Cooch's blog is right on the money!!!

[Ceaser]

I couldnt have said it better myself! WTF! SAVE THE DELTA TOURNEY... pretty plain and simple... wish we coulda seen more boats show up to support... but for those who showed up.. utmost respect.. thank you. Next time your out on the delta, think back to how you didnt support a great, worthy and needed cause. And if you did or do support, tight lines! I love my delta home and will do whatever I can to save it.. the non supporters should just stay home.

[Zak Elrite]

Hi Ceasar, First, I love the delta and do whatever I can to support the efforts to help the fishery be saved. Second, I have bid on and won items on the "Save the Delta" auction, I educate myself and what can be done politically and I vote according to what I believe is best for myself, my country and the sport I LOVE. Your statement is very broad and I'm sure you feel very passionate for the fishery, as do just about all the rest of us. I'm sure there are reasons for many to not fish the tournament, including myself, due to family commitments.

Now I haven't read Cooch's blog yet, I just wanted to respond to your post in a positive and explanatory manner. I also don't know how many boats showed up but I do know that I, and many others, would have if we could have, but it doesn't mean we don't care about the Delta. Just because you don't see my efforts, doesn't mean that I(we) don't care or that we aren't doing what we can, when we can.

With all due respect,

[Ceaser]

Well Zak...
Of all the tourneys to miss this wasnt the one. Everyone likes to say they stand for something but actions speak louder than words. For guys like me that call the delta home.. its more than a fishery. Family commitments and prior obligations (toc's) are definitly understandable... but when I see Launch ramp parking lots FULL at multiple marinas in Bethel Island fri AND sat then We get 17 bass boats to show up sunday it saddens me. So like I said non supporters stay home.
TRUE Delta Rat

[offduty]

Hey I think the Delta is a spectacular place but I work in Riverside County every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Needless to say here is no way I could have made the tourney without going AWOL with the department and burning 6 tanks of gas to get back and forth. I am sorry there was not a better turn out for you guys. I guess you are really fortunate to live in the area.

Rich

[chris ball]

well ive never been to PC so here goes,
i do not understand why more people didnt show support for this event, its sad to think how much better this should have been.and before you start with you replys just remember one thing
YOU WERENT THERE!!.if you were there or have supported this issuse then by all means type away and hit me with your best shot.
lets start with the tournament org"s where were you guys at( to busy huh?)
where were all the so called pros and teams that have made big money on this river over the last 20 years, and im talking about at least 50 guys who live within 45 miles of the delta ( to busy huh?)
where were the fishing clubs at ( to busy huh?)
where were all the nor cal fishing TV and radio hosts at ( to busy huh?)
where were the fishing and hunting magazine and paper guys at ( to busy huh?)
where were all the internet superstars that have a frickin take on everthing !!
( to busy huh?)
where were all the bay area tackle shop and tackle reps at( to busy huh?)
where were the marina owners and operators at ( to busy huh?)
where were the duck hunters at!! believe me this is going to effect you guys as well
( to busy huh?)
you all have made a lot of money because of this river!! all you had to do was show up.....unfrickin believable!!
with that being said im sure some of the people i mentioned have been supporting this issuse behind the scenes and if thats true i meant no disrespect and commened you.
as for the rest of you, as far as im concerend you dont have a pot to piss or spit in
you have shown that unless it benifits you and soley you!!! you have no intrerest in
supporting something that you all have benifited from greatly!!!
just remember that when and if this all comes down we will have nobody to blame but ourselves.
the real sad fact is if this was happening back east those guys would be there in the thousands to support beating it!!
but then again you all would never know because you were to busy huh!!!!
what a shame!!!!!!!
see you on the river
chris ball

[Kevin Stewart]

Harsh words gentlemen, should have checked the tournament schedule before you opened your mouth's......let's see A/C Team TOC Clear Lake 137 boats, myself and many more Delta guys included, WON Bass Tri-States TOC New Melones and who knows how many club tournaments going on. So should we fish the Delta in team events all year and then miss the TOC due to a scheduling conflict for a fundraiser? I am all for helping save our river, but can't believe some people just jump to these conclusions......................

[chris ball]

kevin,
you should have thought first before you opened your mouth!
we knew there were conflicts,but it is what it is, there were many many people that just plain didnt show up ...and for all of you TOC winners and qualifiers im sure you had to fish the river at one point or another to get to the toc.
hey i have an idea how bout you TOC winners give a little back to a great cause
just my .02
see ya on the river
chris ball

[Vince Borges]

Well, I am guilty!! I make most of my living on the Delta, and failed to attend this event. I must admit that I don't feel guilty about missing this event as I do not knowing about it! I never saw a post on here about the tourney, but then again I don't visit this site very much. However I do go into tackle shops and marinas and never saw a flier or advertisement about this event. I think there are many ways to get the word out about events like this and with plenty if notice, like say six months or so!! There could have mail outs by every tournament org in this state promoting this event! There should have been bulk e mails sent out to all users of sites like this, calbassin, calfishing, fish delta, swimbait nation, and every other fishing forum catering to the west, afterall they have every single members email address. Perhaps even a donated by wb banner on the front page advertising this event. Cooch if you were to do another event next spring( plenty of notice) I would be more than happy to help get the word out, and help in any way! I would be more than happy to run a thousand photo copies that all our tackle shops could throw a flier into every customers bag at checkout! I would have been more than happy to donate a guide trip to the auction or two! I'm sure every tourney director in this state would be happy to take a Short moment before each tournament to hand out a flier to all that check in! Create a banner ad and I'm sure sites like Tackle Tour, Fishermans WH, BTD, and others would be happy to add it to there sites to help get the word out! So many people like me didn't even know of this event! Don't stop now!! Let's do it again with more help and time from people whom I'm sure could donate there time if not money! Don't quit now! Don't give up! I appreciate everything you did as I'm sure others do too! Don't quit! Get up and swing harder bud!!

Thanks!
Vince

[Kevin Stewart]

kevin,
you should have thought first before you opened your mouth!
we knew there were conflicts,but it is what it is, there were many many people that just plain didnt show up ...and for all of you TOC winners and qualifiers im sure you had to fish the river at one point or another to get to the toc.
hey i have an idea how bout you TOC winners give a little back to a great cause
just my .02
see ya on the river
chris ball

Chris,
I have no problem donating to the cause, should have been an option prior to the event, truth be told I had no idea this event was going on.........If you want my donation I will be at Russo's Thursday afternoon, come by and see me

My .02 back at you, still to much bashing going on......

[Mike]

I was too busy....

[Kevin Stewart]

I was too busy....

That's what I should have said

[chris ball]

guys im not bashing any of the folks that were fishing TOCS and people that didnt know it was going on
i am bashing the folks who knew it was going on and for whatever reason didnt show up to support it
say what you will but the bottom line is this is for real and you all better wake up!
mike, hows the shoulder doing ?are you fishing this weekend?
see you on the river
chris ball

[Mike]

mike, hows the shoulder doing ?are you fishing this weekend?

Shoulder is just "ok" not sure if I can do a 2 dayer with out hitting the pain killers! I am giving it a test run tomorrow. You fishing it?

[flipit]

I understand the passion and frustration about the low turn out. I cant speak for others, but I had intentions of fishing this event and the Pro/Am this weekend. However an unfortunate situation cropped up and I had to cancel I my personal plans. Im still wanting to do more to help. IM believing that the up coming election can have a great effect on this one way or the other, so Im not sure which way to go with my vote.Is there are thread somewhere that explains some of this. Ive seen the TV adds but I dont believe most of that poop.

[Spookin'Em43]

I will agree with the fact that the turn out was low, and yes, im sure there was a handful of people who could have fished this no problem that didnt, but I think it is unfair to criticize everyone else. I for one grew up fishing the Delta since I was about 4 years old and think its a catastrophe what is happening. I have done a TON of research on EVERYTHING that is happening and did a huge presentation for a college course about putting a stop to what may ruin our Delta in the future. I CARE about it just as much as all you "Rats", but is me being a College student living 7+ hours away from the Delta and having to spend my weekend studying for midterms being to busy?! Im not tryin' to stir the pot, it just seems that no excuse is good enough for you guys, and I dont get it. I understand your passion for the Delta, im very passionate about it and support anything to stop the canal/pipes/tunnels, whatever it may be., and thanks to those who actually were able to make it out there, but It just amazes me when I see some posts like some of the above. Like I said, not trying to stir the pot, but cmon

Tight Lines guys

[kb]

Chris:

Since you made a point to ask where the Nor Cal Radio Hosts were at I felt I needed to respond. I was made aware of this event thru an email that Bobby sent to Mike Van Wagner at C&C Marine on Friday the 15th. I got it at 2:00 pm and changed some things around on the show to make sure Cooch got on the show to promote the event. I have told Bobby, You, Gene, Cooch and everyone else you have a platform to get the word out on these events and what is going on anytime at no cost to you or the fundraiser organizer............why do I hear about it a day prior to it happening? I am here to help you guys where I can and when I can. I have told each of you guys that on numerous occasions.

Without knowing of this event I was scheduled into another fishing promotional event from 12 noon to 5 on Sunday, I was promoted in the advertising that I would be there and was asked on the 11 of Sept if I was able to be there. If I am promoted as being somewhere I will be there and I was.

I am all for trying to help any way I can and if you ask Bobby or Cooch they know it. I know there are many more radio show hosts in Nor Cal but kinda felt like you meant me so I wanted to let you know where I was and what I had done to try to help the event. In the future let's try to give me more information earlier. I have attended each of the weekday rally's on the capitol steps in the past year on this issue.......don't remember seeing you there bud!!!!

We all need to help fight this craziness and do what we can to stop the water grabbers that have set out to destroy the Delta!

Kent Brown
Ultimate Bass Radio

[sTony]

I can understand some of the frustration, Chris. But surely now is not the time to set upon ourselves. Instead, lets continue to rally the troops forward. Give these guys a direct means to communicate with all the folks that need to get their ears bent on this issue. Keep Banging on the doors, Be the Squeaky Wheel so to speak.

I can remember, actually for the last several years, state senate meetings and water district meetings and such, where the only people you'd see out in the crowd, representing Bass Fishermen, were Bobby, Randy and myself. Many, many meetings. Just the three of us.

We never decried our fellow anglers.

From what was just three is now many more and growing. Sure we need to get the word out better, stronger and with the resolve to keep doing so. But let's keep straight in our own minds who we're fighting here, certainly not each other.

sTony

[Dom]

well ive never been to PC so here goes,
i do not understand why more people didnt show support for this event, its sad to think how much better this should have been.and before you start with you replys just remember one thing
YOU WERENT THERE!!.if you were there or have supported this issuse then by all means type away and hit me with your best shot.
lets start with the tournament org"s where were you guys at( to busy huh?)
where were all the so called pros and teams that have made big money on this river over the last 20 years, and im talking about at least 50 guys who live within 45 miles of the delta ( to busy huh?)
where were the fishing clubs at ( to busy huh?)
where were all the nor cal fishing TV and radio hosts at ( to busy huh?)
where were the fishing and hunting magazine and paper guys at ( to busy huh?)
where were all the internet superstars that have a frickin take on everthing !!
( to busy huh?)
where were all the bay area tackle shop and tackle reps at( to busy huh?)
where were the marina owners and operators at ( to busy huh?)
where were the duck hunters at!! believe me this is going to effect you guys as well
( to busy huh?)
you all have made a lot of money because of this river!! all you had to do was show up.....unfrickin believable!!
with that being said im sure some of the people i mentioned have been supporting this issuse behind the scenes and if thats true i meant no disrespect and commened you.
as for the rest of you, as far as im concerend you dont have a pot to piss or spit in
you have shown that unless it benifits you and soley you!!! you have no intrerest in
supporting something that you all have benifited from greatly!!!
just remember that when and if this all comes down we will have nobody to blame but ourselves.
the real sad fact is if this was happening back east those guys would be there in the thousands to support beating it!!
but then again you all would never know because you were to busy huh!!!!
what a shame!!!!!!!
see you on the river
chris ball

Mr Ball
I was out pre=fishing Tuesday, Friday and with my wife on Saturday we stuck a 20 lb sack BEFORE WRECKING MY BOAT later that day Saturday (Damn wakeboard boats), we were gonna fish it, support a great cause and take your money LMAO My fish were down south and launching out of Russo's I was gonna have to run, cant run with a tore up boat . Sorry Bro I understand your frustration I live 10 min from the Delta and its all I fish 99.9 % of the time and I agree the Delta needs help just dont fish like it use to back in the late 90's I have seen a decline in the bite over the last 10 years. I seen the sticky note at the top of the fourm but flyers in shops would have been alot of help to let people know about it. There should have been a huge story on the front page of this site about all this and ran till the tournament. there was alot of things yall could have done to promote it more . I am unemployed right now so if yall reschedule it and need a guy to run around putting out flyers for the next one just give me a shout I am more then willing to spread the word.

[jamescaird]

No offense Chris but what have you done for delta conservation prior to showing up to this single event? Some of us have been involved with these efforts for the last 10 years, and some of the folks (CSPA, RestoretheDelta, etc...) are doing this on a full time basis. We need to keep pushing participation and angler activism in a positive way...people don't want to be beat up over this stuff. I was pleased with the decent turn-out, these events grow over time.

The largemouth bass fishing community in general is the least active with the delta conservation issues, by far. Maybe the poachers are less active. The duck hunters and the fly fisherman are way ahead in this regard. Next time will be much bigger. Things are heading in the right direction. What guys need to get behind is that this is not about showing up to a single event once a year and donating a hundred bucks per team and leaving all the hard work to everyone else. This is an ongoing effort, and we need to be raising ALOT of money and putting serious pressure on these corrupt private interest groups.

Whoever didn't show up show consider donating a few hundred bucks or more!!! This isn't about "oh I couldn't make it, I didn't know about it, maybe next year", this is about MONEY, these orgs NEED MONEY!!! SEND SOME MONEY RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!!!

[godshippy]

Hey guys, I understand everyone's frustrations with the poor turn out of this event...but to publicly attack people into helping a cause is the wrong way to go about it. I have a lot of respect for the guys that took the time to put together this event because of all that you've done for this sport and industry, but you need to cut some people some slack.

I totally understand Cooch's frustrations and why he's upset, but this negativity isn't going to bring more anglers out to show support or to make donations for the cause. Money is tight, everywhere. I'm a business owner that deals with people every single day. I have customers that have broken down into tears when I tell them that they need to spend some money on repairs. I have customers that go into a fit of rage and threaten my family and myself. Money is tight.

But I think you guys are on the right track that any form of donation, whether it be small or large, is helpful in the fight for the Delta. I think that the poor turn out of this event should open eyes and be used as a building block for future events and how they could be better. There needs to be more focus on marketing this event and advertising it hard. We all need to get together and get the word out to make the next fund raising event successful.

There are a ton of people on this forum from all facets of society. We just need to take the time to pool together all of our resources and get the word out.

Let's forget about the poor turn out. Let's forget about all the insults. Let's guarantee that the next event is successful.

[CBS]

Taking a different approach I will speak to the positives of the event. First the camaradiere/fellowship of the event was outstanding. There were three different classes of angler, kick boat, fly fisherman and conventional bass boat. Intersestingly enough you could make no distinction between who was who (except for some of the guys wearin wet suit booties.... ). You could feel the passion everyone had for the event and there were smiles throughout. Secondly we had some great speakers who were well informed and clearly expressed the importance anglers can play in determining the fate of the delta as a world class fishery. Third, Andy and Bobbie were a crack up as the MC's of the event you could tell they were having a good time. Lastly, the raffle was the bomb, I won a KVD cranking rod (pretty sweet) and a bunch of fly fishing gear (which I gave away to someone who could actually use it). They must have given 50 lunker punkers away as well as 8 or 10 high end fishing rods and tons of Sims outer wear!! Make no doubt about it this was a really fun event and for the angler and raised a few thousand dollars for the cause. See ya at the next one.

Chuck

[Dom]

No offense Chris but what have you done for delta conservation prior to showing up to this single event? Some of us have been involved with these efforts for the last 10 years, and some of the folks (CSPA, RestoretheDelta, etc...) are doing this on a full time basis. We need to keep pushing participation and angler activism in a positive way...people don't want to be beat up over this stuff. I was pleased with the decent turn-out, these events grow over time.

The largemouth bass fishing community in general is the least active with the delta conservation issues, by far. Maybe the poachers are less active. The duck hunters and the fly fisherman are way ahead in this regard. Next time will be much bigger. Things are heading in the right direction. What guys need to get behind is that this is not about showing up to a single event once a year and donating a hundred bucks per team and leaving all the hard work to everyone else. This is an ongoing effort, and we need to be raising ALOT of money and putting serious pressure on these corrupt private interest groups.

Whoever didn't show up show consider donating a few hundred bucks or more!!! This isn't about "oh I couldn't make it, I didn't know about it, maybe next year", this is about MONEY, these orgs NEED MONEY!!! SEND SOME MONEY RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!!!

This is all true and maybe you hit the nail on the head, in this economy with alot of people out of work maybe people just could not afford to make it or send money NOW ! you sound like a southern baptise preacher LMAO

[deltalinesider]

There's nothing to be upset about. There will be a 2011 event. Please come and support the fight for the Delta ecosystem. The water that flows through the Delta is a renewable resource that provides economic benefit to the region. Let's join together as bass fishermen; conventional, fly fishermen, and kickboats!!!

The Restore the Delta / CSPA Benefit Tournament is a great opportunity to have some fun while supporting the people that fight for the fishery.There is plenty of room under the tent for more fishermen. Please attend in 2011. Update to follow on the date.

Another note, the groups that are fighting on the front lines in Sacramento are "Restore the Delta" and "The California Sport Fishing Protection Alliance". Save the Delta is an astroturf group that is hell bent on diverting more water of the Delta / killing it. They chose that name specifically to confuse people.

www.restorethedelta.org
www.calsport.org

Mike

[kopper_bass]

I have no excuses - i wasnt there.
I cant go back and participate; its over.
i dont want to wait until the 2011 event just to miss another opportunity.
Everyone has a reasons, but there is no excuse not to step forward now and participate.

So, i am willing to step up now and contribute how i can, after the fact.
I have $100 donation to contribute to the "Save The Delta" effort. Where do i send my donation?
Please post the address.

I now challenge KB, Kevin, Dom - who will match my donation? Step up.
Anyone else who didnt make it to the event, for good reason or not, do your part now. Participate and Donate. who else will meet the challenge?

Let's see a roll call on who will now participate.

Thanks Cooch, Bobby, and everyone else who did show up and participate. Great first steps.
Keep us posted on the 2011 events.

Special thanks to everyone who worked on this at "Save the Delta". Thank you for your efforts. We do appreciate your hard work and all that you stand to do for us and the Delta.

Sincerely,

Kopper - aka Joe Kopp

[dreyson]

Read all the bi#$@^in lets cut to the chase. (RECESSION)
entry fee $150.00..boat gas $100.00...launch $10.00...truck gas $50.00..
I've fished the delta for forty years Never made 1 dollar from it..
Bought a lic. for forty years---tax dollars to restore the delta.
enhancment stamps for forty years---tax dollars to restore the delta.
the next tourny you might want to charge a reasonable entry fee.
more boats add up just as fast as high entry fees...I'm just saying

[deltalinesider]

The money from the tournament was split 50%-50% between Restore the Delta and the CA Sport Fishing Protection Alliance. Please visit these websites and click the "Donate" or "Donate Now" icons.

www.restorethedelta.org
www.calsport.org

These are two great organizations that deserve our support.

Michael Frost

[deltalinesider]

Restore the Delta and the CA Sport Fishing Protection Alliance don't receive tax dollars. They are 501(c)(3) charitable donations that are 100% funded by direct contributors.

These are their mission statements:

CA Sport Fishing Protection Alliance: Founded in 1983, the California Sportfishing Protection Alliance (CSPA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that was formed to protect, restore and enhance the state’s fishery resources and the aquatic ecosystems they depend on to ensure this renewable public resource is conserved for the public’s use and that of future generations.

To achieve this objective CSPA advocates fishery conservation based on sound scientific and professional management that protects and conserves the aquatic and terrestrial habitat essential for the state’s fisheries to exist at abundant, self-sustaining levels. CSPA is a non-profit, tax deductible, public benefit organization that represents prominent fishing organizations across the state and individual members committed to conserving the state’s fishery resources and habitat. CSPA focuses much of its effort in communicating and working with governmental agencies, policy makers and fishery managers to ensure they have the support they need to protect the public’s fishery legacy at self-sustaining levels.

When this focus isn’t successful, CSPA utilizes political action and litigation to assist in realizing its critical conservation objectives, both of which have been found to be necessary and effective tools.

Restore the Delta: Based in Stockton, California, Restore the Delta works in the areas of public education and outreach so that all Californians recognize this region as part of California’s natural heritage, deserving of restoration. Restore the Delta advocates on behalf of local Delta stakeholders with government water agencies to ensure that water management decisions will protect and benefit local Delta communities. We encourage local Delta residents to undertake actions to ensure the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta’s sustainability.

Restore the Delta is a grassroots campaign committed to making the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta fishable, swimmable, drinkable, and farmable to benefit all of California. Restore the Delta – a coalition of Delta residents, business leaders, civic organizations, community groups, faith-based communities, union locals, farmers, fishermen, and environmentalists – seeks to strengthen the health of the estuary and the well-being of Delta communities. Restore the Delta works to improve water quality so that fisheries and farming can thrive together again in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

Restore the Delta seeks the reduction of water exports to restore and sustain the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta’s ecosystem, to protect native and desirable species, to protect public health, and to improve water quality to meet federal and state water standards.

Restore the Delta seeks the establishment of a governance system that protects the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta’s ecosystem, defends local Delta water needs, and generates funding for federal and state restoration projects.

Restore the Delta works to protect the economic interests of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, including but not limited to fishing, farming, recreation, and tourism.