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California
Sportsman Your LOCAL Hunting & Fishing Resource
Volume 13 • Issue 11 PUBLISHER James R. Baker GENERAL MANAGER John Rusnak
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EXECUTIVE EDITOR Andy Walgamott EDITOR Chris Cocoles CONTRIBUTORS Scott Haugen, Tiffany Haugen, Brandon Honig, Todd Kline, Bill Schaefer SALES MANAGER Paul Yarnold ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Mamie Griffin, Jim Klark, Kelley Miller, Mike Smith DESIGNER Lesley-Anne Slisko-Cooper PRODUCTION ASSISTANT Kelly Baker DIGITAL STRATEGIST Jon Hines DIGITAL ASSISTANT Jon Ekse ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Katie Aumann INFORMATION SERVICES MANAGER Lois Sanborn ADVERTISING INQUIRIES ads@calsportsmanmag.com CORRESPONDENCE Email ccocoles@media-inc.com Twitter @CalSportsMan Facebook.com/californiasportsmanmagazine ON THE COVER While drought-affected water levels are a concern going forward, salmon fishing in the Klamath and Trinity Rivers is expected to be solid in the coming months. (REDWOOD COAST FISHING)
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CONTENTS
VOLUME 13 • ISSUE 11
FEATURES 17
SAVING SALMON DURING WATER WOES
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
Northern California’s dwindling water supply has put Central Valley king salmon in peril, and not just returning adult fish. Crews at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Coleman and Livingston Stone National Fish Hatcheries raced against time this spring to release millions of young fall-run fish earlier than usual before river conditions worsened, increasing the odds of survival. USFWS’s Brandon Honig details the heroic contingency plan for beating the heat and low waters.
9 11 13 15 47
25
NORTH COAST CHINOOK OUTLOOK
51
31
YOUR MISSION: CATCH BAY’S CORNUCOPIA
The Editor’s Note Adventures of Todd Kline Photo contest winners Outdoor calendar Wildfire closures could affect deer hunting seasons 15 don’t do tips for new gun dog owners
Longtime Eureka-area fishing guide Mike Stratman expects some solid Chinook fishing in the Klamath and Trinity Rivers this fall, but he understands the grave danger for salmon and those who love and depend on them in the future. “Simply put, if it doesn’t start raining soon, we’re in real trouble,” Stratman says. For now, get out and enjoy the fishing – the guide has details on what to expect in the fall.
San Diego’s gorgeous Mission Bay is popular with locals for its plentiful watersports, but Bill Schaefer’s favorite aquatic pastime is fishing for the bay’s plethora of species, including three kinds of saltwater bass, tasty halibut and even bat rays and sharks. Hop aboard with Cap’n Bill for a tour of Mission Bay and then get out on the water better prepared to catch lots of fish!
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AFTER THE SHOT
As the bulk of California’s deer hunting seasons open this month, the From Field to Fire team of Scott and Tiffany Haugen have some great tips for after you down that blacktail or muley. Scott says proper skinning, quartering and deboning will ensure your big game meat will be at its best for the dinner table. Speaking of, Tiffany shares how to cook up a thinly sliced venison recipe to top your salad, rice or pasta dish.
(U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE)
Read California Sportsman on your desktop or mobile device. Go to www.calsportsmanmag.com/digital California Sportsman is published monthly by Media Index Publishing Group, 14240 Interurban Avenue South, Suite 190, Tukwila, WA 98168. Annual subscriptions are $29.95 (12 issues). Send check or money order to Media Index Publishing Group, or call (206) 382-9220 with VISA or M/C. Display Advertising. Call Media Index Publishing Group for a current rate card. Discounts for frequency advertising. All submitted materials become the property of Media Index Publishing Group and will not be returned. Copyright © 2021 Media Index Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be copied by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or recording by any information storage or retrieval system, without the express written permission of the publisher. Printed in U.S.A. 6 California Sportsman SEPTEMBER 2021 | calsportsmanmag.com
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THEEDITOR’SNOTE
Jayden Oakes left us too soon at 13 years old in July after battling cancer. But his 2020 hunting experiences thanks to the generosity of locals in and around Red Bluff were special memories for him to cherish. (DONN WALGAMUTH)
W
hen you’ve been in this storytelling business for the long haul, some stick with you. In my sports reporting days, there was a profile of a then 90-year-old master diver mesmerizing me with double somersault tucks off the high board at a local high school. There was the page A-1 feature I was proud to write about a local college baseball fan who, despite battling a powerful strain of cancer, continued to religiously follow a family friend who played for his hometown team. And in Arkansas I covered the quest of a thoroughbred horse owner whose colt was a Kentucky Derby hopeful as she hoped to fulfill a dream of her late husband, who’d passed away suddenly the previous year. In my years here as the editor of California Sportsman, similar assignments I’ve written have touched me permanently. Even some that others wrote have had a lasting impact. One such piece was penned by Scott Haugen and it was our January 2021 cover story. Jayden Oakes, a 12-year-old from the Red Bluff area, was a colon cancer patient whose love of hunting prompted locals from the outdoors community to help. As Scott wrote, Jayden was a special guest for multiple hunts, allowing him to harvest a wild pig, turkey, coyote and a blacktail deer. “This kid is sick, real sick, yet he wanted to jump out of the ATV and open every gate,” Donn Walgamuth, who was one of the point men in setting up the hunts, told Haugen. “He was always commenting on how beautiful the land was and how much he enjoyed seeing the cows on the ranch we hunted.” After the story ran, I periodically asked Scott what he’d heard about Jayden’s condition, as he was just as engaged as I was with the story. Then in late July, Scott emailed me. Jayden had passed away on the 17th. He’d turned 13 in March. “I never had the opportunity to meet Jayden, but I listened to many friends who had. I talked with them about the time they spent with Jayden and the impact he made in their lives,” Haugen said. “Jayden’s desire to live life to its fullest through all the outdoor experiences he could revel in during his short time in this world greatly inspired me, and will for years to come, likely forever.” The feeling’s mutual, Scott. -Chris Cocoles calsportsmanmag.com | SEPTEMBER 2021 California Sportsman
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CALIFORNIA
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10 California Sportsman SEPTEMBER 2021 | calsportsmanmag.com
Headed up north with my rig for some fishing and camping on the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta… (TODD KLINE)
s e r u t n e v d A
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e’re not ashamed to admit it: Todd Kline has the kind of life we wish we could experience. Kline’s a former professional surfer, a successful co-angler on the FLW Tour and a Southern California bass guide, plus he gets to travel the world as a commentator for the World Surf League’s telecasts. Todd has agreed to give us a peek on what he’s up to each month. For more on Todd or to book a guided fishing trip with him, check out toddklinefishing.com, and you can follow him on Instagram at @toddokrine. –The Editor
...But this felt like a glamping trip to me! (TODD KLINE)
Here’s a nice Delta bass. Great fishing up there. (TODD KLINE)
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Summertime slabs and good vibes on the water. (TODD KLINE)
Love a sunrise on a Southland lake before hitting the water. (TODD KLINE) I caught this one on the Rapala DT 10. (TODD KLINE)
Dylan also managed to score his personal best on this snook outing. I was a proud dad. (TODD KLINE)
The frog bite has been strong throughout the past few months. (TODD KLINE)
And here’s one more sunrise for you. Enjoy the last days of summer. (TODD KLINE)
12 California Sportsman SEPTEMBER 2021 | calsportsmanmag.com
PHOTO
CONTEST
WINNERS!
Laura Johnson is the winner of our monthly Fishing Photo Contest, thanks to this shot she sent of Cody Young, their son Colson and the Washington spring Chinook Cody caught. It wins her gear from various tackle manufacturers!
Troy Wilder is our monthly Coast Hunting Photo Contest winner, thanks to this pic of son Jayce and his southern Oregon blacktail. It wins him a knife and light from Coast!
Pistol Bullets and Ammunition Zero Bullet Company, Inc.
For your shot at winning hunting and fishing products, send your photos and pertinent details (who, what, when, where) to ccocoles@media-inc .com or California Sportsman, 14240 Interurban Ave. S., Suite 190, Tukwila, WA 98168. By sending us photos, you affirm you have the right to distribute them for our print or Internet publications.
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Quail hunting gets started in September with seasons in multiple zones, including a Sept. 25 all-quail opener in Zone Q2, consisting of the counties of Marin, Napa, Solano, Sonoma, Lake and Mendocino. (CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE)
OUTDOOR CALENDAR SEPTEMBER 1-15 4
First dove hunting season dates Statewide Free Fishing Day (no general fishing license required); wildlife.ca.gov/licensing/fishing/free-fishing-days 11 Shaver Lake Team Kokanee Derby; kokaneepower.org 11 Zone Q1 mountain quail hunting season opens 11 Sooty (blue) and ruffed grouse hunting seasons open 11-19 White-tailed ptarmigan hunting season dates 18 Most Zone B and C and D-6 and -7 deer hunting seasons open 18 Zone X-9A deer hunting season opens 19-26 North Zone band-tailed pigeon hunting season dates 25 Zones D-3, -4, -5, -8, -9 and -10 deer hunting seasons open 25 Zone X-8 deer hunting season opens 25 Zone Q2 all-quail hunting season opens 26 Rush Creek Cleanup and BBQ, Silver Lake Resort; (760) 648-7525
OCTOBER 2
Northeast Zone waterfowl hunting season opens
2 Most X Zones deer hunting seasons open 2 Klamath Basin goose hunting season opens 2-3 Early quail hunting season for hunters with junior hunting licenses in Mojave National Preserve 9 Zones D-11, -13, -14, -15 and -17 deer hunting seasons open 9 Archery-only pheasant hunting season opens 9 NorCal Trout Challenge, Lake Amador; anglerspress.com 16 Zones 1 and 3 all-quail hunting seasons open 16 Statewide chukar hunting season opens 16 Statewide snipe hunting season opens 19 Zone X-9-C deer hunting season opens 23 Colorado River Zone duck and goose hunting seasons open 23 Zone D-16 deer hunting season opens 23 San Joaquin Valley and Southern California Zones duck and goose hunting seasons open 23 Balance of State Zone duck hunting season opens 29-31 Morrison’s Bonus Derby Weekend, Convict Lake; (800) 992-2260, convictlake.com/activities/fishing-convict-lake
Note: With COVID-19 restrictions uncertain, always confirm events before attending. For a complete list of bass tournaments statewide, go to nrmsecure.dfg.ca.gov/FishingContests/default.aspx. General bear season opens concurrently with general deer seasons in the A, B, C, D, X8, X9A, X9B, X10 and X12 deer hunting zones and extends through December 26, 2021. calsportsmanmag.com | SEPTEMBER 2021 California Sportsman
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Lonnie Sullivan, maintenance mechanic at Coleman National Fish Hatchery, waits for his truck to finish filling before driving to San Rafael to release fall Chinook smolts into San Francisco Bay. About 92.5 percent of the salmon raised at Coleman this year were released into Battle Creek, where the facility is located. But when Sacramento River conditions turned poor in April, hatchery managers decided to assist the remaining Chinook with transportation to the bay. (LAURA MAHONEY/USFWS)
HATCHERIES GET A HEAD START ON DROUGHT CONDITIONS, BOOSTING ODDS FOR SALMON By Brandon Honig
W
hen drought comes to California, fish engage in a struggle to survive. Less rain and snow means a drop in water quality, warmer water and less streamflow, leading to increased disease and predation for many species. At Northern California’s national fish
hatcheries, early drought planning and intervention can be the key to survival for millions of juvenile salmon. “We were talking about (drought response) in January, hoping weather conditions would improve, but developing a game plan in case they didn’t,” says Brett Galyean, project leader for Coleman and Livingston Stone National Fish Hatcheries. “We were able to release about 11.8
million fall Chinook before river conditions turned poor because we planned ahead and used the tools in our toolbox.” One of those tools turned out to be earlier releases. Instead of releasing all of its juvenile fall Chinook in April, Coleman released about 6 million in March, when the water was colder, more plentiful and less clear. Work in previous years has shown
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Fish culturist Clay Hines moves salmon to one end of a raceway at Coleman National Fish Hatchery on May 28. They could then be loaded onto a truck for transportation and release. (LAURA MAHONEY/USFWS)
that salmon released in March following a rain event are more likely to survive than those released in April without rain – even if the fish released in March are smaller. Storms stir mud and other particles into the water, which provide cover
for tiny salmon hiding from predators. Spreading out the timing also means that if one group encounters poor conditions, another might have better luck. Coleman staff prepared the salmon for early release by giving them plenty of Sullivan adds ice to a tank containing fall Chinook salmon before departing May 28 on a fourhour ride to release the fish into San Francisco Bay. (LAURA MAHONEY/USFWS)
food during rearing to push their growth. By the time Sacramento River conditions became too warm in April, Coleman had already released 92.5 percent of its fish. “The hatchery went to extraordinary lengths to rear those fish so they could be released prior to river conditions turning too poor for them to survive their downstream migration,” says Bob Clarke, fisheries program supervisor for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s California-Great Basin Region. “It was a remarkable achievement by our staff and the result of hard work and some fortunate rearing conditions.”
ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION Before Coleman releases its fish, the Red Bluff Fish and Wildlife Office evaluates flow and temperature at various points in the Sacramento River. Red Bluff then projects conditions for the three weeks after the proposed release date – the average travel time to navigate the 300 river miles from Coleman’s location on Battle Creek to the Pacific Ocean. 18 California Sportsman SEPTEMBER 2021 | calsportsmanmag.com
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Eyes can be seen in winter Chinook salmon eggs fertilized at Livingston Stone National Fish Hatchery, signaling the eggs are viable. (LAURA MAHONEY/USFWS)
Warm water along that route can make salmon vulnerable to disease and lengthen their travel time, exposing them to more predators. When temperatures got too high for Coleman’s final 951,000 salmon to make that journey in April, the hatchery took the unusual step of giving them a ride down the interstate. “When you put fish in a truck, there are a lot of different variables that can go wrong – problems with the water temperature or dissolved oxygen levels in the tanks, or even just traffic,” Galyean says, noting the four-hour drive time for this year’s 10 truckloads. “We check on the fish at Red Bluff, about 35 to 40 minutes south of Coleman, and if conditions are poor, we will return the truckload back to the hatchery. Then we check again at two rest stops along the way to monitor the situation and adjust oxygen levels or add ice if we need to.” Coleman doesn’t normally transport salmon in trucks. USFWS’s policy is to release fish at the hatchery because trucked fish are rarely able to find their
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PROTECTING
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trol the ocean conditions, but if we can get them there, that’s our best chance.”
MAXIMUM CAPACITY
Fish biologist Travis Webster checks the tag on a Chinook held by fish culturist Beau Hopkins at Livingston Stone National Fish Hatchery. “The main thing is all of us [agencies] working together to get as many fish as possible to the bay and through the Golden Gate,” the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Harry Morse says. “We can’t control the ocean conditions, but if we can get them there, that’s our best chance.” (LAURA MAHONEY/USFWS)
way back to Battle Creek. Fall Chinook are born in freshwater habitats then travel to the ocean, where they typically live for three years before returning to their birthplace to spawn before dying. Trucked salmon that don’t return to Battle Creek won’t contribute to Coleman’s broodstock program or the in-river sport fishery, but they will contribute to ocean fisheries. When Coleman decided to truck salmon this year, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife offered guidance on the location and timing of release. CDFW trucks a total of more than 12 million fallrun Chinook from four hatcheries each year, and it trucked nearly 17 million this year because of dry conditions. “We have looked really closely at previous releases and studied the returns
on the coded wire tags [implanted in hatchery fish] from each release site,” says Harry Morse, public information officer for CDFW. “We can see which release site, at what point in time, on what tides, had the highest returns … for the last 10 years.” Coleman chose to release at the Marin Rod & Gun Club in San Rafael, around 9:30 p.m., when predators like seagulls, sea lions and striped bass are less dangerous. Previous years’ releases have shown that predators are not only more active during the day, but they will also home in on the agencies’ release sites and schedules if they’re too predictable. “The main thing is all of us [agencies] working together to get as many fish as possible to the bay and through the Golden Gate,” Morse says. “We can’t con-
22 California Sportsman SEPTEMBER 2021 | calsportsmanmag.com
At Livingston Stone National Fish Hatchery, less than an hour’s drive north of Coleman, this year’s historic drought changed the game plan for endangered winter Chinook, which the hatchery releases each February. Instead of collecting the hatchery’s usual 120 adult winter Chinook in order to raise about 250,000 juveniles, the hatchery is collecting 300 adults with plans to produce 550,000. The increased production is intended to compensate for the projected loss of some eggs and juveniles among the naturally spawning Sacramento River winter Chinook population, due to high water temperatures. Livingston Stone has also been working with the Bureau of Reclamation to install temporary chillers that will cool the hatchery’s water. Preliminary plans to permanently install the tractor-trailer-sized chillers are in the works. “Reclamation has been very proactive and gone out of their way to get that infrastructure in place,” Galyean says. “It will be hooked up and ready to go by August 1.” Livingston Stone will operate at peak capacity this fall to accommodate the increased salmon production, with all of its tanks and rearing spaces full. Every one of the critically endangered Chinook raised there will be identified genetically by hatchery staff to ensure genetic purity and prevent inbreeding. “We do a lot of really fine-scale work, and we have to mobilize a lot of fish-culture talent to pull something like this off,” says Taylor Lipscomb, manager of Livingston Stone. “When we increase production, it increases our workload dramatically, and the staff has to tighten up their boots and get to work … To the staff at the hatchery, this isn’t just a job. It’s about a passion for conservation and a passion for the preservation of species.” CS Editor’s note: Brandon Honig is an external affairs specialist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For more on the Pacific Southwest Region, check out fws.gov/cno.
calsportsmanmag.com | SEPTEMBER 2021 California Sportsman
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FISHING
King salmon fishing should be good early this fall in rivers such as the Klamath and Trinity, but there is plenty of concern about the lack of rain and severe to extreme drought conditions. (REDWOOD COAST FISHING)
NORCAL KING FISHING COULD BUCK DROUGHT KLAMATH, TRINITY EXPECTATIONS ARE SOLID, BUT LACK OF RAIN IS POTENTIAL CRISIS By Chris Cocoles
T
he Klamath and Trinity River fall-run king salmon seasons will have opened by the start of this month, but that’s just part of a much bigger story that’s on everyone’s mind. As federal and state agencies face an increasing crisis of how an already tenuous Chinook fishery struggles
through drought conditions affecting all of Northern California (see story on page 17), those who have an emotional and financial stake in the salmon ponder an uncertain future. “I am very concerned about the state of our salmon fisheries on the North Coast. There are myriad factors leading to the decline of salmon, but the most immediate threat is this drought we can’t seem to get
our way out of,” says guide Mike Stratman, who owns and operates Redwood Coast Fishing (707-6018757; redwoodcoastfishing.com) in Eureka. “Simply put, if it doesn’t start raining soon, we’re in real trouble.”
WATER LEVELS LOW While water levels are historically bad at critical Central Valley reservoirs
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FISHING recreational season. “Fall Chinook regulations on length have changed since 2019, with the adult size now being greater than 23 inches in total length (previously 22 inches),” a CDFW press release stated. “Bag limits will remain the same as 2020, with a two-fish daily bag limit, with no more than one fish over 23 inches (such as one adult and one jack). The possession limit remains the same at six fish, with no more than three fish over 23 inches (effectively three daily bag limits).” As has been the case, the fall-run projections are lower than the longterm average (181,500 adult kings for the Klamath River), but Stratman notes that there have been a lot of tidewater fish this summer. “I actually think the Klamath and Trinity Rivers should fish better than expected this year,” he says. “The mouth of the Klamath is deep and well-connected to the ocean at this point and has not been sanding over. This is a huge factor to there being good numbers of fish in the lower Klamath for September.”
OTHER RIVERS While there have been some cancelled reservations – many caused by an increase of COVID-19 cases – there will still be good fishing opportunities on North Coast rivers this month. (REDWOOD COAST FISHING)
like Shasta, Oroville and Folsom, and in the rivers they feed, the coastal rivers are enduring their own issues with rainfall deficits. “Our North Coast rivers definitely reflect our severe drought status. It seems all of California is in more or less the same unprecedented boat,” Stratman says. “While the Trinity and Klamath still have decent flow to them, they are lower than average and some of our coastal rivers are totally dry in many places. These are tough times
all around for our anadromous fish,” he bemoans.
FISHING PROSPECTS In the short term, there will be some nice salmon to catch this fall from the Oregon border south. The region’s major rivers, the Klamath and Trinity, are now both open (Aug. 15 for the Klamath; Sept. 1 for the Trinity). The California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced the Klamath Basin’s inriver quota of 1,221 adult fall Chinook for the 2021
26 California Sportsman SEPTEMBER 2021 | calsportsmanmag.com
Stratman’s guide service typically features plenty of late-season trips on other rivers such as the Chetco just across the Oregon border and fisheries further south such as the Smith and Eel. But the lack of rain has taken a toll on potential business (and Stratman had nearly full reservations set before presumably the latest COVID-19 outbreak prompted multiple cancellations). “I’m just hoping for rain, honestly. Our last legit wet November was in 2016 and, not coincidentally, the last banner late-fall king season we’ve had,” Stratman says. “In fact, this is the first year I’m not doing any advanced bookings for November. I’m tired of cancelling 90 percent of my trips due to lack of sufficient flow in the rivers. If it rains, I will fill dates on a last-minute basis, as the list of people that want to catch big salmon is long.”
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calsportsmanmag.com | SEPTEMBER 2021 California Sportsman
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FISHING “I actually think the Klamath and Trinity Rivers should fish better than expected this year,” Redwood Coast Fishing guide Mike Stratman (right) says. “The mouth of the Klamath is deep and well-connected to the ocean at this point and has not been sanding over. This is a huge factor to there being good numbers of fish in the lower Klamath for September.” (REDWOOD COAST FISHING)
WHY NOT MORE HATCHERY FISH?
W
ith dwindling salmon returns, drought conditions and tense conflicts amongst those with a stake in water issues, there has been a push for state and federal hatcheries to produce and send more fish into the state’s rivers. We asked guide Mike Stratman about his opinions on the need for hatchery fish. “The subject of hatchery fish is a touchy one. I don’t necessarily think we should fill every river with hatchery salmon, but yes, I think hatchery salmon in certain systems will be very important going forward if we want our salmon fisheries to remain.” “It has been extremely frustrating to watch hatchery programs that are vital to our state’s salmon fisheries be downsized or eliminated. And it seems this has mostly come about due to idealistic special interest groups lacking any sense of real-world pragmatism.” “For example, why people would want to try to recreate the Central Valley rivers into wild salmon rivers is confusing at best. It’s a pipe dream that only accomplishes the death of the most economically important salmon river (the Sacramento) in the state. The Central Valley should be treated like a hatchery salmon factory, in my opinion, as the habitat is simply not available to restore the Sac system back into a self-sustaining run of wild salmon and be able to support the state’s ocean salmon fisheries. It’s sad, but that’s the reality of the situation.” CS
28 California Sportsman SEPTEMBER 2021 | calsportsmanmag.com
TACTICAL TIPS Stratman says he’ll mix up techniques for different rivers and situations. On the lower Klamath, jet boat anglers do a lot of side drifting and boondogging with eggs, but Stratman and others will certainly switch over to pulling plugs or back-bouncing. “Drift boat fishing on the coastal rivers or the Trinity usually have me pulling out back-bounce and plug setups, and sometimes floats if the flow is minimal,” he says. “Back-bouncing good eggs is really my favorite,” Stratman adds. “It can be the most frustrating thing for me to coach, but it’s so damn effective and really one of my favorite bites to watch go down.” CS
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FISHING
MISSION: TAP INTO BAY’S CORNUCOPIA
Mission Bay is one of San Diego’s most popular locations for water sports, including some of the Southland’s best saltwater fishing for spotted bass and plenty of other species. (BILL SCHAEFER)
SAN DIEGO’S SHELTERED WATERS OFFER PEACE, PLENTY OF YEAR-ROUND ANGLING OPTIONS By Capt. Bill Schaefer ission Bay Park is one of sunny San Diego’s great aquatic spots. Known for all types of water sports, these waters also hold all the different types of species of fish to tempt anglers. Most of the bay is a 5-mph-only
M
zone, so it’s easy to get away from all the action of jet skis and the like. The park-like setting is a great place to bring the entire family for a picnic, as well as to fish.
BASS HEAVEN Mission Bay has bass – calico, sand and spotted – throughout the year. The
main resident fish are the spotted bay and spotted sand bass. They usually frequent the weeds, docks and boat mooring lines. Barred sand bass, the larger cousin to the spotty, tend to hang more out towards the main channel that leads to the Pacific Ocean. Calico bass also tend to hang out on the jetties that lead to the ocean
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FISHING and around some of the dock pilings closer to the mouth of the bay.
HURRAY FOR HALIBUT Halibut are also found throughout Mission Bay. Its shallow and mostly sandy bottom is a perfect environment for them, and in the spring, giant halibut move into the bay to spawn. Spotfin and yellowfin croaker, mullet, corvina and even striped bass and bonefish have been caught here as well. The bay is also home to many sand sharks and rays, which when hooked can put up quite a fight. Halibut will be caught as incidental catches while fishing for bass, but if you want to target them, the list of areas and ways to do so is endless – from shallow-water fishing with small grubs and spoons to using heavier tackle and live sardines and smelt or even live squid, if you can get it. Most anglers in the bay usually fish a standard bait rig setup or threeway swivel rig. Remember to let the halibut have the bait for a bit once you feel their first bite. Give them some line before setting the hook. Grubs and swimbaits in pearl colors tend to work best, as far as artificial baits go. Shady areas under the many bridges are always good, but any of the main channels through the bay hold fish, and all the back bays hold the smaller, light-tackle-sized fish.
SETTING UP YOUR ROD
The rock jetties of Mission Bay’s main channel hold calico bass like this one the author shows off. (BILL SCHAEFER) 32 California Sportsman SEPTEMBER 2021 | calsportsmanmag.com
A lot of fish can be caught using the same methods, but each species does have some unique traits. The spotties, which are in the bay year-round, can be attacked like freshwater bass. They tend to hang on the same types of structure as bass and will eat the same baits. Use medium bass gear with 8- to 12-pound-test line. Small grubs or swimbaits on a ¼-ounce lead head are probably the most popular baits in Mission Bay for spotties. Working your lures slowly or swimming them over the shallow weeds can produce big bass. Spinnerbaits, crankbaits and even fluke baits work as well. Popular
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oey Rocha is the owner and captain of Rocha’s Dory Charter, formerly Eagle Charters, one of the many dory boats that are based in Pacific City, Oregon. Dory boats are flat-bottom boats that can launch from and land right on the beach! They can be found all over the world with a rich history in the US, and a large dory group based right on the Oregon Coast in Pacific City. The dory fleet today is comprised of commercial, sport charter and individual fishermen. Each spring the Dorymen’s Association holds a blessing of the fleet, where they bless all the dory boats. The Dorymen’s Association also holds a festival called Dory Days and each year there is a different theme. The boats are decorated to correspond with the theme for the Dory Days Parade. This festival is held in July each year, and if you are planning a trip to Oregon, it is a fun, wholesome and family-friendly event. Come check out the boats! Joey Rocha was five years old when he began taking dory boats out fishing with his dad. Later, his family purchased a dory boat for family use. You can say Joey grew up on dory boats! After finishing school, Joey spent more than a year working on the Siberian Sea out of Dutch Harbor,
Alaska, on a massive 133-foot-long liner owned by the Aleutian Spray Fisheries. After returning home, Joey began working for Eagle Charters as their captain for the summer. Not long after, he decided this was something he wanted to do for the rest of his life, and he purchased Eagle Charters. Drawing on the experience his family has with dory boats, they all pulled together to get Joey’s dream started. Joey met Taylor, a local 5th grade teacher, they fell in love and made it official. Together they decided to take the business in a different direction and have changed the name of Eagle Charters to Rocha’s Dory Charter to better represent their family. “We are a family-run business that
strives to give everyone the best dory fishing experience, making it a fun time for the whole family. The season started a little early this year and began in the spring. Usually, conditions become too unpredictable in October on the Oregon Coast, and that finishes our season. We fish for bottom fish, salmon and crab, and sometimes we get lucky and catch ourselves a halibut. After your fishing trip, Joey will fillet your fish, cook your crab, bag it all up and place it on ice for you. We even offer vacuum sealing if you choose.” “We invite you to come to Pacific City, Oregon, and visit us at Rocha’s Dory Charter for a unique fishing experience that your whole family will love.” — Joey and Taylor Rocha
Joey 503-801-3464 Taylor 503-812-9597 rochasdorycharter.com calsportsmanmag.com | SEPTEMBER 2021 California Sportsman
33
FISHING options include Kalin’s chartreuse 5inch grub, Bomber’s Fat Free Shad crankbait in fire tiger, and swimbaits in browns and green color variations. Experiment with tackle from all the different companies, such as MC Swimbaits, Big Hammer, Reeb’s Lures and Reyes Plastics, to name a few. In the summer, calicos tend to move into the bay, although not in giant numbers. You can still use your bass gear, but fish the areas closer to the mouth of the bay. Both rock jetties that lead in from the ocean will hold fish, as will bridge and dock pilings. For these areas you may want to go a little heavier on the line; 10to 15-pound Maxima Ultragreen will
do the trick. Rigging a grub as if you were fishing for bass Texas-style will let you pull it down the rocks and through the kelp and weeds without getting hung up very much. The calicos also tend to eat swimbaits a little better. The aforementioned companies make good ones in various brown bait, smelt, anchovy and pearl color combos. Weedless versions will do well without hanging up. WHEN WINTER ARRIVES Winter brings cooler water and barred sand bass to the bay. Even though you’ll catch a few all over the bay, barred sand bass tend to stay out in the main channel between the jetties
leading in from the ocean. Fished on the moving tide, the wind-and-grind method works well in this bay too. Let your bait back until half your spool of line is out. As you retrieve the bait, it will stay in contact with the bottom longer because of the long scope of line. The bite will feel like a heavy weight has been added to your line. Don’t set the hook, though; rather, wind like crazy and the weight will get heavier. This is the stretch leaving your line. Now, set the hook! All the same swimbaits work for the sand bass as for the calicos. You may need ½ to 1 ounce of weight to get down, depending on the current.
Don’t forget this can be a productive winter fishery as well. The main channel holds nice sand bass in colder months. (BILL SCHAEFER) 34 California Sportsman SEPTEMBER 2021 | calsportsmanmag.com
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FISHING GO BATTY IN THE BAY
A
nother way to have fun out here at Mission Bay is at the extreme other end of the spectrum from bass fishing, and that’s angling for bat rays and sharks. Whether from shore or boat, these fish can test both you and your tackle. Use strong gear such as a heavy bait stick with a reel that can hold 25- to 40-pound test. And then throw a half to whole 1-pound mackerel. The bat rays in Mission Bay reach 125 pounds easily and have wingspans of up to 6 feet. When you hook one of these, it’s a fight two or three fishermen can share. They just don’t give up! Sharks of various shapes and sizes frequent the bay as well and will eat the same bait. BS
LIGHT TACKLE FUN A couple of other ways to have fun in Mission Bay is to micro-fish – fishing with small trout gear. Use 2to 6-pound-test line, crappie jigs and grubs or micro-cranks, and for bait, use a small 1/64- to 1/8-ounce jig head with bloodworms or ghost shrimp. You will catch everything from sand dabs to croaker – maybe even an occasional bonefish. Anglers who use bait can enjoy surprises in Mission Bay, including sand dab. This one was caught by Dean Mitchell. (BILL SCHAEFER)
LAUNCH AND FISH There are several launch ramps
36 California Sportsman SEPTEMBER 2021 | calsportsmanmag.com
around Mission Bay. The Information Center ramp is located on the east side of the bay, South Shores ramp is on the southeast side, and the Dana Launch and Ski Beach ramps are both more centrally located. There are no charges for launching or parking at any of the ramps. Seaforth Boat Rentals has a location on Mission Bay in Quivira basin, while Dana Market and Fuel Dock, by Dana Launch ramp, rents skiffs as well in this urban saltwater fishing paradise. CS
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HUNTING
FROM FIELD...
Author Scott Haugen tagged this benchleg blacktail in extreme heat last season. The buck was skinned, quartered, deboned and packed out before any spoilage could result. Being prepared to do this before the hunt is crucial. (SCOTT HAUGEN)
ARE YOU DRESSED FOR SUCCESS?
WHEN PREPARING TO TAKE A SHOT AT BIG GAME, YOU MUST CONSIDER ALL THE WORK AHEAD TOO By Scott Haugen
A
fter you’ve hunted hard for days, the animal of your dreams is standing in front of you. The distance is 150 yards, but
the end of legal shooting light is only moments away. If you drop the animal on the spot, field care will be easy. If tracking is involved, be aware that you’re far from base camp. With only a few days left
in the hunt, do you shoot or not? How you answer this question comes down to many factors, not the least of which is your ability to shoot accurately – and with confidence – in low light. If you drop the animal
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HUNTING Tiffany Haugen says thinly sliced big game meat makes for a delicious topper for everything from salads to pasta. (TIFFANY HAUGEN)
... TO FIRE
MAKE BIG GAME MEAT SIZZLE By Tiffany Haugen
W
ith big game hunting season upon us, it’s time to secure some of the best-eating protein out there. But proper field care is essential in optimizing its flavor and texture. As soon as an animal is down, get to field dressing it and make sure the meat
starts cooling as quickly as possible. And with that quality meat, here’s a tasty recipe that makes a great topper for your salad, rice or pasta, or it can simply be enjoyed as is. This recipe works with any big game, even game birds. 1 pound thinly sliced big game meat ¼ cup soy sauce 2 tablespoons sesame oil 2 tablespoons honey 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 tablespoon minced garlic 1 tablespoon gochujang or chili sauce 1-2 green onions 1 teaspoon cornstarch 1 tablespoon cold water Thinly slice green onion, separating the white bottoms (to put in the marinade) from the green tops (to use as a garnish). In a medium bowl, mix onions, soy sauce, honey, oil, garlic and chili sauce until thoroughly combined. Place meat in marinade and let sit at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes. For longer marinade times, up to four
40 California Sportsman SEPTEMBER 2021 | calsportsmanmag.com
hours, refrigerate until ready to cook. Heat a large skillet on medium-high. Add meat and marinade to the skillet and stir-fry meat until reaching desired doneness. Keep in mind that the longer game meat cooks, the stronger the flavors may become. Remove meat from skillet and set aside. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with cold water. Add to the skillet and bring sauce to a boil, stirring constantly for about a minute. Serve sauce over meat or add game meat back into the sauce before serving. Garnish with remaining green onion. Editor’s note: For signed copies of Tiffany Haugen's popular book, Cooking Big Game, send a check for $20 to Haugen Enterprises, P.O. Box 275, Walterville, OR 97489, or visit scotthaugen.com for this and other titles.
HUNTING Bull elk are big animals and can hold in a lot of heat. Once downed, field dressing should quickly begin so the meat can start cooling. The author downed this bull across a canyon and worked until 2 a.m. to get it quartered and cooling. (SCOTT HAUGEN)
where it stands, great. But if the hit is anything less than perfect, a tracking job may be necessary. The same scenario holds true for archery hunters who encounter last-minute shots throughout much of the early season. Even a perfect hit with bow and arrow often requires some tracking. The big question is, are you prepared to do what’s necessary to recover an animal that’s hit right before daylight runs out?
GEAR CHECK If you have a headlamp with extra batteries, flagging tape and maybe some reflective tape, you’re ready to track in the dark. But that’s not all. Ideally you have a knife, game bags,
a pack and some rope with you. Before even taking the shot you should be committed to finding the animal and breaking it down in the dark. Why? Because it’s not OK to leave an animal in the woods overnight, period. During the hot days of early fall, big game will quickly spoil, especially given the warming trends the West has experienced in recent years. And as for later in the season, the colder it gets, the more insulating the hide of big game animals becomes as their fur thickens. This means they hold in heat, thereby not allowing the carcass to properly cool, even if death is quick. Even in the coldest of conditions, animals should not be left overnight to recover the next day.
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MAKE A COMMITMENT Before taking that shot, promise yourself you’ll quickly recover the animal, then break it down so every bit of meat can get cooling. If it’s a deer, pronghorn or midsized bear, you can often pack out all the boned meat in one trip. If you can’t pack out the meat that night, at least get it quartered and in game bags so it can properly cool. If leaving the backstrap and rib meat on the carcass, be sure it’s field dressed so it can cool from the inside and outside. If removing the backstrap, tenderloins and rib meat, place it in a game bag to cool. Neck meat should quickly be filleted, as the upper neck is made of large bones that hold in
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HUNTING heat and quickly results in meat spoilage. When slow-cooked, neck meat is one of the most delicious cuts, so save every ounce; it’s the law.
PROTECT YOUR HARVEST Should you be forced to leave the animal overnight in bear country, hang the game bags so they can’t be reached. If no bears are around, this simplifies things. The more air that can circulate around the game bags, the better. Avoid placing game bags on the ground or stacking them atop one another, as this hinders air flow and exacerbates spoilage. If you have the luxury of getting an animal out of the woods whole, make sure it’s gutted first. Transporting a game animal with the hide intact ensures the meat stays clean. Once home or back at camp, remove the hide, along with all the bloodshot tissues. Nothing taints game meat faster than coagulating, rotting blood.
PREPARE FIRST Before shooting any big game animal – or embarking upon any hunt – be prepared. Before the hunt make sure your pack comfortably fits with a heavy load, and that it’s big enough to get the job done. Next, be sure to wear that pack afield when leaving camp for a day of hunting. If your pack frame is different from your daypack, consider strapping the daypack to the frame. This means you can hunt all day and not have to worry about returning to camp to get your pack frame when you shoot an animal. If covering a lot of ground on foot, it’s not a bad idea to have a small spike camp on your back so you can stay the night afield, if need be. Should you cripple an animal, then spend a few hours tracking it in the dark, then another hour or more breaking it down, it might be very late before the job is complete. In some situations,
catching a few hours of sleep afield is an option that saves time and energy.
CONFIDENCE KEY TO ALL-AROUND SUCCESS Of course, the decision to shoot an animal in the waning moments of daylight – or in any situation – comes down to confidence in your ability to make the shot, then handling the responsibilities that follow. The more experiences like this you encounter, the greater your confidence will grow, thus the more successful your hunts will become. The ultimate reward, however, comes in knowing every bit of meat will be salvaged, which equates to more game in the freezer and on the table. CS Editor’s note: Want to learn how to fielddress big game, including black bears? Order Scott’s best-selling DVD, Field Dressing, Skinning & Caping Big Game, at scotthaugen.com. Follow Scott’s adventures on Instagram and Facebook.
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44 California Sportsman SEPTEMBER 2021 | calsportsmanmag.com
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HUNTING
FLAMES THREATEN MORE THAN FOREST WILDFIRE CLOSURES COULD AFFECT DEER SEASONS THIS MONTH
By Chris Cocoles
A
nother year, another unwelcome flurry of devastating wildfires throughout California, particularly in the northern half of the state. And in late August, when the U.S. Forest Service announced the closures of nine national forests throughout the Sierra and the northeast corner of California, the ramifications could affect deer hunters who purchased licenses and tags. Many of the state’s deer seasons begin this month around the affected areas and closures, prompting the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to warn deer tag holders about the consequences.
THE CLOSURES On Aug. 19, the Forest Service’s Pacific Southwest Region’s closures affected the following national forests: • Klamath National Forest • Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit • Lassen National Forest • Mendocino National Forest • Modoc National Forest • Plumas National Forest • Shasta-Trinity National Forest • Six Rivers National Forest • Tahoe National Forest And as the devastating Caldor Fire in the Sierra burned on and forced mandatory evacuation orders for South Lake Tahoe, on Aug. 30 the Forest Service announced all national forest land in the state – 17 in total
Crews battle the Haypress Fire in the Klamath and Shasta-Trinity National Forests, which are among nine national forests in California closed until Sept. 6. The wildfires burning throughout Northern California and the Sierra could shut down deer hunting seasons this month. (ARTURO ZEPEDA/SEQUOIA NATIONAL FOREST CREW) calsportsmanmag.com | SEPTEMBER 2021 California Sportsman
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HUNTING
Of the possibility of closing early archery deer seasons hunts, California Department of Fish and Wildlife director Charlton H. Bonham says, “Our hope, certainly, is that deer hunters will have the opportunity to hunt at some point and participate in part or all of their favorite seasons.” (ARTURO ZEPEDA/SEQUOIA NATIONAL FOREST CREW)
– would close from Aug. 31 to Sept. 17. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife added the same timeline for closing 34 state-run properties that border the national forest land in the state. “Fires are running very quickly due to the drought conditions, dry fuels, and winds. This makes initial attack and containment very difficult and is even more challenging with strained resources who are battling more than 100 large fires across the country,” said Jennifer Eberlien, a USFS regional forester regarding the national forests shutdowns. “We do not take this decision lightly and understand how this impacts
people who enjoy recreating on the National Forests. These temporary closures are necessary to ensure public and firefighter safety, as well as reduce the potential for new fire starts.”
HUNTERS WILL BE AFFECTED California’s C and D Zones are in the northern and northeast regions and in the Sierra, with several archery deer hunts set to begin in those zones on Sept. 4, many of which are adjacent to or within the still-closed national forest lands. General C and D Zone hunts begin on Sept. 18 and Sept. 25, which for now would be clear when the closure window is scheduled to end. “We understand these closures –
48 California Sportsman SEPTEMBER 2021 | calsportsmanmag.com
even temporary – will significantly impact our hunters, especially with archery deer seasons opening in many parts of Northern California,” CDFW director Charlton H. Bonham said in a press release. “We have a public safety emergency and an environmental crisis on our hands with these wildfires. We thank hunters, anglers and others who cherish these public lands for respecting these closures and allowing firefighters and public safety personnel to secure these areas and help protect our wild places and our rural communities.” Hunters who purchase resident deer tags normally aren’t eligible for refunds “regardless of land closures due to fire, weather or other natural disasters per the California Code of Regulations,” according to CDFW. Bonham added that his organization would consider petitioning the California Fish and Game Commission to offer refunds for deer or other big game tags in wildfire-affected areas. “Premium deer tags awarded using a first choice in California’s Big Game Drawing, elk tags, pronghorn antelope tags, and bighorn sheep tags may be returned to CDFW with a request to have preference points reinstated and one preference point awarded for the species for the current hunt year,” the press release stated. And while fire crews continue to battle the most serious blazes as drought impacts have created dangerously dry conditions throughout the state, CDFW hopes upcoming hunting seasons this month and next can be salvaged. “Our hope, certainly, is that deer hunters will have the opportunity to hunt at some point and participate in part or all of their favorite seasons,” Bonham said. “But we also are prepared to support our deer, elk, pronghorn and sheep hunters who have done so much for conservation over the years.”CS Editor’s note: For updated information on fire closure information, go to fire.ca.gov/ incidents or fs.usda.gov/r5.
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50 California Sportsman SEPTEMBER 2021 | calsportsmanmag.com
HUNTING Building a well-trained, healthy gun dog begins the moment you bring it home and a great place to start is avoiding common mistakes. Here, author Scott Haugen and his pudelpointer Echo are elated with an afternoon limit of ducks, valley quail and ringneck pheasants, an outing in which Echo performed flawlessly. (SCOTT HAUGEN)
BAD MASTER! 15 DOG DON’TS By Scott Haugen
1) TUG O’ WAR Puppies play tug of war
2) BUMPERS AS TOYS Bumpers are used
I
to establish dominance within the litter and they’ll want to do the same with you. Don’t do it, ever! That’s because the last thing you want is a mature dog trying to prove who’s boss. It may seem fine at home, but in the field it can be a catastrophe. You’re the boss and always will be, so avoid even putting yourself in a position to have to compromise your leadership role.
for training. Toys are used for play. Don’t mix them up, as this sends mixed messages to a dog. As your pup matures it will distinguish the difference between the two, but to achieve this only use toys during play time and only do formal training with bumpers. You’ll see the difference in your dog’s demeanor the moment you grab one or the other.
’ve been around a lot of pups and first-time dog owners throughout the pandemic, an event that’s seen more people investing in hunting dogs than ever before. With many new owners comes a learning curve, and based on what I’ve acquired over my years of working with dogs and observing others, here are 15 mistakes to avoid.
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HUNTING Body gestures, hand signals and verbal commands are all important when training a pup, but eye contact could be the most critical of all. Don’t wear sunglasses when training or playing with your dog so as to ensure they can see your eyes in order to anticipate your next move. (SCOTT HAUGEN)
worst, oncoming traffic. Keep control of your dog at all times, letting them through house and car doors only when you have given the command.
5) CALL THEM TO YOU AND SCOLD Dogs remember the last command given, so never call them over with the intent to scold them for something they’ve just done. In their mind they did the right thing by coming to you. But scolding them for doing that can do long-term damage and quickly make them lose trust in you. 6) TEASING Never tease a hunting dog, as this will send them mixed messages, resulting in their loss of trust in you, and it will greatly frustrate them. Gun dogs are highly intelligent and our communications must be consistent and predictable at all times. Playing is different than teasing. Playing is great. Teasing is not. 7) NEGLECT PLAY TIME Dogs love to play. You should spend much more time playing with your dog than training it. This is when strong bonds are formed, communication lines develop, and when they learn to trust, appreciate, even respect you. A great deal of training is actually achieved through playing; just keep communications fun and consistent. 8) USE LONG SENTENCES Gun dogs are smart, but not that smart. Speaking to them in lengthy sentences only confuses them. Keep communication to single words or two- or three-word sentences in order to avoid confusing them and frustrating yourself.
3) FAST EATING One of the worst things you can do is encourage your dog to eat fast. It may seem funny, but it can lead to bloat, indigestion and stomach twist, which is highly fatal in some deep-chested hunting dogs. (See my April column for more.) If your dog eats fast, use special
9) CONFINEMENT Gun dogs need space. bowls or add water to the dry kibble to slow its intake.
4) RUNNING OUT THE DOOR Never let your dog burst in or out a door ahead of you. There’s no telling what they might encounter – from other people to other dogs, snakes, skunks, or the
52 California Sportsman SEPTEMBER 2021 | calsportsmanmag.com
If you live in an apartment with no big yard to run them, this is not the place to have a hunting dog. Gun dogs are not designed to be confined to small kennels every day either. The more room they have to run, the more relaxed, happier and healthier they’ll be.
HUNTING 10) WEAR SUNGLASSES Dogs rely on reading your eyes. A great deal of training is built on body language and eye contact, not verbal cues. Never cover your eyes when training or playing with your dog. While dog owners often say, “Dogs can read minds,” what that really means is dogs anticipate your next move or what you want them to do, largely based on eye contact. 11) OVERREACT Never overreact to a dog’s lack of performance or disobedience. Save those reactions for when they’re about to run in front of a car, attack a porcupine or wrestle a snake. Calm communication is often all that’s needed to get a positive response from your dog.
12) ISSUE MULTIPLE COMMANDS Never layer your commands. Give one command at a time and don’t issue another until the first is achieved.
Don’t be the one who hollers, “Whoa, back, sit, come on, get over here, no, go back and get it!” The dog has no clue what you’re trying to convey. Whoa it first. Then send it back. Then make it sit. It’s simple. Be patient and clear in all communication.
13) TREAT TRAIN Dogs that perform for treats often disconnect from their owner. Such superficial bonds result in a lack of respect and drive by the dog. A gun dog should always carry out a task to please you, not for a treat. 14) PLAY ON HARD FLOORS Never play with a dog on wood, tile or linoleum floors. While it may seem funny to watch them spin their wheels, it’s a sure ticket to costly hip, back, leg and foot problems.
15) OVERFEED The worst thing you can do for your dog is allow it to overeat and gain weight. One pound of extra
54 California Sportsman SEPTEMBER 2021 | calsportsmanmag.com
weight can deplete your dog’s life by up to a year. Keep them lean, healthy and feed them the best quality food you can afford. Avoid cheap foods packed with filler and inflammatory ingredients. Poor quality food is one of the biggest obstacles for dog owners to overcome, so do the research. I’ve done loads of fact-finding in this area over the years and only feed my pudelpointers NutriSource dog food, for a reason.
AVOID DOING THESE 15 things and you’re on the way to developing a lasting, genuine relationship with your dog. You’re also increasing its level of happiness and extending its life, and that’s the ultimate goal as their time with us is so precious. CS Editor’s note: To watch Scott Haugen’s series of puppy training videos, visit scotthaugen.com. Follow Scott on Instagram and Facebook.
