There is no question that the recent wildfires will have a major impact on the county’s residents for years to come. The good news is that because of the valiant efforts by the firemen, most of the homes threatened by the Ranch and River fires were saved. The big question is what impact will the fires have on tourism?
Clear Lake is rated as the third-best bass fishing lake in the world and in past years fishermen from throughout the world visited the lake to catch big bass. This past year, long before the fires, the number of fishermen visiting the lake fell significantly. It’s not only at Clear Lake where tourism is down but all over California. The recent fires have just added to the problem.
In past years a check of the local boat ramp parking lots would reveal dozens of boat trailers. However, on any given day this past year there have been only four or five boat trailers. Local fishermen who have been out on the lake also report seeing fewer fishermen.
Out-of-area fishermen spend a lot of money in the county. A study done a few years ago showed that a typical bass tournament fisherman spends approximately $250 per day on food, lodging, gas and fishing tackle. Most of the tournament anglers prefish for two to three days prior to the tournament. That adds up to five days in the county at a cost of roughly $1,200 per person. When you take into consideration that a two-day tournament often draws 100 boats, which is two fishermen per boat, that adds up to $120,000 spent on the local economy.
What needs to be done to bring back fishermen and other tourists is a strong marketing program. Until the recent wildfires, Lake County had the cleanest air in the state. Clear Lake is the oldest lake in the world and is teaming with fish and wildlife. The lake is a birdwatchers paradise with osprey, bald eagles, pelican, egrets and other wild birds. Nearby Mount Konocti is ahuge draw for tourists. Three years ago there was a bus service that would take tourists to the top of the mountain. It was so popular that there was a two-week waiting list to get a seat on the bus. That all stopped because of legal problems that are now solved. The only problem is that the bus service hasn’t been resumed. The hike to the summit is often too strenuous for elderly tourists and that is the type of tourist that visits the county.
Clear Lake State Park was recently voted the fifth-best park in the nation and the No. 1 state park west of the Mississippi. The county also features some of the finest wineries in the North Coast along with excellent restaurants.
At one time the county would host writers groups. Outdoor and travel writers would be guests at local motels and fish the lake with local fishing guides. The result is that the lake received excellent writeups in many national publications, which would draw tourists. That hasn’t occurred in a number of years.
Nowadays about the only press Clear Lake receives deals with the algae and other negative factors. Algae only occurs for about three months. The other nine months the lake is in great shape. We need to stress the positive parts of the county. Along with the wildfires, the smoke will pass and life will return to normal. Without question Lake County is one of the greatest places in the state to live. All it needs to bring back the tourists is some positive press.
