04-15-2008, 12:07 AM
The 24th renewal of the Stockton RV & Boat Show opens at 10 a.m. Thursday at the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds.
On display in the 50,000 square feet of indoor space are fishing boats, ski boats, fishing tackle, outdoors equipment and travel destinations, as well as "how-to" fishing seminars. The show runs through Sunday.
Promoter Bob Hawkins said recreation vehicles are the foundation of the show.
"Attendees will be met with RVs of all shapes, sizes and models as they enter the fairgrounds," he said. "We offer a wide selection of new and used RVs, as well as toy haulers, travel trailers, fifth wheels, mini motorhomes, vans and Class A motorhomes."
Hawkins said the show is the only one of its kind between Sacramento and Fresno to serve sportsmen and women who reside in the Sierra foothills, San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties.
"We serve a population base that exceeds 1.5 million people," he said.
Angling legend Jay Sorensen has arranged a lineup of fishing experts who will give free, continuous seminars from 11:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. daily.
"Our focus will be teaching people about methods for catching fish in the Delta - striped bass, sturgeon, largemouth bass and salmon," Sorensen said. "We'll also be talking about issues that threaten our fishing heritage, such as the all-time low indexes of striped bass and salmon, and our state legislature that has been ineffective in protecting our natural resources."
In addition to Sorensen, seminars will be given by fishing guides Mark Delnero, Stan Lewis and Randy Pringle, who doubles as a fishing instructor at Delta College.
Show hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday through Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday. Admission is $5 for adults, $1 for youth 6 to 12 and free for kids under 6, with free admission Thursday to seniors 65 and over and Friday to anglers who hold a 2008 California sport fishing license. Parking is free. The main entrance is off Airport Way.
IInformation: Hawkins, (209) 956-2111 or rvboatshow.com.
Lake reopens
Salt Springs Valley Reservoir, set in the Sierra foothills between Copperopolis and Milton, reopened recently for fishing and camping. The shallow impoundment is known for its largemouth bass fishery, comprised of Texas and Florida strain bass, and dense populations of runfish.
"Runoff from winter rain raised the water level 10 feet, so we were able to accommodate the public," concessionaire Mark Nunes said. "Currently, we're just 4 feet below spilling."
Salt Springs is relatively small, covering 1,200 surface acres, and is the oldest reclamation reservoir in the state, constructed in 1856. Amenities include 24 campsites, a store, a boat launch and a courtesy dock. Day-use fees are $15 per vehicle and $5 per boat. Salt Springs Valley is 45 minutes east of Stockton off Highway 44 on Rock Creek Road.
Information: Nunes, (209) 785-2974.<br />
Coastal goose hunt
A special late-season hunt for Aleutian Canada geese opens Saturday and runs through March 10 in Humboldt and Del Norte counties. The limit is six of the diminutive geese a day, 12 in possession. Hunting is allowed on public coastal wetlands and on private lands, with permission.
Although considered a threatened species in the 1990s, Aleutian Canada goose populations have increased so dramatically they have become a nuisance to local cattle and dairy ranchers. Thousands of the birds depredate fields this time of year, necessitating the hunt.
Information: Pro Sports in Eureka, (707) 443-6328 and outdoorheritage.org.
Contact outdoors columnist Peter Ottesen at pottesen@recordnet.com.
On display in the 50,000 square feet of indoor space are fishing boats, ski boats, fishing tackle, outdoors equipment and travel destinations, as well as "how-to" fishing seminars. The show runs through Sunday.
Promoter Bob Hawkins said recreation vehicles are the foundation of the show.
"Attendees will be met with RVs of all shapes, sizes and models as they enter the fairgrounds," he said. "We offer a wide selection of new and used RVs, as well as toy haulers, travel trailers, fifth wheels, mini motorhomes, vans and Class A motorhomes."
Hawkins said the show is the only one of its kind between Sacramento and Fresno to serve sportsmen and women who reside in the Sierra foothills, San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties.
"We serve a population base that exceeds 1.5 million people," he said.
Angling legend Jay Sorensen has arranged a lineup of fishing experts who will give free, continuous seminars from 11:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. daily.
"Our focus will be teaching people about methods for catching fish in the Delta - striped bass, sturgeon, largemouth bass and salmon," Sorensen said. "We'll also be talking about issues that threaten our fishing heritage, such as the all-time low indexes of striped bass and salmon, and our state legislature that has been ineffective in protecting our natural resources."
In addition to Sorensen, seminars will be given by fishing guides Mark Delnero, Stan Lewis and Randy Pringle, who doubles as a fishing instructor at Delta College.
Show hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday through Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday. Admission is $5 for adults, $1 for youth 6 to 12 and free for kids under 6, with free admission Thursday to seniors 65 and over and Friday to anglers who hold a 2008 California sport fishing license. Parking is free. The main entrance is off Airport Way.
IInformation: Hawkins, (209) 956-2111 or rvboatshow.com.
Lake reopens
Salt Springs Valley Reservoir, set in the Sierra foothills between Copperopolis and Milton, reopened recently for fishing and camping. The shallow impoundment is known for its largemouth bass fishery, comprised of Texas and Florida strain bass, and dense populations of runfish.
"Runoff from winter rain raised the water level 10 feet, so we were able to accommodate the public," concessionaire Mark Nunes said. "Currently, we're just 4 feet below spilling."
Salt Springs is relatively small, covering 1,200 surface acres, and is the oldest reclamation reservoir in the state, constructed in 1856. Amenities include 24 campsites, a store, a boat launch and a courtesy dock. Day-use fees are $15 per vehicle and $5 per boat. Salt Springs Valley is 45 minutes east of Stockton off Highway 44 on Rock Creek Road.
Information: Nunes, (209) 785-2974.<br />
Coastal goose hunt
A special late-season hunt for Aleutian Canada geese opens Saturday and runs through March 10 in Humboldt and Del Norte counties. The limit is six of the diminutive geese a day, 12 in possession. Hunting is allowed on public coastal wetlands and on private lands, with permission.
Although considered a threatened species in the 1990s, Aleutian Canada goose populations have increased so dramatically they have become a nuisance to local cattle and dairy ranchers. Thousands of the birds depredate fields this time of year, necessitating the hunt.
Information: Pro Sports in Eureka, (707) 443-6328 and outdoorheritage.org.
Contact outdoors columnist Peter Ottesen at pottesen@recordnet.com.