October 9, 2008

Commentary
Low water levels force closure of
Diamond Valley Lake’s launch ramp

By JIM MATTHEWS
Outdoor News Service

The public boat launch ramp at Southern California’s most productive freshwater fishery, Diamond Valley Lake, will close after the Monday holiday this weekend. All boat launching at this facility will be suspended until water levels come back up in the lake – which could be some time.
The Metropolitan Water District (MWD), which operates the lake, said the lake’s water level is currently 70 feet below full pool and right at the end of the long concrete launch ramp. Boat launching is already difficult and the MWD decided to close the ramp after the holiday weekend.
The five-year-old reservoir was at full pool in June, 2006, and it has been dropping since that time because of long-term drought and a judge’s environmental decision to protect smelt in the Delta that reduced water supplies from the California aqueduct this year by 250,000-acre feet, or about 30 percent of the water historically pumped from the Delta by MWD.
“That water would be in Diamond Valley right now had we not been faced with pumping restrictions because of the Delta smelt,” said Bob Muir, a spokesman for the MWD. He said there was currently no inflow into Diamond Valley, either from the Delta or from the Colorado River.
The reservoir is current holding about 480,000 acre feet of water and it is expected to continue to drop to about 400,000 feet by the end of the year. So the closure could stretch well into next year.
The launch closure will affect hundreds of anglers each week. Last year, there were 12,800 private boat launches at the lake, an average of nearly 250 launches per week, and the number was increasing each year since the lake opened.
Muir said the MWD was trying to continue to accommodate anglers by opening up an additional five miles of shoreline to fishing (much of that accessible only after bicycling across the east dam), continuing to allow rental boats on the lake, and allowing hand-launchable canoes and kayaks as long as boarding docks are usable.
A possible extension of the boat launch is being considered by the MWD board of directors at meetings beginning Monday this coming week. If approved and work begun quickly, it could hasten when anglers’ boats would be allowed on the lake again and prolong launching the next time lake levels are dropped.

LAKE PERRIS DAM RECONSTRUCTION:

Because of earthquake safety concerns, the water level in Lake Perris was drawn down three years ago. The impact has been devastating on the fishery at Perris, according to Mike Giusti with the Department of Fish and Game.
The bass population has dropped from 52 to 68 percent (from 20,000 to less than 10,000 bass) since the drawdown, and survey work done in the past two weeks shows there has been almost no recruitment on young bass this year. The bluegill and redear populations, while down, are at least seeing better recruitment of young fish, said Giusti. He also noted that the survey crew is seeing flathead catfish in the lake for the first time, and he has no idea how those fish arrived in the lake.
The lake has dropped from about 1,900 surface acres to about 1,600 acres, but the loss in volume has been 42 percent.
Recognizing the huge impact this has had on the fishery, the Department of Water Resources, which operates the facility, has provided the DFG funding to do habitat improvements on the lake at its current level. The DWR is also preparing an Environmental Impact Report on the dam’s repair and reconstruction to make it meet earthquake standards. This EIR should be completed this year, but construction on the new dam would not be completed until at least 2012.
The dam project tentatively includes using an area of exposed lake shoreline in the east end as the borrow pit for construction material, but this has many anglers concerned that some of the historically best bass habitat in the lake would be destroyed by this effort. Giusti said the EIR will be available for angler comment, probably by the end of this year, and the document will include mitigation or lost wetlands and fishery habitat.

BRIDGEPORT TROUT:

With urban trout season about to kick off throughout Southern California, anglers will be seeing more and more trout from Bridgeport: Not Bridgeport, California, in the Eastern Sierra, but Bridgeport, Nebraska.
Chaulk Mound Trout Ranch will be supplying trout to Santa Ana River Lake and Corona Lake this year, according to Doug Elliott, who owns the fishing programs at both waters. They will be planted every other week, alternating with the famous Mt. Lassen Trout Farm rainbows from Red Bluff here in California.
Fish from the Nebraska supplier will also be planted in Hesperia Lake in the High Desert, Dixon, Wohlford, Poway, and Mirimar lakes in San Diego County, along with the private Lake Mission Viejo in Orange County.
What makes these trout different?
They are called “Tailwalkers,” for their penchant for taking to the air and putting up spirited fights when hooked.
Elliott says it’s because of the way the trout are raised and the grub they are fed.
“They have to swim against a heavy current where they are raised,” said Elliott after visiting the Nebraska facility earlier this year. “They really put on some real muscle. They are strong, beautifully pink-meated fish.”
So begins the 2008 trout wars where the managers of these urban waters battle for angler’s hearts by stocking the most unique, the biggest, and the most rainbow trout for anglers to catch from their waters. All for a fee, of course. The Tailwalkers were planted in Hesperia Lake over the past week, and Santa Ana River Lakes and Corona Lake will get their first plants of these fish late on Tuesday, Oct. 21, in time for the Oct. 22 kick off of their trout seasons.

OUTDOOR CALENDAR

OCTOBER 11 NORCO HUNTER SAFETY CLASS: A one-day, 10-hour certified hunter safety class will be held at Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises, Norco. Classes are required for all first-time California hunters before a hunting license can be purchased. Cost is $35 per person. The remaining 2008 class dates are Nov. 1 and Dec. 6. Sign-ups are taken at all Turner's Outdoorsman stores. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981.
OCTOBER 12 BRIDGEPORT FLY FISHING TOURNAMENT: The Bridgeport Fish Enhancement Foundation will be hosting the Bridgeport Fly Fishing Tournament beginning 7 a.m., Sunday, Oct. 12. There are two divisions in the catch-and-release fundraiser -- a Bridgeport Lake division and an East Walker River (Miracle Mile) division. The Miracle Mile Division is limited to the first 25 anglers who sign up for $125, while the Bridgeport Lake Division is only $75 with no limit on anglers. Entry fee includes the awards dinner, hat, and gear bag. All funds are used to enhance area fisheries. For more information and entry forms, visit www.BridgeportFishEnhancement.com.
OCTOBER 12 SOUTH ORANGE COUNTY FRIENDS OF NRA FUNDRAISER: The South Orange County Friends of the National Rifle Association will have its fundraiser beginning 3 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 12 in Mission Viejo. Guest speaker is NRA and gun rights lawyer Chuck Michel. For an event flyer, go to http://friendsofnra.org/eventdocs/California/SouthOCWeb.pdf. Contact: Hal Finelt at 949-716-5441 or via e-mail at socfnra@aol.com
OCTOBER 16 KERN COUNTY CALIFORNIA WATERFOWL ASSOCIATION FUNDRAISER: The Kern County Chapter of the California Waterfowl Association will have its annual fundraiser banquet beginning 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16 at the Elks Lodge, 1616 30th Street, Bakersfield. Cost is $75 per person, $125 per couple. Contact: Jim Delmarter at 661-327-1486 or go to the CWA web site at www.calwaterfowl.org.
OCTOBER 23 POMONA FRIENDS OF NRA FUNDRAISER: The Pomona Friends of the National Rifle Association will have its fundraiser beginning 6 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 23. Tickets are $50 per person. Guest speaker is Steve Cooley, Los Angeles district attorney. For an event flyer, go to http://friendsofnra.org/EventDocs.aspx?eid=3384&sid=5. Contact: Anthony Weber at 626-564-1551 or via e-mail at info@fnra-la.org
OCTOBER 27 BURBANK FRIENDS OF NRA FUNDRAISER: The Burbank Friends of the National Rifle Association will have its fundraiser beginning 5 p.m., Monday, Oct. 27. Tickets are $60 per person if purchased before Sept. 30. Guest speaker is Bruce Colodny, a gun rights attorney. For an event flyer, go to http://friendsofnra.org/eventdocs/California/SoCalMailer.pdf Contact: Carl Overmyer at 714-991-5999 or Lissa Lee via e-mail at llee@nrahq.org
NOVEMBER 1 BIG GAME DRINKER REPAIR: The Society for the Conservation of Bighorn Sheep is coordinating and hosting an extensive big game drinker repair effort Saturday, Nov. 1 in the Kingston Range (north of Baker). The Right Wrong Ridge Drinker needs fencing, rain matt repair, and new plumbing. Volunteers should be in moderately good condition (the drinker is a half-mile hike in) and be willing to work at least a half-day. Bring work clothes, gloves, and hiking boots. Food will be provided Friday evening and after the work project, but volunteers should bring water and snacks. Contact Gary Thomas for more information and directions via e-mail at g.cranky@verizon.net.
NOVEMBER 1 NORCO HUNTER SAFETY CLASS: A one-day, 10-hour certified hunter safety class will be held at Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises, Norco. Classes are required for all first-time California hunters before a hunting license can be purchased. Cost is $35 per person. The remaining 2008 class date is Dec. 6. Sign-ups are taken at all Turner's Outdoorsman stores. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981.
NOVEMBER 1 RANCHO CUCAMONGA HUNTER SAFETY CLASS: A one-day, 10-hour certified hunter safety class will be held at Bass Pro Shop, Rancho Cucamonga. Classes are required for all first-time California hunters before a hunting license can be purchased. These free classes are held from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. the first Saturday of each month at Bass Pro and limited to 40 people. Reservations by calling Bass Pro at 909-922-5500.
NOVEMBER 1 EAST SAN DIEGO COUNTY FRIENDS OF NRA FUNDRAISER: The East San Diego County Friends of the National Rifle Association will have its fundraiser beginning 4 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 1 in San Diego. Tickets are $40 per person. Auction highlight: A wild turkey hunt guided by Congressman Duncan Hunter. For an event flyer, go to http://friendsofnra.org/eventdocs/California/EastCoWeb.jpg Contact: Ronnie Smith at 619-562-3629 or via e-mail at rsnsd@cox.net
NOVEMBER 1-2 VENTURA GUN SHOW: The McMann’s Roadrunner Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, at Seaside Park, Ventura. Admission is $9. Information, directions, and $1 off coupons available at www.mcmannsroadrunner.com.
NOVEMBER 15-16 GLENDALE GUN SHOW: The Glendale Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16, at the Glendale Civic Auditorium, Glendale. Admission is $9. The next Glendale gun show will be March 7-8, 2009, Aug. 8-9, 2009, and Nov. 21-22, 2009 Information, directions, and $1 off coupons available at www.glendalegunshow.com.
NOVEMBER 22-23 BAKERSFIELD GUN SHOW: The Central Coast Gun Shows Bakersfield event will be held Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 22-23 at the Kern County Fairgrounds, Bakersfield. The 2008 dates for the Bakersfield gun shows include Jan. 5-6, April 5-6, June 21-22, Aug. 30-31, and Nov. 22-23. Information at www.centralcoastgunshows.com or call 805-481-6726.
DECEMBER 6 NORCO HUNTER SAFETY CLASS: A one-day, 10-hour certified hunter safety class will be held at Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises, Norco. Classes are required for all first-time California hunters before a hunting license can be purchased. Cost is $35 per person. The 2009 class date schedule has not be set yet. Sign-ups are taken at all Turner's Outdoorsman stores. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981.
DECEMBER 6-7 CONCEALED CARRY WEAPON COURSE: A 16-hour California Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) course is being offered by Firearms Training Associates at Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises this Saturday and Sunday. Cost is $180 per person. This course meets the state requirement for 16 hours of training to qualify for a CCW (not valid in San Bernardino County). This is the final date for 2008 classes. Contact FTA at 714-701-9918 or 877-544-4867 for information about this class of the 2009 schedule. The web site is www.ftatv.com.
DECEMBER 20 CALIFORNIA WATERFOWL IMPERIAL VALLEY FUND-RAISER: The Imperial Valley Chapter of the California Waterfowl Association will have its mid-season fund-raising dinner banquet beginning 5 p.m., Saturday, Dec. at the St. Patricks’s Community Center, 133 E. Church, Calipatria. Dinner tickets are $55 per person, $80 a couple. Contacts: Frank Bailey at 760-359-0200 or Keith Cowell at 760-455-8990. Web site: www.calwaterfowl.org.

CALENDAR RESOURCES

For a complete list of HUNTER SAFETY CLASSES held throughout the state, including times, dates, and locations, go to the Department of Fish and Game’s web site at this address: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/huntered/classes.aspx.
For the rules and regulations on GRUNION RUNS, along with a complete schedule and the expected times of the runs, go to this web site address: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/gruschd.asp

CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS

The following is a list of hunting, shooting, and fishing clubs and organizations in Southern California with contact information and regular meeting dates:
976-TUNA ROD AND REEL CLUB: The 976-Tuna Rod and Reel Club meets 7 p.m. the first Thursday of each month at Bass Pro Shops, Rancho Cucamonga. At the December meeting a free trip to Palmas de Cortez in Baja will be given away. Contact Phil Friedman at 310-328-8426.
CALIFORNIA STATE VARMINT CALLERS ASSOCIATION: The California State Varmint Callers Association meets 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at the Denny's just north of the 210 freeway at Irwindale Ave., Irwindale. Contact Steven Childs at 626-407-8826 or steve@sdchilds.com. Web site: www.csvca.com.
CANYON OAKS SPORTSMAN’S CLUB: The Canyon Oaks Sportsman’s Club meets the first Tuesday of every month at it’s clubhouse in Lakeview Terrace-Sylmar. The club has regular trap, skeet, smallbore, big bore, handgun, and Cowboy Action shooting events. Contact Gary White at 818-998-7240, Mike Totta at 818-362-2181 or Mike Nickoloff via e-mail at idpamike@yahoo.com.
CERRITOS ROD & GUN CLUB: The Cerritos Rod & Gun Club meets the second Wednesday of each month at Heritage Park in Cerritos. Contact Charles Sharp at 714-317-8290 or fish_90605@yahoo.com.
CLUB FISH: Club Fish, a 20-year-old fishing club, meets 7:30 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at the Izaak Walton League Clubhouse, Santa Ana. The clubhouse is located at the entrance to Riverview Gold Course. Contact Mike Cross at 949-854-5258 or m_r_cross@yahoo.com.
    DEEP CREEK FLY-FISHERS: Deep Creek Fly-Fishers meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at the Izaak Walton League clubhouse in Fairmont Park, in Riverside. Go to www.deepcreekflyfishers.org to download a map to the club house. Contact Brett Browning at 909-793-8912.
HIGH DESERT FLY-FISHERS: The High Desert Fly-Fishers holds its monthly meetings on the second Thursday of each month at The Apple Valley Fire Conference Center, 19235 Yucca Loma, Apple Valley. Contact John Rose at 760-247-5966.
HIGHLAND PARK SPORTSMEN'S CLUB: The Highland Park Sportsmen's Club meets at 8 p.m. the first and third Wednesday of each month at 2035 Colorado Blvd., Los Angeles. Contact Mauro Garcia at 323-254-0763 or incareal@juno.com.
NATIONAL VARMINT HUNTERS: The National Varmint Hunters meets 7:30 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at the Veterans of Foreign Wars club located on Grand Avenue, just west of 17th Street, Santa Ana. Contact Mark Harris at 714-655-6954 or mhitis1@yahoo.com or Terry Mathers at 714-299-9938 or coyote@jps.net.
NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION (HIGH DESERT CHAPTER): The High Desert Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation meets 6:30 p.m. the first Thursday of each month at the Apple Valley Gun Club, 16699 Stoddard Wells Rd., Victorville. Contact Dave Recce at 760-956-7092 or Dave Halbrook at 760-553-2794.
NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION (ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER): The Orange County Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation meets 6 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at The Firing Line, 17921 Jamestown Lane, Huntington Beach. Contact Pat Ryan at 714-373-3688 or Casey Rasmussen at 714-377-5859.
ORANCO BOWMEN: The ORANCO Bowmen meet the second Tuesday of each month at the club range, 17504 Pomona Rincon Rd., Chino (Euclid Avenue one block north of the 71 freeway). The range is open to the public on Sundays 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 909-597-7582. Web site: www.oranco.org.
ORANGE COUNTY BASS CLUB: The Orange County Bass Club meets 7 p.m. the third Monday of each month at the Garden Grove Elk's Lodge. Contact Steve Pendergast at 949-651-8172 or prendergasts@netzero.com.
PLUNGE CREEK COWBOYS: The Plunge Creek Cowboys, a new Cowboy Action Shooting club in the Inland Empire, has shoots the third Saturday of each month at the Inland Fish and Game range on Orange Street in East Highlands. Authentic or replica firearms and garb required. Information: www.plungecreekcowboys.com.
PREDATOR CALLERS OF ORANGE COUNTY: The Predator Callers of Orange County meet 7 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month at the Denny's restaurant, 7490 Edinger Ave., Huntington Beach. Contact Rickey Macy via e-mail at rickmacey@juno.com.
QUAIL UNLIMITED (HIGH DESERT CHAPTER): The High Desert Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 6 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at the Apple Valley Gun Club. Contact Cruz Garcia at 760-949-6334 or fathercruz@verizon.net.
QUAIL UNLIMITED (ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER): The Orange County Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month at the Izaak Walton League Clubhouse (located at the entrance to Riverview Golf Course) in Santa Ana. Contact Craig Riedel at 714-282-1194 or criedel@mflex.com.
QUAIL UNLIMITED (RIVERSIDE CHAPTER): The Riverside Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 7 p.m. the second Thursday of each month at Prado Olympic Shooting Park, 17501 Pomona Rincon Road, Chino (one block west of Euclid, just off the 71 freeway). Contact Ron Gibbons at 909-902-9814 or gibbent@gte.net. Web site: www.quriverside.com.
QUAIL UNLIMITED (SAN DIEGO CHAPTER): The San Diego Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 6:30 p.m. the third Thursday of each month at DFG Headquarters at 4949 Viewridge Rd., San Diego. Contact David Preddy at davidpreddy@cox.net or visit www.sdqu.org.
QUAIL UNLIMITED (SAN GABRIEL VALLEY CHAPTER): The San Gabriel Valley Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 6 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at Triple B Clays in El Monte. Contact Tim Bovard at 866-206-9070, ext. 6715 or sgvqu@onebox.com.
REDONDO ROD & GUN CLUB: The Redondo Rod & Gun Club meets 8 p.m. every Thursday of every month at its own clubhouse. The club has promoted hunting, fishing, sport shooting and the outdoors since 1948. The clubhouse is located at 2023 Vanderbilt Lane, Redondo Beach. Contact 310-379-7772.
RIVERSIDE VARMINT CALLERS: The Riverside Varmint Callers meet 7 p.m. the last Saturday of each month at Flo's Country Kitchen, Riverside. Contact Lance Cochrane at 909-919-4309 or Ray Gauthier at 951-785-4986. Web site:www.californiavarmintcallers.com/chapters.html/.
SAN DIEGO SPORTING DOG CLUB: The San Diego Sporting Dog Club meets 7 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at the Animal Medical Center, 600 Broadway, El Cajon. Contact Steve Sarmiento at 619-659-9393 or sssarmi@sbcglobal.net.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA VARMINT CALLERS ASSOCIATION: The Southern California Varmint Callers Association meets 8 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month at the Denny's Restaurant at Pioneer Blvd and Imperial Highway in Norwalk. Contact Granville Crow at 310-548-6221 or crowshot1@cox.net or Skip Gildner at 562-900-9020 or mtnhigh5@excite.com.
TEMPLE CITY SPORTSMEN: The Temple City Sportsmen meet the first Thursday of each month at the Temple City Civic Center in Temple City. Contact Jim White at 626-201-7782 or TCSPresident2006@yahoo.com.
TURNER'S OUTDOORSMAN ROD AND REEL CLUB: The Turner's Outdoorsman Rod and Reel Club meets 7 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at Marie Calendar’s Restaurant, 2300 Foothill, Pasadena. Contact Richard Crowe at 626-960-9610.

[Want your event or club listed here? Send the information to Jim Matthews, Outdoor News Service, P.O. Box 9007, San Bernardino, CA 92427-0007 or e-mail it to odwriter@charter.net. Following the style used above for events and clubs makes our life easier and increases the likelihood of it being included here.]

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