Albacore Fever Returns on Season’s First Catch

For those doubters who think that albacore seasons are a thing of the past, skipper Taylor Freeland of the vessel Princess offers this proposition:

“People say there are no more albacore . . . Well, I’ll tie some piano wire around their neck and put a jig on the other end and throw it over the side, and they’ll find out,” Freeland said. “I don’t think anyone is willing to do that.”

Perhaps not, but Freeland proved Friday that there are still some albacore left in these parts when, during an exploratory trip in rough seas out of Virg’s Landing at Morro Bay, he and his passengers landed the first sport-caught albacore of the year.

They took only nine fish but lost at least 20, Freeland said, “probably because these were big albacore and they were using too small of hooks.”

Nevertheless, as news of Freeland’s catch spread, so did albacore fever, which used to be a seasonal phenomenon in Central and Southern California--there hasn’t been a lasting season in seven years. Freeland made another trip, and Paradise Landing in Avila Bay sent out the Marauder.

No more albacore were caught, but skippers of both vessels blamed the recent full moon. Both are headed back to the fishing waters between 35 and 60 miles west of the landings--this week.

Freeland will bring the piano wire.

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Albacore is the most highly prized tuna among sportfishermen, but bluefin are not far behind, and according to Morro Bay-area skippers, the offshore waters are teeming with them.

“Bluefin are everywhere . . . they saw acres and acres of them,” said Jenny Nelson at Paradise Sportfishing.

Freeland said he saw schools of jumping bluefin minutes before the first albacore strike on Friday. One of the fish was hooked, then lost after an hourlong fight.

Added Freeland: “There’s an awesome amount of bluefin, but these fish are 60 to 70 pounds and mean. We’re going to bring some heavy (tackle) next time and see if we can get a few on the boat.”

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After high flows in the lower Owens River caused the death of an entire warm-fishery last week, those beyond the placing-blame stage are wondering what steps are being taken to restore recreational opportunities that the river offered for so many years.

Thousands of bass, catfish and carp were killed when flows were increased in the lower Owens as part of a long-term project to re-water a 62-mile section of river that had been devoid of regular flows for 80 years. The fish had survived in ponds created by leaks and springs.

The flow study, a cooperative effort by the California Department of Fish and Game, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and Inyo County, will determine how much water is necessary to provide adequate habitat. Eighty cubic feet per second proved too much, stirring up sediment to the point the fish were suffocated.

The next step, said Curtis Milliron, Department of Fish and Game biologist, is to restock when the water quality improves. But he added that the implementation of the Lower Owens River Project is far from reality and that further fish kills are possible because of the poor condition of the river, which has accumulated an incredible amount of “organic muck” over the years.

“In order to revitalize that river, high flows that flush that muck may be necessary,” Milliron said.

Briefly

SALTWATER--Tuna is still the talk of the town, with San Diego-based vessels accounting for most, and there are reports of large schools not far out of range of the overnight fleet, which could use a boost.

Cabo San Lucas: An occasional blue marlin is showing at the scales, but also appearing are yellowfin tuna topping 100 pounds. Dorado and wahoo are fair. San Jose del Cabo: Wahoo, tuna and dorado are fairly plentiful. La Paz: Tuna in excess of 100 pounds are plentiful, and “you can walk across the dorado,” according to Bob Butler, who runs a fleet out of Muertos Bay.

FRESHWATER--Pat Donoho of Las Vegas won the WON Bass Las Vegas Open--and $50,000--last week at Lake Mead, landing 39.67 pounds of largemouth bass in three days. Gary Robson of Corona was second and Gary Klein of Weatherford, Tex., third.

MISCELLANY--Comedy and Fish Tales is the theme of the South Bay Fly Fishers’ meeting tonight at 7:30 at the Westchester Town Hall. Comedian and fisherman Dave Thomas will be the featured speaker. The public is invited at no charge. Details: (310) 271-2703. . . . Calling techniques, camouflage, equipment and general hunting tips will be discussed at the Orange County Chapter of the California State Varmint Callers Assn. Sunday from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Izaak Walton League in Santa Ana. Cost is $10. Details: (714) 545-2204.