DFG to Require Anglers to Wear Their Fishing Licenses

Starting next spring, a California game warden won’t have to ask if you have a fishing license. You’ll be required to wear it.

Applying that sort of pressure is the Department of Fish and Game’s hope to collect revenue from the estimated 13-47% of the state’s anglers who fish without licenses, despite the threat of fines of up to $675.

It’s not an original idea. Several Eastern states require it, and it was customary in California from the 1930s until sometime in the ‘50s. Phil Pister, a retired Department of Fish and Game biologist in Bishop, dug a friend’s 1937 license out of the back of a desk drawer last week.

When saltwater party boat operators were required to check licenses starting this year, there was some grumbling, but their one-day license sales shot up 51%, according to the DFG.

“We can’t find any other reason for that big a jump,” said John Sullivan, the DFG’s chief deputy director. “If we had just a 10% increase in people buying licenses, it would mean $3 million or more.”

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The DFG’s legal staff has been shaken by the transfer of Hal Thomas to the division of Oil Spill Prevention and Response, following a similar shift of Eugene Toffoli earlier this year. They were moved, critics say, because they opposed new department policy shaped by Sullivan that allegedly favors developers and compromises the DFG’s constitutional mandate to protect the state’s natural resources.

Thomas’ transfer was ordered during hearings by the State Water Resources Control Board to determine minimum stream flows and lake levels in the Mono Basin. It was the culmination of a four- or five-year fight between the DFG and and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power in which Thomas has led for Fish and Game. Fishing interests have especially praised his efforts on several fronts. He recently received the prestigious Conservation Award from the Western Division of the American Fisheries Society.

Craig Manson, the DFG’s new legal chief hired by Sullivan, said in an internal memo obtained by The Times that “this assignment was requested by OSPR Administrator Pete Bontadelli” and was “in the best interests of the department.”

However, DFG Director Boyd Gibbons said Tuesday: “I’ve directed that (Thomas) stay with (the) Mono (issue) until completion to assist Virginia Cahill.”

Cahill is an outside attorney hired by the DFG.

Additionally, The Times was told that Manson on Tuesday asked DFG lawyer Brett Morris to resign for writing a magazine article critical of new DFG policies. The Times last week asked Sullivan about the article, which appeared in the DFG’s own periodical, Outdoor California.

A rumor was widespread throughout the department last week that Gibbons was about to resign because of Sullivan’s growing power since his appointment by Gov. Pete Wilson last year. The rumor even had a date: next Monday, Nov. 15.

“I heard that myself,” Gibbons said. “No, I don’t have any plans to leave.”

Briefly

MEXICAN FISHING--San Jose del Cabo: Heavy rains from a violent storm in midweek shut down fishing. Some untended boats sunk, bridges and roads were washed out and the Palmilla Hotel lost its beach. Victor’s Fleet of pangas hoped to be operating again by the weekend. Cabo San Lucas: Dorado bite continues hot, with billfish, tuna and wahoo picking up. John Smith of Orange County took a 671-pound blue marlin. The two-day “For Pete’s Sake” tournament drew 44 boats and 140 anglers, raising more than $100,000 for underprivileged youth of Cabo. Wayne Green of San Diego won with a 485-pound blue marlin. San Diego Long-range: Three 1 1/2-day boats fishing about 135 miles south continued to collect limits or near-limits of yellowfin tuna. Capt. John Grabowski’s Red Rooster III, 14 days to Roca Partida and Clarion Island with 28 anglers, took 251 yellowfin, topped by a 252-pounder by Darrell Schuyler of Lompoc, along with 247 wahoo and 35 dorado. Capt. Tommy Rothery’s Polaris Supreme, 10 days to Thetis Bank and points en route with 22 anglers, took 218 wahoo and 184 yellowfin, plus some dorado and yellowtail.

FRESHWATER FISHING--For the record: It was incorrectly reported last week that noted striped bass angler Greg Silks would give a free seminar at Silverwood Lake on Saturday. The seminar will be this Saturday, Nov. 13, 11 a.m., on the swim beach by the launch ramp. . . . Dixon Lake in Escondido will hold its 15th annual Trout Derby Thursday through Sunday, with 6,400 pounds of fish stocked for the occasion. Details: (619) 741-4680. . . . Bob Krumm, biologist, writer and guide on Wyoming’s Big Horn River, is making the rounds of Southland fly-fishing clubs: the Pasadena Casting Club Thursday, 7:30 p.m., at the Masonic Temple (details 818-343-5605); the Wilderness Fly Fishers next Tuesday, 6:15 p.m., at the Ramada Hotel, 1150 S. Beverly Drive, and the Sierra Pacific Flyfishers Nov. 18, 6:30 p.m., at the Encino Glen (818-785-7306). Krumm also will demonstrate his art at the PCC clubhouse, 415 S. Arroyo Blvd., Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

SALTWATER FISHING--Ron Kovach’s last free Penn Fishing University of the year is scheduled tonight, 7-9 p.m., at the West Hills Sport Chalet. Details: (818) 710-0999.