Just a rumor, but I hear that the clamming may be spared from the MLPA for now. I hope that it's true. As I hear it, Point Reyes and Bodega Head are out, but that was expected. Remember, Point Reyes National Seashore is obviously centered on Point Reyes and the Bodega Bay Marine Laboratory is on Bodega Head. It's probably not coincidence. It makes me thankful that the University of the Pacific Marine Station in Dillon Beach closed up in the early 80's. Knowledge is good, but I like to fish too.

Nothing going with the fishing I'm afraid. Dungeness is still slow, but a gentleman dropped off a new crab pot puller at the Lawson's Landing shop to be installed on his boat since he heard "on good authority" that there were crabs out in 250'. Big crabs. Five crabs to fill a five gallon bucket if I heard the story correctly. I personally haven't caught five crabs this season, but the story has got me thinking about giving it a try. The red crab are still doing well at least, especially if you try when the tides are slow.
On another note, the MLPA Public Workshops are coming up. The closest one to Lawson's Landing is at the Sheraton Sonoma County, 745 Baywood Drive, Petaluma, at 6:00PM on February 4th. We will get to see maps of the proposed closed and restricted areas and comment on them in a very calm and well-managed manner, likely with big easels and large felt markers to write down our feelings. Plainly, it will suck, but you can't complain if you don't contribute. Also, we know they're taking Point Reyes away. We know they are also taking alot from Bodega Head. The exact lines, though, are yet to be determined. That is what we need to be there for. Maybe we can save the cove on this side of Point Reyes for halibut fishing. Maybe we can save that 60' high rock off the point as well. I'm also hoping to save the clamming areas just south of Lawson's. A man needs some way to burn off his frustration at the spring wind and digging in the mud is as good as any I've found. Anyway, I'll be there. Hope you will too.

Nothing much to report as far as landings of fish or crabs go, just the usual red crab in the bay and off the pier and a very few dungeness from outside, mostly down off Ten Mile, and only one boat is going there when the weather occasionally allows. On the MLPA front there are public meetings for comments on the closure areas coming in February. They are tentatively scheduled for evenings on the 4th, 5th, and 6th in Gualala, Bodega Bay and Half Moon Bay. If you can't make it or just need to vent some frustration you can write a note here : http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mlpa/publiccomments.asp There is a link near the top of the page. NOTE: Questionable language will not get posted and probably won't get the results you want. Beyond that, let 'em know how you feel. Otherwise, happy holidays and may tackle comprise a significant portion of your presents.

Beautiful weather this weekend, some swell yesterday but flat today, east breeze and high 60's temps. The red crab are biting but the dungeness are still few and far between. Some sharks being caught near Hog Island, not much else going on. At least it's pleasant sitting on the beach.

The oil has not come here and is not expected to reach Tomales Bay in any sizable quantity, so Fish and Game has allowed fishing and crabbing in the area north of Point Reyes, including Dillon Beach and Lawson's Landing. Early reports of Dillon Beach being closed due to oil were plain wrong. That being said, if you visit us in the next few weeks please be aware that a few oiled birds have flown here from the spill area and if you see on oiled bird please report it to the gatehouse workers or the at the store by the pier so help can be arranged. As far as numbers of dungeness crab being caught, those numbers are very few. The commercial crabbing effort will be more concentrated in this area due to the closures to the south, so the few dungeness being caught will likely get fewer. Red crab numbers are OK, especially if you have a boat and work the other side of the bay or along the edge of the eelgrass beds.