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Letters to the Editor
On expanding CSPA's membership...
January 3, 2009 -- I would suggest you set up a monthly contribution (from a CC) such as bay.org has done.
Monthly amounts can be charged.
I'm sure if you contact them they can provide more info. I think they might a "free" chartable service doing this? It might be called Goundspring.org/com/net
Thanks SO MUCH for fighting the fight.
Please join the Coast Side Fishing Club, and solicit membership.
Mitch
Mitch, thanks for both suggestions. I'll look into the first and try to log on to the second. Ed.
CSPA at the Sacramento ISE? Sorry...too late!
December 31, 2008 -- I'm a very recent new member, and like the fact that CSPA fights for fishermen and fisheries. I don't think that CSPA will have a booth at the ISE in Sacramento from January 15-18. Has the organization thought about doing so in the future? I realize that booth rental space might be costly, but maybe some members could make an extra financial contribution to pay this fee. If thousands of fishermen pass by the booth, talk with someone and pick up literature...some of them would be apt to become members of CSPA. CSPA would need people to man the booths. I would contribute some of my time to help with this task. The above is just a thought. It seems like a good way to spread the word and get more new members.
John
John, we dragged our feet registering and were told that the Sacramento ISE was sold out. We'll be there in 2010! We can use all the help we can get in spreading the word whether it's at a show or just at club meetings and on the water. We'll look for your help next year. Ed. December 29, 2008 -- Best idea for the New Year...let's fast track Restoration Projects as part of the Economic Stimulus Plan! Economic Stimulus projects should have to pass the Triple Bottom Line test. Good for economy, society and the environment. Klamath Dams out NOW! Jobs! Jobs! Jobs! Restore, Baby, Restore. Brian Economic Recovery... good for fish?
Happy New Year!
On 2009...
December 28, 2008 -- Lots to do this next year regarding fisheries, especially for the Delta. I wish CSPA God speed in its endeavors. Darryl Thanks Darryl, we'll try to do our best. Ed.
Feinstein's true colors...
December 27, 2008 -- For years, we all suspected that Feinstein was a sell-out and a fake. I think this collaboration with Arnold should be the final nail in her coffin. I hope sportsman expose her for the fraud she has become.
Paulette
Well, at least I didn't say it. Ed.
More regarding stocking!
12-22-08 -- As of yet I have not seen one agency which supports fishing and fishermen demand the criteria for curtailing fish plants. I live in Marin County and the Marin Municipal Water District has requested such information and has not received it from the DFG. There are no Red Leg Frogs in the watershed and the planting of trout poses no danger to native trout. Why then is the DFG not planting our lakes? In addition, DFG has raised the fee for fishing licenses in Calif. which is the highest in the 50 states. I certainly would not pay for membership in an organization which plans not to take any action.
I currently belong to Trout Unlimited and they are sitting back and doing nothing. I plan to cancel my membership with them because I feel that these organizations say they support fishermen but when a crisis occurs, they do nothing. I have contacted Jared Huffman, our representative in the Assembly who suggested I call DFG. They say nothing can be done and to contact my state representative. Trout Unlimited states they are observing. What a run-around. Thus, how can you ask people to join your organization when you tell fisherman to look for other areas to fish? The next nearest fly fishing for me would be Putah Creek which would take me one and one half hours one way. Sorry, when you get involved in the controversy I’ll consider joining. Until that time NO!
Milt, Marine County
Milt, please read Chris Shute's column, http://www.calsport.org/12-3-08a.htm Chris wrote the column so that you could understand the process. The governor, the legislature, the congress and the president can do NOTHING to change the current situation. It is in the hands of the court. If DFG had not dragged its feet and had completed the initial request for an EIR on time, the halting of stocking would not have occurred except in those lakes where it was judged a threat to endangered species.
The suit was filed in October 2006. DFG had TWO years to complete the EIR, EIS. They did not. The court had no choice but to rule in favor of the plaintiffs because DFG didn't do its job. The truth is that although promised in January, 2010, no one thinks that DFG will get the job done, even then. When , in the EIR process, public testimony regarding the stocking situation is allowed, you, others, and CSPA will have a chance to respond.
As far as the Marin Municipal Water District, they are free to plant if they possess the proper permits. The ruling only prevents DFG from planting, not other agencies, government or private.
CSPA is doing more than any organization for the restoration of our fisheries and clean water for them to swim in. I hope you change your mind about joining. Check in our newsletter daily for just what we're doing.
If I can be of further help, please let me know. Ed.
Fish planting situation…….My question is this...
December 5, 2008 -- Can the DFG finish the EIR report on all these fisheries by the date specified in 2010? Or is this unrealistic thinking? I understand the EIR, but I also understand too much government and that is the plain truth. Truth be told, Man is the biggest problem as we kill more of our environment than anything else! If we don’t destroy it ourselves we make laws that can’t be enforced and the killing goes on. ATV’s, taking more than we should of any resource, over grazing our lands, destroying many of our rivers from this over grazing, leaving garbage, human waste and much more.
Go to Montana and study how they deal with their waters and environmental issues. Too hot, the rivers are closed and no one complains. Don’t stock the rivers and no one takes the existing fish. We need more than a court who does not care to direct us in the right direction to save our natural recourses such as our fish, rivers, and wild life.
When I was a little girl my Dad took me fishing from the surf in San Francisco to the rivers and lakes of many parts of California. Today how many adults do you see with kids out fishing? Most of the time you are lucky to see one in a crowd of fisherman. Who will take the lead when we are gone?
I guess the story can go on forever. I am willing to work around these things, but we need less government and more common folks to get out, roll up their sleeves and get working on these problems.
Thanks for keeping us all updated in these troubled times.
Nancy Siegler
On CSPA's Q&A regarding the stocking program
From CSPA
Dear John,
Thank you very much for your membership. We at CSPA recognize that the fish stocking EIR is of great importance to thousands of California anglers.
I especially appreciate that you are looking for thoughtful solutions. Thoughtful engagement on fisheries issues is required if we are to be effective.
Please be sure to keep up with CSPA's website. Our fabulous webmaster, Jerry Neuburger, has new material up almost every day.
A good outcome on DFG's stocking program is not only up to a few activists: it is something that you and countless other fishermen can positively affect if you learn about the process and take the time to make yourselves heard.
Best wishes from CSPA,
Chris Shutes
FERC Projects Director
Letters are needed for Little Truckee and Prosser Creek Off Highway Vehicles
December 3, 2008 -- Nothing better than to drive a ways to fish the Little Truckee and hear dirt bikes along the river while you fish. Martis Creek is finished with all of the planned development and housing. So this must be an off shoot of increased population density in the area. I don't recall seeing that many homes along the Little Truckee, so why should I hear the dirt bikes as well? Let me know if you need stamps in order to get your letter off in the mail, I'll be happy send them to you.
Off road ATV and dirt bike use along the west side of Little Truckee meadow area as well as along Prosser Creek are up for approval/disapproval by the USFS in the Tahoe National Forest. If you go to CSPA's site or specifically http://www.calsport.org/11-26-08a.htm this will give you a hint of what is in the works. I am surprised more folks in the Truckee area have not posted this information.
Craig Gittings
From the Ladybugs Fly Fishing Club on DFG stocking changes
November 22, 2008 -- Keep in mind that there will still be a number of rivers and lakes that will no longer be planted. If we want our fisheries to survive we need to have less taking of fish and have fish and game input correctly administered catch and release programs to all fishermen.
Maybe produce a hand out on the proper catch and release methods and have them given out to everyone who purchases a fishing license. Too many fishermen take more than their limit of fish. They need to know how important it is to put back as many fish as possible or soon there will be no fish to take.
Dragging a fish up on shore and ripping a hook out of his mouth then throwing him back in the water does not mean you have correctly released a TROUT….more than likely you have killed that fish.
Also know that there are not near enough fish and game wardens to police this problem. No less take care of all the other pouching problems within the system. Our tax money invested in DFG’s hatchery programs is wasted if we can’t monitor the end results.
I know our club would be happy to assist fish and game in speaking to fishermen on the importance of catch and release fishing.
Nancy Siegler
On "Casting for Recovery"
October 21, 2008 -- NBC Today Show's Hoda Kotb, who is herself a breast cancer survivor, was welcomed as a guest at a Casting for Recovery retreat in Long Island in late September, where she had a chance to interview past and current participants about their experience of a CFR retreat. The Today Show did a story while attending one of the CFR retreats.
For those who want to know more about the Casting for Recovery Breast Cancer group click on the link below. This is a video clip of the retreat in Long Island.
As many of you know, I was on the CFR staff for 5 years and our club has supported CFR for many years. If anyone would like to make a donation, it would be great if you could make it in the name of The Ladybugs Fly Fishing Club.
Thanks for your support….
Nancy Siegler
Ladybugs Fly Fishing Club
The Ladybugs Fly Fishing Club catches some swimming gold
October 18, 2008 -- Hi Jerry,
We weren’t aware that EID was going to make a presentation for the volunteers of Caples Lake.
Our club just got back from an adventure in the John Muir Wilderness going for the Golden’s.
I have been reading up on the Golden’s and see that TU has submitted documents to Fish and Game about making the
Thanks,
Ladybugs Fly Fishing Club
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A Thank you from EID re the Conclave Banquet
October 14, 2008 -- Jerry, thanks so much for your hospitality Saturday. We had a very nice time at the banquet. You all really know how to do it up right! The food was delicious, the program was great, and we really enjoyed our company at dinner. I’ll let Bill respond to your offer of a fly fishing lesson! Deanne
P.S. Just a quick note re: the excellent story you wrote for the website. The entire operation at
Deanne Kloepfer
Communications Department
El Dorado Irrigation District
20,000 vs. 1,000 rescued fish
September 26, 2008 -- Thank you for printing our update on the second fish rescue at
About the number of fish as reported by Fish and Game: I spoke again with the department, and they confirmed that the best estimate is more than 20,000 fish captured and removed to Red and Silver lakes. That’s the number I was given on Monday after the rescue was completed—I was there the entire day—and so that’s what we reported. Fish and Game emphasized that many of the fish were tiny, only 1 to 2 inches in length, and I can attest that there were huge amounts of tiny fish that went into the tanks.
During this rescue, the only trout that were broken out in relation to numbers were the 300 brooks that were separated and taken to
I know there were two drops at
Thanks again to you and CSPA for all the time and effort you have put into the rescues!
Deanne Kloepfer
Communications Department
El Dorado Irrigation District
Caples Lake, A Contrast
September 26, 2008 -- Interesting comparison, [Spring, 2007 and Fall, 2008]! I am sad to see the lake disappear, but I am glad that we saved fish and moved them to other lakes.
Remember the California Department of Fish and Game made a worthy effort to try and rescue as many fish as possible from this disappearing lake.
Maybe as the lake fills someone will decide not allow boats or fishing for one full year as this lake recovers from this episode.
Nancy Siegler
Ladybug's Fly Fishing Club
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More on Caples Rescue II
John Sikora T/U..
P.S.: No pics as I was too busy to get any, however if you want some, ask the EID PR gal who took quite a few.
Caples Fish Rescue II
September 23, 2008I arrived a little late (9:25), and the "brookie" truck was somewhat behind me in showing up. The area we concentrated on was immediately around the dam. They had the "air" dam(s) in place and had effectively isolated the area that needs to be fixed -- the plug to the tub. I would guess 15 DFG employees in waders did most of the work. Some of them slopped around in the silty muck with nets and electro probes both collecting and herding the fish down toward the drain where the balance of the crew collected them before they wend down the drain.
Periodically a DFG employee would bring a 35 gallon garbage can about 1/3 full of fish and an aerator to the up-slope of the dam where the volunteers had congregated. We would trade an empty can for the one with fish, and two of us would hike the barrel up the dam to the waiting trucks. We sorted the fish at the trucks. I believe both trucks were calibrated for weight before taking on fish (although I never heard a finish weight), but I don't know if they were counting individual fish being collected.
Quite a little frenzy between 11:30 and 12:15 as the water level dropped and the bigger fish became easier to identify and corral. Then, as most of the pools of water had made it to the drain around 12:30, they called it a day and packed up.
The DFG people were fairly spent; walking around in the silt looked like quite the effort, although I do not recall anyone actually falling in. We had several aerators that had used up their batteries, and I bet the electro shock backpacks were dead as well. The guys carrying those around really deserve a cold beer! On the other hand, the volunteers were all ready for more and were somewhat disappointed that we did not even look at the main body of water today.
If I had to estimate, I would guess we had close to 1,000 fish today, but I wasn't paying attention to quantity that closely. Regards,
Jim P. McGonigle MCSE
J.P.'s photos
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