Forebay MFF tournament to benefit Chef

More on the idea of a zero limit:
The Forebay is very heavily fished. Tthat is why, while the fish are abundant, it is unusual to find them over a few inches of the legal limit. And yet current sizes are better than a few years ago. Not long ago the limit was 5 not 2 and the population of Stripers was decimated and declining. The dropping of the limit to 2 is allowing the population to recover but understand this: Stripers do not spawn there. Stripers get there only two ways 1) they come up the canal from the Delta (the way the original population got there but declining Delta populations makes this less and less likely as a source of replenishment) or 2) they are raised in pens (you can see them to the South of the launch ramp at the San Luis Creek). So every fish you take drops the population by one and is not replaced until more Stripers are farmed and released. Do I take them--yes I do sometimes. But I have fished the Forebay for many years as C&R only--most of my flies are barbless to this day for that reason and I lose some fish even now due to that fact-one good head shake and they are off if the line is even a bit slack without a barb on the hook. I'd recommend we fry up LMB and Cats both of which spawn there. But this is only a recommendation.

Make your own choice but each of us has to face the fact that stewardship of our fisheries begins and ends with us. And the rise or declien of them rest squarely on our shouldes and on our individual action as they sum to the whole. Think about it--that's all I ask.

As for tourney rules. If you want a virtual tourney, fine, and making it the limit weight helps but I think  a virtual tourney it defeats the spirit of getting together for the cause. BAM 2 was local and for Chef also--it wasn't virtual. Not all of us can go to all tourneys, sure. But there is something about it being right there that makes it more fun. Frankly, that's why I even bother to attend: I don't harbor any illusions about winning--its just the fun of it all being right there to experience the comradry and group fishing. Otherrwise, I'll just mail you my donation for Chef and go fish in Monterey for Lings. I can fish alone any day of the week.

Let's do the next one North of the Gate if its a proximity issue. Lake Sonoma or Mendo again--in fact let's alternate to cover the NCKA area evenly. I am fine with that.

I'm going to try to make it to these event...my first.  I don't expect to win but it'll be good to finally meet some of you.

Most likely I'll go out on Saturday and camp but I have a few questions.
1) Do most of you guys camp in tents or do you have campers?
2) Is this a "family friendly" type of event?
3) Is a wet suit required there?
4) Got some fishing tips? I'll be searching the archives for info on this one but any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
Angel

But there is something about it being right there that makes it more fun.

I agree it's alot more fun fishing with everyone and the food is great. But I thought Mol had a great idea by having virtual tourneys(tie dye series) to raise money and fill the gaps between regular tourneys. I'm just happy to have both.

I will wait a day or so on the poll, but my guess is we will be virtual in addition to at the forebay.  This is a fun event for the benifit of Chef.

I am also not going to get all preachy on catch and release.  If you want to fine and I encourage selective harvest, but the legal limit in california is 2 at 18" minimum and I don't want anyone hassled if they harvest their limit.

Let's all keep this in good spirit as the karma of a good event will be much better for Chef!

MolBasser

I am also not going to get all preachy on catch and release.  If you want to fine and I encourage selective harvest, but the legal limit in california is 2 at 18" minimum and I don't want anyone hassled if they harvest their limit.

Me neither. I do my 'preaching' only on the forum for the purpose of dilaog and debate. Though I think it is more like trying to get people to think about the benefits and balance of the freedom to do something versus the benefit of exercising the responsilbity not to, rather than a religous metaphor of absolute correctness.

Virtual it is and that's fine--I am not gonna pass up the chance to fish, smack talk, glaot over a local win, and socialize over it. Or even congrtulate one of the virtual fishers on a win  . It is for a good cause and I am in and will go with the vote.

Sorry about the "Preachy" comment, that was overly annoying on my part, no offence was intended to anyones opinion.

Again, I encourage selective harvest and don't want people killing fish just for the tournament.  "You kill it, you eat it" is the MFF policy (you don't have to eat it at the tournament, just don't waste it).

Anyhoodle, it should be fun.  I hope lots of people get the chance to come saturday night.

We need to convince guitarzan to come and bring his axe!   

MolBasser

I am looking forward to the commencing of the smack talk having already instigated a bit in IM he-he 

I'm going to try to make it to these event...my first.  I don't expect to win but it'll be good to finally meet some of you.

Most likely I'll go out on Saturday and camp but I have a few questions.
1) Do most of you guys camp in tents or do you have campers?
2) Is this a "family friendly" type of event?
3) Is a wet suit required there?
4) Got some fishing tips? I'll be searching the archives for info on this one but any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
Angel

I usually wear dry pants on lakes and a wet suit on the ocean. The general rule is dress for immersion. Check out the fishing report section and look for reports from the forebay for lure tips. I usually troll shad imitators (shad rap), x raps, buck tails or spoons. For casting, kastmasters are good as are swim baits. Although the tournament is targeting SB, I will be fishing both SB and LMB. So I will also be using the usual LMB stuff like tubes, drop shot finess worms and spinnerbaits. See you on the water.

Scott

Sorry about the "Preachy" comment, that was overly annoying on my part, no offence was intended to anyones opinion.

Again, I encourage selective harvest and don't want people killing fish just for the tournament.  "You kill it, you eat it" is the MFF policy (you don't have to eat it at the tournament, just don't waste it).

Anyhoodle, it should be fun.  I hope lots of people get the chance to come saturday night.

We need to convince guitarzan to come and bring his axe!   

MolBasser

Now you guys are making me feel sorry for the old SB. If we brought our own scales on board we could weigh, photograph then release and I will bring some Brats for the shore lunch.

Scott

Yes, I included in the rules people weighing their own fish on your honor.

I'll be harvesting a striper (hopefully) over the two days that I am there, and plan on harvesting a bunch of LMB for tacos.

Stripers are piscivorous so you are, as the angler, attempting to imitate the fish that they are eating.  Any minnow type lure is good, and you can always buy live minnows if you like but my feeling is that most people will be tossing artificials.

I will be concentrating on LMB saturday to fill the cooler chest for tacos and have fun.  I will be using all the standard, but the weed growth has me thinking top water big time, buzz baits, frogs, and poppers.  Spinnerbaits will most likely be the most productive LMB lure and I would not be suprised in the least to have a striper hit a spinnerbait.

MolBasser

Sudmucker and I both vote for weight.  Count us in.

I can't wait!! 

Mary

Unfortunately the weather report today for next weekend is predicting rain.

 

Keep checking as we monitor the situation.

MolBasser

Two different things: wind and rain.

Rain:
Rain is not an issue. sure you get a bit wet but you dress for it and brace up.And the fish are already wet so they don't care. The best trout fishing I ever had at Eagle Lake was in a howling wind and sleet in a white-out--we just tightened down the parkas and waders and fished, warming up the fingers every few minutes. Rain, shmane--its nothing.

Wind:
Wind is different issue, not normally fir smaller water, but for the ocean and big water like SF Bay and the Forebay it changes things.
Especially in a kayak it is an issue. I've been there when its blowing 20mph and the kayak drifts at nearly 2 knots. I didn't have to paddle in--I put down a stern rudder with my paddle on the leeward side and just sailed in! At 2 knots! Its that strong there. The wind makes or breaks San Luis.

I agree. rain is OK (although not fun for camping) but over 15-20 knots of wind makes for tough fishing.

Scott