Bugs
Update: The Bishop Chamber of Commerce has announced significant changes for this weekend’s Blake Jones Trout Derby. In light of rapidly evolving concerns regarding Corona Virus/COVID-19, “social distancing” and “mass gatherings,” the Bishop Chamber is taking measures to at reduce risk to derby attendees, staff and volunteers for the event.
“We’ve given careful consideration to the situation including consulting with the Inyo County Public Health Officer,” Tawni Thomson of the Bishop Chamber of Commerce said. Dr. Richardson stated he feels the event is low risk and did not recommend cancellation; however, in order to minimize chances of virus spread, the Chamber Board of Directors has decided to eliminate the traditional awards ceremony “mass gathering” portion of the derby and all prizes will be awarded via raffle.
How will this work?
Everyone who has pre-registered for the derby will automatically be entered into the raffle.
Winners will be chosen on Monday, March 16, then notified by email or phone.
Winners will have the option to pick up the prize at the Chamber or have it shipped.
People that have pre-purchased a t-shirt will have the option to pick up at Chamber or have it shipped.
There will be no fish-weighing and no prize ceremony at the fairgrounds.
Anyone who does not wish to be in the raffle will have registration fee refunded.
“The fish have been stocked, the prizes are all ready to go,” Chamber Event Coordinator April Leeson said. The Bishop Chamber understands the annual derby is a beloved tradition that draws anglers from near and far to enjoy the family-friendly fishing event. They also understand the derby is very important to our local economy. “Although less than ideal, we believe this plan represents a good balance between preserving the fishing tradition and accommodating current health care concerns,” added Leeson.
“We’re calling our new format Plan “C” for Coronavirus,” Thomson said. “We are keeping a good sense of humor about the situation and we hope everyone that chooses to fish near Bishop this weekend has great luck and a great time.”
Trout Unlimited is leading efforts to sign as many people on to this new petition as possible, shooting for 50,000 signers. This petition will be delivered by sportfishing representatives from Bristol Bay when they go back to Washington to lobby President Trump and members of Congress later this spring.
TU has rolled out their new petition calling on the president to stop Pebble altogether. As the permitting process nears completion in the next six months, the decision is going to come down to Trump and his administration. It is imperative that he hear from all of us (especially moderate and conservative sportsmen and women) that we need him to intervene to stop Pebble before it’s too late.
From Friends on the Los Angeles River:
We began this call last year, and now hear it echoed by the agencies and decision-makers who will help us realize River restoration right here in LA. We’re pushing for equitable public access and ecological restoration on our River.
The Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for CASITAS LOFTS has now been published, and we’ve been granted our comment letter extension! This gives us – along with our community supporters and partner organizations – until the end of March to submit our comments. READ ALL ABOUT THE PROJECT on our website folar.org/casitas
Save the date for March 4 and register for our workshop, when we will break down the contents of the DEIR and issues with the project. Here’s what to expect:
Learn the scale of the developer’s proposal – it’s big!
Break out into groups to examine specific impacts of this project on Nature, Traffic, Floodplain Management and its woeful unaffordability.
Prepare letters, submit comments online and call local leaders to tell them we oppose this project and why.
FoLAR is co-hosting this workshop with Clockshop, NRDC and LA River State Park Partners.
A prime piece of steelhead “reel estate” along the Grande Ronde River will become public property, thanks to the fundraising efforts of a group of dedicated anglers.
In late January, the Wild Steelhead Coalition purchased the eight-acre parcel featuring 2,000 feet of riverfront access. The undeveloped land, known as Turkey Run, is also adjacent to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife land already used by anglers and boaters. The land is about a mile upstream from the mouth of the Grande Ronde.Read Eli Francovitch’s story in the Spokesman-Review.
Better lace up your boots before you get your socks blown off! The 2020 Stoke reel for the Fly Fishing Film Tour has landed and will give you a taste of the best fly fishing films of the year. Tickets will be on sale at flyfilmtour.com and your local fly shop soon. Grab your fishiest friends and we’ll see you at the show!
Outside Bishop, California, Organizer of the Sixth Annual Lower Owens Clean Up Chris Leonard says, “You know what’s cool? When you organize a river clean up, and over 100 people show up. A huge ‘thank you’ to everyone who came out today!”
for a photo on opening day of the new Red Car Bridge. Note the fly fisher wetting a line in the background! (Credit: Bob Blankenship)
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