The new 2011 California Fishing Licenses are now available for sale in both of our stores. With the new license year comes a big change - fishing and hunting licenses are now issued using a computerized system. This is a project which has been developed over the past few years, and it is now in effect for California.
The beauty of the system is that once your information has been entered, we won't have to re-enter your info when you come back to get a steelhead report card, or come in to purchase your hunting license (though hunter safety evidence is still required).
We've had the terminals in place since last week, and have been shaking the bugs out of the system while getting our staff trained on the new method. While it actually simplifies a lot of the paperwork and makes things more efficient, there are a few things you should know about before you head down to purchase a license.
If you are buying a license for yourself, it's simple: just bring in your California Driver's License or Identification Card. We can swipe the magnetic strip and transfer your information into the DFG database, then issue the license. If you don't have a California Driver's License or ID card, you can bring down a passport, green card, birth certificate or other form of photo identification.
If you are buying a license for someone else: You will need to know the name, birthday and driver's license/ID number for that person, in addition to address and personal information (height, weight, eye and hair color). We can not issue a license without full identifying information.
If you don't have that information, there is another option - you can purchase a "Voucher" for a 2011 Resident Sport Fishing License. This is a "prepaid" Voucher which lets them go into any California License Agent and redeem it for a 2011 Resident Sport Fishing License. (Vouchers are transferable, so if you receive two Vouchers, a friend or relative could redeem it for their license.)
Please Note - the Voucher is not a valid fishing license. If you are caught fishing with a Voucher rather than a license, you will be cited. Vouchers may not be redeemed for anything other than a 2011 California Resident Sport Fishing License.
License sales actually take a little less time than previously, but because we now must complete the information through the DFG-issued terminals, there will be times when people are waiting their turn. We appreciate your patience on this, and encourage you to head down to the stores at less busy times to obtain your California Licenses.
Please note:
California Hunting and Fishing licenses and Vouchers are non-refundable. Any claim for refund due to duplication or incorrect purchase of licenses must be made through the Department of Fish and Game License Branch in Sacramento.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Tom's Trip North
Western Sport Shop Operations Manager Tom N. headed up to the Smith river a week ago, and between the recent storms managed to get three nice salmon - The only day they could fish was Sunday due to rain and high water.
Here, Tom shows off the the 28 pounder he landed:
His friend and fishing partner Kenny landed the big fish of the day - a fresh 35 pounder!
Beautiful bright fish in cold and challenging conditions!
Here, Tom shows off the the 28 pounder he landed:
His friend and fishing partner Kenny landed the big fish of the day - a fresh 35 pounder!
Beautiful bright fish in cold and challenging conditions!
Your Squid Update - Commercial Season to Close 12/17
Commercial Market Squid Fishery to Close December 17
The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) will close the commercial fishery
for market squid, Loligo (Doryteuthis) opalescens, Friday, Dec. 17 at
noon.
Based on landings information and projections, DFG biologists expect
that by Dec.17, the seasons harvest limit of 118,000 short tons of
market squid will be reached. The squid fishing season runs from April
through the following March of each year, which means the fishery will
now remain closed through March 31, 2011. This is the first time that
the harvest limit has been reached since it was implemented by the Fish
and Game Commission in 2002.
"We have had a banner year for market squid this year," said Dale
Sweetnam, a DFG senior marine biologist who oversees the commercial
market squid fishery. "In California, we have had squid landings from La
Jolla to Half Moon Bay and reports that market squid are abundant off
many of the offshore banks, the Channel Islands, as well as off Baja
California. The colder than normal water conditions we have observed
since February have provided optimal conditions for squid spawning."
The presence of market squid is strongly correlated with environmental
factors, such as water temperature and nutrient availability. In warm
water years and during El Niño conditions, squid become scarce and
landings decline. However, when water temperatures cool, even after
severe warm water events, market squid numbers can rebound quickly and
dramatically.
DFG, with assistance from squid fishermen and seafood processors, has
been tracking catches daily this fall in anticipation of reaching the
harvest limit, which was established to ensure the squid fishery does
not expand beyond levels experienced in the 1990s. "The wetfish industry
and California Wetfish Producers Association are very pleased to partner
with DFG to ensure a sustainable market squid resource and fishery,"
said California Wetfish Producers Association Executive Director Diane
Pleschner-Steele.
Market squid is by far California's largest and most valuable
commercial fishery. In 2009, just over 100,000 tons was landed with an
ex-vessel value of $56.5 million. California market squid is used
domestically for food - often identified as calamari in restaurants -
and is an important international commodity. Last year, California fish
businesses exported market squid to 36 countries with China being the
leading importer of California market squid.
The harvest limit is one of many provisions governing the squid
fishery, which has been managed under the states Market Squid Fishery
Management Plan (MSFMP) since 2005. The goals of the MSFMP are to ensure
long term conservation and sustainability of the market squid resource,
reduce the potential for overfishing and provide a framework for
management. In addition to the harvest limit, weekend closures were
implemented to allow for periods of uninterrupted spawning each week.
The MSFMP was developed under the provisions set forth by California's
Marine Life Management Act (MLMA), which became law in 1999. The MLMA
created state policies, goals and objectives to govern the conservation,
sustainable use and restoration of California's living marine resources,
including squid.
California Department of Fish and Game News Release
Contacts:
Dale Sweetnam, DFG Marine Region,(858) 546-7170
Marci Yaremko, DFG Marine Region,(858) 442-3004
Jordan Traverso, DFG Communications,(916) 654-9937
The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) will close the commercial fishery
for market squid, Loligo (Doryteuthis) opalescens, Friday, Dec. 17 at
noon.
Based on landings information and projections, DFG biologists expect
that by Dec.17, the seasons harvest limit of 118,000 short tons of
market squid will be reached. The squid fishing season runs from April
through the following March of each year, which means the fishery will
now remain closed through March 31, 2011. This is the first time that
the harvest limit has been reached since it was implemented by the Fish
and Game Commission in 2002.
"We have had a banner year for market squid this year," said Dale
Sweetnam, a DFG senior marine biologist who oversees the commercial
market squid fishery. "In California, we have had squid landings from La
Jolla to Half Moon Bay and reports that market squid are abundant off
many of the offshore banks, the Channel Islands, as well as off Baja
California. The colder than normal water conditions we have observed
since February have provided optimal conditions for squid spawning."
The presence of market squid is strongly correlated with environmental
factors, such as water temperature and nutrient availability. In warm
water years and during El Niño conditions, squid become scarce and
landings decline. However, when water temperatures cool, even after
severe warm water events, market squid numbers can rebound quickly and
dramatically.
DFG, with assistance from squid fishermen and seafood processors, has
been tracking catches daily this fall in anticipation of reaching the
harvest limit, which was established to ensure the squid fishery does
not expand beyond levels experienced in the 1990s. "The wetfish industry
and California Wetfish Producers Association are very pleased to partner
with DFG to ensure a sustainable market squid resource and fishery,"
said California Wetfish Producers Association Executive Director Diane
Pleschner-Steele.
Market squid is by far California's largest and most valuable
commercial fishery. In 2009, just over 100,000 tons was landed with an
ex-vessel value of $56.5 million. California market squid is used
domestically for food - often identified as calamari in restaurants -
and is an important international commodity. Last year, California fish
businesses exported market squid to 36 countries with China being the
leading importer of California market squid.
The harvest limit is one of many provisions governing the squid
fishery, which has been managed under the states Market Squid Fishery
Management Plan (MSFMP) since 2005. The goals of the MSFMP are to ensure
long term conservation and sustainability of the market squid resource,
reduce the potential for overfishing and provide a framework for
management. In addition to the harvest limit, weekend closures were
implemented to allow for periods of uninterrupted spawning each week.
The MSFMP was developed under the provisions set forth by California's
Marine Life Management Act (MLMA), which became law in 1999. The MLMA
created state policies, goals and objectives to govern the conservation,
sustainable use and restoration of California's living marine resources,
including squid.
California Department of Fish and Game News Release
Contacts:
Dale Sweetnam, DFG Marine Region,(858) 546-7170
Marci Yaremko, DFG Marine Region,(858) 442-3004
Jordan Traverso, DFG Communications,(916) 654-9937
New 2011-2012 Groundfish Regulations Delayed
New 2011-2012 Groundfish Regulations Delayed
The California groundfish regulations for 2011-12 recently adopted by the
Fish and Game Commission will not be ready for implementation on Jan. 1,
2011 as planned. These regulations conform to federal regulations adopted by
the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC). However, due to procedural
difficulties encountered within the federal rule making process, the 2010
regulations will remain in place until further notice.
"We are working closely with our federal fishery management partners to
establish an implementation date," said Department of Fish and Game (DFG)
Marine Region Manager Marija Vojkovich. "We will announce the effective date
for the new regulations as soon as it has been established. Until then, we
ask that fishermen continue to follow the 2010 rules."
The new California regulations were developed in collaboration with fishery
constituents, other Pacific states, PFMC and the National Marine Fisheries
Service over the past 18 months.
Anglers are advised to check regulations before targeting federally managed
groundfish, as the proposed 2011-12 changes included modifications to
fishing seasons, harvest limits, bag limits, species compositions, trip
limits, fishing depths and gear constraints for rockfish, lingcod, cabezon,
greenlings, California scorpionfish (sculpin) and other species.
The 2010 recreational and commercial groundfish regulations are available at
the DFG website at www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/groundfishcentral or recreational
anglers can call the Recreational Groundfish Hotline at (831) 649-2801. The
delay mainly affects the recreational groundfish fishery.
The public can still comment on the proposed federal groundfish regulation
changes on or before Jan. 4, 2011. Instructions for submitting public
comments can be found at
http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/Publications/FR-Notices/2010/loader.cfm?csModule=sec
urity/getfile&pageid=48404 (this page may be slow to load). The proposed
recreational changes can be found on pages 67894 through 67896.
California Department of Fish and Game News Release
Contacts:
Deb Wilson-Vandenberg, DFG Marine Region, (831) 649-2892
Jayna Schaaf-Da Silva, Marine Region, (831) 649-7196
Jordan Traverso, DFG Communications, (916) 654-9937
The California groundfish regulations for 2011-12 recently adopted by the
Fish and Game Commission will not be ready for implementation on Jan. 1,
2011 as planned. These regulations conform to federal regulations adopted by
the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC). However, due to procedural
difficulties encountered within the federal rule making process, the 2010
regulations will remain in place until further notice.
"We are working closely with our federal fishery management partners to
establish an implementation date," said Department of Fish and Game (DFG)
Marine Region Manager Marija Vojkovich. "We will announce the effective date
for the new regulations as soon as it has been established. Until then, we
ask that fishermen continue to follow the 2010 rules."
The new California regulations were developed in collaboration with fishery
constituents, other Pacific states, PFMC and the National Marine Fisheries
Service over the past 18 months.
Anglers are advised to check regulations before targeting federally managed
groundfish, as the proposed 2011-12 changes included modifications to
fishing seasons, harvest limits, bag limits, species compositions, trip
limits, fishing depths and gear constraints for rockfish, lingcod, cabezon,
greenlings, California scorpionfish (sculpin) and other species.
The 2010 recreational and commercial groundfish regulations are available at
the DFG website at www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/
anglers can call the Recreational Groundfish Hotline at (831) 649-2801. The
delay mainly affects the recreational groundfish fishery.
The public can still comment on the proposed federal groundfish regulation
changes on or before Jan. 4, 2011. Instructions for submitting public
comments can be found at
http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/
urity/getfile&pageid=48404
recreational changes can be found on pages 67894 through 67896.
California Department of Fish and Game News Release
Contacts:
Deb Wilson-Vandenberg, DFG Marine Region, (831) 649-2892
Jayna Schaaf-Da Silva, Marine Region, (831) 649-7196
Jordan Traverso, DFG Communications, (916) 654-9937
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
Carlo Bongio Fly Tying Video
Even with the Big Fall Sale happening this week, our fishing and fly departments continue to be busy with folks enjoying the lengthy summer fishing season this year. As we look towards fall, Santa Rosa Fly Department Manager Carlo Bongio is beginning to set his schedule for fly tying classes (and other "On The Water" clinics as well!)
Recently, a video crew from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat caught up with Carlo and put together this excellent video -
If you are interested in signing up for Carlo's next class, give him a call at our Santa Rosa store - 707-542-4432. Thanks for watching!
Recently, a video crew from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat caught up with Carlo and put together this excellent video -
If you are interested in signing up for Carlo's next class, give him a call at our Santa Rosa store - 707-542-4432. Thanks for watching!
Friday, August 20, 2010
UPDATE! 2010/2011 Waterfowl Regulations
Hot off the, uh.... pixels on my screen... courtesy of the fine folks over at California Waterfowl Association
2010/11 WATERFOWL REGULATIONS BY ZONE
This information is provided to you as a general guide only. Please refer to
the California Department of Fish and Game website or other materials for
official information. We cannot be responsible for any typos or changes in the listed information.
REGULATION HIGHLIGHTS FOR ALL ZONES:
**The duck season is > 100 days, and the bag limit 7 birds/day in all zones.
**Pintail bag is 2 birds/day (either sex) for the entire season.
**Mallard bag will 7 birds/day, and two may be hens.
**Canvasback bag is 1 bird/day for the entire season.
**Scaup bag is 3 birds/day, and the season will be 86 days.
**"Electronic" Spinning wing decoys will be allowed from December 1 until
the season ends (statewide).
BALANCE OF STATE ZONE
Seasons:
Ducks and Geese: 100 Day Straight Season (scaup during last 86 days only)
October 23, 2010 through January 30, 2011.
Brant Special Management Areas:
Northcoast Brant (Humboldt Bay) November 7, 2010 through December 6, 2010.
Southcoast Brant (Tomales and Morro Bay), November 13, 2010 through December 12, 2010; 2 per day, 4 possession.
Special Youth Hunt Days: February 5 and February 6, 2011
Early Resident Canada Goose Season: October 2, 2010 through October 6, 2010
(Except in the North Coast Special Management Area)
Limits:
Ducks: Daily bag limit: 7.
Daily bag limit may contain 7 mallards of which only 2 can be female; 2 pintail; 1 canvasback; 2 redheads; 3 scaup.
Possession limit: Double the daily bag limit.
Geese: Daily bag limit: 8.
Daily bag limit may contain 8 geese of which only 6 can be dark geese. Bag may include up to 6 large Canada geese; 6 small Canada geese, 6 white geese; 4 white fronts.
Early Resident Canada Goose Season: 6 Canada geese
Sacramento Valley Special Management Area: No more than 2 white fronts may
be taken only from October 23, 2010 until December 14, 2010.
For more information on the Sacramento Valley (West) Special Management Area limits and
boundaries, please refer to the Fish and Game Waterfowl Regulation Booklet.
Possession limit: Double the daily bag limit.
NORTHEASTERN CALIFORNIA ZONE
Seasons:
Ducks: 105 Day Straight Season (scaup during first 86 days only)
October 9, 2010 through January 21, 2011
Geese: 100 Day Straight Season
October 9, 2010 through January 16, 2011
Special Youth Hunt Days: September 25 and 26, 2010
Limits:
Ducks: Daily bag limit: 7.
Daily bag limit may contain 7 mallards, of which only 2 can be female; 2 pintail; 1 canvasback; 2 redheads; 3 scaup.
Possession limit: Double the daily bag limit.
Geese: Daily bag limit: 8.
Daily bag limit may contain 8 geese of which only 6 may be dark geese. Only 1 may be a small Canada goose (Aleutian or cackling) and only 2 may be large Canada geese; 6 white geese; 4 white fronts.
Possession limit: Double the daily bag limit.
SOUTHERN SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY ZONE
Seasons:
Ducks: 102 days split Season (scaup during last 79 days only)
October 9, 2010 through October 31, 2010 and November 13, 2010 through
January 30, 2011
Geese: 100 Day Straight Season
October 23, 2010 through January 30, 2011
Special Youth Hunt Days: February 5 and February 6, 2011
Limits:
Ducks: Daily bag limit: 7.
Daily bag limit may contain 7 mallards, of which only 2 can be female; 2 pintail; 1 canvasback; 2 redheads; 3 scaup.
Possession limit: Double the daily bag limit.
Geese: Daily bag limit: 8.
Daily bag limit may contain 8 geese, of which only 6 may be dark geese, and include up to 6 large Canada geese; 6 small Canada geese; 6 white geese; 4 white fronts.
Possession limit: Double the daily bag limit.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ZONE
Seasons:
Ducks and Geese: 100 Day Straight Season (scaup during last 86 days only)
October 23, 2010 through January 30, 2011
Special Youth Hunt Days: February 5 and February 6, 2011
Limits:
Ducks: Daily bag limit: 7.
Daily bag limit may contain 7 mallards, of which only 2 can be female; 2 pintail; 1 canvasback; 2 redheads; 3 scaup.
Possession limit: Double the daily bag limit.
Geese: Daily bag limit: 8.
Daily bag limit may contain 8 geese, of which only 6 may be white geese and 3 may be dark geese.
Possession limit: Double the daily bag limit.
COLORADO RIVER ZONE
Seasons:
Ducks and Geese: 101 Day Straight Season (scaup during last 86 days only)
October 22, 2010 through January 30, 2011
Special Youth Hunt Days: February 5 and February 6, 2011
Limits:
Ducks: Daily bag limit: 7.
Daily bag limit may contain 7 mallards, but not more than 2 female mallards or Mexican-like ducks; 2 pintail (either sex); 1 canvasback; 2 redheads; 3 scaup.
Possession limit: Double the daily bag limit.
Geese: Daily bag limit: 6.
Daily bag limits may contain 6 white geese and up to 3 may be dark geese.
Possession limit: Double the daily bag limit.
To check out the Waterfowl Zone Map, click here>>
For more information, visit California Department of Fish & Game website by clicking here>>
2010/11 WATERFOWL REGULATIONS BY ZONE
This information is provided to you as a general guide only. Please refer to
the California Department of Fish and Game website or other materials for
official information. We cannot be responsible for any typos or changes in the listed information.
REGULATION HIGHLIGHTS FOR ALL ZONES:
**The duck season is > 100 days, and the bag limit 7 birds/day in all zones.
**Pintail bag is 2 birds/day (either sex) for the entire season.
**Mallard bag will 7 birds/day, and two may be hens.
**Canvasback bag is 1 bird/day for the entire season.
**Scaup bag is 3 birds/day, and the season will be 86 days.
**"Electronic" Spinning wing decoys will be allowed from December 1 until
the season ends (statewide).
BALANCE OF STATE ZONE
Seasons:
Ducks and Geese: 100 Day Straight Season (scaup during last 86 days only)
October 23, 2010 through January 30, 2011.
Brant Special Management Areas:
Northcoast Brant (Humboldt Bay) November 7, 2010 through December 6, 2010.
Southcoast Brant (Tomales and Morro Bay), November 13, 2010 through December 12, 2010; 2 per day, 4 possession.
Special Youth Hunt Days: February 5 and February 6, 2011
Early Resident Canada Goose Season: October 2, 2010 through October 6, 2010
(Except in the North Coast Special Management Area)
Limits:
Ducks: Daily bag limit: 7.
Daily bag limit may contain 7 mallards of which only 2 can be female; 2 pintail; 1 canvasback; 2 redheads; 3 scaup.
Possession limit: Double the daily bag limit.
Geese: Daily bag limit: 8.
Daily bag limit may contain 8 geese of which only 6 can be dark geese. Bag may include up to 6 large Canada geese; 6 small Canada geese, 6 white geese; 4 white fronts.
Early Resident Canada Goose Season: 6 Canada geese
Sacramento Valley Special Management Area: No more than 2 white fronts may
be taken only from October 23, 2010 until December 14, 2010.
For more information on the Sacramento Valley (West) Special Management Area limits and
boundaries, please refer to the Fish and Game Waterfowl Regulation Booklet.
Possession limit: Double the daily bag limit.
NORTHEASTERN CALIFORNIA ZONE
Seasons:
Ducks: 105 Day Straight Season (scaup during first 86 days only)
October 9, 2010 through January 21, 2011
Geese: 100 Day Straight Season
October 9, 2010 through January 16, 2011
Special Youth Hunt Days: September 25 and 26, 2010
Limits:
Ducks: Daily bag limit: 7.
Daily bag limit may contain 7 mallards, of which only 2 can be female; 2 pintail; 1 canvasback; 2 redheads; 3 scaup.
Possession limit: Double the daily bag limit.
Geese: Daily bag limit: 8.
Daily bag limit may contain 8 geese of which only 6 may be dark geese. Only 1 may be a small Canada goose (Aleutian or cackling) and only 2 may be large Canada geese; 6 white geese; 4 white fronts.
Possession limit: Double the daily bag limit.
SOUTHERN SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY ZONE
Seasons:
Ducks: 102 days split Season (scaup during last 79 days only)
October 9, 2010 through October 31, 2010 and November 13, 2010 through
January 30, 2011
Geese: 100 Day Straight Season
October 23, 2010 through January 30, 2011
Special Youth Hunt Days: February 5 and February 6, 2011
Limits:
Ducks: Daily bag limit: 7.
Daily bag limit may contain 7 mallards, of which only 2 can be female; 2 pintail; 1 canvasback; 2 redheads; 3 scaup.
Possession limit: Double the daily bag limit.
Geese: Daily bag limit: 8.
Daily bag limit may contain 8 geese, of which only 6 may be dark geese, and include up to 6 large Canada geese; 6 small Canada geese; 6 white geese; 4 white fronts.
Possession limit: Double the daily bag limit.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ZONE
Seasons:
Ducks and Geese: 100 Day Straight Season (scaup during last 86 days only)
October 23, 2010 through January 30, 2011
Special Youth Hunt Days: February 5 and February 6, 2011
Limits:
Ducks: Daily bag limit: 7.
Daily bag limit may contain 7 mallards, of which only 2 can be female; 2 pintail; 1 canvasback; 2 redheads; 3 scaup.
Possession limit: Double the daily bag limit.
Geese: Daily bag limit: 8.
Daily bag limit may contain 8 geese, of which only 6 may be white geese and 3 may be dark geese.
Possession limit: Double the daily bag limit.
COLORADO RIVER ZONE
Seasons:
Ducks and Geese: 101 Day Straight Season (scaup during last 86 days only)
October 22, 2010 through January 30, 2011
Special Youth Hunt Days: February 5 and February 6, 2011
Limits:
Ducks: Daily bag limit: 7.
Daily bag limit may contain 7 mallards, but not more than 2 female mallards or Mexican-like ducks; 2 pintail (either sex); 1 canvasback; 2 redheads; 3 scaup.
Possession limit: Double the daily bag limit.
Geese: Daily bag limit: 6.
Daily bag limits may contain 6 white geese and up to 3 may be dark geese.
Possession limit: Double the daily bag limit.
To check out the Waterfowl Zone Map, click here>>
For more information, visit California Department of Fish & Game website by clicking here>>
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