I know this isn't quite as exciting as a fishing report, but I figured I'd throw it out there that I'm going to take a field trip to Sacramento on Thursday to give public comment on the trout stocking issue to the CA DFG Commission.

I still have this stupid notion that driving for 4 hours to talk for 2 minutes might actually help making fishing a little better in this state so if you enjoy seeing me dressed in a suit and tie, you can tune in online Thursday morning sometime a bit after 8:30am to cal-span.org

http://www.cal-span.org/cgi-bin/media.pl?folder=CFG

Thanks for the effort Rob...I wish you the best on Thursday and hope maybe you can shed some light and hopefully common sense to the knuckleheads pushing the issue. Good luck dude!

Made the pilgrimage to Sacramento this morning. A video recording will be available in a few days and I'll see about re-posting it.

Pete Alexander, EBPARKS Fisheries Manager gave very supportive comments on the Shadow Cliffs back ponds issue. All are in agreement that the back ponds should re-open, the only issue is WHEN. So the purpose of going to give comment was to encourage the Commission to reopen the ponds sooner rather than later (later being March 1, 2012).

Pete's comments caught some attention with the Commission given that EBPARKS is the largest regional parks system in the country. There was no discrete outcome as a result of Pete's comments (DFG can't take action on non-agendized items) but at the very least it keeps the issue on their radar. Pete plays an interesting role as steward of the EBPARKS fisheries and I sense strongly that he aims to balance the environment with recreation through reasonable fisheries management. Thank you Pete for taking the time to give public comment!

I spoke on the trout stocking issue. Again with the understanding that the EIR/EIS comment period has passed and that the Commission can't take any action during public comment. Didn't get any feedback, but I hold out hope that well reasoned arguments may stick in the minds of the commissioners.

Made some more connections with a group called California Association for Recreational Anglers (http://www.savecalfishing.org/). They're in the trout stocking fight for some different reasons than I am, but there are strong synergies here. They've actually injected themselves as a plaintiff in the lawsuit, and as a result will have a good chance to affect the outcome. Check out their site to learn more.

-Rob

Here's a link to the video

http://www.cal-span.org/cgi-bin/archive.php?owner=CFG&date=2011-02-03

Click on Public Forum, then scroll to minute 36 in the video for the trout stocking issue. Minute 40 for the Shadow Cliffs issue

Here's some instructions for how to watch the video

http://www.calfishing.com/dc/user_files/8412-dfg.jpg

positive discussion on shadow clifs. The trout issues are gonna be a battle.


Legalizing Ferrits tho, huh

The ferret guy was amazing. I laughed out loud. Poor guy, he just wants his furry ferrets to be legal. I really don't know what to make of that whole deal but the powerpoint with the killer zebras was all time.