Algae bloom slows marlin fishing
JIM NIEMIEC
Water temperatures in mid-channel waters dropped a couple of degrees
this past week and when the algae bloom moved in around Catalina
Island, spinning ribbons out in the channel, it all but shut down
marlin fishing for private boaters and tournament action.
Rosie Cadman called in from her cafe on the end of the Avalon pier
to report that anglers competing in the annual Rosie’s Marlin
Tournament weighed in only two fish, but added that more than $80,000
was paid out in cash and tackle awards. Taking first place in the
tournament was Bob Osborne from Mission Viejo who landed a striped
marlin weighing 198.5 pounds, fishing aboard his yacht Ozzy. The big
marlin was hooked off San Clemente Island with captain Jeff Foreman
at the helm. Second-place honors went to veteran big game angler Bill
Miyagawa of Oceanside, fishing on the Gambler with captain Bill
Peckham in the wheelhouse.
Conditions for marlin fishing don’t look very promising for
tournaments running into this week. The Master’s Tournament began
Friday, the Zane Gray/ Cabo Yachts Tournament began out of Avalon on
Monday and run through Wednesday, the Los Pescadores Marlin
Tournament will take place Friday and Saturday, followed by the
Catalina Billfish Classic, set for Sept. 22-23, with more than 600
anglers expected to compete in Avalon. For details on upcoming
saltwater fishing events, contact the Balboa Angling Club at (949)
673-6316 and for information on the Billfish Classic call
International Gamefish Tournaments at (714) 258-0445.
*
Diamond Valley Lake, the jewel of Southland fresh-water lakes,
will open to the general public on Oct. 3. The lake has been under
construction by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern
California for five years. The lake is currently only 30 feet below
its projected high-maintenance level. With more than 26 miles of
shoreline and depths to 260 feet, this lake will offer anglers a huge
body of water to fish.
A fisheries program for the lake, under the supervision of
Department of Fish and Game chief biologist Mike Giusti, will provide
tremendous fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass, striped bass,
channel and blue catfish, as well as panfish. During the cooler
months, a stocking program of rainbow trout is projected for the lake
that will include catchable rainbows and regular stockings of trout
for an ongoing trophy trout fishery.
Fishing the lake with Giusti for a few hours showed its potential
and I was then treated to a tour of the master plan for this
recreation area and newly created reserve that will encompass nearly
13,000 acres. The huge lake is lined with natural rocks and the water
is crystal clear.
A paved launch ramp will provide easy access for outdoor families
looking to enjoy a day of fishing on Diamond Valley Lake. There will
be a rental fleet of bass and pontoon boats and limited shore
fishing. A 25-mph speed limit has been established for the lake to
prohibit speed boats and other water craft from disturbing the
tranquil setting.
All reservations for opening week have been taken, but the lake
will be open seven days a week. From most anywhere in Orange County
it’s only a 90-minute drive to the lake entrance. The fees for the
lake are well within most budgets: $5 for a reservation, $7 entrance
fee per vehicle, $6 for a private boat launch and only $3 per angler
for a daily fishing permit.
In the near future, overnight campgrounds will be built below the
west dam and a hiking trail will wind around the scenic mountains
surrounding the 4,500-acre lake. For information on Diamond Valley
Lake call (800) 590-5253 or visit www.dvmarina.com.
*
The South Coast Chapter of Trout Unlimited will hold a membership
meeting at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at His and Hers Fly Fishing Shop,
located on Old Newport Blvd. in Newport Beach. The meeting of avid
fly fishermen and conservation-minded outdoors people will cover the
San Mateo Creek drainage where work will begin to return native
Southern California steelhead to this important creek.
Also at the meeting, the chairman of the First Cast committee will
be looking for volunteers to work with youngsters on conservation
projects and casting instruction. Also highlighting the morning event
will be a presentation by Jeff Brinkman, Southern California
Watershed Coordinator for the Sake of the Salmon foundation. For
details, call the fly shop at (949) 548-9449.
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