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• Morro Bay campground hangs by a strand

  Morro Bay campground hangs by a strand

  It’s not much to look at — a thin strip of 84 no-frills campsites nestled between the beach and the residential area of north Morro Bay.

  Even so, the campground at Morro Strand State Beach has a loyal following. Its main attractions are the scenic environs of Estero Bay and three miles of sparkling beaches to play on.

  But the campground is set to close July 1 — at the height of the summer tourist season — a victim of the state budget crisis and the need to cut $22 million over two years from the State Parks Department budget.

• Fishing Report: 2 rare dorado catches in 2 days

  Fishing Report: 2 rare dorado catches in 2 days

  One of the alluring aspects of saltwater fishing is you never know what piscatorial species you are reeling in.

  But, a dorado? Off the Central Coast? Are you kidding me?

  Nipomo’s Harrell Kimball said: “In all the years I’ve monitored fishing off our coast, I can recall only one other dorado catch.”

• Fishing Report: Volunteerism at its finest at tourney

  Fishing Report: Volunteerism at its finest at tourney

  It’s apparent that the Nov. 19 saltwater fishing tournament and barbecue was more than competition embellished by good food.

  Volunteerism at its finest was an obvious presence. Many saltwater fishermen who had swapped productive fishing locations via radio for years seized the opportunity to finally meet their benefactors.

  Anglers Anonymous was born out of this event. Thus far, the most promising promotion will take place Sept. 8, 2012, which is one of two California free fishing days next year when no fishing license required. The focus will be on taking wounded warriors, amputees and other veterans, as well as local disabled persons, on ocean fishing adventures aboard privately-owned fishing boats.

• Fishing Report: No albacore yet, but September was a better month for it last year

  Fishing Report: No albacore yet, but September was a better month for it last year

  What’s the forecast for the Central Coast albacore season in the wake of Sunday’s blanking?

  The skippers and crews of four boats crisscrossed such tuna waters as The Elbow, The Donut, plus the 1978 and the 1908 areas. Indicators pointed to these waters holding albacore. None were found.

  So what’s the outlook?

• Park closure would harm, not help

  Park closure would harm, not help

  Gov. Jerry Brown’s plan to close 70 state parks — including the campground at Morro Strand State Beach — doesn’t add up. The $22 million in savings that would be realized is too puny to worry about; it accounts for just two-tenths of 1 percent of California’s $9.2 billion deficit.

  And that’s not the worst of it. When you account for what local communities will lose if these tourist attractions close, the “savings” realized by the state quickly turns into big losses for small businesses, as well as cities and counties that benefit from sales tax revenues.

  Officials in Morro Bay, for example, worry their economy could be out $2.5 million per year if the campground closes. If it’s even half that amount, that’s a big loss for acommunity that’s been struggling economically as much as Morro Bay.