April 16, 2009

Commentary
Most Eastern Sierra waters

free of ice for next weekend’s trout opener

By JIM MATTHEWS
Outdoor News Service

     Trout season opens in the Eastern Sierra Nevada in less than two weeks on Saturday, April 25, and while the snowpack in the region is normal or approaching those levels, it has been a relatively mild late winter and virtually all of the major fishing waters in the region are ice-free.
     Crowley Lake, the focal point of the opener each year, is ice free and has been for at least two months, and it never had much of an ice cover this whole winter, according to Tom Loe with Sierra Drifters Guide Service. This translates into better growing conditions for the sub-catchable trout that were planted last fall by the Department of Fish and Game, which means anglers will catch bigger average trout this year.
     Convict Lake, which produced the biggest trout last opening day at nine-pounds, 15-pounces, has been ice free for at least two months, said Brian Balarski with the Convict Lake Resort. Jeremy Ross at Ernie’s in June Lake said all of the lakes in the June Lake Loop are ice free and have been for at least three weeks, even Gull Lake, which has been a frozen, ice-fishing destination for many openers in past years. In the Bridgeport Region, both Upper and Lower Twin Lakes are both without ice also ice free.
     Waters that are likely to still be coated with ice include the Virginia Lakes at the top of Conway Summit just south of Bridgeport, the upper elevation, hike-in waters out of the June Lake Loop, most of the Mammoth Lakes (although the predicted warming trend could make open up much of the Twin Lakes), and Rock Creek Lake. The lakes in the upper Bishop Creek drainage are still a toss up.
     Jared Smith at Parcher’s Resort on Bishop Creek said he doubted that North Lake would still be holding any ice when opener rolls around, but he hadn’t had a chance to see South Lake and Lake Sabrina. Frozen or open, Smith said all of the roads in the drainage are open and in good condition so access to the fishing will be excellent. The only question right now is whether or not anglers will need augers.
     The weather forecast for the region is for increasingly warm, almost summer-like weather through the middle of next week and then a cooling period where temperatures drop back down to normal for opening day, which should be clear and without rain or snow.
     So where will be the best place to fish come opening weekend?
     The Department of Fish and Game started its stocking of catchable trout this week in the region and the stocking trucks will be running all next week, hitting virtually every open roadside water in the region. There were also plants of broodstock fish made last fall at all the major lakes and reservoirs.
     Crowley Lake gets an average of a half million trout planted late each fall as subscatchables, and those fish grow to be catchable-sized trout by opening weekend. During years when Crowley has been ice-covered much of the winter and early spring, those trout average 10 or 11 inches long, but in years like this when the lake has been ice free much of the winter, those same trout grow into the 12 to 13-inch range and often weigh more than a pound. The fish holding over from previous year’s plants -- and there are lot of those -- are generally in the 16- to 20-inch range with some up into the 24-inch class.
     It is the sheer volume of fish in Crowley and the chance for bigger trout that continually make this lake one of the biggest draws in the region. Last year over 700 boats went through the quagga mussel inspection station at the lake. And there were estimates that around 5,000 anglers fished this lake. It is likely to be as popular this year.
     There is always a chance that a huge brown trout will be caught in the Sierra. Last year top brown was an eight-pound, eight-ounce fish from Crowley, but there are more big browns in Bridgeport’s Upper Twin and Lower Twin lakes than any places else in the region.
     But as Brian Hardy at Annett’s Mono Village on Upper Twin Lake said this week, these two lakes “have been pretty stingy with the big browns the last couple of years.” But browns to 26-plus pounds have been caught here.
     In the June Lake Loop, Jeremy Ross at Ernie’s pointed out that little Gull Lake always is planted with big brood stock fish in the fall, and it almost always seems to be where the winners of the June Lake Loop monster trout contest are caught each year. While a fish from June Lake topped Gull last year (9-14 vs. 9-4), Gull would be way ahead in the odds if Las Vegas had a line on where the top trout will be caught.
     A bunch of the big broodstock trout also always come from Convict Lake. Balarski said “the brooders are in the lake, we’ve got wild boar sausage for the barbecue, and our chef will be making and delivering breakfast burritos and coffee to anglers around the lake starting at 4 a.m. opening morning.”
     For fly-fishermen, the upper Owens River above Crowley Lake, Hot Creek, and the East Walker River are open year-around to catch-and-release fishing, and spawning rainbows have been moving up into the Owens out of Crowley Lake for at least two weeks and anglers fishing the runs and pool tail-outs have been seeing very good action on these quality fish, with rainbows to 20 inches and better reported. Hot Creek has also been very good for anglers fishing small nymph patterns under a strike indicator. There’s no reason to think either will change before April 25.
     But it has been the East Walker River that might offer the best fishing in the Eastern Sierra for this year’s trout opener. Jim Reid at Ken’s Sporting Goods in Bridgeport said the river has been producing 20 to 40 fish per day for accomplished fly anglers, “which is unheard of for the Walker.”
     “One angler reported landing six fish over 18-inches this past week,” said Reid, pausing for dramatic effect. “Can you believe that?”
     And then his kicker, a local fly-fishing guide, Will Clayton of Stay Bent Fishing Guide Service, landed and released a 30-inch, 11-pound class brown trout late last week fishing a big streamer pattern in the Walker. He has photos to prove it.
     Can you believe that?

OUTDOOR CALENDAR

     APRIL 15-19 NEWPORT BOAT SHOW: The 36th Annual Newport Boat Show will be held from Wednesday, April 15 through Sunday, April 19, at Lido Marina Village, Newport Beach. Admission is $12 for adults, free for children 12 and younger. Hours are noon to 7 p.m. Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, call 949-757-5959 or visit the show web site at www.newportinwaterboatshow.com
     APRIL 17-19 WATER-FOR-WILDLIFE WORK PROJECT: The Mojave Preserve Water-for-Wildlife Volunteer Group will have a guzzler repair project in the Lanfair Valley area of the Mojave National Preserve April 17-19. Food will be provided two evenings and two mornings, but everyone should bring camping gear, water, firewood, food or lunch and snacks, and gloves. Next project date is May 1-3. For more information and directions to the camp site, contact Cliff McDonald at 760-326-2935 or via e-mail at bigmc@citlink.net.
     APRIL 18 SAN DIEGO FRIENDS OF THE NRA FUND-RAISER: The San Diego Friends of the National Rifle Association will have its annual fund-raising dinner beginning 6 p.m. Saturday, April 18, at the Handlery Hotel, 950 Hotel Circle, North San Diego. Dinner tickets are $50 per person. For more information, contact Lissa Davis at 714-832-1355 or via e-mail at ldavis@nrahq.org. You can also buy tickets on-line at http://friendsofnra.org/EventDocs.aspx?eid=4735&sid=5.
     APRIL 18 CWA SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SHOOT AND BARBECUE: The California Waterfowl Association will have its 8th annual Southern California Shoot and Barbecue beginning 8 a.m. Saturday, April 18, at Triple B Clays, 831 N. Rosemead Blvd., South El Monte. The shooting event consists of 50 sporting clays targets, 25 trap targets, and 25 skeet targets followed by dinner barbecue, a live auction, silent auction, and raffle. Cost is $100 per shooter, $50 for non shooters. For more information, contact Adam Weleba at 805-975-8170.
     APRIL 18-19 CONCEALED CARRY WEAPON COURSE: A 16-hour California Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) course is being offered by Firearms Training Associates at Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises this Saturday and Sunday. Cost is $180 per person. This course meets the state requirement for 16 hours of training to qualify for a CCW (not valid in San Bernardino County). Contact FTA at 714-701-9918 or 877-544-4867 for information about this class or the remaining 2009 schedule. The web site is www.ftatv.com.
     APRIL 19 SAN DIEGO DAY AT THE DOCKS: The 30th annual Day at the Docks, hosted by the charter sportfishing fleet at the San Diego-based landings, will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 19, at the San Diego sportfishing landings, Harbor Drive and Scott Street, Point Loma. The free event will allow visitors to board most of the 70 sportfishing boats moored at the landings and there will be tackle displays, antique tackle collections, historical displays, and seminars on San Diego-based ocean fishing. For more information, go to www.sportfishing.org.
     APRIL 25 SOUTH NEVADA FRIENDS OF THE NRA FUND-RAISER: The South Nevada Friends of the National Rifle Association will have its annual fund-raising dinner beginning 5 p.m. Saturday, April 25, at Sam’s Town Casino,5111 Boulder Highway, Las Vegas. Tickets are $75 for adults, $50 for kids 12 and under. For more information, contact CCS Guns at 702-365-1732 or via e-mail at ccsguns@worldnet.att.net.
     APRIL 25 OCEANSIDE PADDLEFEST AND FISHING DERBY: The inaugural Oceanside Paddlefest will be held Saturday, April 25, in Oceanside Harbor. The event will feature a kayak fishing derby with a $500 first place prize and on-the-water demos of Hobie kayaks and outrigger canoes, vendor displays, seminars, and raffles with all proceeds benefiting the Hubbs White Seabass Research Institute. For information, contact OEX Oceanside at 760-721-6195 or online at www.oexoceanside.com.
     APRIL 25 DANIEL HERNANDEZ YOUTH FOUNDATION FUND-RAISER: The Fouth Annual Daniel Hernandez Youth Foundation Kick-Off Fund-raiser will be held Saturday, April 25, at the Seal Beach Yacht Club. Since its inception, the Youth Foundation has held over 100 free freshwater and saltwater fishing events for inner-city kids, giving over 20,000 youngsters their first fishing experiences. Tickets are $25 and they are available on-line at www.danskids.com or by calling 562-865-3764.
     MAY 1-3 WATER-FOR-WILDLIFE WORK PROJECT: The Mojave Preserve Water-for-Wildlife Volunteer Group will have a guzzler repair project in the Lanfair Valley area of the Mojave National Preserve May 1-3. Food will be provided two evenings and two mornings, but everyone should bring camping gear, water, firewood, food or lunch and snacks, and gloves. For more information and directions to the camp site, contact Cliff McDonald at 760-326-2935 or via e-mail at bigmc@citlink.net.
     MAY 9 HOG HUNTING A TO Z SEMINAR: There will be a six-hour compendium wild hog hunting class at Bass Pro Shop, Rancho Cucamonga, beginning 10 a.m., Saturday, August 23. The $75 seminar will be conducted by Durwood Hollis, hunting book author and public land hog hunting expert, and Ron Gayer, a long-time hog hunting guide at the Tejon Ranch. For information and to register, call Hollis at 909-605-3719.
     MAY 9 NORCO HUNTER SAFETY CLASS: A one-day, 10-hour certified hunter safety class will be held at Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises, Norco. Classes are required for all first-time California hunters before a hunting license can be purchased. Cost is $35 per person. The remaining 2009 class dates are June 13, July 11, Aug. 15, Aug. 22, Aug. 29, Aug. 30, Sept. 12, Oct. 3, Oct. 10, Nov. 7 and Dec. 12. Sign-ups are taken at all Turner's Outdoorsman stores. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981.
     MAY 14 ORANGE COUNTY CALIFORNIA WATERFOWL FUND-RAISER: The Orange County Chapter of the California Waterfowl Association will have its 4th annual fund-raising dinner beginning 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 14, at Po Folks Restaurant, 7701 Beach Blvd., Buena Park. Dinner tickets are $55 per person. For information, contact Frank Theodoropoulos at 714-227-3304.
     MAY 16-17 BIG BEAR LAKE MAY TROUT CLASSIC: The 26th Annual Jim Hall Memorial May Trout Classic will be held at Bear Bear Lake the weekend of May 16-17. Sponsored by The Fishing Association of Big Bear Lake, the event provides funding for annual trophy trout plants, artificial habitat structures, conservation projects, and tournaments for designated species. For more information, call 909-585-4007.
     MAY 16-17 ONTARIO GUN SHOW: The Crossroads of the West Ontario Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 16, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 17, at the Ontario Convention Center, Ontario. Admission is $10. The next Ontario gun show will tentatively be Oct. 24-25. Information, directions, and $1 off coupons available at www.crossroadsgunshows.com.
     MAY 23 HUBBS SEAWORLD WHITE SEABASS TOURNAMENT: A white seabass fishing tournament will be held Saturday, May 23 to benefit Hubbs SeaWorld Research Institute (HSWRI). This trophy tournament is designed to raise money and awareness benefit HSWRI, the non-profit organization that has released more than 1.4 million juvenile white seabass into California coastal waters over the past 25 years. There will be five divisions of competition. For information on the tournament or awards luncheon the following day, visit www.HSWRI.org or contact Karen Terra at 619-226-3870.
     MAY 30-31 BIG BEAR LAKE FISHING FOR 50K TROUT DERBY: The Fishing for 50K Trout Derby will be held the weekend of May 30-31 at Big Bear Lake. The event will feature 10 tagged trout, with the top fish worth $50,000 if caught during the two days of the event by a registered angler. Entry fee is $35 for adults, $20 for anglers 15 and under. For more information or to register, call the Big Bear Lake Resort Association at 800-424-4232 or go to www.BigBear.com.
     JUNE 5-7 SHOOTING SPORTS FAIR: The Raahauge’s Shooting Sports Fair will be held Friday, June 5, through Sunday, June 7, at Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises in Prado Basin. This is the only hands-on event open to the public where you can shoot virtually all of today's firearms. All major arms makers are present. Shooting exhibitions and hunting seminars all three days of event. Hours are none to 6 p.m. Friday, June 5; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 6; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 7. Admission is $12 for adults, parking $5. Friday women admitted free. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981.
     JUNE 6-7 BIG BEAR LAKE CARP ROUND-UP: The 6th Annual Carp Round-Up bowfishing tournament will be held at Big Bear Lake the weekend of June 6-7. Cash prizes for most carp poundage taken over two days. Entry fee is $40 per two-person team and there are shoreline and boat categories. The event has turned into a rivalry between Southern California and Arizona bowfishermen. For more information, contact Mike Stephenson at 909-866-5796 or go to www.bbmwd.org.
     JUNE 6-7 COSTA MESA GUN SHOW: The Crossroads of the West Costa Mesa Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 6, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 7, at the Orange County Fair and Event Center (Orange County Fairgrounds), Costa Mesa. Admission is $10. The next Costa Mesa gun shows will tentatively be Aug. 15-16 and Nov. 28-29 (Thanksgiving weekend). Information, directions, and $1 off coupons available at www.crossroadsgunshows.com.
     JUNE 6-7 VENTURA GUN SHOW: The McMann’s Roadrunner Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 6, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 7, at Seaside Park, Ventura. Admission is $9. The next Ventura gun shows will be Sept. 12-13 and Nov. 7-8. Information, directions, and $1 off coupons available at www.mcmannsroadrunner.com.
     JUNE 13 NORCO HUNTER SAFETY CLASS: A one-day, 10-hour certified hunter safety class will be held at Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises, Norco. Classes are required for all first-time California hunters before a hunting license can be purchased. Cost is $35 per person. The remaining 2009 class dates are July 11, Aug. 15, Aug. 22, Aug. 29, Aug. 30, Sept. 12, Oct. 3, Oct. 10, Nov. 7 and Dec. 12. Sign-ups are taken at all Turner's Outdoorsman stores. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981.
     JUNE 20-21 BAKERSFIELD GUN SHOW: The Central Coast Gun Shows Bakersfield event will be held Saturday and Sunday, June 20-21 at the Kern County Fairgrounds, Bakersfield. The next dates for the Bakersfield gun show include Sept. 5-6 and Nov. 21-22. Information at www.centralcoastgunshows.com or call 805-481-6726.
     JULY 11 NORCO HUNTER SAFETY CLASS: A one-day, 10-hour certified hunter safety class will be held at Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises, Norco. Classes are required for all first-time California hunters before a hunting license can be purchased. Cost is $35 per person. The remaining 2009 class dates are Aug. 15, Aug. 22, Aug. 29, Aug. 30, Sept. 12, Oct. 3, Oct. 10, Nov. 7 and Dec. 12. Sign-ups are taken at all Turner's Outdoorsman stores. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981.
     JULY 16 RIVERSIDE QUAIL UNLIMITED FUND-RAISER: The Riverside Chapter of Quail Unlimited will be hosting its annual fund-raising dinner beginning 6 p.m., Thursday, July 16, at Vince’s Real Italian Spaghetti Restaurant, 1206, W. Holt Blvd., Ontario. Cost is $25 per person. For information or reservations, contact Ron Gibbons at 909-902-9814 or via e-mail at gibbent@gte.net.
     JULY 18 YOUTH SAFARI DAY: Help expose youngsters who've never had a chance to experience the outdoors by rounding up neighborhood kids, inviting single moms, and bringing your own clan to the 14th Annual Youth Outdoor Safari Day, where they can learn to fish, rock climb, shoot .22s and shotguns, kayak, make quail calls, and identify wildlife. Registration begins at 7 a.m., Saturday, July 18 at Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises in Norco. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981.

CALENDAR RESOURCES

     For a complete list of HUNTER SAFETY CLASSES held throughout the state, including times, dates, and locations, go to the Department of Fish and Game’s web site at this address: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/huntered/classes.aspx.
     For the rules and regulations on GRUNION RUNS, along with a complete schedule and the expected times of the runs, go to this web site address: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/gruschd.asp

CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS

     The following is a list of hunting, shooting, and fishing clubs and organizations in Southern California with contact information and regular meeting dates:
     976-TUNA ROD AND REEL CLUB: The 976-Tuna Rod and Reel Club meets 7 p.m. the first Thursday of each month at Bass Pro Shops, Rancho Cucamonga. At the December meeting a free trip to Palmas de Cortez in Baja will be given away. Contact Phil Friedman at 310-328-8426.
     CALIFORNIA STATE VARMINT CALLERS ASSOCIATION: The California State Varmint Callers Association meets 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at the Denny's just north of the 210 freeway at Irwindale Ave., Irwindale. Contact Steven Childs at 626-407-8826 or steve@sdchilds.com. Web site: www.csvca.com.
     CANYON OAKS SPORTSMAN’S CLUB: The Canyon Oaks Sportsman’s Club meets the first Tuesday of every month at it’s clubhouse in Lakeview Terrace-Sylmar. The club has regular trap, skeet, smallbore, big bore, handgun, and Cowboy Action shooting events. Contact Gary White at 818-998-7240, Mike Totta at 818-362-2181 or Mike Nickoloff via e-mail at idpamike@yahoo.com.
     CERRITOS ROD & GUN CLUB: The Cerritos Rod & Gun Club meets the second Wednesday of each month at Heritage Park in Cerritos. Contact Charles Sharp at 714-317-8290 or fish_90605@yahoo.com.
     CLUB FISH: Club Fish, a 20-year-old fishing club, meets 7:30 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at the Izaak Walton League Clubhouse, Santa Ana. The clubhouse is located at the entrance to Riverview Gold Course. Contact Mike Cross at 949-854-5258 or m_r_cross@yahoo.com.
     DEEP CREEK FLY-FISHERS: Deep Creek Fly-Fishers meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at the Izaak Walton League clubhouse in Fairmont Park, in Riverside. Go to www.deepcreekflyfishers.org to download a map to the club house. Contact Brett Browning at 909-793-8912.
     HIGH DESERT FLY-FISHERS: The High Desert Fly-Fishers holds its monthly meetings on the second Thursday of each month at The Apple Valley Fire Conference Center, 19235 Yucca Loma, Apple Valley. Contact John Rose at 760-247-5966.
     HIGHLAND PARK SPORTSMEN'S CLUB: The Highland Park Sportsmen's Club meets at 8 p.m. the first and third Wednesday of each month at 2035 Colorado Blvd., Los Angeles. Contact Mauro Garcia at 323-254-0763 or incareal@juno.com.
     NATIONAL VARMINT HUNTERS: The National Varmint Hunters meets 7:30 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at the Veterans of Foreign Wars club located on Grand Avenue, just west of 17th Street, Santa Ana. Contact Mark Harris at 714-655-6954 or mhitis1@yahoo.com or Terry Mathers at 714-299-9938 or coyote@jps.net.
     NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION (INLAND EMPIRE CHAPTER): The Inland Empire Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation meets 6:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month at Bass Pro Shops, 7777 Victoria Gardens Lane, Rancho Cucamonga. Contact David Halbrook at 760-694-1191 or nrajrc@msn.com.
     NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION (ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER): The Orange County Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation meets 6 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at The Firing Line, 17921 Jamestown Lane, Huntington Beach. Contact Pat Ryan at 714-373-3688 or Casey Rasmussen at 714-377-5859.
     ORANCO BOWMEN: The ORANCO Bowmen meet the second Tuesday of each month at the club range, 17504 Pomona Rincon Rd., Chino (Euclid Avenue one block north of the 71 freeway). The range is open to the public on Sundays 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 909-597-7582. Web site: www.oranco.org.
     ORANGE COUNTY BASS CLUB: The Orange County Bass Club meets 7 p.m. the third Monday of each month at the Garden Grove Elk's Lodge. Contact Steve Pendergast at 949-651-8172 or prendergasts@netzero.com.
     PLUNGE CREEK COWBOYS: The Plunge Creek Cowboys, a new Cowboy Action Shooting club in the Inland Empire, has shoots the third Saturday of each month at the Inland Fish and Game range on Orange Street in East Highlands. Authentic or replica firearms and garb required. Information: www.plungecreekcowboys.com.
     PREDATOR CALLERS OF ORANGE COUNTY: The Predator Callers of Orange County meet 7 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month at the Denny's restaurant, 7490 Edinger Ave., Huntington Beach. Contact Rickey Macy via e-mail at rickmacey@juno.com.
     QUAIL UNLIMITED (HIGH DESERT CHAPTER): The High Desert Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 6 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at the Apple Valley Gun Club. Contact Cruz Garcia at 760-949-6334 or fathercruz@verizon.net.
     QUAIL UNLIMITED (ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER): The Orange County Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month at the Izaak Walton League Clubhouse (located at the entrance to Riverview Golf Course) in Santa Ana. Contact Craig Riedel at 714-282-1194 or criedel@mflex.com.
     QUAIL UNLIMITED (RIVERSIDE CHAPTER): The Riverside Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 7 p.m. the second Thursday of each month at Prado Olympic Shooting Park, 17501 Pomona Rincon Road, Chino (one block west of Euclid, just off the 71 freeway). Contact Ron Gibbons at 909-902-9814 or gibbent@gte.net. Web site: www.quriverside.com.
     QUAIL UNLIMITED (SAN DIEGO CHAPTER): The San Diego Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 6:30 p.m. the third Thursday of each month at DFG Headquarters at 4949 Viewridge Rd., San Diego. Contact David Preddy at davidpreddy@cox.net or visit www.sdqu.org.
     QUAIL UNLIMITED (SAN GABRIEL VALLEY CHAPTER): The San Gabriel Valley Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 6 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at Triple B Clays in El Monte. Contact Tim Bovard at 866-206-9070, ext. 6715 or sgvqu@onebox.com.
     REDONDO ROD & GUN CLUB: The Redondo Rod & Gun Club meets 8 p.m. every Thursday of every month at its own clubhouse. The club has promoted hunting, fishing, sport shooting and the outdoors since 1948. The clubhouse is located at 2023 Vanderbilt Lane, Redondo Beach. Contact 310-379-7772.
     RIVERSIDE VARMINT CALLERS: The Riverside Varmint Callers meet 7 p.m. the last Saturday of each month at Flo's Country Kitchen, Riverside. Contact Lance Cochrane at 909-919-4309 or Ray Gauthier at 951-785-4986. Web site:www.californiavarmintcallers.com/chapters.html/.
     SAN DIEGO SPORTING DOG CLUB: The San Diego Sporting Dog Club meets 7 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at the Animal Medical Center, 600 Broadway, El Cajon. Contact Steve Sarmiento at 619-659-9393 or sssarmi@sbcglobal.net.
     SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA VARMINT CALLERS ASSOCIATION: The Southern California Varmint Callers Association meets 8 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month at the Denny's Restaurant at Pioneer Blvd and Imperial Highway in Norwalk. Contact Granville Crow at 310-548-6221 or crowshot1@cox.net or Skip Gildner at 562-900-9020 or mtnhigh5@excite.com.
     TEMPLE CITY SPORTSMEN: The Temple City Sportsmen meet the first Thursday of each month at the Temple City Civic Center in Temple City. Contact Jim White at 626-201-7782 or TCSPresident2006@yahoo.com.
     TURNER'S OUTDOORSMAN ROD AND REEL CLUB: The Turner's Outdoorsman Rod and Reel Club meets 7 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at Marie Calendar’s Restaurant, 2300 Foothill, Pasadena. Contact Richard Crowe at 626-960-9610.