Official Newsletter of Marina Del Rey Anglers fishing club April, 2020

The Shut Down

Dear Anglers, The COVID-19 Epidemic emergency and the shut down of our business and social connections to pre-emptively fight the epidemic, is noble and all, but it sure does suck! Most of us have been in our homes for weeks now. A few have essential jobs and are working.

Up and down the coast fishing, is mostly shut down. Thankfully, the County of LA has left Marina Del Rey’s boat ramp open. A few of our intrepid members, with small boats, have been out solo fishing. For the rest of us, it is their photos on our Facebook Group that satisfies our lust for fishing. Thanks guys for posting your fishing pics! ( https://www.facebook.com/groups/MDRAnglers/ )

Our MDRA Board of Directors had its Thursday, April 2nd board meeting via a group phone call and it was very likely the shortest meeting on record. We delayed or canceled stuff and need to take a “Wait and See” position on almost everything.

The 45th Annual MDR Halibut Derby is Delayed

Date TBD Fall of 2020

Youth Fishing Program 2020

Closed The YFP Committee of MDRA is taking the high road of protecting the health and safety of the many mentors and is going to shelve the 2020 season, in total. It requires up close and personal interac-tion with many children, from all over Los Angeles, and it can be a strategic risk to anyone in the vulnerable age group. Due to uncertainty about the duration and severity of the pandemic, the YFP Com-mittee is taking the high road to protect the health of all YF Program Participants.

We Will Be Back!

Table of Contents: Pg 2 - Angler Of the Year Pg 3 - Tuna Charter Pg 4 - White Seabass Released Pg 5 - Vets Fishing Pg 8 - History of the WSB Pens Pg 9 - Weight Slip Pg 10 - Calendar

2019—Sampler

Some of the awesome fish that got Stephan all the points needed to crush the 2019 angler competition.

From Swordfish in Louisiana to local Tuna and Halibut.

Quality Weight Slips!

Congratulations to the 2019

Angler of the Year, Stephen Bohrer

Stephen Bohrer and wife Stacy

$725 NonMembers

$685 Member Price

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Mail checks to: Marina Del Rey Anglers, Inc., PO Box 11915 Marina Del Rey, CA 90292

Even after the Covid-19 shut down, the Fish were very well cared for. Volunteers still showed up every Day!

The DFG scientist came on Monday, April 6th, tested them and approved the aprox. 3,600 fish for release!

On Tuesday we ran out of food and had to release them right away. That is how big and hungry they were!

WSB Chair, Keith Moret and his crew of helpers, went to the WSB Pens on Tuesday, April 7th at 6 pm to release them with a good big tide swing, plus a Pink Moon. It was a cloudy, gray and rainy day but that did not deter the men who showed up. All turned to and lent a hand. The gates were lifted and the juvenile fish were shooed out of their safe little home into the wilds of MDR harbor.

As luck would have it, we had no sea lions in the area to harass the fish at all. With the rains and the shut down, it is very unlikely that local fishermen will catch many of them while they are young and still in the harbor area. Sometimes they are misidentified as sea trout or corbina. Local food/sustenance type fishermen do not know that these little beauties are White Seabass. Some sport anglers catch them and pose with them for photos. Too much handling will hurt and over stress them. We now know just how tender they are. Any handling and they will lose scales and be weakened. This makes them easy prey to predators that abound in our local waters.

This batch of White Seabass were some of the biggest and healthiest we have released in recent years. They were 12 to 14 + inches long and some had big shoulders like a calico bass.

The fish needed to be encouraged to leave their home. Just like any teenager, they were a little reticent to go out and make their way in the wild world. We think that they’re off to a very good start!

Torrin (Kent) Anderson Damon Bloom Ray Smith Julio Galiano Mike Blenk Wayne Rosenberg

Stewart Epstein Aaron Rey Jeremy Ulrick Nick Acosta Phil Brooks Matt Wolf

We stayed as safe as the work conditions allowed. It was wet from the rain. Very satisfied smiles are under all those masks.

MDRA/Larry Brown Veterans Fishing Program by Fisherman Phil Bell

What an amazing 4 years. The veterans fishing program started with a comment from an angler on one of Larry Brown’s long range trips. The guy asked Larry if he could contribute to a program that would take Vets fishing. Larry really liked the idea but could not find anyone to coordinate the event. I heard Larry discussing the idea on a long range trip and volunteered to organize a trip. Larry prom-ised to fund it from the raffle proceeds from his charters. I was friends with Chaplain Dov Cohen who lived at CalVet on the West L.A. VA. campus. Chaplain Dov was very enthusiastic and was very helpful kick starting the program and introducing us to all the departments at the VA.

The first trip caused an explosion of enthusiasm! All the VA Health and Service Departments wanted to offer their vets a fishing trip. Larry and I met with supervisors of several Vet programs including New Directions, DDTP, PRRC, Cal Vet and the Domiciliary to determine interest level and to negotiate the terms of the fishing trips. The supervisors and recreational therapists at the meeting thought the Vets in their programs would love a day of ocean fishing and they were right.

Larry and MDRA leadership met and together they agreed to co-sponsor up to 4 trips a year. The fol-lowing year LARRC heard about the program and wanted to co-sponsor 4 trips a year. The Board ap-proved the trips and Steve Simon volunteered to lead the program. The vets love the trips, the VA loves the trips; our volunteers love the trips. The trips have been documented in the Federal VA Newsletter and a VA doctor was quoted as saying these trips are the most effective form of recrea-tional therapy the vets have. Each year the leadership groups from MDRA and LARRC meet with the leadership of the VA groups to schedule dates and remind them of the division of responsibilities be-tween the VA groups and the fishing clubs. I represent MDRA but have been joined by Tom Jonynas, Keith Moret and other MDRA leaders, and of course Steve Simon from LARRC is joined by their top tier representation. Frequently Captain Mike joins these meetings. Each year Larry submits a Form

1393 with the Department of Fish and Wildlife to secure a Free Group Fishing Permit which is exclusively available to nonprofit groups hosting veterans with service related disabilities on fish-ing trips.

Larry and Captain Mike of the Betty-O contractually agree to the price and terms for these trips. Thanks Mike and Patty for your generous offering and great service, which includes all fishing gear, bait, breakfast, lunch, beverages, fish filleting and gratui-ties. MDRA Kids Trips were already happening on the Betty O,

and Mike had taken Vets fishing in years past.

The first year Vets came exclu-sively from the CalVet residential program and the number of par-ticipants was small. At the be-ginning of the second year The Betty O had 15 to 25 Vets on each trip in addition to supervi-sors and volunteers. The volun-teers came from MDRA and LARRC. Then LARRC and Larry Brown also agreed to co-sponsor 4 additional trips. The Long Beach Vet Blind Program and

the Vet Golden Agers joined in the third and fourth years. The Betty O was packed with Vets, Su-pervisors, and Volunteers on each of the eight trips during the year. The age range of the Vets was 30 to 90. each with their own special stories. The volunteers really enjoy helping the Vets and teaching them fishing techniques. After one of the trips, a Vet thanked each volunteer and told them that it was the best recreational day he had since he came back from Afghanistan. Another vet came on the boat close to mental comatose being unable to speak with any civilian who hadn’t experienced the same horrors of war in which he had endured. At first he just sat on the bench with his head between his legs. Half way through the trip he succumbed to the laughter and en-couragement of his fellow vets and the volunteers and picked up a rod. When he started catching fish he began smiling and laughing. Larry was able to engage him in a conversation. The VA Super-visor was amazed and said that was this vets first face to face conversation with a civilian in 2 years. He said it was a miracle.

Captain Mike, Patty, and the Betty O crew have done a superlative job of helping to make each of the four MDRA trips a success. William Davis do-nates 50 to 100 lbs of home style Chicago chicken sausage that he cooks up himself for Vets breakfasts. I am so thankful and proud of MDRA and our volun-teers and I know they share my pride and gratitude for the opportunity to serve our vets.

Larry and MDRA have recommitted to funding the Veterans fishing programs this year and hopefully for many years to come. Larry and MDRA have agreed on a long term goal to establish a self perpetuating MDRA Veterans Fishing Legacy Fund. Larry is trying to build up the MDRA Veterans Fishing Bank account with raffle proceeds from his long range charters,

Repeat after me... “Fishing Kills Caronavirus”

We can be positive and assume that drinking a cold Carona while getting a big healthy dose of Vitamin D, in the sunshine, can't hurt either. And we need that fresh addition of healthy protein to add to the dinner table fare at home. Take whoever you are "Sheltering In Place" with. Or, fish alone. See the safety guidelines as published. At present the MDR Launch Ramp is Open. So you can give it a try. Follow any reasonable requests by the Sheriff or Life Guards. We want them to keep it open for all of us. Be Safe!

grants, generous donations and support from MDRA members and other community mem-bers. Until this program is self funding from interest and dividends Larry and MDRA are sharing the costs of 3 of these trips and a fourth trip may be possible if MDRA and I can find and approve the funds to pay for it, approximately $1,500. Any members wanting to donate to support a 4th trip or who can find a sponsor for the 4th trip would be amazing.

Because of Covid-19 restrictions the April 22nd trip has been postponed. The June 17th trip is questionable and will depend upon health and safety recommendations at that time. There are still trips planned for October 21st and December (optional trip). This schedule might change due to the postponements. MDRA, Larry, and I will keep the membership informed and updated.

The MDRA/Larry Brown Vets Fishing Program has come a long way since its inception four years ago. When condi-tions permit, “we shall return” with even greater enthusi-asm and dedication to honor our veterans with a wonder-ful day of fishing on the Betty O. This link takes you to the heartwarming photos from some of our veterans trips: Click for Vets Fishing.

Tips for Riding out the COVID-19 shut down

Treat your family and friends to a Phone Call. Re-Connect.

If possible, use Facetime, Zoom, GoToMeeting, Skype, etc. to see them too! Those smiles matter!

Find the “Silver Lining” while inside your home to fix and sort and lube up your reels. Give a dose of WD-40 on those rusty lures and plyers.

Practice the knots you use and the ones you rarely use. There is a YouTube for that knot!

Get a couple of masks and cloth face coverings. Wash them regularly. If you can see sun light through it, double it up for Covid-19 protection.

By now, we all know the importance of loving family, a friend, a nurse, a home cooked meal, and a Trucker. Practice Gratitude.

Marina Del Rey Anglers, Inc.

Conservation News –

A history of the MDRA’s White Seabass Pens

In 1991 after seeing how successful the salmon rearing pens were working in the Pacific North-west, I looked into doing something similar in MDR. Several respected local “experts” (Rimon Faye and Capt. Frenchy) said fish could not be reared in MDR because of the bad water quality. There was a new white seabass rearing pen in Ventura and I met the guy in charge, Jim Donlon. He encouraged me to get involved with the United Anglers who, in partnership with Hubbs Research, were pushing a white sea-bass program. Jim from Ventura helped me design the first pen. The MDR Anglers fully supported the idea but could not fund the build. ($10,000) I contacted our County Supervisor and Head of Beaches and Harbors and got their support to park the pen at Bur-ton Chace Park. They were partly motivated to give us their support because they needed to refute the allegations of bad water in the Marina. The county was paying to have annual fish census trawls in the marina. While there was an assortment of fish in the census there were no white seabass ever caught. Before we could start building, we had to find donors, which we did. The largest donation was a $5000 grant from the LA County Fish and Game Commission. Before we could build I had to get the plans ap-proved by the Building Department, Beaches and Harbors, the Calif. Coastal Commission and the Army Corps of Engineers. The approvals took over 18 months to obtain because this was the first project of its kind in LA

County. The Boat Yard agreed to let us build and launch the pen in their yard at no cost. Club members

donated their skill and time to fabricate parts and assemble the pen. The pen was towed to the Park in

early 1995 and the fence and roof were installed.

By Bob Godfrey

Photocopy and cut as needed. Send in to the Weighmaster via Mail or Fax or Scan and Emaill

Via Email send to Randy at R.Sprout@ATT.net and please CC Info@MDRAnglers.com

Please fill in all information legibly. Also send in Photos of the Fish and the Scale showing the weight especially if it is a contender for trophy or club honors! Print names under witness signatures for released fish like marlin etc. Weight slips must be submitted within 30 days of the catch.

Marina Del Rey Anglers, Inc.

PO Box 11915

Marina Del Rey, CA 90295 www.MDRAnglers.com

Marina Del Rey Anglers OFFICIAL WEIGHT SLIP

Mail to: Randy Sprout 2015 N. Serrano Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90027 Or Fax to: 323-462-8489 Or Email: R.Sprout@ATT.net

Date: ______________ Angler Member: _______________________________ Address: _______________________________ _______________________________ Phone: _______________________________ Fish Species: _______________________________ Tackle/Line/Test _______________________________ Time Hooked: __________ Time to Boat: ___________ Location: _______________________________ Boat: _______________________________ Captain: _______________________________ Length: _______

Weight of fish: _____________ Girth: ________ [ ] Released? (length & Girth) Weight Station: ___________________________________ (witness 1) Weighmaster (Sig.) ____________________________ (Witness 2) Angler’s (Sig.) _______________________________ ALL FISH MUST BE WEIGHED AT A RECOGNIZED WEIGH STATION OR ON A CERTIFIED SCALE. FOR A RELEASED MARLIN LENGTH & GIRTH (requested) PLUS SIGNATURES OF TWO WITNESSES (required). Photo on Scale requested.

Contender for: [ ] FOM [ ] COM [ ] First [ ] Biggest [ ] Club Points

Marina Del Rey Anglers OFFICIAL WEIGHT SLIP

Mail to: Randy Sprout 2015 N. Serrano Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90027 Or Fax to: 323-462-8489 Or Email: R.Sprout@ATT.net

Date: ______________ Angler Member: _______________________________ Address: _______________________________ _______________________________ Phone: _______________________________ Fish Species: _______________________________ Tackle/Line/Test _______________________________ Time Hooked: __________ Time to Boat: ___________ Location: _______________________________ Boat: _______________________________ Captain: _______________________________ Length: _______

Weight of fish: _____________ Girth: ________ [ ] Released? (length & Girth) Weight Station: ___________________________________ (witness 1) Weighmaster (Sig.) ____________________________ (Witness 2) Angler’s (Sig.) _______________________________ ALL FISH MUST BE WEIGHED AT A RECOGNIZED WEIGH STATION OR ON A CERTIFIED SCALE. FOR A RELEASED MARLIN LENGTH & GIRTH (requested) PLUS SIGNATURES OF TWO WITNESSES (required). Photo on Scale requested.

Contender for: [ ] FOM [ ] COM [ ] First [ ] Biggest [ ] Club Points

Notice to Members Ralphs shoppers! You have a Rewards Card Right? Are you participating in the Ralphs Rewards Community Contribution Program. Re-Register with the program every September 1, and a percentage of your purchases will be donated to the club. Donations are growing thanks to members that participate. It’s easy!

Marina Del Rey Anglers P O Box 11915 Marina Del Rey, CA 90295

To:

May 14 General Membership Meeting & Halibut Seminar ( Canceled )

June 4 Board Meeting ( Club Directors )

June 11 Fishing Membership Meeting ( Possible Charter of Betty O )

July 2 Board Meeting ( Club Directors )

July 9 General Membership Meeting ( Fly Fishing—Jeff Compton ? )

August 13 General Membership Meeting (?)

Sept. 10 General Membership Meeting & Halibut Seminar (John S will chair)

TBD (Aug?) (Sept 18-19)

? ?

45th Annual MDR Halibut Derby

( Fall - Depending on Park Availability)

Sept 25-27 Tomahawk Charter - Club Tuna Trip (Reserve your spot with Keith L.)

Pull out your Ralphs Rewards card Go to www.ralphsrewards.com

Community Program section

Look for #93124 MARINA DEL REY ANGLERS

Ordering from Amazon?

Start your shopping at the “Smile” link please. Then link to our MDRA rewards!

https://smile.amazon.com/

Your MDRA membership card is good for discounts at

Best Tackle 4915 Rosecrans Ave, Hawthorne Islands Tackle 21809 N Avalon Blvd, Carson Killer Shrimp 4211 Admiralty Way, MDR

Did you get your membership card yet?

Help us to raise some funds