Vote For Abalone Fishery Closure in Sonoma County

Fish and Game Commission Votes to Close Abalone
Fishery in Sonoma County

Contact:
Jordan Traverso, DFG Communications, (916) 654-9937

The California Fish and Game Commission (Commission) today took emergency action to close the abalone fishery along part of the northern California coast. Specifically, the Commission voted 3-0 to close the fishery in the entirety of Sonoma County. Commissioners Daniel Richards and Richard Rogers were not in attendance.

This action was taken in the wake of confirmed reports of dead red abalone and other invertebrates on beaches and inside coves along the Sonoma County coastline.

Data continue to be collected that shows an abalone die-off along the Sonoma coast beginning Aug. 27. According to Department of Fish and Game (DFG) biologists, these abalone deaths coincided with a local red tide bloom and calm ocean conditions. Although the exact reasons for the abalone deaths are not known, invertebrate die-offs have occurred in the past along the northern California coast due to lack of oxygen and/or poisoning when similar weather and bloom conditions existed, but not at the magnitude of this event.

DFG is assessing the impact of the situation and provided the Commission with information at today's meeting.

Reports of dead abalone and a variety of invertebrates have come from Bodega Bay, Russian Gulch, Fort Ross, Timber Cove and Salt Point State Park in Sonoma County and as far north as Anchor Bay in Mendocino County. DFG biologists and game wardens have collected abalone, mussels and water samples since the beginning and are continuing to document reports from the public. The public is encouraged to report the location, number and date of dead or dying abalone to Ian Taniguchi at (562) 342-7182 or by e-mail at itaniguchi@dfg.ca.gov.

Divers are encouraged to avoid diving in the affected areas. The exact implementation date of the emergency closure will be determined by the regulatory process and is expected soon. Please continue to check the Commission¹s website at www.fgc.ca.gov.

Abalone fishermen are advised to contact a physician immediately if they feel sick, and to report symptoms to the local county health department (www.sonoma-county.org/health/about/publichealth.asp). The latest red tide updates from the California Department of Public Health are also posted online at www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/Pages/DDWEM.aspx.

For more information, please refer to DFG's Sept. 2 press release, available at
http://cdfgnews.wordpress.com/2011/09/02/abalone-die-off-observed-in-sonoma-
county/.

Closure of Abalone Fishery Under Consideration

The California Fish and Game Commission will consider emergency action on
Thursday, Sept. 15 to possibly close the abalone fishery along the northern
California coast. This action is being considered in the wake of confirmed
reports of dead red abalone and other invertebrates on beaches and inside
coves along the coast in Sonoma County.

The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) is currently attempting to assess the
impact of the situation and will provide the Commission with information at
this Thursday's meeting. Based on the DFG's report, the Commission may take
emergency action to close the abalone season along all or parts of the
Sonoma coast.

There was an abalone die-off along the Sonoma coast beginning Aug. 27 as a
result of a red tide-induced poisoning and/or lack of oxygen. According to
DFG biologists, these abalone deaths coincided with a local red tide bloom
and calm ocean conditions. Although the exact reasons for the abalone deaths
are not known, invertebrate die-offs have occurred in the past along the
northern California coast when similar weather and bloom conditions existed.

The number of dead and dying abalone is not known but DFG divers are
assessing the damage this week via underwater transect surveys. Reports of
dead abalone and a variety of invertebrates have come from Bodega Bay,
Russian Gulch, Fort Ross, Timber Cove and Salt Point State Park. Other DFG
biologists and game wardens have collected abalone, mussels and water
samples since the beginning of the bloom and are continuing to document
reports from the public.

For more information, please refer to DFG's Sept. 2 press release,
http://cdfgnews.wordpress.com/2011/09/02/abalone-die-off-observed-in-sonoma-
county/.

Abalone fishermen are advised to contact a physician immediately if they
feel sick, and to report symptoms to the local county health department
(www.sonoma-county.org/health/about/publichealth.asp). The latest red tide
updates from the California Department of Public Health are also posted
online at www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/Pages/DDWEM.aspx.

Contacts:
Ian Taniguchi, DFG Marine Region, (562) 342-7182
Kirsten Macintyre, DFG Communications, (916) 322-8988

Sale Starts TODAY - Save Big on Fall Goods - Plus Deals in all Departments

FALL SALE STARTS NOW!!

Today through Wednesday, September 15!

It’s been a crazy late summer season -- ocean salmon have come back big
time and folks have been buying bait, sinkers and lures like mad! The
copious amounts of late snowmelt and spring rains have made the stream and
Sierra fishing continue with vigor, while the bass fishing has been wide
open. Basically, no matter where you go, good things are happening!

All of which has made it a little difficult to focus on the fact that
Waterfowl Season is fast approaching! So, to give you a reminder and a
little head start - The 2011 Fall Shooting Sports Super Sale starts RIGHT
NOW!

You probably already know that our everyday low price is better than most
stores’ "sale" pricing. But, for this event, we roll prices back to the
lowest levels we possibly can - which makes it the perfect time to stock up
on what you'll need for a great duck season, dove or clay shooting or
whatever season is the big circled date on your calendar.

(And you probably already know that we are a DFG License Agent*, and can get you set up for the new California Hunting Licenses, plus Federal Duck Stamps)

Plus, if you come down to the shop today - Saturday, September 10 - you can meet with
representatives from California Waterfowl Association – find out about their
efforts to maintain habitat and duck populations in our state! If you
aren’t a member, it’s a great opportunity to join!

For starters - we know you need steel ammo!

Best Pricing of the Season on Kent Fasteel Waterfowl loads!
K1235ST40-BBB - 4 12ga 3.50" 1550fps reg. $19.99
WFD Sale! - $18.49
K1235ST36-BB - 3 12ga 3.50" 1625fps reg. $19.99
WFD Sale! - $18.49
K123ST36-BBB - 4 12ga 3" 1425fps reg. $14.99
WFD Sale! - $13.99
K123ST32-BB - 6 12ga 3" 1560fps reg. $14.49
WFD Sale! - $13.49
K122ST36-3, 6 12ga 2.75" 1300fps reg. $13.99
WFD Sale! - $12.99
K122ST32-BB - 3 12ga 2.75" 1425fps reg. $12.99
WFD Sale! - $11.99
K122ST30-BB - 4 12ga 2.75" 1550fps reg. $12.99
WFD Sale! - $11.99
K203ST24-2 - 4 20ga 3" 1550fps reg. $13.49
WFD Sale! - $12.49

Tired of that budget lead loads that don’t cycle or pattern consistently?
Try the Kent Ultimate Fast Lead
K122UFL36-4, 6, 7.5 12ga 2.75" 1350fps reg. $11.99
WFD Sale! - $10.99
K202UFL28-6, 7.5 20ga 2.75" 1255fps reg. $11.99
WFD Sale! - $10.99
K162UFL28-6, 7.5 16ga 2.75" 1220fps reg. $12.99
WFD Sale! - $11.99 (Limited Availability!)

Many sporting clays or other target areas are now requiring steel shot –
We strongly recommend the Kent Target Steel
K122TST28-7 12ga 2.75" 1290fps reg. $9.99
WFD Sale! - $8.99
K202TST24-7 20ga 2.75" 1215fps reg. $9.99
WFD Sale! - $8.99


Even though we've found the KENT Fasteel to be the some of the best and most
reliable loads, we know that ammo choice is important - so we've got a wide
variety of Hevi-Steel, Hevi-Shot, Tungsten loads, Federal Black Cloud and
more - still not quite right? Then make your order this weekend - lock in
the Fall Super Sale pricing, and we'll get it for you in time for the
opener. Just talk with any Western Sport Shop team member at the store.

How about decoys? We’ll be honest – it looks like availability on decoys
will be spotty this year – There have been some problems getting the very
popular green wing and widgeon decoys from Greenhead, and we’re actively
working with other manufacturers to find these. Check with us for updates
in the coming weeks.
But, here’s what we do have! DEALS ON DECOYS!
70002 - Hot Buy Magnum Mallards - half dozen reg. $49.99
WFD Sale! - $42.99
70003 - Hot Buy Mallards - dozen reg. $45.99
WFD Sale! - $39.99
73032 - Over-Size Pintails - half-dozen reg. $62.99
WFD Sale! - $52.99
73039 - Over-Size Blue Bills - half-dozen reg. $59.99
WFD Sale! - $44.990
73049 - Over-Size Canvasback - half-dozen reg. $59.99
WFD Sale! - $49.99
7108# - Speck, Snow, Canada Goose Floaters reg. $99.99
WFD Sale! - $84.99
28030 - Guides Choice Win-Duk air-driven attractor! reg. $52.99
WFD Sale! - $39.99

And all decoy bags in stock are 20% OFF this weekend!


Now, if you just like to fish or fly fish for 12 months out of the year,
that's OK too, because there are deals in those departments, too!

We've got specials in both the tackle and fly fishing department!

First for the Fly Fishing Focused:
Sage “Bass” series and Sage Z-Axis fly rods are now at 30% OFF!
All discontinued Fishpond tackle bags and luggage is now 40% OFF!
Plus, all remaining Ross fly reels and extra spools are 30% OFF!
Simms Blackfoot Wading boots are 40% OFF!
We also have a closeout clothing rack loaded with base layers, shirts,
jackets, insulation and discontinued or changed models that are 30 – 50% -
Great Deals Abound!

Now, for the salt and freshwater anglers:
All Apex Salmon trolling lures in stock – HALF OFF! This is a great chance
to grab some different colors and stock up!
All Pixie Salmon river lures – buy 2 and get a third FREE (Equal or lesser
value)
All Castaic Swim Baits (great for winter bass fishing!) – HALF OFF!
Penn Spinfisher SS Series Spinning reels – 20% OFF!
Selected closeout rods – 30- - 50% OFF!

In other words, it's time to get down to the sale - going on right now!

*DFG Licenses: To obtain a current hunting license in the state of California, you must provide photo ID and a evidence of Hunter's Safety Compliance - this can be either a validated Hunter Safety Course card or a previous year's hunting license. Please Note - DFG regulations state that we can no longer accept "Declaration Forms" in lieu of Hunter's Safety evidence. Cash or credit cards only on license sales.

Salmon. Ocean. Now. GO!

Just because I got a couple emails asking for proof of fish from Saturday's trip... Here are 2 of the three we caught.

Saturday Salmon and a Note on Gear Care

Along with a number of other folks who have heard that ocean salmon fishing is hot right now, a few of us ran out Saturday morning to see if we could put some fish in the box. It was one of those glorious mornings in the San Francisco Bay Area, with a couple gaps in the fog to remind us what a great place this is.


Weather conditions were a bit odd - there was a building swell from the south/southwest. It's much more common to find swells from the northwest which usually does two things if you are running out through the Golden Gate - 1st, because of the curves and points of the coastline north of the San Francisco Bay, there natural lees from the wind if you tuck in behind Point Reyes or Duxbury buoy. While you don't necessarily avoid the wind, you can usually find calmer water while catching salmon. 2nd, the winds "push you home" so you don't really fight water conditions on the return trip.

But with the swells from the unprotected south, there was nothing to do and nowhere to hide. So, we rocked and rolled a bit, but landed three fine fish on the day (unfortunately "long-line released " a couple as well - a pitching boat and moving fish can make things tricky.)


I would have liked to get footage of our intrepid staff members landing the fish, but I had one hand on the rail and the other on the net during the fights. Large fish on the day was ~18 pounds.

Things were a bit unsettled around Pt. Bonita, but a careful hand on the throttle and eye on the waves tucked us back under the bridge.

We took a couple of passes through California City, though the conditions were much more pleasant, we definitely were on the wrong part of the tide, so we decided to pick up and head home.

Gear Care:
Now that the ocean salmon is going good, it's been scary to see some of the reels and rods that have been sitting in garages, trunks or the hold of a boat for the last two or three years.



Before you go -
First off, replace your line! Don't waste your time and money to get your boat in the water or schedule a party boat trip without replacing old mono or spectra line. Monofilament will degrade when exposed to heat or UV. There's nothing quite like the sinking feeling of seeing line snap "for no reason" when you hook a nice fish. Also, if the leader on your lures or bait rigs have been abraded or seemed kinked or dry, get some leader material (or new lures with sharp hooks!) and spend an hour re-rigging things. Sharpen or replace hooks that don't easily dig into your fingernail.

On your rods, check first for broken or missing guides, then take a q-tip or cotton ball and drag it around the inside of the guide ring. Does it pull off fibers? If it's a nickeled or stainless guide (i.e. - no insert), then you should find some ultra-fine steel wool or emery paper to see if you can buff things smooth. Otherwise, every time you let line out or reel in the guides will be abrading your line.

Also, take a look at the side plates or reinforcing rings on your guides. Quite a few times, we've had to break the bad news to anglers that their old Penn Senator had cracked or split (often after wiping the sludge off of the reels!)

After you go -
As soon as you can after hitting the dock, rinse your gear down with a fresh water wash. Then back the drag off and let it air dry. Using Salt-X or a similar salt removal rinse is a great idea as well. Keep it out of the sun and store in a cool place. Then, when you are ready to go the next time, your rig will be too!

Carlo's Kids Casting Weekend Photos

Sorry for the delay - but here are a good portion of images from the Youth Flyfishing Weekend event last month - it was great to see so many young anglers so excited about fly fishing. 15 new anglers learned fly fishing from the ground up, with expert assistance from the Redwood Chapter of Trout Unlimited and our own fly fishing department manager Carlo Bongio.

Day one was spent up at Galvan Pond going over knots and gear, the mechanics of casting, and handling the equipment. Day two put the young anglers onto a hungry group of fish at a private pond, where everyone seemed to catch more than their share. Things wrapped up with a certificate of completion and it seemed like everyone was ready to hit the stream!

Hook Up!

Always great to see a rod bent double on a hard-running tuna!
Here's an image taken on the current Shogun multi-day trip! As you may not know, our 5 day trip in September was rescheduled to a 7 day trip leaving October 13th, and there are still a few open spots - if you want to enjoy this wide-open fishing, visit the Shogun site or speak with Richard B. on either Tuesdays or Wednesdays at the shop.