This issue is large and more difficult to tackle. I sense from reading the EIR that the DFG would like to continue most of their stocking programs. But they are taking it from both ends. They're dealing with these groups like the Center for Biological Diversity and they're hearing from fisherman who want to catch trout.

Something that I am starting to understand about what has been going down lately in fishing is that there is a distinct strategy being employed by groups like the Center for Biological Diversity. That strategy is a "chip away" strategy. Instead of going after big targets like tearing down dams or killing off non-native fish with poison, they are going after smaller things. Things like the stocking of rainbow trout or Alameda creek steelhead runs.

In this case they may not win outright and get the DFG to stop stocking all trout. But they will probably come away from this with a healthy list of lakes that won't be stocked any more. The number of locations that used to be stocked but aren't today because of their lawsuit is 109. If DFG evaluates and that number gets down to 50, it's still 50. It's not a big victory, but it still is a victory to them.

It's a victory because now precedent is established so further chipping away can be attempted. Close down all fishing in Alameda creek and a byproduct is that the back ponds at Shadow Cliffs. Chip chip chip. That's the program. It's not going to stop there. There are lawyers involved on their end. Lawyers understand strategy. Lawyers layer up their cases and when the other side whittles down and thinks they reached compromise, all they really reached was what the lawyer wanted in the first place.

The problem is not the state. The problem is letting people who don't know much about the outdoors manage nature. They don't have explicit control, but they can influence the people that do (the DFG) through lawsuits and regulation changes. Chip chip chip.

I've never been very politically active in my life. Well I did marry my wife who was a Political Science major :) But that aside, I've never stood up and done much. With the Shadow Cliffs thing I am now awake. It is now time to do something. Shadow Cliffs back ponds are my main focus and my first goal. We need to be successful there. My strategy will be the same as theirs. Chip chip chip. Later maybe we can take on trout stocking. In the mean time we must at least keep informed.

When I am ready for help I will ask for it. The time is not yet. I need information first. But maybe soon :)

In the mean time keep informed. Here is a list I made that shows many of the lost recreational fishing opportunities in Northern California - just in the past 5 years. Think about the chip away strategy. Chip chip chip.

San Justo Reservoir - Closed to all fishing due to zebra mussels

Pinto Lake - Any boat with a bilge or livewell is banned from launching. Inspections for quagga mussels only conducted on certain days/times

Coyote Lake - Closed to all boating Nov - April every year (5 months). Increased launch fees. Strict mussel inspections. Rainbow trout stocks canceled.

Anderson Lake - Lake closed Wed/Thurs every week Nov - April. Increased launch fees. Strict mussel inspections

Calero Lake - Lake closed Mon/Tues every week Nov - April. Increased launch fees. Strict mussel inspections. No night fishing allowed

Uvas Lake - Closed to all boating

Chesbro Reservoir - Closed to all boating

Loch Lomond Reservoir - Closed to all private boats. Rainbow trout stocks canceled

Steven's Creek - Closed to all boating November - April every year (5 months) Rainbow trout stocks canceled

Lexington Reservoir - Closed to all boating. Rainbow trout stocks canceled

Almaden - Closed to all boating

Cottonwood Lake - Closed to all boating. Rainbow trout stocks canceled

Lake Chabot - Increased fees for car top and inflatable launch

Shadow Cliffs - Back ponds closed to all fishing

Del Valle Reservoir - Increased launch fees. Strict mussel inspections

San Pablo Dam - Increased launch fees. Shortened lake hours in addition to Nov-Feb closure. DFG rainbow trout stocks canceled

Lafayette Reservoir - Rainbow trout stocks canceled

Contra Loma Reservoir - Increased launch fees. Mussel inspections

Alpine Lake - Rainbow trout stocks canceled

Spring Lake - Rainbow trout stocks canceled

Los Banos Creek - Rainbow trout stocks canceled

Hennessey Lake - Rainbow trout stocks canceled

Coyote Point (SF Bay) - No night fishing allowed

SF Bay / Ocean - No salmon fishing