Columnist Paula DelGiudice: Anglers get a boost from fish trucks

Following the fish trucks to the spots where they're releasing rainbow trout seems to be where the fishing action is in Southern Nevada. The Nevada Division of Wildlife is stocking trout weekly and anglers (and striped bass) are capitalizing on the efforts.

Areas stocked on Lake Mead include: B-5 Cove, Hemenway Harbor, Pumphouse Cove, the causeway at Pyramid Island and Government Wash. Fishing has been good across from Cottonwood Cove on Lake Mohave following fish plants. Reports coming in from NDOW indicate that anglers casting AC Plugs are catching some huge fish.

An angler recently took a 47-pounder across the lake from Cottonwood Cove and other anglers have reported taking fish from 25 to 48 pounds.

The ice is off other lakes and reservoirs in Southern Nevada, such as Eagle Valley and Echo Canyon. Though the fishing is usually quite good following ice-out, fishing at most reservoirs is only rated as "slow." The recent spurt of warm weather ought to help angling action pick up a bit.

NDOW reminds anglers that Dacey and Tule reservoirs and the upper portions of Adams-McGill, Cold Springs and Haymeadow reservoirs at the Wayne E. Kirch Wildlife Management Area are now closed to fishing. These areas are closed each year from Feb. 15-Aug. 15 to allow birds to nest without being disturbed.

* BRYAN WILL BE MISSED: Although I join the countless others who have written about the departure of Richard Bryan from the U.S. Senate, he will be missed by all who care about wildlife and wild places -- especially those in Nevada.

I had the opportunity to work with Sen. Bryan in a couple of arenas over the years. While he was governor, I was president of the Nevada Wildlife Federation and the organization named its annual conservation awards the "Governor's Conservation Awards Program," largely as a result of Bryan's interest. He prided himself on being a former board member of NvWF and never missed an annual meeting.

After he was elected to the Senate, he worked on many pieces of legislation that were important to the environment on a national level, including its auto fuel efficiency legislation and passing the conservation titles on the Farm Bill, protecting Midwest potholes that provide important habitat for our nation's waterfowl.

When in Washington, it was Bonnie Bryan who would graciously say, "Call me at home, we'll go have lunch while you're here." She has grown in her role with so much style and grace.

The good news about Bryan not seeking reelection is that it will be good to see them on this side of the Potomac for a change.

* GETTING SHEEPISH: Previously set auction records were shattered during the recent convention of the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep in Reno. Auctions held last weekend generated $2.3 million that will go toward the conservation of wild sheep in North America.

Sportsmen and women are most interested in the hard-to-come- by special permits that are available through auction at FNAWS conventions. This year the high bid of $330,000 went for a Rocky Mountain bighorn tag from Alberta, British Columbia, Canada. Bighorn tags in Montana and Colorado brought $130,000 and $93,000, respectively. The Arizona desert sheep tag went for $125,000. For those looking to the other end of the scale, the least expensive was a Utah moose tag that went for $7,250. There were no Nevada tags available in the auction.

More than 160 items including hunting trips and choice wildlife art also were auctioned. FNAWS reports that 85 to 100 percent of the auction proceeds go directly to state and provincial wildlife management agencies. Since 1977, special permits alone have provided more than $13 million for the wild sheep of the United States and Canada.

* HIKE IT: The weather promises to be wonderful this week and there are several excellent programs to enjoy at Red Rock.

On Friday, bring the family for a three-mile moderate hike from Ash Springs to the Calico Hills. Learn more about the poisonous desert dwellers in a two-mile hike on Saturday into Sandstone Quarry. For those who have been part of the "high energy" informational hikes, the fourth in that series is set for Saturday. The hike will take a close look at the small inhabitants of the Canyon on a 3.5-mile moderate trip along three of the newer trails.

On Sunday, bring the family for an easy two-mile hike in the White Rock area to learn about snakes, scorpions, bats, tarantulas and Gila monsters. Also on Sunday there will be a four-mile moderate hike to learn about the burros of Red Rock. Reservations are required for all hikes. Call 363-1921.

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