nm

[Ron C]

I have elected to delete my previous post and I apologize to the individual who I referenced in it. We all make mistakes and I should have recognized that before posting while I was still very angry (therein lies my mistake). As you all know, I am very passionate about this quagga mussel issue and I let my anxiety over it get the better of me. Again, I apologize to the individual involved and to anyone else who may have been offended by my post.

Ron C

[Brian Linehan]

Bad timing Ron. I feel for you trying to coordinate and run this event with the moronic Quagga bullsh*t going on.

He should have known better, but perhaps he forgot.

Man, they really mean business up there don't they? Good luck with everything Ron and I hope it turns out as awesome as it sounds.

Brian

[ROBTOMLIN]

RON, HAS ANYBODY THOUGHT ABOUT WHEN IT RAINS? EVEN IF PLUGS ARE OPEN BOATS COULD HAVE STANDING WATER IN THE HULL. A GOOD IDEA WOULD BE A TOW COVER I GUESS.

[Guy Williams]

Let me ask a question Ron, just not to jump to conclusions (I'm also not defending him either, whoever it was). Was he guiding at the lake the day before and how long till your previous lake endeavour in days or hours are up. Like if I went on Saturday and come back on Monday with the same deal happening what's the protocol on that? I'm sure it's not good but want to know, plus it's raining. Does that count for anything? I don't want to run around with a loaded gun sort of say!
Guy Williams

[Ray L.]

you need to have your plug out when you go in the gate.

[Guy Williams]

So it sounds like it's the plug issue that the biggest deal. Just trying to get a better picture of what's going on up there.
Guy Williams

[Brian Linehan]

Sounds like there are a lot of issues going on. Lets be honest, the Quagga is going to infest every body of water in time. Who really cares? So it's going to cost a lot more money to keep the pipes flowing or whatever. I think the city/state collects plenty of taxes from all of us that will pay for it. Cut 1% of the bs welfare and social programs to pay for it.

I know it's not that easy, but it sounds good

[swimbait]

I was there Sunday. I had my form from a few weeks ago with me, and was told I needed to fill out a new form. Ok, no problem.

The new form had three new locations on it. One of them was scrawled and hard to read. I asked the guy what it said, he said, "Hollister Area". I asked if that referred to San Justo or what? San Justo is the only reservoir I know of in the Hollister area. He had no idea.

If the lake is serious about enforcement, they should be aware of the locations where potential infestation should come from. If the lake is going to hold fishermen to a high standard, they should hold their employees to a high standard as well.

I have no interest in spreading Quagga mussels. In the last 2 months I've taken my boat to DVL, Perris, Casitas, Castaic Lagoon, Santa Margarita, San Antonio, Lopez, and probably 3 or 4 more that I'm forgetting about. At locations where the mussel inspections have been in place I've told the truth and made an effort to keep the boat, and drain plug dry.

My "outsider" opinion of this issue, from a recreational boater standpoint is that the lakes do not know what to do about - enforcement is varied and in some cases lax, and if the mussels do wind up infesting some of these lakes, the blame will fall just as much with those doing the enforcing as those who brought them to the lake.

[bassindon69]

When I was there last weekend I pulled up to the gate filled out my paper and they checked my boat. (keep the drain plug out) That way they know there was little chance of any standing water inside. I kept the paper and showed it each day after. Everyday they checked the boat. Everyday I did my part to keep it dry.
At this time it is as easy as that.

Don.

[Guy Williams]

Thanks Don. Sounds easy enough!
Guy Williams

[Ray L.]

There will be a new form out this week.
Everyone will have to re sign the form.
I talked with Ranger Rob about it and he said that some new info has been added.
Brian this is a very big deal.
If Casitas closes then Cachuma will follow as well as Piru.
If you think for a min. then you will see what lake is next in line.
As far as tournaments and everything else we will all loose out.
Fine and dandy stay at D.V.L.. You may not have a problem until the new Jamborree when some of S. Cal's finest lakes are closed. There will be a battle for the few permits at that lake. If you are not there you may loose out on a full tournament schedule.
If all tournament directors and anglers do not take this serious then there will be some major problems later.

[CN]

I was there Sunday. I had my form from a few weeks ago with me, and was told I needed to fill out a new form. Ok, no problem.

The new form had three new locations on it. One of them was scrawled and hard to read. I asked the guy what it said, he said, "Hollister Area". I asked if that referred to San Justo or what? San Justo is the only reservoir I know of in the Hollister area. He had no idea.

If the lake is serious about enforcement, they should be aware of the locations where potential infestation should come from. If the lake is going to hold fishermen to a high standard, they should hold their employees to a high standard as well.

I have no interest in spreading Quagga mussels. In the last 2 months I've taken my boat to DVL, Perris, Casitas, Castaic Lagoon, Santa Margarita, San Antonio, Lopez, and probably 3 or 4 more that I'm forgetting about. At locations where the mussel inspections have been in place I've told the truth and made an effort to keep the boat, and drain plug dry.

My "outsider" opinion of this issue, from a recreational boater standpoint is that the lakes do not know what to do about - enforcement is varied and in some cases lax, and if the mussels do wind up infesting some of these lakes, the blame will fall just as much with those doing the enforcing as those who brought them to the lake.

Yes San Justo is under closure right now but they reported that Zebra Mussel's were found there.

I just hope they didnt get there from San Luis,but Ive heard they do not think so

[Darkman]

Does any one have a plan "B" that is viable..

I honestly don't think that the spread of the zebra muscle can be stopped, and Casitas and most lakes will blame the fisherman
the plug incident does not make things any easier at all

has any one looked into how other lakes with this problem have dealt with it...perhaps a look at how lake Erie has handled it.

this is not meant to be argumentative..just want to know more on how to help....playing devils advocate I guess

I am seriously getting more concern...a plug incident albeit an accidental one happens and WILL happen again.

I think we are ice skating up hill....I am leaving this to those that are better qualified on this than I I am sharing my concern that all

[Morris]

SOUNDS like some guys are being lazy all we need is to do
are part because up here at cachuma SANTA bARBARA COUNTY
WILL NO PUT UP WITH THE BULLSH*t its not hard to take some time out to make it CLEAN & DRY whats 5 min extra!

[Al M]

The mussels are gonna be in every lake eventually.Probably already are.Nature has its way of doing things.If they start closing all the lakes thank god for the Pacific.More reason to check out The SWBA,season starts on Feb.2nd, blows away are greenbass tourneys,highest drawing circuit in Socal!

[Brian Linehan]

It's not a matter of taking it seriously Ray el. I think you should run for President ray since you know everything. Dumb bastard

Like Al said, it's going to be in every lake. Hell, might already be in every lake.

Don't you think that birds could easily transfer these microscopic organisms from lake to lake? I certainly do.

The Quagga certainly didn't kill the Great lakes. Smallmouth have taken off since the Quagga arrived.

In the meantime, just need to make sure your boat is dry I guess.

[micropterus]

I can remember years ago when zebra mussels were found blanketing the bottom of Lake Erie and the popular opinion was that they had a 'filtering affect' on the ecosystem and actually cleaned up the water pollution. Lake Erie has a fantastic fishery ... Smallmouth, Salmon, etc. Have they closed lake Erie? Lake Mead, THE major water source for ONLY all of SoCal, Arizona, SoNev, now has zebra/quaggas .... has Lake Mead closed ? The major factor at this location as far as the fishery goes has been the drawdown of the lake level (my opinion).

I'm not trying to downplay a serious situation, but I think the local H2O people are over reacting on this issue. The only two lakes I fish on a regular basis are Casitas and Castaic. Me plenty worried!!

Just my .02

[Oldschool]

The differences between the Great lakes and the Colorado lake system is vast. The Colorado lake system is very low in nutient levels to start with and any new critter that feeds on alges or other nutients may create a nearly sterile envinoment, collasping the food chain.
Where the Great lakes and river drainage are nutrient rich, the Zebra's had the perfect environment to exploit. The impact to the great lakes is on going, the lower food chain is in trouble as a direct result. The smallmouth bass fishery is doing well, in part to the gobie, however the gobie has impacted the crawdad population and time will tell how all this works itself out.
Fishing is a by-product of the water system in the west and we all must realize that fact and do whatever the water managers require to continue fishing on their lakes.
Tom

[Pred]

I work for the Gov. and its not in a wildlife capacity but here is the line of thinking of a lot of higher ups. Of course they don't think of the people on teh front lines actually doing the work but here it goes.
Keep in mind there are 2 sure fire ways to get promoted at leasts in public sectors.
1. do kickbutt work and get recognized.
2. Crap on everyone else and beat them down so you are the only one smelling good. ( this is th easiest route)

For me to be "doing my job" I need to look like I'm working. Therefore the easy solutionis to regulate, regulate, regulate. Who is the juciest, easiest target? Whom do those with clout dislike?
Well unfortunately bass anglers fit both those bills.
1. We are asking to fish there- point for regulation
2. We have water in our boats, as in we actually WANT water in the boats and have a place for it ( reality has wake boaters using ballast but that would mean more work, remember EASY TARGETS)- Score points for irresponsibility and regulation
3. We fish structure close to shore, right infront of those beautiful houses most of us could never afford, destroying the home owners view- Score points for cleaning the water of annoying boats
4. We take home owners fish, don't believe me? its nationwide, lake home owners feel they have the God given right to that water and we are squatting on it- Again score for making a public water into private.

Lastly and this is HUGE. At the end of the day, the water/lake officals can saw they are reducing the problem by banning all bass anglers from the water. If you have served in the public sector you know that numbers are the key to everything. You want a promotion numbers do it. So if you can "reduce the infected boats by 90%" you have just punched your ticket to a corner office.

Think about it? How easy is it to setup an inspection station at a fishing tournament and then make the rules to include any water in the boat as a violation. Now you are talking you can say in a 4 hour period you "skillfully inspected over 200 suspected infected boats, finding 10% in violation"

Im not saying they arent concerned about the water. THEY ARE. Im saying the easiest target is BASS ANGLERS. Noone realizes how much is spent by anglers and I think that if someone took the stats to the next meeting. You might have some leverage. Tell them they have just killed a HUGE source of income and you will have some interested parties.

[Noluk]

In defense of the water companies....etc. They HAVE to take every step they can to protect their "water". If they don't they could be sued for not "trying" to prevent the spread by their shareholders etc.

The mussell will probably spread to most waters through various means. Birds, shared water sources, people who knows. God save the lakes if it is already in the Delta water stream somewhere as well as the Colorado River. I hope someone is working on the other end of the problem as diligently as they are on prevention. We will need solutions for the waters already infested.

[sniper]

I guess I will have to start Pre-Fishing the pond at Reseda Park as that is the only site that we will be able to have any Derbies in the future................Sad oh so sad........

[Scott]

That or Lake Balboa

Imagine that teh San Fernando Valley region 3 on Reseda and 4 on Balboa

[oakview]

As for the water companies...I understand they have the right to protect the water and inturn make sure the shareholders get there cut...

But I'm under the impression that Lake Casitas and many other lakes in California were built by the federal government and tax dollars. Someone please let me know if I 'm wrong.

And its ran by some board of directors...which gets paid by the lakes water supply...So I understand them wanting make sure they keep their fat paycheck coming in every month...but its seems to me, that the Lake Casitas Board is mainly trying to close it to protect their profits and their annual bonus...but what about the local business owners and their monthly paycheck...will it be the same if the lake closes...

Just my 2cents but as for Casitas, its a knee jerk reaction with self serving reasons...

Eric get the lawyers ready!!!

See you on the water while its open...
D.

[Oldschool]

You are treading on thin ice. Bueqet canyon reservoir in LA county, Bard reservior in Ventura county and lake Mathews in Riverside county are just three examples of federal and state taxes being used to build reserviors that are not public access facilities.
Lake Casitas may have a history of public access, however there isn't any reason, other than public out cry, that it can't join other water storage reservoirs that are not open to the general public.
Cooperation is needed to resolve this issue.
Tom

[oakview]

I learn something everyday...

D.

[bachelorpads]

I get a huge kick out of watching the natural resource/rangers/game and parks trying to stop these invading species. What good does closing the resource to the public do anyone? Seriously, close the resource, it will cost everyone money, and then you will have a lake filled with invasive species and now nobody can use it. Flawed logic.

There is next to nothing that will stop an invasive species once it is present and flourishing. Big head carp are the invasive species that we deal with in my area. Down in florida i have been bass fishing for the past couple years and it is amazing how many aquarium fish thrive down there. It is impossible to stop through standard "prevention" methods. Sooner or later, nature will prevail.

Money is the motivating factor here. It is what makes the world go round regardless of what is the best thing for the public or the body of water. Good luck to everyone that utilizes those bodies of water. If random "ranger bob" can flip out on a respected guide and make whole new rules for the lake, you are doomed.

[TopH2o]

Between 1993 & 1998 zebra mussels had been found on 18 vessels passing through Cali. Argric. inspection Station. Vessels were transported by commercial firms that specialized in hauling boats.Although some firms required the hulls to powered washed even though followed proved to be effective.

Live organism remaind on hull crevices,bilges,bait wells & cooling systems of motors. Findigs on Lake Mead Powell and Havasu also prove this. Which have been documented.

The hauling of professional bass boats in the 90's also helped in the spread of the zebra mussel along with the qugga mussel.

Government agencies Knew about this back then and formed a task force under the NANP Control Act of 1990 later changed to National Species Act of 1996 section 1204.

The the USF&W Service along with the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Admin. are responsible for programs to combat this problem BY LAW. In which Cali has no program as of yet. They are in violation for closing down resource.

[TopH2o]

Between 1993 & 1998 zebra mussels had been found on 18 vessels passing through Cali. Argric. inspection Station. Vessels were transported by commercial firms that specialized in hauling boats.Although some firms required the hulls to powered washed even though followed proved to be effective.

Live organism remaind on hull crevices,bilges,bait wells & cooling systems of motors. Findigs on Lake Mead Powell and Havasu also prove this. Which have been documented.

The hauling of professional bass boats in the 90's also helped in the spread of the zebra mussel along with the qugga mussel.

Government agencies Knew about this back then and formed a task force under the NANP Control Act of 1990 later changed to National Species Act of 1996 section 1204.

The the USF&W Service along with the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Admin. are responsible for programs to combat this problem BY LAW. In which Cali has no program as of yet. They are in violation for closing down resource.

[tunaman]

I can tell you firsthand how seriously they're taking this... as I tried to come through the gate here at Casitas yesterday, I was told my boat couldn't come in, as it wasn't "CLEAN and DRY". Bear in mind that it was pouring as I drove out in the motorhome, and my boat was uncovered.

After discussing it with Ranger Aaron, explaining that I had ran my livewell on recirc for 20 minutes on Tuesday and was on my hands and knees wiping it out before I left, he agreed to let me in. My boat was last here at Christmas, and I had it on DVL a week and a half ago - that's it. The water that was in the livewells was from the rain that fell on my way out here.

Be sure to be nice and explain your self, your awareness of the mussel issues and lake policy, and the measures you've taken to be clean and dry and you should be OK.

Roger
"CLEAN and DRY"

[gt5bass]

Roger,

I expect the same deal with my boat. I had to leave it outside all week and it is soaking wet. I left the bilge plug out and the livewells on empty. So they wouldn't "keep" water. Both will be left open on the drive up from Castaic this afternoon.

I figur'd I'd hav sum 'splainin' ta do when I gits thar

[tunaman]

Gary,

There good thing is that Ron has arranged for Ranger Rob to be here on his day off to personally supervise the inspections, and they're bringing everyone in through the fire gate. The inspections will still happen, and they will be conducted in proper and stringent fashion as there will be close scrutiny, but sane heads will prevail. You may want to dump some paper or cloth towels in your livewells for your drive over to demonstrate your dilligence? Make sure there isn't any water or debris in the bottom, even around the screens - they're looking REALLY closely there.

See you when you get here.

Roger
"CLEAN and DRY"

[buddy brown]

Thanks for the headsup Roger..