Meet at 9:00 AM at the Creekside Office Complex (opposite Carpo's in Soquel Village; park in lower office parking lot) bring work gloves, sturdy shoes or boots, and a picnic lunch. See www.oya@friendsofsoquelcreek.org for more information.
* Soquel Creek Clean Up Day
Saturday September 18th from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
In conjunction with Pack Your Trash and the Friends of Soquel Creek, there will be a creek clean-up day on lower Soquel Creek. Meet at pedestrian bridge to Rispin Mansion, Nob Hill Parking Lot (behind Long's) at 9:00 AM. Wear shorts and shoes that can get wet. Garbage bags provided. For more info: 476-9197.
* Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Seeks Recreational Fishing Representative for Sanctuary Advisory Council
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary recently added primary and alternate recreational fishing seats to the Sanctuary's Advisory Council and is seeking applicants to fill the positions. The candidates selected should expect to serve until February 2007. NOAA is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Applicants should be active recreational fishermen familiar with fishing issues within the sanctuary region and should be able to effectively communicate and conduct outreach within the broader recreational fishing community consistent with the role of the Sanctuary Advisory Council. Those selected will have an understanding of the links between the recreational fishing community and the sanctuary, and have a demonstrated interest in helping the sanctuary achieve its environmental stewardship goals.
Sanctuary Advisory Council member application packages are available at the sanctuary Web site, http://montereybay.nos.noaa.gov, or can be obtained at (831) 647-4206. Completed applications must be submitted to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, 299 Foam Street, Monterey, Calif. 93940, by close of business Aug. 27.
* Ernie's Casting Pond Fall Schedule
As fall approaches, many of you know that our fall hours are somewhat changed during the months of September and October due to our attending the Fly Fishing Retailer Show in Denver. This year the shop will be closed from September 16 Ð 27, we will re-open Tuesday, September 28th. We are excited to see all the new gear coming out for 2005 and will be anxious to share it with you when we return. We will be heading into Wyoming, Montana and Idaho after the show for a few days, and will hopefully have some good stories on our return.
October means hunting season and we are heading to Utah on October 6th and return on the 19th. We then look forward to getting ready for the opening of steelhead season, which this year opens on Wed. December 1, and our getting the shop ready for the holidays. Thanks, Ernie and Diane
* Trout Unlimited 2004 Annual Meeting September 15-18, 2004, Denver, Colorado
Go to www.tu.org for more information.
* NCCFFF 2004 Conclave in Redding, CA "A Festival of Fly Fishing" Friday, October 15, and Saturday, October 16
Redding Convention Center, Turtle Bay
On Friday, October 15, the General Conclave will be open from Noon to 6:00 PM
On Saturday, October 16, the General Conclave will be open from 9 AM to 5 PM
Featuring: Jack Dennis; Steve Rajeff; Scott Sanchez; and many other great fly fishers and fly tiers.
The Conclave includes: Fly Tying; Fly Fishing Techniques; Fly Casting Instruction; Travel Opportunities; Guides; Artists; Manufacturers; Exhibitors; Fly Casting Tournament; Banquet; Silent Auction; Live Auction; and more - Bring the family
For more information go to: www.goshingletown.com/HTLM/FlyFishers/ConclavePage.htm
* Federation of Fly Fishers Co-produce The New Fly Fisher on PBS
The New Fly Fisher nature and fly fishing show and the Federation of Fly fishers have joined forces to co-produce an educational television series for Public Television. Like other to-rated PBS instructional series such as This Old House and The New Yankee Workshop, The New Fly Fisher will be dedicated to helping people learn more about fly fishing and the benefits fly fishers bring to conservation and restoring sport fisheries. Check www.thenewflyfisher.com/ for more information.
* Cal Trout is now accepting donated vehicles
Donate your used car or truck to California Trout and we'll arrange to have it picked up free of charge. We accept most vehicles -- running or not. So turn your unused car into a tax donation while helping us help wild trout and steelhead. Call 415-39-8887 or email info@caltrout.org to donate.
* Volunteers needed for storm-drain monitoring program
The Coastal Watershed Council is looking for 12Ñ20 good people to work in the Soquel Creek watershed August thru November 2004 & May thru November 2005. The Urban Watch Program is a volunteer based, dry season storm drain monitoring program, which will run from June through October in the city of Capitola. Monitoring ends with the "First Flush" event; where volunteers monitor the flows of the first major rain of the season that will be tested for bacteria, nutrients and metals (Yuck!). No experience necessary; only a desire to learn more about what's entering Soquel Creek in the City of Capitola. Not only will your commitment greatly contribute to the data about Soquel Creek, but you will also be a part of positive change in your own back yard! Please contact Tamara Doan at the Coastal Watershed Council to register and get location information, or for more information on any of CWC's programs. CWC Office: 831-426-9000 or volunteer@coastalws.org
* Ambassador for the Forest Service? from the High Country News
Maybe it was amazement and disbelief that caused a motorist to call the cops: The white car ahead of her had the words "U.S. Forest Service" emblazoned on its side, but the driver was throwing lighted cigarette butts out the window in the middle of a hectic fire season. The driver turned out to be the media liaison for the Forest Service on the Willow Fire, a woman with the delightful name of Paige Rocket. Cited for criminal littering, a misdemeanor, Rocket has since left the area, reports the Payson, Ariz., Roundup. Rocket told the paper she'd been unthinking, careless and in a hurry, and that she was ashamed of her actions. She also said: "If citizens worldwide were as caring and protective of their community as the citizens who reported me, this world would be a very different place."