It was good seeing so many kayakers at the meeting tonight.

No sign of Turko. :D

The meeting tonight was very informative and I'm glad I spent some of my time at work today filling out my two MPA comment papers.

On a side note, after spending some time talking to Billy tonight, rest assured, he isn't bullying anyone around. As soon as he starts using the "you's guys" and "badda bing badda boom" phrases, that's when you need to worry! :eek:

Evan

Thanks for everyone who attended tonight, it was good seeing familiar faces, and meeting new kayakers to the sport!

If you are near the next roadshows, please attend, talk with RSG, DFG, inform yourself, write out which proposals you favor, **Cough** FIN A, and the ones that will devistate Kayak fishing **Cough** Lapis 1.

chris

It was cool getting to talk to Mr. Wiseman for 20 or so minutes. It felt good to vent a little even tough I know the guy is a total politician. Smile grin, smile grin! I like the part when Jim Sammons told him that it should have never come this far, this place is a circus. That got old Wiseman's goat. It was good seeing all of you. I won't be as subtle as Chris.

Yes on proposal A

No on Lapis 1

TL-Moyer

Just got home.
It was a very productive meeting. Several of us got to spend quality time speaking with RSG members who were unfamiliar with out plight.

-The outcome of that may lead to a favorable adjustment to the proposed location of the Lapis 1 MPA at La Jolla. One which Kayakers, Spearos, and Surf Fisherman can live with.

There was also a lot of discussion and information exchanged about an MPA North of Scripps Pier. Our wants and needs do not seem to conflict with the terms of a reserve in that location.
-It would not preclude us from fishing for pelagic or bait from Scripps Pier and heading North.

These RSG Members were receptive to making the aforementioned adjustment to the Lapis 1 Reserve SMR2 (La Jolla)

I will let Tyler explain more.

Thanks Tyler, Corey, Kurt, et. al. for the close support during that discussion. There was a good representation of Kayak/Spearo members.

Big Thanks to Everyone

It was fun...nice to have pleasant discussions with the people who are so closely involved in the process, and for the most part I found that they were very receptive to listening to our needs and explaining their positions and the reasoning behind them.

We, as kayakers and spearos, represented ourselves as a very informed yet concerned group, and after speaking to a couple of the BRTF members, they understood our concerns and actually sought out our opinions and possible compromises for different areas...may be all for naught, but I tend to think of the glass as half full.

This was so unlike earlier meetings, where you could speak and be heard, but not get explanations or answers.

I encourage people close to the next meeting sites to attend.

Very informative, and they seem to want to hear your take on why and how closures of certain areas would affect you...

Matt even went the extra distance, showed up in his clean, you know I am the HEAD CHEF garb:you_rock:, ready to cook up some grub...:sifone:

More like break your line!
 

Come On Johnny, Spit the Hook. lmao

Don't get your panties in a bunch, just show up and write out your public comment like the rest of us. (sheesh) some guys just don't get it.

Your money is not going to cut it at this point. Remember this is a Public Based Process, they want Your Input, not your money.
---------------
On my way to Girls Gone Wild. :)

If my money is not going to cut it...are you telling me all the other donors money won't count either! Remember BULLY that you guys asked for the money! You guys put on the events! You guys asked to write letters!

Just for the record here are the names of the people I addressed my letters to. (just a few)

Dan Pellissier, Dep. Cabinet Secretary, Office of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
Members, Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture
Senator Darrell Steinberg
Senator Dennis Hollingsworth
Senator Dean Florez
Senator Denise Ducheny
Senator Bob Dutton
Assemblymember Karen Bass
Assemblymember Sam Blakeslee
Assemblymember Noreen Evans
Assemblymember Jim Neilsen
Mike Chrisman, Natural Resources Secretary
Members, Fish and Game Commission
http://zone.artizans.com/images/previews/GRA392.300.jpg
OK now I am over this! :cool:
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Guys, please let's get past the bickering here, perhaps, words were taken out of context. I am sure if all parties involved spoke in person, there would be none of this tit for tat.

Everything helps, donating to PSO, writing letters, educating your fellow anglers, attending roadshows, and meetings. Do what you can do, it all is worthy.

Please take this kind of stuff to PM's, it is divisive, when we all need to unite, not only as kayakers, but with spearos, and PBers.

thanks,

chris

Wow so I am banned?? hahahaha Rad!!! I wanna see someone tell me I can't fish LJ cuz I got stuck at work until 8pm on my birthday and couldn't attend a meeting that would be fun!:biggrinjester:


Fellas if you feel your doing your part smile and sit back and know that your doing your part! If you have to miss a meeting because you were stuck at work until 830pm or you can't because of family obligations or just obligations in general that's OK! I attended several meetings even as far as Oxnard, I have sent money, I have written letters etc... I don't think Billy or Tman or Tyler or Chris or myself et.al meant any harm or meant to intimidate you, they are just trying to raise awareness that is all. The "bully" tactics are just a way to bring attention to the issue I doubt that any one of these guys is hating on any fellow fisherman because he missed a meeting especially if it was due to family or work or just not being able to drive 3 hours.


Do what you can and it will be appreciated, if you can do more than you are currently doing...try and do it. Malibu Johnny if you feel your doing what you can, realize that the comment wasn't directed to you or anyone in particular it was more a general statement to try and motivate!! No harm was intended I am sure by any party. To everyone in general please don't stop your efforts in any form no matter how small or how big it all helps!!

Now smile, write a letter and ditch work and go get some fish!!!:sifone:

Matt, you always put a bad situation in it's proper perspective. Kudos to you.

Thanks Matt. Well said.

What some missed in the posts is we are trying to get people to take notice and get involved. Too many fisherman are too apathetic right now when they really need to be involved. Complaining after the closures are done won't get us anywhere. We need to add our constructive comments now, especially at events like this where they specifically ask for our participation.

Happy Birthday Matt. I wouldn't want to go through that open house on my birthday either.

Happy Birthday Matty:cheers1:.

Your not allowed to fish LJ anymore. Work is no excuse:the_finger:.

Moy-Moy

The kayak and sprearo contigent continues to be the one of (if not THE) most well-represented faction at these meetings as far as I can tell. Threads like this are why. Billy did not look like a bully to me...but you never know. :rolleyes:

Keep it up but if the numbers that could be there were there - well, it would go ten times more in our favor. For those attending these workshops up north - they are EASY.

There will be two types of forms: one general comments form & proposal/location specific ones. Be very specific & constructive with your comments. If you must, vent a little but give everyone something to work with. Try and stay within the guidelines that they must adhere too, and voice your opinion on the areas that matter most to you.

Type this all out before you go. My hand practically seized up I'm so used to a keyboard. Staple it to the comments form and submit. If you are short on time you can be in & out in just a few minutes, but I encourage you to talk to the reps...for both sides. There is a lot of middle ground to be won.

Laguna is TONIGHT.:)

This is an excellent advice for the people shore on time, I am cutting and pasting it on the northern sites. I recommend talking with as many people and "pitch" kayak fishing, and its launch/safety constraints, low impact, etc, etc.... However, if you seriously only have a 5 minutes, you can just drop off a written/typed statement.

chris

The RSG Members want to speak with you.

-In most cases they are accommodating and strive to reach a middle ground that everyone can live with.
That was my experience last night after speaking with a few RSG Members.
Not everyone, but certainly a few.

Remember, these are the people that are drawing the Maps, and cast the Votes.
Its my advice to concentrate your efforts with the attending RSG Members. Especially members who represent Maps that affect your area.

Kayak Fisherman and Spearos have been recognized as a standout group of respectful and conservationist minded people. It is along these lines where we must continue.

One RSG Member at a time.

I talked to the guy for a while too. Remember that Seinfeld episode about the "close talker?" That's this guy for sure. Thought he was gonna try to kiss me at one point- he was that close. Very informative, and a guy who seems like he wants to meet in the middle. By the way has anyone played up the safety issue in terms of making kayakers go further out in our skimpy cratf? I did. I also suggested there be "incentives" for more eco friendly means of fishing like us. You can only hold so many big fish on a boat with a 350lb capacity, we don't leak fuel, we don't damage kelp......

Very good point. I brought up those same issues of 0 to Low Impact that we have, and the fact the majority of us aren't out to fill our sacks, just bring home dinner, same thing the spearos do. Can only hold so many fish on a stringer, or on a kayak.

Another thing to bring up that was well received...by closing the accessible launches, it would make kayakers venture out from areas that aren't manned (no LG's). The safety factor comes into play should the weather turn nasty and one being in an area where a swift rescue is not possible, being too far from LG stations equipped to deal with rescues.

Good points you made CurtyL....:cheers1: