BASS FISHINGBass Fishing Sports Blog

Cool weather continues to stymie bass fishermen at Clear Lake. This past week has seen daytime temperatures ranging from as low as 30 degrees in the morning to only 55 degrees by late afternoon. the result is that the bass are as confused as the fishermen. Normally by this time of the year bass are in the shallows preparing to spawn, but not this year. there have been reports of bass being seen on the beds in the Clearlake Oaks Keys. in other areas fishermen report catching a few bass at depths ranging from 3-8 feet.

Kent Brown, the host of a Saturday morning bass fishing radio show out of Sacramento, visited the lake on Monday and Tuesday and reported doing very well using the Alabama Rig. He said he caught more than 30 bass on Monday and more than 20 on Tuesday using nothing but the rig. Jarrett Edwards of Arizona also was at the lake filming a television show. He was accompanied by local anger Mark Crutcher of Lakeport. Edwards said Clear Lake is one of his favorite lakes and he tries to come here at least a couple of times a year. They caught several 5-pound-plus fish and had good results for his TV show.

In addition to the Alabama Rig, fishermen are having success casting jigs back into the flooded tules. Drop-shotting a plastic worm also has been successful. one problem is the water clarity in many areas is poor. For example, Rodman Slough is muddy and the same applies to other creeks such as McGraw, Adobe Creek and the State Park.

Guide Bob Myskey keeps an accurate account of all the bass his clients catch on Clear Lake. During 2011 he made 148 guided trips. his clients caught a total 1,374 bass, most on live minnows. He averaged 9.28 bass per trip. Of those fish, 569 weighed from 1-3 pounds, 507 weighed just more than 3 pounds, 164 weighed in the 4-pound class, 90 in the 5-pound, class, 35 in the 6-pound, class, two in the 7-pound class and seven in the 8-pound class. He didn’t catch any fish weighing more than 8 pounds.

In 2007 Myskey caught a total of 3,473 bass for 183 days fished. Fourteen of those bass weighed more than 8 pounds. Myskey said that 2011 was his worst year in regard to number of fish caught in the past seven years

April is the month when the bass tournaments kick off their seasons on Clear Lake. Angler’s choice will hold a team tournament on Saturday with a 3 p.m. weigh-at Konocti Vista Casino. Konocti Vista Casino will hold its annual Team Bass Classic on April 14-15.That will be followed by an Angler’s choice two-day pro/am tournament on April 13-14. A giant FLW Outdoors three-day tournament is scheduled for April 26-28.

There is still very small catfish action to report. A few catfish are being caught at Shag Rock and in Horseshow Bend. one fisherman also reported catching two catfish off the docks at Redbud Park in Clearlake. A fisherman also reported catching four large crappie off his dock in Lucerne.

The ocean salmon season opens Saturday at Fort Bragg and all indications point to an brilliant season this year. Trout action should also be good for the weekend. Upper Blue Lake was scheduled to be stocked this week. the fishing pressure has been light the past few weeks. the annual trout derby is scheduled for April 28-29. Lake Pillsbury was also scheduled to be stocked with trout this week. the lake is 80-percent full, so the stocking should take place.

As expected, the unsettled weather played havoc with the turkey hunters for their opening weekend. I heard of only four turkeys being taken locally. Hunters who visited the Mendocino National Forest reported snow in many areas, which made hunting nearly impossible. most of the hunters said the toms are still bunched up and not chasing the hens. Local expert turkey hunter Ron Sneed of Lakeport hunted a private ranch Saturday and Sunday. He reported seeing plenty of birds but they wouldn’t respond to a call. the should all change by this weekend and the hunting should improve.

Longtime Yuma attorney Jim Clark, named one of the 100 best civil trial lawyers in Arizona in 2011 and 2012, has announced his candidacy for judge of Yuma County Superior Court, Division IV.being a judge is something Clark said he has wanted to pursue for many years and would consider the pinnacle of his legal career. “I really believe in justice in Yuma County. I want to do a good job. I think I can and will.”a graduate of the University of Arizona with a bachelor of arts in government and a juris doctorate from the UA Law School, Clark was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve after obtaining his bachelor’s degree.Clark said he has proudly practiced law in Yuma County for virtually his entire legal career, a span of some 38 years. In addition to having worked as a Yuma County prosecutor, he has also practiced civil law, handling a wide variety of cases.“I have had the pleasure of raising my family in Yuma and watching my children attend school in Yuma, participate in athletics in Yuma, and graduate from Yuma and Kofa High Schools,” Clark said. “I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else in the world.”the outdoors have been a major part of Clark’s life in Yuma, particularly the bass fishing and hunting. he added that hiking the Kofa Mountains and bird watching at the Yuma East Wetlands Park are experiences he enjoys and cherishes.“My life in Yuma has made me appreciate how fortunate I am to be a part of such a wonderful community.”Clark served on the Arizona Supreme Court Committee on Character and Fitness for seven years and as chairman his last year. the committee reviews the applications of law school graduates seeking admission to the State Bar of Arizona to confirm their character and fitness. In addition to being named the first Yuma County public fiduciary, Clark has taught criminal law at Arizona Western College and been an instructor at the Arizona College of Trial Advocacy.Clark has also been certified as a lifetime member of both the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. according to the organization, the Million Dollar Advocates Forum is limited to attorneys who have won million- and multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements.James Gilbert can be reached at or 539-6854. find him on Facebook at Facebook.com/YSJamesGilbert or on Twitter @YSJamesGilbert.

MEDFORD, Ore — Medford Oregon is now home to this year’s Western Regional Bass Tournament 1st Place Champions. Colby Pearson and Jacob Wall returned home on Sunday with their first place trophies.the two won the tournament with a 14 lbs. catch. 

The two young anglers compete as a team in the tournament which was held at Lake Saguaro in Arizona. although Pearson and Wall attend different high schools they fish as a team. the two won the Oregon State High School Championship last spring. Now after their regional win they are headed to Alabama for Nationals. there the two will represented the entire Western Region. 

The regional tournament included high school and college competitors. although the young men were only competing in the high school division they were still able to out fish all but one college team. 

Pearson and Wall explained their strategy was to fish shallow and catch the maximum amount of fish the competition allowed, which was five. the two caught all five fish and had the second largest batch, over all at the competition, out angling all of the other high school teams. 

Wall’s father, Steven Wall, explained both boys got into fishing at a young age. He said bass fishing isn’t huge in the Northwest, usually fisherman in the area prefer salmon and other deep water fishing. Wall says many people don’t realize how many bodies of water in Southern Oregon offer fantastic bass fishing. Which makes it no surprise the young fishermen were able to find sponsorships giving them the chance to compete. Sponsors provide equipment and funds to get the competitors out and fishing. 

The team explained, before Western Regional they spent time researching the lake and strategizing their game. Wall says they are now not only excited to go to nationals, they started researching on the plane. 

Pearson and Wall both wanted to say a special thanks to some of their sponsors including:

• Huge Bass Baits
• Baitdomain.com
• Eagle Claw
• Hiroshima Customs

You can find out more about the competition by clicking here. 

Trees still were silhouetted against the sky when the teens clambered into seven boats that had mobilized at a Bethel Island marina shortly before dawn Sunday.

Powerful engines thrumming, the vessels slowly headed into the Delta’s tangled web of waterways as a pale salmon-colored streak appeared on the horizon.

The two-person teams had come from around the state to test their skill and luck against bass in the California High School Fishing State Championship.

Sponsored by The Bass Federation and FLW Outdoors, the event was the 38th that the organizations of professional and amateur fishing enthusiasts have held in as many states since kicking off the first competition in February. It was the first time the groups have held one in California.

“It’s kind of relaxing. you don’t really have to worry about anything,” said Tyler Bounds of the sport’s appeal as he pitched his bait toward a mass of tule where bass might be lurking.

The 14-year-ancient Roseville resident had come with his 16-year-ancient Yuba City teammate in hopes of earning the right to go onto the western regional championships in Arizona next month.

Then it was on to the next fishing spot, rocketing over the water at speeds nearing 70 mph as the distant sliver of sky turned to gold and wisps of tule fog evaporated.

Flocks of ducks scattered as a 250-horsepower Ranger Z520 roared toward Disappointment Slough, the blast of cool air pummeling drowsy riders awake.

The boys would spend the next eight hours trying to land the biggest fish possible. whichever team brought in the five heaviest specimens would win. There was small talking on the boats as the pairs sent their lines hissing through the stillness, retrieving them within minutes to try again in another spot.

Cast, reel. Cast, reel. The repetition was almost rhythmic.

But boring? hardly, said Bounds.

“You’re always consistently doing something,” he said.

For Chris Fenk, a 16-year-ancient from Alameda who reeled in a 5.1-pounder to claim the biggest bass of the day, it’s the anticipation of feeling that tug on the line that prevents fishing from becoming dull.

The challenge in getting a fish to take the bait — especially the artificial kind — is much of the appeal, add these anglers. They say there’s a lot more to the sport than many think.

“People don’t realize how much work it is,” said Cory Kerber, 18, from the Central Valley town of Kerman.

In the six years since he took up the pastime, Kerber has had his share of days when he couldn’t figure out which lure to use or when to change it.

The list of possibilities is perplexing: Is this the time and place to try a larger than average bait? A Brush Hog or the Sweet Beaver? Rat-L-Trap or Speed Trap? Buzzbait or Zara Spook? and which color would be best? Watermelon red, June bug or Hematoma?

That mental game of trying to divine what’s going on in the brain of a bass — what the fish are eating that particular day and which weed bed or rock bank they’re hiding in — keeps these teens on their toes.

But, every fisherman knows that luck is still a big factor.

“Fishing’s no different than going to Tahoe,” said Ben Willis, the California Bass Federation’s Delta Region Tournament director.

Boat pilot Anthony Lee also reminded the two San Jose high schoolers in his charge to stack the odds in their favor by casting at least 2,000 times during the day.

“If your line’s not in the water, you’re wasting time,” he said.

After 3½ hours of slinging his rod forward, 17-year-ancient Chris Chung was feeling the pain.

“It starts to wear on your shoulders,” he said.

At that moment, something jerked his line.

“Get it! get it! Grab the net!” Lee yelled.

Chung held up a bass covered in weeds, then measured the fish to confirm that it met the state’s minimum length requirement of 12 inches.

“He’s good,” he announced.

Teammate Nick Rinauro, 15, landed several more fish in small order and just as quickly cut them loose.

“I don’t get too excited about the small ones,” he said.

In the end, another San Jose team took first place, punching through thick layers of weeds with a Bat Wing Craw to land nearly 10 pounds of fish from waters near Discovery Bay.

“We had no intentions (of) being cocky but still had confidence that we would do well,” Nicholas Trinh said.

Reach Rowena Coetsee at 925-779-7141.

Youngsters and their parent or sponsoring adult who didn’t get in on last weekend’s free Kofa Quail Hunt Camp really missed out on a bunch of great fun activities in addition to learning the tricks of the trade of how to safely hunt quail in the area. After going through a hunter safety presentation by the Yuma Game and Fish personnel, each parent/child team, some hadn’t ever hunted before, was accompanied on the weekend hunts for quail by an experienced, volunteer hunter mentoring the pair. in addition to having the hunting on the fun weekend menu, a groundbreaking new experience for a lot of the kids, there were ranges set up for the kids afternoon fun times along with volunteer adult instructors providing archery and BB guns, clay trap shooting, pellet guns as well as a practice range for casting for fish with rod and reel.Highlights of Oct. 15′s activities was first learning how to put together and cook Dutch Oven Cobblers of peaches, cherries and apples, then getting to delight in eating them after a great steak dinner provided by Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club cooks who volunteered great meals for everyone during the whole weekend. Many thanks too to the generous businesses that donated really nice prizes the kids received around the campfire after other activities had finished for the day. a huge extra thanks to the Game and Fish guys and gals for plotting this super event for the kids who will in time carry on the hunting tradition in Arizona. Additional thank you’s to sponsors to not only Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club but to SW Arizona Habitat Partnership Committee, Kofa Wildlife Refuge, AZ Game Ranger’s Lodge FOP #71 and to the Bureau of Land Management whose combined efforts made this event possible. Hunt happenings• Reminder – Cancellation of Waterfowl Hunt at Cibola: for those who had not heard the news, a recent wildfire at the Cibola Wildlife Refuge has made it necessary to cancel the December 9-11 Youth Hunt Camp plans, a huge disappointment for many youngsters. Game and Fish also reminds duck hunters, other hunters and recreationists that hunting access at the Refuge’s Island Unit is closed due to the fire hurt.• Successful Turkey Hunters: On the 2011 Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club Turkey Board so far are: Trevor Kamman 41.8, Pat Daily 38.8, Tyler Parson 44, Ken Inglett 41, David Fischer 35, Paul Hester 31.68 and Kevin Wilson 30.8. the final winner will be detemined on Dec. 31, 2011.Fish findings• Yuma Pro am Series: Pay the $15 annual dues and sign up Monday through Saturday to fish the Oct. 30 Pro am Team Tournament launching out of Fisher’s Landing. all dues and entry fees are now paid online at yumaproam.com with a credit or debit card with the draw for partners being held at 16th St. Baron Fuels in the “Poncho’s” area of the store. Late sign up will be open from 5:15-6:15 p.m. Saturday prior to the draw at 6:15 p.m. Make plans now to buy and donate a nice toy for the Christmas Toys for Tots Program for those who are less fortunate than ourselves and get in on the Special Extra Rods Raffle at the Dec. tournament. Bring the toys to the December weigh in. Call Bob La Londe at 580-1270.• Desert Bass Anglers: the club’s Angler of the Year will be determined when anglers on the board compete at the Nov. 5 Tournament launching out of Fisher’s Landing. Call Mac or Bobbi McDermott at 726-1984.• Bass Class on the Water: Want to learn how, when and where to catch bass at local waters in all seasons and conditions with a bass boat and all gear furnished? Call Dave Willhide at 782-2621. also question about instructional seminars at your RV Park or Home Group.• Military Fishing and Camping Opportunities: Call Mike Castillo at the MCAS Recreation Area at 783-3422 to learn what’s available for individuals and families at Martinez Lake along the Colorado River.Shooting sports• second Annual Steve Ford Memorial 3D “Ironman Scholarship Shoot: Blythe Bowmen will conduct the one-day, 60 3D’s shoot, Oct. 29 at the Blythe, Calif., archery range with awards to top archers in each class. Delight in the surprises with Huge Foot and his new buddy. I have complete registration information – call me anytime at 247-4450 or call John Hall at (760) 574-2187 or Kyra Ford at (760) 285-6182 – great “full of fun” archery to get in on. • Southwest Bowhunters: Open Archery Shoot every Sunday at 8 a.m. at Adair Park with the practice range open all week. Call Wayne Wittenberg at 314-0140.• Yuma Rifle and Pistol Club: Congratulations to Russell Prentiss, September Gerand matchwinner and to Ron Foster, winner of the September NRA High Power Match. the October Gerand Match just held was won by Prentiss as well with the NRA High Power match was won by Paul Lerma. good shoot’n! the Nov. 20 long range match is open to civilian, service, women, men and junior shooters who sign up by 7:30 a.m. at the Adair Park huge bore range – call Paul Lerma at 783-6766.• Yuma Matchmasters: SASS Cowboy Match today at the Adair Park small bore range for shooters signing up by 7:30 am. Call Ron Gissendaner at 726-0022.

Thunderstorms, crashes of lightning too close for comfort, strong winds and pouring down rain welcomed us on this year’s archery elk hunt up in the cool Arizona pines — a pure luxury to be up in the tall pines and the outdoors in all it’s glory, but to be drawn as well for archery elk after 6 years of denials made our two weeks there extra fantastic.my son and I had been drawn for bulls, so our hopes were high and the hunt went on in spite of nasty cold and wet days and nights. the game animals were enjoying the cooler weather even with the wet stuff and moving around a lot because of it, so we were able to spot a good share of both bulls and cows along with a handful of mule deer (all does though, no bucks where we were at) and grey squirrels in the many days we were stalking the hills, but, as luck would have it, no meat for the freezer this time.when the weather finally changed from the wet and nasty to bright and sunny, the animals stopped moving around and the fields and hills were silent except for other hunters, at least where we were at. even leaving our favorite spots and driving to other locations in our unit didn’t do the trick. We just didn’t connect with that “right place at the right time,” try as we may.because it had worked out for Savana, my 3-year-ancient fantastic-grandaughter, to be on the hunt with us, my own hunt was not as active as usual but I had gotten a ground blind in hopes she and I would be able to spot my bull from hiding while enabling Savana to quietly go around a wee-bit and not go stir-crazy, but that didn’t really work out too well.like my son and I, she preferred being out in the open, yet thoroughly hidden. I will agree, it was a fantastic training ground and learning experience for Savana — it would be for any youngster not yet old enough to hunt. After all, the future of our hunting heritage as well as with fishing and other outdoor experiences is in the hands of our young people and they have to start learning sometime to enjoy it all, earlier better than later. As young as she is, Savana is acquiring a fantastic love for the outdoors and everything connected with it — she enjoyed the hunt from beginning to end.We had uninvited guests a few nights on our hunt with elk coming right into camp, nosing around and making themselves right at home — well, we were the intruders! With the first visit, we woke in the early morning hours to the sound of a camp stove lid being lifted and dropped down with a bang one time after another and all by a cow elk. A flashlight interrupted her and off she trotted, no harm done. on the last night we were visited by both cows and bulls with the bulls getting into a fight right in the middle of our camp. Crazy? I’d say so!No scent spray (and clothes washing no scent soap) really works! one early morning, my son had gotten situated in his tree stand near where he had spotted elk on other days, and while waiting for his elusive bull to come within shooting distance, had a mulie doe graze slowly right up and under the tree he was in, never offering to lift its head to sniff or snort, just kept eating away as if she was all by herself. that hasn’t happened before to either of us.there was one problem with another so-called hunter in the field — we still wonder if he was legal or possibly out there ready to poach for the meat — or the thrill of the kill??? We were in the field one of the first days of our hunt and came across a bearded guy, looked to be around 35-40 years old, sitting at a water hole that we had meant to pass by on our way up when he spotted us and stopped us in our tracks with his hollering and his yelling profanities at the top of his lungs to get us out of there, that he was hunting that area, had been there for two weeks and we had no business being there. He had place out paper plate signs to “keep out” of “his” area and “didn’t we know how to read?”He acted so erratic we honestly didn’t know for sure what he might do next to protect “his” area and we backed off big time. We questioned how many other hunters may have the same experience while in the field. We called Game and Fish to see if they might take a run out there, but they said it wasn’t something they would handle, for us to go to the Forest Service. We did and it was a big runaround with nobody really doing anything, at least that we know of. the rule states there is no harassment of wildlife, but there is nothing I can find about “hunter” harassment. In our case, I could easily know why that might be a topic for discussion in a future hunters meeting.Hunt happenings• Kofa Youth Quail Camp for future hunters: there is still time to get your youngster or young family friend (girls as well as boys) signed up for the Oct. 15-16 weekend hunt camp being held a small over an hour away off north Highway 95 just past Stone Cabin. Open to Arizona licensed Junior Hunters 17 and under, this hunt has a refundable $40 registration fee that includes one junior and one adult with meals provided (fee to be returned upon sign-in at the camp). It’ll be a weekend of fun and fantastic experiences for any youngster and adult sponsor as well. To register, call the Game and Fish office at 342-0091.• Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club: A reminder to club members to get signed up for the Sept. 29-30 Coyote and Quail Hunt in Unit 41. there is a $15 dinner ticket that will include most meals, with juniors free of charge. Sign up at the camp site or with Bill Shook at Westair Gases at 329-1111 or call Bill at 783-8110. all outdoor enthusiasts are invited to the Oct. 5 club dinner meeting at 6:30 p.m. at American Legion, 2575 Virginia Dr., to learn about the club and its interests to benefit wildlife and the outdoors.Fishing clubs• Desert Bass Anglers: the team of Ted Hook and Joe Kling paired to win the latest team bass tournament with their total of 14.10 followed by “Hammer” Kuanda with 13.07 as well as first place big Fish with a 7.91 pounder to his credit. taking third place was Bobbi/Mac McDermott with 12.11 while Josh Bedoya and Andrew Dykds placed fourth with 11.48. second place big Fish honors were enjoyed by Larry Harman and Jerry Murphy with a 4.09-pound largemouth. the Junk Fish Option was won by Manuel Garcia with a 1.07 striper. Stay fishing and ready for the Oct. 8 Team Tournament launching out of Fisher’s Landing; call Mac or Bobbi at 726-1984.• Yuma Pro am: Check next week’s column for latest tournament results or call Bob La Londe at 580-1270.• Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club: Make plans now to attend the Oct. 8 John Howell Memorial Special needs Children’s River Cruise launching out of Fisher’s Landing. call Jarrett Howell at 210-6124, Cort Bacon at 580-9539 or Brant Palmer at 210-3527 with questions or would like to help in any way. Shooting sports• Renegade Archers of Yuma: come shoot the trail of 3D animals at 7 a.m. Sunday at the Foothills Archery Range (southeast of S. Foothills Blvd.). Adult shoot fees are $5 with youngsters always free of charge. call Jean Wilson at 247-4450.• Southwest Bowhunters: Shoot archery at 8 a.m. Sundays at Adair Park with the practice range open during the week. call Wayne Wittenberg at 314-0140.• Yuma Trap and Skeet Club: Open trap and skeet 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays and Sundays at the Adair Park range. call Gary Knight at 210-0805 or John gross at 329-0960. Question about youth shooting programs available.• Yuma Territorial Longrifles: Black powder matches 1st and 3rd Saturdays each month at Adair Park with the monthly meeting preceding the match on the 1st Saturday. all times are 8:30 a.m. call Dennis Hansel at 342-7573. • Cholla Gun Club: Shoot the Fun Matches for .22 rifle and pistol at 8:30 a.m. each Friday at the Adair Park metallic silhouette range. call Rick or Glenda at 502-0736.• Yuma Rifle and Pistol Club: Shooting will start again Oct. 16 at the Adair Park big bore range with a Long Range Match for civilian, service, women, men and junior shooters who sign up by 7:30 a.m. call Paul Lerma at 783-6766.• Yuma Matchmasters: Open SASS Cowboy Match at 6:30 a.m. today at the Adair Park small bore range. Shoot Steel Challenge match Oct. 1 and IPSC Combat Match the 2nd Sunday of each month. call Ron Gissendaner at 726-0022.

But there’s a lot on the line for the 260 anglers competing in the Walmart FLW Tour bass tournament on Pickwick Lake. first prize is $100,000. Also on the line is the angler of the year title and berths in the season-ending Forrest Wood Cup championship. The tournament, which starts today, runs through Sunday.

“It’s so hot that my sunburn has a sunburn,” said Scott Martin, a pro angler from Florida. “this is going to be one of the hottest tournaments we’ve ever had in Alabama.”

The combination of heat and humidity could feel like more than 110 degrees this week. a heat advisory is in effect for the Shoals. The National Weather Service is urging anyone working or spending time outdoors to take frequent breaks and drink plenty of water.

With so much cash and other prizes on the line, taking a break from fishing is not an option for tournament anglers.

Kentucky pro angler Ramie Colson Jr. said he expects to drink at least two gallons of water per day during the tournament.

“you have to make yourself drink water throughout the day,” Colson said. “you drink so much that it doesn’t even taste good anymore, but you keep drinking it to make sure you don’t get too hot and maybe even pass out.”

Anglers also have to make sure the bass they catch do not fall victim to the excessive heat.

Martin will load his boat with bottled water for himself and bags of ice for the bass he hopes to catch. The ice will be used in the livewell to cool water temperature so the fish can survive.

Anglers are penalized for allowing bass they catch to die. a single dead fish can cost an angler a victory.

Arkansas pro angler Larry Nixon said he will drink many cases of water and sports drinks this week to cope with the brutal heat.

“When it’s this hot, you have to be extra careful and drink lots of Gatorade and water or you will become dehydrated and wind up getting sick,” Nixon said.

Despite the heat index this week, it will not be the hottest tournament for Nixon or his Team Evinrude teammate Martin.

“Years ago, I was fishing in a tournament on Lake Mead close to Las Vegas when the temperature was around 115 degrees every day,” Nixon said. “Man, it was hot. It was so hot, we had guys jumping in the lake to cool off.”

Instead of taking a dip in the lake at this tournament, Nixon will use a towel he dips in cool water and wraps around his neck.

Martin, of Florida, said the hottest bass tournament he ever competed in was on Red River in Shreveport, La.

“The actual temperature was 105 to 108 every day,” Martin said. “It was so hot that when you were running from one hole to another you would have to bend down and get below the windshield of the boat to keep the hot wind from hitting you. The wind felt like it was coming off a blast furnace.”

With actual temperatures forecast to remain below 100 degrees this week, Martin and Nixon hope for cooling winds to blow past their boats as they go from one fishing location to another.

“that big Evinrude outboard on back of the boat can help cool you off if you mash down on the throttle and get your speed up,” Nixon said. “The breeze blowing over you when moving around on the lake really feels good when it’s this hot.”

California pro angler Justin Kerr is getting a break from the hot weather at his home.

“It’s like 122 degrees at my house,” Kerr said Wednesday. “I don’t mind this heat at all.”

Kerr drinks water flavored with a powdered electrolyte mixture and eats apples and oranges to help keep cool in hot weather.

“I’ll probably drink close to 20 bottles of water a day,” he said.

Bill Taylor, tournament director for the FLW Tour, said anglers will be reminded daily to drink plenty of liquids.

“We’ll be making special announcements reminding the anglers to be careful with the heat,” Taylor said. “We have to take care of our anglers. We’ll be reminding them to take real good care of the bass they catch so they can be released to be caught again.”

Taylor said anglers will be asked to monitor water temperatures in their livewells to ensure the bass do not become overheated. In addition, FLW Outdoors will inject oxygen into the water where fish are kept at the daily weigh-ins.

“We’re going to be doing everything we can to take care of the fish,” Taylor said. “We’re bringing extra people in to work on the release boats and help us take care of the fish after they are weighed in.”

Studies have shown the survival rate of bass caught during tournaments declines sharply when water temperatures are above 80 degrees. Water temperatures on Pickwick Lake this week are hovering around 90 degrees.

“All the extra work we put into trying to keep the fish alive costs money, but it’s worth it to help protect the resource,” Taylor said.

Pro angler Jonathan Newton, of Rogersville, said the heat wave has forced many of the bass on Pickwick Lake into deep water, making it more of a challenge to catch them.

“They’re moving out deep, trying to find some cooler water,” Newton said. “When the bass scatter out into deep water, it’s harder to find them. When you do find them, it can be harder to make them bite.”

Fearing he will become so engrossed in trying to find big bass, Virginia pro angler David Dudley will use an alarm to remind him to stop fishing and take a drink of water.

“you become so focused on fishing that you can forget you need to be drinking lots of water when it’s hot,” Dudley said. “if you go too long without stopping to take a drink of water all through the day, you could wind up in the hospital.”

Taylor said cold water will be provided to fans at the daily weigh-ins, beginning at 2:30 p.m. today and Friday at McFarland Park in Florence. Saturday and Sunday’s weigh-ins start at 4 p.m. at Walmart in Florence. Admission is free.

An outdoors expo, featuring activities for children and adults, will be noon-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Florence Walmart. The first 300 children arriving at Sunday’s expo and weigh-in will receive a free rod and reel. Admission is free.

Dennis Sherer can be reached at 256-740-5746 or dennis.sherer@TimesDaily.com.

In bass fishing, the right combination of color can turn a drab day on the water into a sparkling success. The trick is to find the right lure color that works best in any given situation, especially with the plastic or rubber worm because there are so many combinations to choose from.Anglers have found a small research helps. Check visibility of the water you plot to fish, then tie on a white or bright colored worm and reel it up against your rod tip. Push the worm down into the water and note at what point it fades from sight. If it disappears at two feet in shaded water, use brighter, more reflective combinations such as a white or blond body with a fluorescent red tail or light blue with metallic flecks. The slower the worm sinks, the more time a bass has to hone in on it. Try quieter colors such as motor oil, pumkinseed, brown, black or green for water with 6-foot visibility. in dingy water, try offering a larger worm — nine-to 12-inches because of it’s greater visibility. in very clear water, three- and six-inch sizes usually do the trick.Bass at times are fussier this time of year, but they still have to eat, so just go deeper, be quieter than usual (if you’re in a boat, arrive at and leave a spot with minimum of motor noise) and fish earlier in the day or later at night when there’s not so much activity on the water. Fishing on dark, overcast, low-light days is another good bet. Watch for the splash of baitfish where bass tend to chase shad.in addition to plastic worms fished ever-so-slowly, try a rubber jig with a pork trailer. Surface lures are also good in the heat, but daytime hours are out. Crankbait, although not the best choice, can also do the trick if they are worked slow. Spinnerbaits work well if presented in a lift and drop manner along steep shorelines or tumbled over submerged ledges and drop-offs. Don’t overlook nightcrawlers if all else fails. Trolling with deep diving plugs is a method to try for finicky bass, and fish areas where you’ve had previous results. Place plenty lof patience to work and if you catch a small bass, be persistent ­— chances are that “huge brother” is not far off.Fishing clubs • Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club: Mike Edwards topped the field for catfish with 18.4 at the latest Club Combo Catfish/Bass Derby followed by John Nicewander in second place with 13.8. Don Hazlett placed third with 10.11 followed by chris Gotchie in fourth place with 9.10. Mike Gaither took first place for bass with 5.14, followed by Ryan Shy in 2nd place with 5.8. Tim Banning took third place with 4.1. 42 people signed up for this super fun event. Keep that line in the water so you don’t miss the Oct. 16 Bob Hefner Memorial Bass Derby. The next club meeting is 6:30 p.m. Aug. 3 at American Legion Hall, 2575 Virginia Dr., open to all sportsmen, women and youngsters. Call Doug Beach at 446-1122.• • Sign up August 15-20 at Sportsmen’s Hideaway to fish the Aug. 21st Bass Team Tournament launching out of Fisher’s Landing. Call Bob La Londe at 580-1270.• Slim Evan’s Memorial Catfish Derby: Keep fishihg to be well practiced for the Aug. 27-28 Derby launching out of Fisher’s Landing.• Swede Ferguson Monthly Huge Bass Fish-Off: Sign up beginning Monday for August competition at Fisher’s gas dock with the biggest bass taking the whole pot the last day of each month. Call Jimmy Phipps at the above number.• Desert Bass Anglers: Sign up early 5-6 p.m. August 5th at Sportsmen’s Hideaway to fish the August 6 Team Bass Tournament launching out of Fisher’s Landing. The latest bass anglers newsletter reminds us that our weather has been toasty so be prepared for the heat with lots of water, sports drinks, hats, towels and long sleeves. Safety is more important than one more cast. One of Bobbi’s (McDermott) calendars has the saying, “Take care of your body. it is the only place you have to live”. Take the proper precautions – Don’t let the heat get to you. Call Mac or Bobbi McDermott at 726-1984.Hunt happenings• 2011 KOFA Junior’s Quail Camp: Interested Junior Hunters 17 years and under can sign up now with your responsible adult to attend the Oct. 15-16 Quail Camp at the KOFA National Wildlife Refuge. This year there will be a firearms safety presentation, a trap range at the camp for juniors that would like to improve their marksmanship with archery, shotgun and pellet gun ranges on site as well. There is a $40 refundable deposit that will be returned upon sign in at the camp. Meals will be provided. our thanks to sponsors: Southwest Arizona Habitat Partnership Committee, the KOFA NWF, Arizona Game Ranger’s Lodge FOP #71. The Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club is hosting this event. Registration forms are available at the Yuma office of Game and Fish – call 342-0091 – Get signed up now before all spots are taken. Volunteers, hunters and non-hunters are also most welcome to help.• Fifth Annual Cibola Junior Waterfowl Camp: Junior hunters ages 11-17 years ancient, accompanied by a licensed adult hunter (limited to the first 32 juniors) need to get signed up now to attend the Dec. 9-11 camp at Cibola National Wildlife Refuge. There is a $40 registration fee with meals provided with this event sponsored by the Arizona Game and Fish Department, Cibola NWR and Ducks Unlimited. Volunteers, both hunters and non-hunters are needed and welcome. for Registration Forms, contact getoutsideaz@gmail.com or call (928) 342-0091. • Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame: Get your tickets now to attend the Aug. 27 banquet at Chaparral Suites, 5001 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale to honor this year’s inductee’s – Joe Melton, Tony Perri and Buck Appleby who have contributed so much to Arizona’s natural outdoor heritage. Tickets are $70 or $700 each table for 10. Send your check payable to Wildlife for Tomorrow c/o Duane Wellnitz, 14203 S. 2nd St., Phoenix, AZ 85048 or call 480-747-0611. Credit cards are also accepted. Shooting sports• Renegade Archers of Yuma: with the Archery Deer season opening August 19, it’s prime time to get in that much needed practice for a successful hunt. all archers are most welcome to shoot the trail of 3D animals at 7 a.m. each Sunday at the Foothills Archery Range. $5 adult fee with youngsters always free of charge and equipment available, the use also free, upon request. Call Jean Wilson at 247-4450.• Yuma Trap and Skeet Club: Open trap and skeet 8 a.m. to noon Saturday and Sunday at Adair Park. Call Gary Knight at 210-0805 or John Yucky at 329-0960. Don’t forget the Aug. 28th Annual Turkey Shoot at the Adair Park range for that dove practice with the season opener Sept. 1st. The shooting, at $5 each round, starts at 7 a.m. ending when there are no more full squads. Friends of NRA will provide extra shotguns as well as ear and eye protection with Mike Brick and his crew providing free shooting for youngsters huge enough to hold a gun to 16 years ancient. Food and icy cold bottled water will be available at reasonable prices.

LAKE DARDANELLE — on the final day of competition Saturday, three high school angling teams from Arkansas were among the seven finalists in the 2011 High School Fishing World Finals.

The three-day tournament marked the second such event and the second consecutive year that the city of Russellville had hosted the tournament on Lake Dardanelle. the tourney is a function of the Bass Federation’s Student Angler Federation (highschoolfishing.org).

Making the cut for the finals were Kendall Goates and Cody Chessher of Dover High School, Devin Baxley and T.J. Miller of Greenbrier High School and Cody Mecalo and Cody Seats, representingNorth Pulaski High School.

With weights zeroed to level the playing f ield for the final round, the Arizona Bass Busters pair of Thomas Chambers and Brandon Koon weighed in a five-fish limit at 19 pounds, 8 ounces to claim the victory.

Goates and Chessher finished second, with five fish an even 3 pounds behind the winners. Greenbrier’s Baxley and Miller had a five-fish weigh-in good for 8 pounds, 11 ounces and fourth place. and, Mecalo and Seats managed four fish that fell 1 pound, 2 ounces shy of the Panthers’ fourth-place bag.

Arkansas teens who missed the cut were Ben Meyer and Michael Henderson of Pottsville. the Apaches were on top of the standings after day 1 of the three-day tournament, totaling five fish for 14 pounds,5 ounces. They fell down the leaderboard because of a three-fish day on Friday that left them 5 ounces from making the finals at 20 pounds, 1 ounce.

Among the other notable Arkansans were Jeffery Roberds and Blake Beck of Dover High School (19-06), Jared Rascoe and James P.

Kimbrough of the Benton High School Bass Club (18-03), Sawyer Grace and Austen Cathcart of Russellville High School’s Cyclone Fishing (17-14), and John Ball and Kendall Long of North Pulaski High School (16-15).

“We are really excited over how this event went,” Mark Gintert, National TBF youth director, said about the tournament. “We had about a 46 percent growth over last year, from 76 teams representing 18 states to 106 teams representing 23 states. We believe it is going to continue to get better and larger. the city of Russellville has an option for a third year, and if it wants the tournament back, … we’ll be back again next year.” Gintert congratulated the winners, who took $4,000-per-ye a r schola rsh ips to Bethel University as part of the world championship title.

He also expressed how well he thought all the anglers did in the oppressive heat.

He said several anglers who did not make the cut competed in a consolation tournament, where each could weigh in a fish of any species.

“That consolation tournament was a first, and it was a lot of fun. a lot of kids got to fish that extra day and got prizes like Cabela’s gift cards, plaques and trophies,” Gintert said.

this article was published July 28, 2011 at 1:31 a.m.

Tri-Lakes, Pages 60 on 07/28/2011

Sokaknak a vizsgaid?szak lez?r?sa ?s a Fishing on Orf? jelenti a ny?r kezdet?t. ?n is e lelkes fiatalok t?bor?ba tartozom. Egy sikeresen abszolv?lt ?llamvizsga ut?n, m?r a hossz?ra ny?lt vonat?ton biztosra vettem, hogy ez lesz ?letem fesztiv?lja, m?g akkor is, ha egyetlen koncertre sem jutok el, de szerencs?re nem ?gy t?rt?nt. Meg?rkez?s ?s egy epikus s?tor?ll?t? k?zdelem ut?n boldogan konstat?ltam, hogy az elm?lt ?vekben megismert csal?dias hangulat, kedves kis b?j m?g mindig nem veszett ki a fesztiv?lb?l. Szerencs?re a FoO az ?l? p?lda, hogy nem kell meghuny?szkodni a profit?rdek el?tt: a vill?dz? neonparadicsomnak ?s hirdet?s-rengetegnek pedig az ilyen zen?s-t?ncos rendezv?nyeken k?v?l van a helye.

Sajnos az id?j?r?s nem seg?tette a f?ktelen buliz?st, hisz ciklikusan b?rig ?ztunk – ropog?sra s?lt?nk ?s gyakorta dideregt?nk. Els? este  -p?ld?nak ok??rt – az A38 fedett s?tra b?nta az id?j?r?si nonszensz megnyilv?nul?s?t. a Blind myself koncert k?zep?re t?bb helyen be?zott, ami sem a technik?t, sem a lelkes – ?s az es? hat?s?ra t?bbsz?r?s?re dagadt – publikumot sem k?m?lte. a fesztiv?l ter?let?re sz?k?lt vil?gunk azonban nem ?llt meg, hiszen ha milli?nyi program nem is, de b? v?laszt?k ?llt rendelkez?s?nkre.

 a r?g?ta v?rt Dj Paplan ism?t nem okozott csal?d?st. Igaz, sajnos null?ra reduk?lta a Sandok?n ?s egy?b el?z? ?vezredb?l r?nk szakadt j? kis ‘n?t?kat’, ?m a hangulattal ?gy sem volt probl?ma. ?n p?r ?ven bel?l teljesen elk?pzelhet?nek tartok egy Dj Paplan fesztiv?lt, ahol Dj Paplan ut?n Dj Paplan lesz az after, majd m?snap d?lben kezdet?t veszi Dj Paplan warm-up party-ja. Ha lenne r? m?d ?s lehet?s?g, biztos vagyok benne, hogy eg?sz fesztiv?lt elvinne a h?t?n, hisz a sz?nekben nem sz?k?lk?d? zenei paletta teljes eg?sz?t bej?rtuk. Mindent j?tszott, de t?nyleg mindent! Az els? p?r gyors ?s k?m?letlen st?lusv?lt?s ut?n (l?sd: Red Hot Chilli Peppers – Fugees) m?g nem ?rtett?k a helyzet komolys?g?t, ?m miut?n egym?s ut?n pakolta a leglehetetlenebb zen?ket, az eklektika teljes b?ja t?rult fel. Az MR2 r?di? f?l?ves top sl?gerein t?l jungle, egy cs?ppnyi drum and bass, s?t minden tini l?ny kedvenc grunge ikonja, Kurt Cobain Nirvan?st?l, Smells Likt Teen Spiritest?l visszaj?r? vend?g volt.

Ahogy a fesztiv?loz?k nagy r?sze, a f?jdalmas reggeleket mi is m?snap?z? kaka?val ?s r?ntott?val kezdt?k. K?l?n ki kell emelni a fesztiv?lokhoz viszony?tott felhaszn?l? bar?t ?rakat. Nem aranyba m?rt?k a s?rt ?s m?g egy-egy l?ngos is becs?szhatott mindenf?le rossz?rz?s n?lk?l. Itt eml?ten?k meg egy sz?momra kiss? problematikus dolgot. Nyugaton, de m?r haz?kban is bevett szok?s az ?n. RE poh?r. Kevesebb k?rnyezetszennyez?ssel j?r (az eldobott kors?kat szinte minimaliz?lja) ?s ennek t?kr?ben az el??ll?t?s is kedvez?bb. B?r szavunk nem lehet a tisztas?gra, hiszen folyamatos takar?t? munk?t v?geztek, mind a szabadban, mind az angol WC-kben, ?m ha nem is k?telez?, de elv?rhat? lenne, egy ilyen k?rnyezet centrikus fesztiv?lt?l. K?rnyezet centrikus, hisz egy idilli, dimbes-dombos, b?k?s ?s egyben im?dnival? helyen ter?l el. Ehhez kapcsol?dik a FoO m?sik nagy el?nye, amir?l sajnos sokak lemaradtak – k?zt?k ?n is -, a barlang?sz?s ?s a fr?ccs t?ra, melyet olyan neves szem?lyek vezettek, mint maga Lovasi Andr?s vagy Varga L?viusz.

K?l?nb?z? civil-, illetve kult?r s?trak ?vezt?k a poros utakat, d?lel?tt?nk?nt pedig a szabadban napoz?s vagy chill-ben fetreng?s, ?s a sokat ?h?tott gy?gy s?r seg?tette a t?l?l?st. Ahelyett, hogy most ?ssze?mlesztve le?rn?nk, hogy milyen koncerteken milyen j?l ?rezt?k magunkat – ami p?r perc ut?n heves kobak vakar?sba csapna ?t, hiszen az eml?kek meglep?en k?nnyen ?s gyorsan ancient?dnak a s?rben -, ?s sz?t emeln?nk minden fell?p? kvalit?s?r?l, most egy r?vid summarummal, egyfajta best of FoO-val kedvesked?nk nektek.a mi szem?nkben a legjobb kis sz?npados fell?p? az Intim Torna Illeg?l volt. M?sodik nap, s?t?ted?s t?j?n csaptak a h?rok k?z?. a lemezen megismert l?gys?got k?nnyeden ledobva egy hatalmas bulit ker?tettek a sr?cok. a legnagyobb n?t?ikra „?lelt?nk bar?tot, aki m?r r?g hi?nyzott” ?s „ittunk meg mindent”. Dinamik?jukn?l m?r csak azaz ?lvezet volt nagyobb, ahogy j?tszottak. Ha nem lett volna ennyire profi az eg?sz kivitelez?s, hangz?s, ?s ahogy ir?ny?tott?k a t?meget, akkor is egy k?nnyed mosollyal gondoln?nk vissza arra az egy ?r?s ?r?mj?t?kra, amit t?l?k kaptunk. M?g a h?ts? sorokban a jointjukat anya tigrisk?nt ?v? b?lcs?szeket is megmozgatta az a p?r remek?l elkapott git?rsz?l?, esetleg a ki?nekelt ?letigazs?gok.

A legjobb nagysz?npados koncert – nem szolg?l t?l sok meglepet?ssel – a Kiscsillag. a kiemelked? zenei teljes?tm?nyen fel?l a m?r megszokottnak nevezhet? Lovasi bor ?s p?linka g?z?s performance-sza is sokat lend?tett a dolgon. a fesztiv?l m?sik szervez?je, R?tg?ber is tisztelet?t tette 2 sz?m erej?ig a sz?npadon. S?t, az els? nap elmaradt francia La Fanfare en P?t?rd is becsatlakozott a fesztiv?l himnuszak?nt aposztrof?lt Fishing on Orf? c?m? n?t?ba. M?lt? lez?r?sa volt ennek a v?gtelen?l r?vid h?rom napnak.

Azonban, ha nem is minden bokor m?g?tt, de sz?p sz?mmal tal?ltunk k?lf?ldi zenekart. Ezek k?z?l kiemelkedett a Washington Dead Cats form?ci?. a tavalyi eml?kezetes – gatyadob?l?s, f?ld?n cs?sz?s – koncert ut?n, a jelenl?t?nk teljesen evidens volt. Ism?t nem kellett csal?dnunk a francia band?ban. Valahogy ?gy k?pzeltem el a poklot, mint amikor felcsend?lt a The Trashmen – Surfin’ Bird c?m? n?t?ja. a bord?mban, majd l?bamon polk?z? punk sr?cn?l csak a nyakamba z?dult j?ghideg s?r ?s a p?l?mra fr?ccsen? ipari mennyis?g? nagypapi f?le, f?m ?z?/szag? p?linka volt a kellemetlenebb. ?m ezt a p?r m?sodpercnyi r?m?letet k?nnyen elt?r?lte az ?nekes st?lusa, hangja ?s j?t?ka.

Ilyen volt teh?t a magyarorsz?gi alterfesztiv?l, a Fishing on Orf?. Egy dolog maradt, amit ink?bb a rendez?knek c?meznek: j?v?re toldjuk meg m?gy egy nappal! K?vetkez? ?vben is bizony?ra ott lesz?nk, ezen a non plusz ultra fesztiv?lon, ?s rem?lj?k, hogy ti is!