FORT BRAGG, Calif. – California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Mendocino Unit is closing the “Trestle Trail” between Camp 8 and JDSF Road 1070 on Jackson Demonstration State Forest (JDSF) to mushroom picking and other recreational activities, effective immediately.

This trail will be closed until the end of the rainy season, as a precautionary measure in an attempt to slow the spread of Phytophthora ramorum, the invasive pathogen that causes Sudden Oak Death.

Additionally, all JDSF campgrounds have closed for the season and seasonal roads will be closed to vehicular traffic by Oct. 14. Seasonal roads are closed to protect them from damage during wet weather.

Information regarding Sudden Oak Death on JDSF or the closures is available at the Cal Fire Fort Bragg office located at 802 N. Main St., Fort Bragg, telephone 707-964-5674 during the following hours: Monday from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and Tuesday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to noon.

Information also is available online http://calfire.ca.gov/resource_mgt/resource_mgt_stateforests_jackson.php .

Multiple uses of JDSF for a wide variety of activities that benefit the public, the economy and natural resources are what our demonstration forests are all about.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – The California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Advanced Hunter Education Program is sponsoring a Wilderness First Aid clinic Nov. 16 at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area in Yolo County.

Alex Van, a 30-year veteran firefighter/paramedic, will instruct this exciting clinic that will provide hands-on training designed to meet the needs of outdoor enthusiasts and individuals who plan to hunt in remote locations.

Topics will include the treatment of cuts, broken bones, burns and gunshot wounds, as well as first aid kits and basic survival equipment to have on hand.

The clinic will provide the knowledge, skills and ability to make sound decisions in wilderness emergency situations.

The clinic will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 16. The cost is $65 for adults. Youths 16 years and younger are free, but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Space is limited and advance registration is required. Registration forms are available online at www.dfg.ca.gov/huntered/advanced/index.aspx .

After registering, participants will receive an email with a map to the facility and a list of items to bring. CDFW’s Advanced Hunter Education Program will provide all necessary class equipment.

Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area is located three miles east of Davis and three miles west of West Sacramento, directly off Interstate 80.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – FLW College Fishing is headed to Clear Lake Oct. 12-13 for the Western Conference Invitational tournament.

Forty-five college teams have qualified for this tournament and will be competing for a top award of $4,000 and a berth in the 2014 FLW College Fishing National Championship.

“Clear Lake is my favorite lake in the country,” said Chevy pro Jay Yelas, who also works closely with Oregon State University’s fishing team. “I love everything about Clear Lake. I love the way it’s set in the foothills of the mountains, I love the giant bass in it and I love that it’s got all different kinds of structure.

“I’ve fished there a lot this time of year,” continued Yelas. “October is a good month on Clear Lake. The weather is usually stable and the fishing is excellent.

“I’ve found they school up in the fall. They’re not everywhere, but when you find the fish there are lots of them,” said the Corvallis, Ore., pro. “Because of that, the lake tends to fish a little smaller in October than other times of the year. But the fishing is still really good.

“There are shallow patterns on the north end of the lake,” continued Yelas. “There will be fish around grass and boat docks, and they’ll be catching them on topwater baits, flipping and on shallow crankbaits. But there are some deeper fish on the south end of the lake. Jigs or swimbaits on deeper rock piles can be really good.

“That’s typically how tournaments are won in October,” continued Yelas. “There are lots of fish in the north end, but in October it’s typically won on deeper fish.

“But, if you don’t know the lake you don’t want to be looking for the rockpiles and stuff offshore on the bottom of the lake. It takes a long time to figure out exactly where those are. I would tend to fish the north end around the boat docks and grass. That’s what I would suggest to someone who hasn’t seen the lake before.”

Yelas predicted that the winner would bring in about 38 pounds over the course of two days. “I don’t predict that with much conviction, though. More often than not Clear Lake will surprise you on the upside.”

Anglers will take off from the Konocti Vista Casino Resort and Marina located at 2755 Mission Rancheria Road in Lakeport, Calif., at 7:30 a.m. each day. Weigh-ins will be held daily at the Konocti Vista Resort and Casino starting at 4 p.m. on Saturday and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. Takeoffs and weigh-ins are free and open to the public.

Schools competing in the Clear Lake tournament, which is hosted by the Konocti Vista Casino Resort and Marina, include:

• Arizona State University – Austen Schmalz, Mesa, Calif., and Bobby Fletcher, Gilbert, Ariz.
• Arizona State University – Tyler Gaab and Daniel Kahoun, both of Chandler, Ariz.
• Cal Poly – John Zeolla, Oak Park, Calif., and Kyle Greenlaw, San Luis Obispo, Calif.
• Chico State – Kevin Chen and Koulton Westbrook, both of Vacaville, Calif.
• Chico State – Michael Braswell, Chico, Calif., and Bo Harkins, Walnut Creek, Calif.
• Chico State – Nick Carrico, Oroville, Calif., and Andrew Loberg, Rocklin, Calif.
• Colorado State University – Austin Young, Parker, Colo., and Alex Stuart, Fort Collins, Colo.
• Colorado State University – Benjamin Robey and Michael Harpell, both of Fort Collins, Colo.
• Colorado State University – Chris Sabina, Fort Collins, Colo., and Zachary Zasada, Greeley, Colo.
• California State University-Monterey Bay – Andrew Sjostrom and Joshua Smith, both of Seaside, Calif.
• California State University-Monterey Bay – Sebastian Resendiz and Matthew Diaz, both of Castroville, Calif.
• California State University-Long Beach – Alex Cox, Long Beach, Calif., and Justin Gangel, Huntington Beach, Calif.
• California State University-Long Beach – Alfredo Gutierrez, Inglewood, Calif., and Alex Pisarski, Costa Mesa, Calif.
• Eastern Washington University – Nick Barr, Cheney, Wash., and Jarred Walker, Westerville, Ohio.
• Fresno State – Dustin Franco, Hollister, Calif., and Cory Kerber, Kerman, Calif.
• Fresno State – Joseph Piedimonte, Salinas, Calif., and Shai Van Gelder, Fresno, Calif.
• Fresno State – Kong Moua, and Cynthia Vang, both of Fresno, Calif.
• Humboldt State University – Christopher Childers, McKinleyville, Calif., and Erich Coulter, Arcata, Calif.
• Humboldt State University – Graeme Lock, Arcata, Calif., and Derrick Hicks, Lincoln, Calif.
• Nevada State College – Justin Landerman and Josh Gullo, both of Boulder City, Nev.
• Northern Arizona University – Daniel Vine and Andrew Cates, both of Flagstaff, Ariz.
• Oregon State University – Ryan Bell and Colton Thomas, both of Corvallis, Ore.
• Oregon State University – Zach MacDonald, Willits, Calif., and Ryan Sparks, Gearhart, Ore.
• Oregon State University – Zach Martinez, Linden, Calif., and Derek Mathes, Corvallis, Ore.
• Sacramento State – Jeff and Greg Taluban, both of Sacramento, Calif.
• Sacramento State – Jeremy Wallimann and Joe Perna, both of Sacramento, Calif.
• Sacramento State – Thomas Kanemoto, Elk Grove, Calif., and Kyle Derbish, Sacramento, Calif.
• San Jose State University – Jake Newby, San Jose, Calif., and Andrew Sumi, Hercules, Calif.
• San Jose State University – Anthony Lee, San Jose, Calif., and Travis Bounds, Roseville, Calif.
• San Jose State University – Adam McAndrews, Santa Clara, Calif., and Cody Wilson, Newark, Calif.
• San Jose State University – Russyl Soto, Elk Grove, Calif., and Patrick Friedman, San Jose, Calif.
• Sonoma State University – Brendan Castro, Lafayette, Calif., and Brandon Fischer, Rohnert Park, Calif.
• Sonoma State University – Ernest Gorham, Rohnert Park, Calif., and Adrien Briens, Carlsbad, Calif.
• University of California-Davis – Christopher Beck, Diamond Springs, Calif., and Michael Manas, Carmel Valley, Calif.
• University of California-Santa Cruz – Jason Coslovich, San Jose, Calif., and Tyler Brownell, Santa Cruz, Calif.
• University of Colorado-Colorado Springs – Justin Solverson and Peter Decker, both of Colorado Springs, Colo.
• University of Nevada-Reno – Brandon Cramer, Petaluma, Calif., and Anthony Milano, Reno, Nev.
• University of Oregon – Kaitlin Tanner, Eugene, Ore., and Eric Lee, Mather, Calif.
• University of the Pacific – Garrett Brown, Stockton, Calif., and Siddhartha Nag, Cupertino, Calif.
• University of the Pacific – Ryan Tsuda, Gilroy, Calif., and Sean Widger, Tracy, Calif.
• University of Wyoming – Michael Barbero, Arvada, Colo., and Tyler Stingley, Laramie, Wyo.
• University of Wyoming – Tyler Webber, Powell, Wyo., and Taylor Armstrong, Laramie, Wyo.
• Utah Valley University – Aaron Warner, Orem, Utah, and Cathleen Martinez, Spanish Fork, Utah.
• Utah Valley University – Weston Brierley, Orem, Utah, and Seth Hausman, Sandy, Utah.
• Utah Valley University – Zachari Taylor, Hansen, Idaho, and Tate Brown, Midway, Utah.

FLW College Fishing teams compete in three qualifying events in one of five conferences – Central, Northern, Southern, Southeastern and Western.

The top 15 teams from each regular-season tournament will qualify for one of five conference invitational tournaments.

The top 10 teams from each conference invitational tournament will advance to the 2014 FLW College Fishing National Championship.

College fishing is free to enter. All participants must be registered, full-time undergraduate students at a four-year college or university and members of a fishing club recognized by their college or university.

For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the EverStart Series on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/FLWFishing .

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has released a draft environmental impact report (DEIR) for a conservation fish hatchery to assist with the restoration of salmon runs in the San Joaquin River.

The proposed site of the new Salmon Conservation and Research Facility (SCARF) is located in Friant in Fresno County and adjacent to the San Joaquin River approximately 1.1 miles downstream of Friant Dam.

The project, which is part of the San Joaquin River Restoration Project (SJRRP), proposes to release juvenile salmon from the facilities starting in 2015.

The DEIR describes how salmon would be collected and bred, using modern genetic management techniques to ensure genetic diversity that will produce traits that are beneficial in the wild, while minimizing impacts to the donor salmon populations.

It also contains information on planned fisheries management within the plan area, among other information on environmental impacts.

An interim conservation facility is located at the site of the future SCARF and would be incorporated into the SCARF.

The DEIR can be found at http://www.dfg.ca.gov/regions/4/SanJoaquinRiver and is in circulation for a 45-day comment period that will end Nov. 21, 2013.

Public meetings will be scheduled during that time in Fresno and Sacramento, as follows:

• Fresno, Nov. 4, 6-8 p.m., at the California Retired Teachers Association Building, 3930 E. Saginaw Way, Fresno.
• Sacramento, Nov. 6, 6-8 p.m., at the Department of Health Care Services and Department of Public Health Building, 1500 Capitol Avenue, Sacramento.

Comments may be made during the public meetings or by submitting them to CDFW, Attn: Gerald Hatler, SCARF Draft EIR Comments, 1234 E. Shaw Ave., Fresno, CA 93710 or by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The San Joaquin River Restoration Program arose from a settlement in 2006 among the federal government, environmental groups and water users.

CDFW and other state entities agreed to assist in implementation of the settlement agreement pursuant to a memorandum of understanding between the state agencies and the settling parties.

The San Joaquin River, California’s second longest tributary, was the site of one of the state’s most populous salmon fisheries.

Historically, over a half million spring run Chinook salmon may have migrated up the San Joaquin River. The spring and fall runs of returning Chinook salmon were eliminated after the construction of the Friant Dam in 1942.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Game Bird Heritage Apprentice Junior pheasant hunt will take place on Saturday, Nov. 2, at the Highland Springs Recreation Area near Lakeport.

The event is cosponsored by the Konocti Rod and Gun Club and the Lake County Rod and Gun Club.

The deadline to apply is Wednesday, Oct. 16.

Apply online at www.wildlife.ca.gov or call 916-374-9137.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The EverStart Series is headed to Clear Lake Oct. 10-12 when as many as 300 pros and co-anglers take to the water for the final event of 2013 in the Western Division.

The Clear Lake event is presented by Mercury Marine.

“Clear Lake is one of the top five lakes in the country,” said Chevy pro Jay Yelas. “It’s just a cool place to be – with the California weather, the water is nice and clear and it has got all the hills around it.

“October is a good month on Clear Lake,” continued the Corvallis, Ore. pro. “I’ve found they school up in the fall. So the lake tends to fish a little smaller in October.

“They’re around the bait this time of year,” said Yelas. “There will be big schools of them in the grass beds. There’s a lot of bait in the grass. On the lower end, a lot of steeper banks will have bait on them, and you can go up and down a 200-yard stretch all day long and keep catching fish.”

Yelas speculated that hollow belly swimbaits, topwater frogs, flipping and shallow crankbaits would be productive in the north end of the lake while swimbaits, deep crankbaits and jigs would be important for the deeper fish in the southern part of the lake.

“I’d say it will take at least 20 pounds per day to win,” said Yelas. “The thing about Clear Lake is that you always have to temper your predictions because of the fact that it’s Clear Lake and any given day somebody could catch 35 pounds.”

Anglers will take off from the Konocti Vista Casino Resort and Marina located at 2755 Mission Rancheria Road in Lakeport at 7:30 a.m.

Weigh-ins will be held daily at the Konocti Vista Casino Resort and Marina beginning at 3 p.m. Takeoff and weigh-in are free and open to the public.

Pros will fish for a top award of $40,000 plus a Ranger Z518 with a 200-horsepower Evinrude or Mercury outboard if Ranger Cup guidelines are met.

Co-anglers will cast for a top award consisting of a Ranger Z117 with 90-horsepower Evinrude or Mercury outboard and $5,000 if Ranger Cup guidelines are met.

The EverStart Series consists of five divisions – Central, Northern, Southeast, Texas and Western. Each division consists of four tournaments and competitors will be vying for valuable points in each division that could earn them the Strike King Angler of the Year title, which allows them to fish the 2014 Forrest Wood Cup.

The EverStart Series tournament on Clear Lake is being hosted by the Konocti Vista Casino Resort and Marina.

For complete details and updated information visit www.FLWOutdoors.com .

For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the EverStart Series on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/FLWFishing .