I know the emotions on this issue run high. When I see trophy bass strung up dead, I get hot too. I appreciate that no one in this thread has gone overboard. It would also make me feel better if we stayed on the topic of "the fish" vs. starting an NCBF bashing thread.

So on the topic of the fish:

GGR - I went down this road once before with San Pablo dam (also an EBMUD lake). I talked to the chief biologist (no help, this individual did not even know that spotted bass were in the lake and generally did not seem to care about fishing). I talked to people who understand better than I do the inner-workings of the DFG, and how to go about getting legislation changes pushed through.

Then I submitted (in writing to the Fish and Game Commission), a proposal to amend the regulations at San Pablo so that people (in essence) couldn't keep the big fish. The fish I was interested in protecting were the double digit bass that are caught and killed by trout and catfish fishermen there with disgusting regularity.

In the end, nothing happened. Without a DFG staff biologist to advocate the issue, or the backing of the EBMUD biologist, I was just one voice among many clamoring about fishing related issues. I didn't have it in me to go to the Commission meeting and advocate my issue, make phone calls, or rally support. I wish that I did, but at the time I did not.

But if you want to effect real change, I would suggest a similar path to the one I followed. And to quote a book I read recently, you should find a group to "snarl in unison". Meaning a large constituency, all angry about the same thing - organized, professional, and willing to see things through. It takes a lot of energy to make changes in the DFG system.

At some point in my life I hope to fight some of these battles. Right now I can't, and sometimes I do feel selfish for that. If you decide to fight to protect those giant smallmouth at Pardee, please use this site as a vehicle to get support. Keep your message positive, and keep us posted.