Head to the water for some fishin' fun

Now that our weather is beginning to cool down ever so slightly, fishing still enjoys a good share of decent results at local waters along the Colorado River as well as local lakes and ponds. It is a great time to toss in a line and enjoy the time spent away from the stresses of busy schedules. It's great therapy and can bring in a good dinner to boot.

Try flipp'n and pitch'n imitation frogs along the edge of the tulies and bullrushes, especially in the amazing backwaters. But don't overlook open water — take along some poppers or a topwater stickbait and first run the edge of the tulies, then cast into deeper open water, especially if there are pockets of submerged vegetation where a buzzbait or spinnerbait combination might also be worth putting to work. There are some huge bass hanging out above Imperial Dam as well as monster flathead catfish. It's always a ball to “skip a gidget” under docks at Martinez Lake, also home to lunker bass. Don't forget it's legal to chum in Arizona - that comes in mighty handy at times. Channel catfish are also still in residence at Yuma West Wetlands and Fortuna Pond along with bluegill galore at most all of our local waters, including canals in and around Yuma.

With our days getting shorter and nights longer along with water temperatures beginning to drop a bit, you may experience dramatic results at the surface when predator fish encounter large balls of shad.

If you'd like to learn where all the good fishing spots are in and around Yuma, pick up a copy of “Yuma Area Fishing Holes” at Game and Fish that includes information and a location map. It's handy to have on hand when heading to the water for that fishing fun. Game and Fish also has a new webmap for the best 150 fishing areas in Arizona at gis.azgfd.gov/fishandboat. Check it out!

Fishing clubs

• Desert Bass Anglers “The Fun Way to Fish”: 25 boats enjoyed fishing last week with Ed Reeder/John Borghoff taking the top spot with 17.10 as well as enjoying first place big fish honors with a 5.75 pounder. Bob La Londe/Matt Yates teamed to take second place with their 11.62 total as well as taking the number two big fish weighing 4.38. Brothers John/Dave Lekan placed third with 10.12 while husband and wife team Kim and Kelley Price followed in fourth place with 9.9. The Junk Fish option was won by Jerry Janda/Joe Estrada with a 7.30 flathead.

Keep in practice to fish with the club Nov. 3 launching out of Fisher's Landing with the Presidents Choice Tournament being held Dec. 1 with the Angler of the Year presentation and tri-tip dinner after the tournament for club members and guests at Fisher's Landing. Call Mac or Bobbi McDermott at 726-1984. Congratulations to the club's top five (prior to the latest tournament) Robert Murray 393 points, Jim Phipps 372, B. McDermott 326, Scott Nigh 321 and Ed Reeder 316.

• Yuma Pro Am Series: Check online at Bob@yumaproam.com or call Bob La Londe at 580-1270 for club and tournament information. Pay the $15 membership and reasonable entry fees online as well.

• Wednesday Jackpot Derby and Monthly Swede Ferguson Memorial Bass Derby at Fisher's Landing: Entry $5 for each Wednesday Jackpot Derby with sign-up at 8 a.m. at the gas dock, weigh-in at around 1 p.m. with the winner taking all for one big fish, any species; $10 sign-up anytime during each month to fish the Swede Ferguson bass competition with the winner taking all for the biggest bass determined the last day each month. Call Jimmy Phipps at 782-2207.

• Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club: Members will fish the Bob Hefner Memorial Bass Derby on Oct. 14 at Mittry Lake beginning at safe light, a 5-fish limit with weigh-in at 2 p.m. Sign-up $20 each at Harold Wah's Sportsmen's Hideaway with the payout depending on how many people fish, For details, call Don Emmel at 342-3016.

• MCAS Recreation Area: Call Mike Castello at 783-3422 to learn about fishing, camping and other outdoor activities open to Yuma area military personnel and families at Martinez Lake/Colorado River areas.

• Bass Class on the Water: If you'd like to learn how, when and where to catch bass at local waters in all seasons and conditions with a bass boat and all equipment provided, call Dave Willhide at 782-2621. Ask about seminars available for RV parks and home groups.

Hunt happenings

• 2012 Junior Quail and Small Game Camp: The Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club, with assistance of Game and Fish and local volunteers, is planning the camp Oct. 20-21 at Unit 41 near Dateland. Youngsters and parents should sign-up prior to the camp with the Yuma Regional Office of Game and Fish, call 342-0091 or call Chris Bedinger at 341-4045, or email Chris at cbedinger@azgfd.gov. A refundable $40 registration fee (to be returned upon arrival at the camp) will include meals for one junior and one adult.

There will be a break that Saturday afternoon with classes in archery and trap, fishing the backyard bass range and other activities for the kids. Mentors are needed to assist the kids on their weekend hunt and campout with parents or other responsible adult participation needed as well. Let Game and Fish know if you are willing to assist so necessary paperwork can be filled out beforehand.

• YVRGC hunt contests 2012: A reminder to hunters belonging to the YVRGC to be sure to get your weigh slip for the 2012 club's annual hunt contests prior to your hunts. For deer from Nick Heatwole prior to your hunt, call Nick at 503-4424. Members planning to hunt javelina still this year and want to get into the competition, need to get their weigh slip from Dennis or James Florence at 782-2675. David Fischer has weigh slips for the club's annual spring/fall turkey beard contest. For details, call 246-5479.

Shooting sports

• Yuma area archery for all ages: All archers are invited to shoot the trail of 3D animals with Renegade Archers at 7:30 a.m. Sundays at the Foothills Archery Range located east of Foothills Blvd. near the Gila Mountains, south side of I-8. Directions: Take the south Frontage Road from I-8 at south Foothills Blvd., drive 2 miles east to Avenue 15E, turn right and drive south 1 mile just past the Golf Range Pond on the right. Turn left (east) at the Archery Range signs and follow the dirt road to the range.

Adult fees are $3, youngsters always shoot free with free use of bows and arrows available upon request prior to the Sunday shoots. A great opportunity for both youngsters and adults to learn how to shoot and enjoy archery, or for experienced archers to get in the needed practice and have good fun. Call Jean or Kevin Wilson at 247-4450 or 726-0953.

• Archery with Southwest Bowhunters at Adair Park: Archery shoots at 7 a.m. Sundays at Adair Park with the practice range open all 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 Adair Park. Call Gary Knight at 210-0805.

• Yuma Territorial Longrifles Club: Open black powder matches at 8:30 a.m. 1st and 3rd Saturdays each month at Adair Park. Call Dennis Hansel at 342-7573.

• Cholla Gun Club: Open .22 Rifle and Pistol Silhouette “Fun” Matches at 8:30 a.m. Fridays at the Adair Park metallic silhouette range. Call Rick or Glenda at 502-0736.

• Yuma Rifle and Pistol Club: For shooting information for the Adair Park big bore range, call Paul Lerma at 783-6766 or Gerald Brooker at 305-9681.

• Yuma Matchmasters: Open IPSC Combat Match today at the Adair Park small bore range with sign-up at 7:30 a.m. Call Ron Gissendaner at 726-0022 for other club and shooting information.

Contact Jean Wilson at jeanrenegade@gmail.com or 247-4450.