Local game warden Chad Alexander wins "Officer of the Year" award
The Department of Fish and Game announced this week that local warden Chad Alexander will be the recipient of its statewide DFG law enforcement "Officer of the Year" award for 2009. In addition, he will also receive the prestigious "Pogue-Elms Award", given by the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies as its own Officer of the Year honor covering all of the western states.

The DFG's Chief of Patrol Nancy Foley said, "These awards are given to an officer who has exhibited exceptional leadership, skill, or ingenuity in the performance of their duty, and whose contributions have brought credit to their agency or the field of fish and wildlife enforcement."

Alexander's direct supervisor is local DFG Lt. Sam Castillo, who said, "Warden Alexander is a tireless worker who is a true example of the professionalism of California Game Wardens.

"Added to his normal assignments as the game warden in northwest Butte County, Warden Alexander is a member of the DFG's Defensive Tactics and Firearms Committee. Warden Alexander won the DFG's top shooter recognition in 2006, and competes annually on the Northern Enforcement District shooting team. He is also an invaluable Firearms and Defensive Tactics instructor at the Fish and Game Enforcement Academy at Butte College.

Castillo gave further specifics, "Of particular significance are separate investigations that included multiple deer violations, taking deer with the use of bait, and one habitat destruction and pollution violation.

"In the first instance, Alexander and a squad mate was rewarded with convictions on a pair of hunters who took a total of four deer out of season in the coastal range above Glenn County.

"In the second instance, a deer hunter attempted to 'launder' a deer tag so that he could get a larger animal. Investigation of the person's residence revealed two deer, three firearms, and 40 pounds of marijuana. In the third instance, Alexander and a new warden spent many hours scouting an area before finding alfalfa, cracked corn, and apples in alleged deer baiting attempt.

"Finally, a load of construction debris containing hazardous materials was buried, and the larger concrete rubble placed on the banks of the Sacramento River. This triggered a multi-agency response including the EPA, Army Corps of Engineers, California Regional Water Quality Control Board, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

Alexander himself related, "It's a real honor to get this award, knowing that there are lots of other deserving people. There is no way that one person can get the job done without their fellow game warden's help. We also need citizens who are willing to call, pinpoint problems and act as witnesses."
He added, "I also really enjoy working at the Academy at Butte College, and seeing the Cadets prosper."

A ceremony will be held to present these awards to Chad at 11:00 AM on Feb. 26 at the DFG Academy at Butte College.

CAF "Crab Feed" banquet
The Chico Area Flyfishers will be holding their annual fundraising banquet on March 5 at the Chico Masonic Lodge. This years' event will be a "Crab Feed", and of course a long list of great raffle and auction items will be available, including rods, reels, guided trips, and wildlife art.

The highlight of the evening will be when a local treasure is auctioned off; an original "Walton Powell Commemorative" fly rod. This once in a lifetime fishing rod is built on an original Powell bamboo blank by Chico's own Raptor Rod Works. Valued at $1250, this 8-foot, 4-inch masterpiece is made for 4-5 weight lines, and comes with two tip sections.

Tickets are $70 [includes membership], additional dinners $35, youth dinner [not crab] $15. Tickets can be purchased in Chico at: Sierra Stream & Mountain, Chico Fly Shop, Fish First, or by calling 345-1197.

Decent numbers of steelhead are still the story on the Smith River, reported local guide Kevin Brock. "We are hooking three to five steelhead per day on the Smith, fishing between the Forks and Ruby", said Brock. "Most of the fish are ranging from 8 to 10 pounds, and our largest of the week was 14 pounds. All of our fish are biting on Pro-Cure natural roe with a pink puff ball on a No. 4 Owner SSW hook, fished side-drift style. It's really nice to have a good year going so far!"

DFG Q and A, by DFG biologist Carrie Wilson
Q- I was fishing in a local lake, and had attached my license to my jacket when I departed from the dock. About mid-morning I noticed my license was gone. I had fish on my stringer, what should I have done?
A- Unfortunately, if you no longer had a valid fishing license in your possession, then it was not legal for you to continue fishing. You should have released any live fish you had in possession, and stopped fishing. Assuming fishing licenses were sold at the lake, you could have purchased a one-day license in order to continue fishing. If you still had the receipt for your license, you could have obtained a duplicate license at a DFG licensing agent.