeles open Saturday and Sunday, with registration limited to the first 75 shooters. Details: (818) 890-4788. . . . Raahauges Pheasant Hunting Club in Norco is hosting a falconry exhibition and hawking meet, with birds to be flown on game, Saturday beginning at 7 a.m. Cost is $5. Details: (714) 735-2361. . . .The Fred Hall Western Fishing Tackle and Boat Show, the nation’s largest display of fishing gear, will run Feb. 26-March 1 at the Long Beach Convention Center.