OUTDOOR NOTES / RICH ROBERTS : Suit Against DFG Called Helping Hand

With all of its problems, the California Department of Fish and Game can always count on plenty of help from fishermen’s interest groups, such as the “friendly” lawsuit filed by Trout Unlimited a few weeks ago challenging the DFG’s trout-stocking program.

“Friendly, huh?” DFG Director Boyd Gibbons said.

Trout Unlimited says that the suit is friendly because it “is not trying to halt or disrupt the DFG’s hatchery program,” but “wants to work with the department to work out the problems caused by the program.”

Said K.C. Walsh of Trout Unlimited: “Shortly after we filed the lawsuit, we put a stay on it. We’d like to see a committee of experts put together to see if the way the state manages fish makes sense. Things are lopsided in favor of mediocre fishing that is essentially put and take.”

The question is whether Californians want more sophisticated fishing that would satisfy advanced anglers as well as novices.

Trout Unlimited says the DFG should look to Montana, which stopped planting hatchery trout after discovering that it actually reduced fish populations. Wyoming has cut back to the extent that only 5% of the 10 million trout it plants annually are catchable size--eight inches or longer.

Some Californians are skeptical it would work here.

“I’m not knocking those programs, but in California we’ve got too many people,” says Gary Gunsolley of Brock’s Sporting Goods in Bishop. “More people probably pass through Bishop in one year than Montana has population.”

Barrett McInerney, who filed the lawsuit for Trout Unlimited, will discuss the issue at the group’s meeting at the Crown Sterling Suites Hotel in Santa Ana at 7:30 Thursday night, and at a luncheon at the Hilton Holtel, 930 Wilshire, at noon Friday.

Long before gangs were an issue, the Los Angeles Rod & Reel Club was taking troubled and needy youngsters fishing. The 43rd annual Kids’ Fishing Trip next Monday will set a record for participation, with about 450 boys and girls 8-16 spending a few hours on the Annie B barge in L.A. Harbor.

The youngsters come from boys’ homes, Boys and Girls clubs and Law Enforcement Explorers clubs throughout the area. The increase from 300 last year will come from picking up those who would have had an outing with the L.A. County Fish and Game Commission, which had to cancel its trips for lack of funding.

The turnout will require four fishing shifts on the barge and 70 LARRC volunteers. Tackle, bait and food are provided.

Briefly

MEXICO FISHING--Hurricane Darby has passed north of Cabo San Lucas and up the coast of Baja near Magadalena Bay, leaving a strong run of blue marlin behind. Joe Tsunoda, Los Angeles, fishing out of the Hotel Punta Colorada on the East Cape, and Jesus Valencia, Santa Ana, on the Gaviota out of Cabo San Lucas, caught 506-pound blues on successive days. Cabo San Lucas: Blue marlins of more than 200 pounds are being taken at a rate of 8 to 12 a day. John Pierce, Tustin, took a 473-pound black marlin on July 4, in four hours on 80-pound line. Jim Smith, Huntington Beach, 166-pound tuna on the Cucharita. Catch counts up. Dorado and wahoo catches infrequent but large. Surf fishing for roosterfish available. Details: (714) 752-9010. San Jose Del Cabo: Pangas finding blue and black marlin plentiful at 180-300 pounds between Outer Gorda Banks and Chileno Bay. Yellowfin tuna schooled, but dorado scattered. James Huff, Los Angeles, 37 tuna in two days. Mike Moore, Gardena, 235-pound black marlin. Mazatlan: Sailfish leading the way, topped by a 106-pounder by Mark Blackman, Long Beach, who also took a 201-pound blue marlin.

HORSE PACK TRIPS--The period from July into September is the best time for an Eastern Sierra pack trip. There are 17 pack outfits from Kennedy Meadows in the south to beyond Bridgeport in the north offering a variety of plans, from full-service to on-your-own. Rates vary according to duration of the trips and services offered, but $100 per person per day is average. A list of outfitters is available from the Bishop Chamber of Commerce at (619) 873-8405 or 690 N. Main St., Bishop, Calif. 93514.

CAMPING--Because of crowded campgrounds, those planning to camp in the San Bernardino or Inyo Ranger Districts are advised to reserve sites through Mistix at (800) 283-2267.

SHOOTING--Southern Californians dominated the National Rifle Assn.’s Air Pistol Silhouette Championships in San Fernando last weekend. Marvin Tannahill, Fullerton, and Terri Renfing, Thousand Oaks, set records in winning the men’s and women’s titles. Renfing’s son Chris was high junior; Hank Roll, Antioch, was high senior, and Don Ness, Carpinteria, won the open-sight division. . . . The California Arms & Collectors’ Show and Sale, featuring knives and guns, will be Saturday and Sunday at Fairplex, L.A. County Fairgrounds, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. each day. Admission: adults $6, seniors and juniors 12-16 $5, children 6-11 $4, under 6 free.

FLY-FISHING--Greg Lilly will discuss “Fly Fishing Montana” Thursday, 7:30 p.m., at the Pasadena Casting Club meeting at the clubhouse. . . . Deke Meyer, author of “Float Tube Fly Fishing,” will be at the Wilderness Fly Fishers’ meeting next Tuesday night at the Ramada Hotel, 1150 S. Beverly Drive. Advance reservations $20. Details: (310) 280-3459.