OUTDOOR NOTES : Signals of El Nino Becoming Apparent

Weird things are happening offshore. Red crabs are showing off Santa Catalina Island. Sea turtles are swimming where they typically do not swim. Triggerfish are being caught where they normally are not caught.

These, undoubtedly, are some of the first visible signs of El Nino, which experts predict will profoundly affect Southland sportfishing this summer.

The last time red crabs were found in abundance in local waters was during the El Nino years of 1982 and ’83. “I remember diving off the (Catalina) Isthmus back then and they were so thick you could hardly see through them,” said Bill McFarland, director of the USC Marine Science Center at Catalina.

McFarland said average low temperatures are well above normal and similar to those in 1982-83.

“I’m not saying this is because of an El Nino,” he said. “But we do have symptoms of an El Nino.”

Experts at Scripps said sea surface temperatures are from three to five degrees above normal.

Local commercial fishermen this week have reported red crabs in fair numbers off the back of Catalina. Sea turtles have been seen in the same area and one sportfishing landing has reported triggerfish--commonly taken in tropical waters--in its fish count.

“I haven’t heard of any of the big stuff yet,” said Ron Dotson, a biologist with the National Marine Fisheries Service. “Although I did hear of some yellowtail out at the islands, which is a bit early.”

Dotson said “fishing stinks” off of Costa Rica because the water has already gotten too warm.

Meanwhile, off the tip of the Baja peninsula, unseasonal temperatures as high as 77 degrees are said to be responsible for an early showing of blue marlin. Since March 28, three fish weighing more than 300 pounds have been caught, one Sunday that tipped the scale at 610 pounds.

“Several other blues were reported hooked and lost,” said Darrell Primrose of the Finisterra Tortuga Fleet. “Normally the blue marlin migrate here in late May.”

Commercial fishermen are complaining about being forced by the California Department of Fish and Game to pay the same fee for renewal of their licenses as last year’s, even though last year’s one-time fee increase has expired.

Vern Goehring, legislative coordinator for the DFG, acknowledged the expiration but said that legislation is pending that would extend the price increase for another year. If it fails, he said, fishermen will be reimbursed.

Fly fishermen by the thousands are expected to converge on the airport community of Westchester this weekend for the Federation of Fly Fishers’ annual “festival of the sport.” Tying and casting demonstrations, auctions, tackle, guide services and vacation packages are some of what is available at what is being billed as the largest fly fishing-only sports show in the country.

Details can be had by calling (310) 433-7086.

Briefly

SALTWATER--Barracuda, bass and bonito are being reported in the fish counts from Santa Barbara to San Diego, which means the end of the rock cod season is close at hand. The Del Mar reported 138 barracuda in Santa Monica bay over the weekend. . . . Entries for this weekend’s Santa Monica Bay Halibut Derby, originally due by Tuesday, will be accepted late by chairman John Bourget if hand delivered at 2117 Ashland Ave., Santa Monica.

Long-range: San Diego-based boats are still finding the islands of southern Mexico to be supporting giant yellowfin tuna and wahoo. The Polaris Supreme returned to San Diego Monday with several tuna weighing more than 200 pounds.

Cabo San Lucas: Blue marlin are here early, but striped marlin far outnumber them. Unfortunately, they are not feeding very heartily. Dorado and tuna are providing the most action. The Gaviota fleet reports overcast skies, rain last week and temperatures in the mid-80s.

East Cape: Still windy at times, but fishing is good for striped marlin, dorado and tuna.

Loreto: Yellowtail fishing picked up dramatically late last week, the fish averaging 24 pounds but some coming in closer to 50. The fish are biting at about 55 feet. The first dorado of the season have shown north of Carmen Island.

FLY FISHING--The Orange County Fly Fishers Club is sponsoring a beginning tying class on Tuesdays from 7-10 p.m. for 10 weeks beginning April 7. Details: (714) 741-5200. . . . Tyer Mark Kirchner will hold an Atlantic feather wing class April 11 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at East Fork Fly Fishing in Irvine. Details: (714) 724-8840. . . . The Downey Fly Fishers will hold an auction-sale of flies and equipment April 11 at Cerritos College. Details: (310) 864-1344.