NATURAL RESOURCES BOOK REVIEW.

``Fly Fishing California's Great Waters''

By Dan Blanton (Frank Amato Publications, $19.95)

This book is a must-read for fly anglers who believe a whippy rod means only fishing for trout in California.

Dan Blanton, a member of the Fly Fishing Hall of Fame, has collected and updated 11 of his articles about fishing for salmon, white sea bass, striped bass, shad, largemouth bass and blue sharks. There's even one token chapter about fishing for trout on the Fall River.

But Blanton's well-written and nicely photographed book reminds us that California's truly great fly-fishing waters include the Monterey Bay, San Francisco Bay, the Delta and inland lakes.

There is plenty of good information on where and how to fly fish these waters. The final chapter includes photos of suggested fly patterns, although no recipes are included.

- Bill Becher

ON THE INTERNET

--For the fish: The acronym F.I.S.H. on the Project F.I.S.H. Web site (http://www.projectfish.org/) stands for Friends Involved in Sportfishing Heritage.

As the Web site says, ``It's easy to instill positive lasting memories for kids. Teach them to fish.''

--Lending a hunting hand: The Hunters for the Hungry Web site (http://www.texashuntingandfishing.com/stopLine is overdrawn hunger/) has its heart in the right place. The Texas-based operation tells us ``It's easy to think of hunger as a problem that happens 'somewhere else.' Unfortunately, that is not the case. In Texas, one in nine children under the age of twelve is hungry.''

The Web site implores its readers to ``make hunger your next target'' and ``stop hunger in your tracks.'' Here's how it works, according to the site: ``Hunters simply tag their legally harvested deer, bring it to a participating meat processor, and pay a tax-deductible processing

fee of approximately $20 per deer.''

- Chris Cocoles

CHECK IT OUT

--Wild show: The 21st Annual Wildlife Art Festival will return to the San Bernardino County Museum Saturday and Sunday. As always, the centerpiece of the show is the top 100 entries in the annual federal duck stamp design competition, including the painting that will grace next year's duck stamp.

This year, the exhibit of the top entries will remain at the museum through Nov. 30, along with a special exhibit, provided by Ducks Unlimited, of every duck stamp ever printed, including the first stamp commission to Jay ``Ding'' Darling in 1934.

Show hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Cost is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, $4 for kids and free for under 5. The museum is just north of Interstate 10 at the California Street off ramp on Orange Tree Lane. Information: [phone] or www.sbcountymuseum.org.

--Touring for fish: The Inland Empire Great Lakes Fishing Tour, a series of six fishing derbies at San Bernardino and Riverside county park facilities, kicked off Saturday with its first event at Lake Cahuilla, on the outskirts of La Quinta.

Saturday's event will be followed by a Dec. 13 event at Glen Helen Regional Park in San Bernardino, a Jan. 24 event at Lake Skinner in Temecula, a Feb. 28 derby at Cucamonga-Guasti Park in Ontario, a March 13 event at Rancho Jurupa in Riverside, and the grand finale April 3 at Yucaipa Regional Park.

There is a $10 derby fee at each event in additional to the park entrance fees, but anglers will get tackle packs from event sponsors valued at more than the derby fee. There will be prizes awarded for the biggest fish in each event and then a grand prize drawing at the end of the tournament series.

Information: (909) 38-PARKS or (800) 234-PARK.

--Bly the way: There are 70 openings for junior hunters on the two junior pheasant hunts being held on Robinson Farms fields in the Blythe area, according to the Department of Fish and Game's Gerald Mulcahy.

Junior hunters who would like to apply need to send a postcard application that includes their name, address, date preferred, and junior hunting license number to Mulcahy at Department of Fish and Game Pheasant Hunt, P.O. Box 2160, Blythe, CA 92226.

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