Final weekend before retirement

[Sleeter]

I though I had already retired from fish politics - well at least the MLPA - but I was asked to go down south and talk to the PSO on Saturday. I gave them a little power point presentation that I had put together and then we had a discussion about where they were headed. After our meeting I headed up to LAX for a meeting with the "FIN" group (CFC is a big part of this). This is a group of fishing interests that was put together with funding from RLFF to work along side the RSG process. The meeting was a real eye opener for me as those guys seem to really like marine reserves. Without getting into any details I will tell you guys this - be thankful for where we are up here. Aside from the abalone impact on the north coast (and I do not want to trivialize that) we did really well up here. I think we put together a good blueprint for other regions. The funny thing is that blueprint is being completely ignored. I sure am glad I do not have to deal with this again. Sitting in that meeting on Sunday had me feeling frustrated and sick to my stomach all over again.

[nosympathy]

go fishing

[LotsaLuck]

Retire Brother, you deserve it.

[Rich Navarro]

I though I had already retired from fish politics - well at least the MLPA - but I was asked to go down south and talk to the PSO on Saturday. I gave them a little power point presentation that I had put together and then we had a discussion about where they were headed. After our meeting I headed up to LAX for a meeting with the "FIN" group (CFC is a big part of this). This is a group of fishing interests that was put together with funding from RLFF to work along side the RSG process. The meeting was a real eye opener for me as those guys seem to really like marine reserves. Without getting into any details I will tell you guys this - be thankful for where we are up here. Aside from the abalone impact on the north coast (and I do not want to trivialize that) we did really well up here. I think we put together a good blueprint for other regions. The funny thing is that blueprint is being completely ignored. I sure am glad I do not have to deal with this again. Sitting in that meeting on Sunday had me feeling frustrated and sick to my stomach all over again.

I would think sitting in any of those meetings would make me feel that way.... I am glad you were a part of it although I feel bad for you on the amount of time you had to personally spend on this. Thanks for being a part of it. Retire from it as soon as you can. I think our fishing adventures will be elsewhere in the near future. I heard Salmon might be closed until 2013.. WTF If I hear it's official I'm getting rid of my interest in my boat.

[Pacific Hooker]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACIS1inmjFc"]YouTube - The Sopranos: Sil does Pacino[/ame]

[SBD]

I heard from Paul, that he was very appreciative of your visit. Last week turned out to be the week of the last hoorah! Good job.

Now...what ARE we going to fish for??? Dinos? Largemouth? Let me know!

[FINSEEKER]

You've shown some incredible didication there Sir.

[Sleeter]

Sean, I only wish I could go out the way you did! In fact, if I get motivated enough I just might come out of retirement to pitch one final inning. I promise that if that happens I will make it well worth it!

You know how we talk about how sitting in those meetings actually makes you sick - physically? Well get this... Those feelings started coming back sitting in the "FIC" meeting Sunday. On my flight home I knew something was not right. I made it through the flight but as soon as I got in the terminal I knew I was terminal. I saw a sign for the crapper, made a mad dash, and barely made it in time to heave all over a urinal. OK, so that surprised me since I have not puked in probably 5 years. I thought I was feeling better, got on the bus to the parking garage, got off the bus, lost it again in front of a crowd of people....five times. Nothing like puking your guts out in public to bring about a little humility. Maybe it was the flu, maybe food poisoning... But I think I'll stick with blaming it on the piece of shit MLPA.

Yes, now we need to fish. I am ready for sturgeon, bass, sanddabs...shit anything at this point. I was thinking of heading up to Chabot and trolling for 'bows this weekend. Have not done that in years...