Below are hyperlinks to the California Fish and Game Commission meeting scheduled over two days with Part 1 starting tomorrow, Wednesday, April 15 at 10 a.m., with Part 2 scheduled for Thursday, April 16 at 9 a.m. The question is: “Will this be deja vu all over again?”
You may recall that last week’s special meeting scheduled for Wednesday, April 9, erupted in chaos as the teleconference was overwhelmed by the sheer number of callers joining in, several of whom would not follow instructions to mute their devices, and then the meeting ended up being cancelled as two members needed for a quorum were unable to log in. The commission was unable to conduct business under the circumstances. (See our earlier new’s post on April 9 – Mayhem at CDFG Commission Teleconference Meeting on Postponing Fishing Season.)
The meeting tomorrow is to discuss the subject of last week’s meeting “to consider authorizing a limited ban on sportfishing in some areas and delaying the opening date for the fishing season amid the coronavirus pandemic.” The new approach seeks to limit who can or cannot speak based on pre-registration with the meeting moderator to avoid the issue of participants refusing to mute their devices and deliberately seeking to disrupt the teleconference meeting.
As of 1 p.m. today (Tuesday, April 14), three of the links provided below, other than “Agenda,” have no information other than “April 15-16, 2020 Fish and Game Commission Meeting Presentations, ‘Thank you very much for your interest in the April 15-16, 2020 meeting of the California Fish and Game Commission. All of the presentations for the meeting will be posted in PDF format shortly.'”
There may be another firestorm of criticism coming even if the new teleconference approach is successful and the meeting is held. There are strong arguments and opinions both pro and con held by the fishing community.
With the Governor Gavin Newsom’s “StayAtHome” executive order in place, along with the emergency orders from the local Public Health officers in Inyo and Mono counties, the facts on the ground are that Crowley Lake and many other popular fishing venues are closed to the public, as are all the campgrounds and lodging accommodations, along with almost all local businesses and most restaurants (excepting those offering take-out and delivery) here in the Eastern Sierra.
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME COMMISSION – 2020 Meetings
Agenda (PDF)
How to Join the Teleconference (PDF)
Meeting Documents (PDF)
Meeting Presentations Only (PDF)
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Is the river still open for fishing from Pleasant Valley Reservoir south?
Just as I figured,and just so people know and don’t make the trip to June Lake thinking/hoping the campgrounds are open,the stores,restaurants and motels all ready for business…Mike’s above post above is total B.S.
Campgrounds remain closed,nothing is “filling up” on the Loop.including Oh ! Ridge Campground and beach,no “party central” with girls in bikinis working on their tans and guys walking around flexing their muscles.
The Ski lifts aren’t back up and running.
And,oh yea,the Trout Opener,postponed until at least June 1st.
Mike,may I ask,why make such a B.S. post ?….attention ?,hoping for”thumbs”down’s” ?
Mike
I highly doubt what your saying is true,more said to see how many buttons you can push,making it seem like June Lake is “party central” with crowds of people at this time,where everywhere else,areas,campgrounds,rental properties,etc. are all shut down.
I’m willing to bet the USFS didn’t cave in and open the campgrounds up there,in that area or anywhere else in Mono County.
I just saw where L.A. County just had it’s second straight day of record deaths to the COVID-19 virus,hardly a recipe for welcoming the massive L.A. crowds that want to migrate to the Sierra next weekend.
If June Lake is opened up at this time and anticipating a heavy tourist week and week-end coming up,shame on them.But,like I say,I doubt your post is fact.
Mule Days, the Olympic Games, and who know how many other events have been postponed a year. Maybe there will still be some fishing season left when the stay-at-home order is lifted. Until then, I am pretty sure that a fishing trip is not considered essential.
It should remain open. The people are already arriving as vacation homes are filling up in June Lake, there are people camping in the loop, and June Lake Beach is open with people out paddle boarding, kayaks, and soaking in the sun. No reason we can’t fish.
I have a house in Mono County and I would love to take my kids fishing during this time and spend a little quality time with the family. I will not infringe on anybody, I will bring my own food, supplies and wont need anything from the stores.
I will be in my boat with the family instead of on the couch doing nothing. I don’t see anything wrong with this.
Where do you expect to launch your boat?
And if you get sick or hurt where will you go. If you need gas for your car or boat where will you get it.Since the law says shelter in place how will you justify it. Everybody says they will not interact at all so when you do how will you rationalize it.
You’re missing the point, and, teaching your kids a horribly selfish lesson. Your fishing excursion is not necessary. Please stay where you are and set a good-example for your family in social responsibility.
Delaying the opener is a no brainer at this point simply due to the almost complete lack of services, lodging and camping. It would be messy for law enforcement, messy for us locals who have tried hard to squash this thing and messy for the people who defy the state mandate to find absolutely nowhere to stay.
As a local business owner, I’m also not excited about the prospect of a potential spike in infections which could amplify the damage already done to our local economy by bringing forth additional restrictions or extending the current mandates deeper into an already shortened season. It would be so so much worse if the first rush of tourism is a logistical and public health fiasco….it could easily push the closures deep into summer or worse.
I do think people are overstating the actual number of people who are dim-witted enough to drive several hours in defiance of a state mandate with nowhere to stay, just to catch a few trout that they can just as well catch next month or in early June when things are open for them. Some will be that stupid, but the “fishmas” crowds we usually see won’t be here regardless of what the DFW does….but there will be enough people to cause a mess if they do nothing.
Most of the chatter online is just hollow BS by frustrated people…and I don’t blame them. Patience is running thin everywhere. The last several years I’ve avoided the fishing opener in Bishop like the plague and instead go ocean fishing in SoCal or bass fishing up north…but since I’m stuck in Bishop and can’t do either of those things, it’s only fair that they have to stay home too….we’re all in the same boat here folks, and it blows but it’s working. Suck it up.
Never underestimate the power of ignorance, pig-headedness or dim-wittedness. Back in early march we (local fly shop) were getting numerous calls about Mcgee Creek being open ,NO, I have heard numerous reports of multiple people fishing south fork of Bishop Creek and a friend of mine drove by The East Walker last week and said he has never seen it so crowded, every turnout had at least one car. I think you’re right that a lot of people are just blowing of steam but we agree that it’s not worth taking the chance.
Mono Person
A quote I read today from a popular Mono County fishing resort.
“Today,every authority you can think of (and more)in Mono County has unanimously asked the State to delay the Trout opener and fishing season until the time comes when the Governor’s “stay at home ” order has been lifted.”
I don’t think the word “authority” includes Mono County business’ ,think more in the lines of Doctors, nurses,experts,maybe some of the town’s officials worried about what 25,000 visitors might bring to the area besides money..
My opinion is to leave it alone. The date is 10 days out, and we are seeing things change daily. A lot of businesses in North Mono County haven’t been heard. And every business owner I have spoken with, agrees, just leave it alone.
The key to this being a normal and controlled meeting is leaving the L.A. folk out of the mix.
IMO,the majority of them only care about THEIR fun and THEIR “right” to fish come April 25th,never mind the fact they’ll have no place to camp,no place to stay,no place to eat,as well as their influx of 20,000 plus putting all of us,including themselves in danger.
It’s this “New America” thing going on now,worse than even before,if some don’t get to do as they please,go where they want to go,even during a pandemic,it’s all about THEM,and having their “rights and liberties” taken away.
First it was them,with some coaching and believing the lies they were being told,that EVERYONE,especially here in California wants to “take all their guns away”.
Now,it’s those damn Liberals and Governor Newsom trying to “take their fishing poles away” too.
We’ll see what happens tomorrow,but my bet is the Eastern Sierra Trout season will be postponed,at least until late May.and then the whining and complaining will begin,with some stating,since they already bought their fishing licenses’,they’re still going to come here and fish anyway,open season or not,just like they did when the Alabama Hills area was closed and some refused to leave,or the Big Pine Campground host that said a camper drove past the barricades,was setting up his camp,and when told he had to leave,threatened the camp host with a lawsuit.