Recreation
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Forest Service officials are working closely with California Department of Fish and Game to provide timely and accurate dissemination of information on forest road and area closures and current conditions.
Firefighting officials expect that it will be the middle of August before some fires within the Klamath, Mendocino, Six Rivers and Shasta-Trinity National Forests are contained. The growth potential for these fires is still considered extreme, and the rugged landscape makes it difficult for fire suppression.
A map of fire closure areas, along with the associated closure order, can be found at any of the four National Forest Web sites: Klamath, www.fs.fed.us/r5/klamath; Mendocino, www.fs.fed.us/r5/mendocino; Six Rivers, www.fs.fed.us/r5/sixrivers; Shasta-Trinity, www.fs.fed.us/r5/shastatrinity.
Closures can change daily, and hunters should periodically check the Web site for the forest in which they expect to hunt.
Information related to conditions for tag refunds/exchanges is available online at the California Department of Fish and Game Web site: www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunting/deer/fire.html.
Hunters must apply for the refund prior to the opening of the earliest season in their zone. In most cases this is archery season; however, check season dates for confirmation.
If the public wish to request a different tag, the request must be made prior to the opening of the zone you are requesting a new tag in and the zone for which your original tag was issued. Additionally, there must be tags available in the requested zone.
No refunds will be issued after the start of early seasons for that zone.
Forest Service officials are hesitant to make any promises about when the forests will rescind fire closure orders.
“It’s just too early to tell. Fire suppression activities are affected by numerous factors, and even after the fire is contained it may not be safe for the public to enter the area,” said Mendocino National Forest
Supervisor Tom Contreras. “We will only open the areas when we are confident that there will be no risk to human life and safety.”
District Ranger Eduardo Olmedo of the Grindstone Ranger District warns that “conditions in a burned forest change constantly so don’t let buck fever diminish your common sense. Be alert, be aware, and be safe.”
There are several key items to keep in mind when hunting, horseback riding, or walking in an area that has recently burned. Hazards may include:
Ash and needles on trails and footpaths can make for slippery conditions.
Burned-out stump holes make the general forest floor weak and unstable.
Unstable dead trees can be especially hazardous in windy conditions when they can fall suddenly.
Loose rocks and logs can create rolling debris.
Flash flooding and mud flows may be common in areas without vegetation.
Take proper safety precautions before you leave and when you arrive at your destination.
Check the weather forecast before you leave.
Assess current weather conditions in the forest.
Let someone know where you are and your itinerary.
Locate your camp away from burned trees.
Visitors are reminded to remain on authorized roads. The forest maps showing National Forest Roads, trails and areas designated for public motor vehicle use are available at all Forest Service offices. Please contact your local National Forest office for more information and closure updates.
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- Written by: Lake County News Reports
The early morning bass bite is really quite good. Hit the water just before or right at sun up (4:30 a.m. to 5 a.m.) and you’re going to catch a lot of fish. Senkos, spinner baits and frogs were all mentioned Thursday morning by anglers coming off the water.
The down side? The bite drops off hard around 8 or 9 in the morning. Switch to minnows for a continued bite throughout the rest of the day. Fish from 12 to 25 feet of water. Look for that “feature” that’s holding fish and you’re going to do OK. By feature, most are looking for drop-offs, ledges, shelves, etc. Oh, and when the bite slows down – SO SHOULD YOU. I’ve heard over and over this week from guys that were catching fish about guys they know blowing right around them and complaining that they’re not catching fish. There’s a clue in that …
Crappie and bluegill are still being caught, although sporadically at best. This report hasn’t changed in weeks – the schools are widely scattered and holding fairly deep. Fish areas around spots that commonly held crappie last year and you’ll likely find enough for the table. Minnows are your best bet.
The catfish action still continues to be good and hot. Shrimp, mackerel, sardines, anchovies, livers, minnows and night crawlers will do the trick. Fish from the shore, anchor up, or drift your boat and you’ll find good luck throughout the evening and nighttime hours. The daytime hours have seen a slower bite overall. Shoreline locations around Clearlake/Clearlake Park have produced well for bank-bound anglers. Jago Bay and Indian Island have done well for boaters.
In event news, our next CatFest event – coming up on Aug. 23 – looks to be our best ever. A barbecue, Our Very Own All Original Fishing Games with cool tackle prizes, and fun fishing all warped, um, I mean wrapped up into one night. It’s gonna be FUN! Call or come by the shop for details or to sign up.
Bob Rider owns Lakeshore Bait & Tackle in Clearlake. Visit his Web site at www.994fish.com or call him at 994-FISH (3474).
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- Written by: Editor
CLEAR LAKE STATE PARK – “Lake County Paradise – Summer – Fall,” a 27-minute DVD by resident photographer Ron Keas, will be presented starting at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 2 and repeated throughout the afternoon in the park Visitor Center auditorium.
Four years ago, when Keas arrived from Ben Lomond, he and his wife toured Lake County, capturing its natural beauty on film.
This is an exceptional opportunity to enjoy the landscape of Lake County, accompanied by relaxing music, through the eyes of an artist.
Keas has been an artist (oil paintings) and photographer all of his life. He was a Navy photographer during the Vietnam War. His photography reflects his knowledge and experience with painting and composition.
Keas received the 2008 Stars Award of Lake County for the professional arts category and has been named artist of the year by the Konocti Visitor magazine.
No visit to the visitor center would be complete without a stroll through the museum of Lake County natural history and a stop in the gift shop to check out new items.
Junior Ranger programs for children 7 to 12 will be held from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Friday and Saturday at the Visitor Center through Labor Day weekend. For information please call 279-2267.
The visitor center is open Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is no entrance fee to the park for participating in walks, programs or visiting the museum.
Clear Lake State Park is located at 5300 Soda Bay Road, Kelseyville.
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- Written by: Editor
The meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the Lakeport Yacht Club, located between Fourth and Fifth Street on the lake in Lakeport.
For more information call Commander Betty Strach at 928-9811.
To join the Auxiliary come to a meeting or call Richard Thomas at 489-0466.
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