NORTH VALLEY OUTDOORS Salmon fishing season setting process begins

The Department of Fish and Game announced that preliminary 2008 salmon season data indicates a continued and significant reduction in the return size of the Sacramento River fall-run Chinook salmon stock. The DFG estimates that 66,200 Sacramento River fall-run adults returned in 2008- the lowest recorded return since comprehensive monitoring of Central Valley hatchery and natural escapement began in the 1970's. An estimated 73 percent of these spawners returned to natural areas.

This information will help the Pacific Fishery Management Council [PFMC] to begin its annual ocean salmon season setting process. The data focuses on both Sacramento River and Klamath-Trinity River system fall-run Chinook salmon in 2008. Preliminary numbers indicate that approximately 31,000 adult salmon returned to spawn in the Klamath-Trinity system's natural areas in 2008, well below the 2008 management objective of 40,700 required by the PFMC.

In 2008, all ocean salmon seasons were closed for the first time in California history. The closure was enacted to protect Sacramento River fall-run Chinook stocks. These stocks are considered a primary driver of both commercial and recreational salmon fishing off the coast of California and most of Oregon.

The DFG will hold a public salmon information meeting on March 3 in Santa Rosa to present information pertinent to California salmon fisheries and gather public input regarding the 2009 season.

The PFMC will conduct public hearings to receive comments on three proposed ocean salmon fishery management options scheduled to be adopted march 7-13 in Seattle. A PFMC public hearing will be held at 7:00 PM on March 31 in Eureka at the Red Lion Hotel. The PFMC and California Fish and Game Commission will adopt final 2009 ocean salmon regulations in April.

**Ed. note- Discussions regarding California's in-river salmon seasons will not begin until the ocean fishery regulations have been finalized.

CAF dinner

The Chico Area Flyfishers will conduct their annual fundraising dinner at 5:30 PM on March 6 at the Chico Masonic Center. Master of Ceremonies duty will be handled by Ray Narbaitz [freshly back from Patagonia] and Lincoln Gray. A slide show presentation of members fishing trips will be made, and presentation of the Press Powell Memorial Award will top the bill.

The club raises money to support many activities, including the Chico "Hooked on Fishing" children's event, Nature Conservancy, Chico Creek Ecological Reserve, and its own very active women's and youth programs.

A great selection of raffle and auction prizes will be available, including wildlife art, guided trips and specialty fly rods. A special youth raffle will be held, with a guaranteed prize. Catering will be by Frank Spiteri. Dinner price is $25 per person, $15 for juniors, and tickets can be purchased at Sierra Stream and Mountain, Fish First and Chico Fly Shop. Call 520-6895 for more information.

BASSmaster Classic

The largest guaranteed payout event in professional fishing, legendary BASSmaster Classic started today [Friday] in Shreveport-Bossier City, Louisiana. Angling for a top prize of $500,000 cash, some 51 of the world's top bass pros will fish today, tomorrow and Sunday.

The only competitors who currently list California as home are NorCal residents Ish Monroe of Hughson and Skeet Reese of Auburn. However, former California residents entered include Oroville native Gary Klein [currently of Texas], Byron Velvcik [Texas], Fred Roumbanis [Oklahoma]. Dean Rojas [Arizona] and Aaron Martens [Alabama].

In addition, Fil Torres of Oroville is there representing the Oroville-based Internet business BassTackleDepot.com, and former E-R sports editor John Johnson of Paradise is there as the Managing Editor of BassFan.com.

For more of this week's Outdoors information, check out the E-R's online editions
Send your outdoor news items to Steve Carson via e-mail at scarson@sunset.net