Today I participated in a meeting with EBPARKS, CA DFG, Alameda Creek Alliance, Bass-n-Tubes club (John Lake), and Northern CA Federation of Flyfishers. DFG representation included the local biologist, sr. regional biologist, and some of the main steelhead resource mgrs for the state.

The good news is that all of the parties present agreed that allowing fishing in the back ponds at Shadow Cliffs was OK by them. The exact details of what this will look like are still to be worked out and agreed on. These details will be things like the exact wording of the regs, and the exact area where an exception from the general Alameda Creek fishing closure will be in effect. The important thing is that I believe we will be successful in getting the ponds back open.

This does not mean that the work is done here! There are still many procedural barriers to cross. The exact process is a bit gray but will likely involve having each of the groups involved in the Alameda Creek watershed send letters to the commission indicating their support for keeping the back ponds open for fishing. This may take some time, as will the Commission reg change process in general. You guys have my promise that I will follow through on it until those ponds are open again.

Some interesting side issues arose from this meeting including the fact that the way Alameda Creek is being managed (no fishing whatsoever) does not agree with the DFG's overall state management plans for steelhead. This is a side issue, and not one that I will personally persue, but I am glad to have helped highlight the issue because our state resources should be managed in a consistent fashion.

The important lesson for all of us as anglers is that there is opportunity to effect change in fishing laws and regulations. We should not feel shut out from this process. We should not sit on the sidelines and complain. We should take time to get informed, understand the system and rules that govern what we are interested in and then get involved. I am no different than any of you reading this. The folks who got the creek shut down from fishing are no different either. Neither of us have special powers or ability to make law. But we are fortunate to live in a country and a state where individual citizens can get involved int he process.

Several people deserve thanks for their help on this. Pete Alexander at EBPARKS set up the meeting today and facilitated. He did not have to do this, but he did. George Neillands who is the Region 3 Sr. Fisheries Supervisor took the time to talk with me about this and the trout stocking issue in advance of the meeting. Krissy Adkinson who is the regional biologist also took time from her day to listen to my concerns and then followed up by visiting the site. All of these people could have just ignored my voicemails and emails, but they didn't.

Remember, this is not done yet. But there is a message of hope here to rally around. I hope you guys who have kids will take them to the ponds and teach them to float tube when they are ready. You know I'll be there with Derek :)