Title: PFIC 2nd Annual Christmas Dino Hunt
Location: TBD (Check PFIC for details)
Link out: Click here
Description: You KNOW you want a sturgeon steak to go with your turkey. Date has been set for Saturday 12/19/09. Location has yet to be determined, will figure that out in a week or so, but save the date now!! There will be food, soft drinks,Coffee, and a raffle. Food will be free, but I will be asking for donations. Raffle tickets will be $1.00 each. All $$ from food donations and raffle will go to benefit UPSAC. We had a good turnout last year, hoping for a better one this year!! Stay tuned for info.
Date: 2009-12-19

Title: Pierfishing Derby & Fundraiser
Location: Redondo Sportfishing Pier
Link out: Click here
Description: Our next pierfishing derby is Dec. 19th at Redondo Sportfishing Pier from 9AM to 1PM to benefit UPSAC’s outreach and conservation efforts. Not only will you be helping a worthy organization, it’ll be a chance to meet your fellow pier rats and to engage in some friendly competition. There’s no food for the event so you’ll have to bring your own lunch, but we’ll have a raffle for some nice prizes. In addition, we’ll be handing out 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place trophies to the winners. So please click the link to sign up and let us know if you’ll make it!
Start Time: 09:00
Date: 2009-12-19
End Time: 13:00

Having sat through several of the South Coast MLPA meetings, I’m feeling drained.  Countless hours of sitting through public testimony, hearing extremists fabricate stereotypical untruths on how fishing is totally devastated along our coast, and trying to keep up with SAT guidelines (none of which would be given ample time to be properly disputed, even by those on their own team).  By the end of it, my brain was feeling like scrambled eggs.  But I’m sure my participation is nothing compared to the sacrifice of those who served on the Regional Stakeholders Group.  Paul Lebowitz was one of those stakeholders and he represented the public’s fishing interests–read his lastest blog post on Western Outdoor News.  Here’s a sobering snippet:

What else should we expect when private money funds public policy? The MLPAI staff served their paymasters rather than the people of the state. The MLPA law itself would not be the problem if it were enforced as written. It’s supposed to cost the state $250,000 a year, not $25 million or more. Point the finger at those who hijacked it.

Read more…

UPSAC and Ken Jones’ book Pier Fishing in California were recently plugged in an article by James Swan at ESPN Outdoors.  Thanks for the mention!

Folks are so serious about pier fishing out here that they have even formed an organization United Pier and Shore Anglers of California.

Pier fishing is cheap, fun, and rewarding. That’s what recreation is all about, especially when the economy is as rough as the waves crashing in around the Pacifica Pier when there’s a strong onshore breeze. And if you want the bible for pier fishing in California, it’s Ken Jones’ Pier Fishing In California.

UPSAC has many opportunities to volunteer and one of our upcoming projects is to teach kids about ethical angling, habitat and species identification, and stewardship of our precious ocean resources. It’s a way to keep at-risk kids off the streets and in a positive and productive environment. Starting in early 2010 in the Los Angeles area, we’ll be working with the Boys and Girls Clubs of the South Bays and we need mentors who will give a few hours each month (specific dates coming soon). Areas of responsibility include:

• transporting kids to/from Club locations
• preparing nutritious snacks for kids
• setting up fishing rods
• providing fishing instruction for kids
• providing information on the surrounding habitat
• teaching kids about conservation and recycling
• cleanup

Don’t fish?  No worries!  Mentors aren’t required to have any fishing experience at all (a fishing expert will always be present).  Your presence and participation in these kids’ lives is what really matters!

Fill out the form to join UPSAC (there aren’t any dues–it’s just how we keep in touch with you) and let us know what area you can help out with.  We’ll send updates on our program as the event gets nearer and also to see when you’d be available.

Title: Pierfishing Derby & Fundraiser
Location: Venice Pier
Link out: Click here
Description: Our next pierfishing derby is Nov. 21st at Venice Pier from 9AM to 1PM to benefit UPSAC’s outreach and conservation efforts. Not only will you be helping a worthy organization, it’ll be a chance to meet your fellow pier rats and to engage in some friendly competition. There’s no food for the event so you’ll have to bring your own lunch, but we’ll have a raffle for some nice prizes. In addition, we’ll be handing out 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place trophies to the winners. So please click the link to sign up and let us know if you’ll make it!
Start Time: 9:00 AM
Date: 2009-11-21
End Time: 1:00 PM

Ken Jones, President of United Pier and Shore Anglers of California (UPSAC) and International Game Fish Association (IGFA) Trustee Michael Farrior have announced plans to expand on the successful “IGFA Young Anglers Tournaments” that have been held in San Diego over the past seven years. Sponsored primarily by the IGFA and the San Diego Sportfishing Council, coordinated by IGFA Representatives Catherine Miller and John Campbell, and assisted by anglers from UPSAC and other groups, the Kid’s Fishing Derby at Shelter Island—and those at several other San Diego Bay piers (and one lake)—have been an unqualified success. Read more…

Title: Pierfishing Derby & Fundraiser
Location: Cabrillo Pier
Link out: Click here
Description: We’re planning a pierfishing derby Oct. 24th at Cabrillo Pier from 9AM to 1PM to benefit UPSAC’s outreach and conservation efforts. Not only will you be helping a worthy organization, it’ll be a chance to meet your fellow pier rats and to engage in some friendly competition. There’s no food for the event so you’ll have to bring your own lunch, but we’ll have a raffle for some nice prizes. In addition, we’ll be handing out trophies to the winners (rules coming soon). So sign up and let us know if you’ll make it!
Start Time: 09:00
Date: 2009-10-24

As United Pier and Shore Anglers of California (UPSAC) nears the end of 2009 it may be good to review our accomplishments of the past few years as well as look forward to the plans for 2010. UPSAC efforts have primarily been involved with four types of events—grant funded projects, educational classes, advocacy for pier and shore fishing, and various Get Togethers. In addition there is the on-going project at Goleta—the Goleta Pier Angler Center. Read more…