UPDATED 12:15 p.m.: Fall-run salmon season proposals are more liberal than expected

By Frank Galusha Update: Sacramento, March 11: As of 12:15 p.m. today, the Pacific Fisheries Management Council accepted surprisingly liberal proposed recreational salmon seasons in 2010 for fall run Chinook in the Sacramento River, off the northern California coast and in the Klamath/Trinity River systems. Even a commercial season off northern California and southern Oregon's KMZ zone was still in the mix of proposals headed for public comment and further review.   MyOutdoorBuddy columnist, E.B. Duggan “D” Guide of Willow Creek, has been attending the PFMC meeting in Sacramento for the last five days on behalf of the Klamath/Trinity in-river anglers and guides.    “These proposals will be open for public comment and will be subject to further review when the PFMC meets again in Portland next month, and by the Fish and Game Commissions, but the outlook for recreational angling is certainly far better than we expected coming into these meetings,” Duggan said.   Duggan said the results of the week-long confab are pointing to one of three options for recreational ocean salmon seasons off the north coast and surrounding the CA/OR KMZ zone. Opening dates and season lengths in all zones were still undecided. In the KMZ (OR/CA border to Horse Mountain) the most liberal season proposed is from May 2 to September 6. A second proposal could result in a season from June 16 to September 6.  The third proposal would allow KMZ zone salmon fishing from July 3 to September 6. Two Chinook would be allowed per day and minimum length would be 24 inches. Anglers could fish seven days a week. The season could open earlier in the Horse Mountain to Fort Bragg Zone but the exact dates being proposed were not available at deadline. The commercial season option still under consideration would allow salmon trolling for 15 days in the KMZ zone probably in September. The proposals to include fishing in the Sacramento for fall run fish came as the biggest surprise. Returns to the Central Valley Rivers last fall were the lowest on record, a mere 39,500 fish, but scientific models are greatly influenced by the number of jacks (two-year-old-fish) in the returns, according to Chuck Tracy, Salmon Staff Officer for the PFMC. The modeling was based on a return of 9000 plus jacks.   Those models led the scientists to conclude there was a larger-than-expected harvestable surplus of fish in the ocean.   “The models suggest we can manage for a return of 150 to 180 thousand fish, which could allow for a full fishery,” Tracy said about mid-day on Wednesday. While the length of the season and portions of the Sacramento River to be opened for king salmon fishing  are unknown at this time (they will be set by the Fish and Game Commission) they are likely to be much more liberal than the season for 2009. The season could start around September 1.   Tracy also said he was especially pleased with the public comment heard on Monday and what has amounted to a more cordial atmosphere during the meetings. “Everyone has made an effort to work toward a common objective. Since there has been no commercial angling off the coast and little or no angling in the CV system for the past two years, it’s clear to all that the decline has not been the fault of anglers.”   Duggan told MyOutdoorBuddy that for the first time the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have agreed to define the term “over-fishing” not as commercial and recreational harvest but in combination with many other factors, including ocean conditions, water and habitat availability, pollution and predation.   Ben Doane, also of Willow Creek, spoke to Council and at various team sessions as a representative of the Salmon Coalition was pleased with yet another apparent outcome. “The Oregon and California sides of the Klamath River KMZ Zone will be managed co-equally,” Doane said, “which means that whatever we get for the California side will also apply to the Oregon side.”   Doane and others from the Humboldt Area Saltwater Anglers (HASA) including Jim Yarnell and Tim Machado had fought hard during the week to achieve this parity as well other recreational fishing objectives at the PFMC meetings. The three options still on the table for tribal and in-river recreational angling included allotments of 35.4, 34.4 and 33.7 thousand Chinook for the tribes. If the most generous of these is accepted 24,200 fish could be divvied up for recreational anglers on the two rivers. Whatever option is accepted, the in-river allotment is shared per the following formula: 50 percent for the Lower Klamath, 17 percent for the Upper Klamath and 16 1/2 percent each for the Lower and Upper Trinity.  The bag could be a generous three fish per day, one jack and two adults. Escapement goals for all three options were idential: 40,700 fish. This goal must be met two years in a row or the rivers must show an escapement of 35,000 fish for three out of four years to avoid what is known as "rebuilding restrictions" including reduced seasons and bag limits, Duggan noted.   Look for confirmation and further details and clarification of these recommendations here at MyOutdoorBuddy later this week.

More Fishing Reports

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List of waters being planted by DFG

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Waters released for trout stocking by DFG

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DFG Catchable Trout (1/2 lb fish) release waters as of 8/26

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Long range dreams

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Sweat pouring from under your broad brimmed hat, biceps screaming for oxygen and relief, hands cramping in pain, shouts and commotion all around you. Then it’s over, first the sight of color, a few more cranks of the reel, deckhands lifting the gaffed fish onto the deck and before you a gorgeous 200 pound Yellowfin Tuna. You are barely able to smile as you try to regroup; you’re at the fine line between ecstasy and agony. And you can’t wait to do it again. This is the appeal of Long Range Fishing.

Antelope & Almanor: Proof is in the photos

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COVER STORY: Trolling Flies, Jay Fair’s keys to success

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Free Fly Fishing Fair open to the public October 2

By Gary Heffley

Have you ever been interested in learning how to fly fish? Ever wondered how to get started?  The Shasta Trinity Fly Fishers will be holding a Fly Fishing Fair at Caldwell Park in Redding on October 2, from 8:00 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. There will also be a swap and sell of fly fishing gear and equipment. The event is open to the public and admittance is free...

Gary Miralles and Shasta Tackle Company: A Northern California Success Story

By Gary Heffley

“Are you catching all the fish you should be catching?” That is a question that Gary Miralles, founder and owner of Shasta Tackle Company, often asks fishermen and guides. Proof as they say is “ in the pudding” or on the stringer as the case may be and Gary and his ever expanding lines of Trout, Kokanee, Salmon and now salt water tackle never fails to produce both fish in quantity and quality.

Gary’s lures have held or hold a line class world record and multiple lake records from many waters west of the Rockies. As a guide Gary would offer a guarantee of catching fish or the client would not pay and even with the toughest of fishing days Gary has yet to have to make good on the guarantee. Having personally used many of the lures made by Shasta Tackle I can speak well of their effectiveness.

Pot Luck Fishing- Lake Style

By Gary Heffley

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That same type of fishing is available on many lakes in the North State such as Berryessa, Shasta, Trinity and Oroville.   I am sure Lake Almanor would also fit this description, but I have yet to fish it.  These lakes hold multiple species of both cold water (trout and salmon) and warm water (bass and crappie) varieties of fish...

Fishing: Getting started

By Gary Heffley

Many people young and old did not have the opportunities that I had early in life to enjoy the outdoors, to learn how to fish; how to cast, how to bait a hook, what type of gear to use and where.  Some of these people grew up in an urban environment where options were limited or their families just didn’t enjoy the beauty of the outdoors. Many native Californians have never seen Yosemite, Mt. Lassen or have even heard of Burney Falls. Vacations are spent at Disneyland or Sea World. The only fishing some children now know is from their couch on a video game.

Many people and families are interested in taking advantages of the recreational opportunities and family building experiences that the outdoors and fishing in particular provides. The biggest question is how to get started?

The best option is to have a family friend who enjoys fishing take you out and show you the basics, most fisherman are willing to help introduce someone new to the sport. Another option is to hire a guide, selecting an area where you are likely to fish. This will give you equipment and gear introductions without jumping in with both feet and have expenses that you may not initially need. Most guides are excellent teachers and are happy to give novice anglers patient instruction but at a cost.

For those who just want to give it a try on the next family vacation with little fanfare here are some basic starters; from rods and reels and equipment to handling your catch.

Northern California Fishing: quality and diversity