It's not too hot out for bass fishing

Don't stay at home because of the heat - the fish are still out there and hungry, biting especially when it's inclined towards being a bit cool early mornings and late evenings into the night along Colorado River waters in the Yuma area. Best, when you go, to take along mosquito repellent (with DEET) and plenty of drinking water. If you get too hot, get wet!

When fishing for bass, one of the most frustrating fishing conditions is when the fish are found in clear, shallow water this time of year. They are plainly visible, yet almost impossible to catch - and because you are as visible as the fish, it takes plenty of finesse to get close enough to cast. It also takes the patience of a saint to entice a bite.

Shallow bass relate strongly to shadows from overhanging trees, so make a presentation with a plastic worm - the Culprit works well - in dark colors that can be seen easily. Some anglers prefer using light translucent colors such as amber or watermelon. Bubble gum or hot orange also provoke a strike at times. Try casting five or six feet past your target, then twitch the lure several times, slowing it up when it gets by the spot where a fish may be holding. If the bass plays lazy, twitch the lure quickly out of the strike zone to give the lure an appearance of a fleeing baitfish which often elicits a strike. Don't retrieve too slowly in shallow, clear water because that gives the bass the opportunity to examine your lure.

A good pair of sunglasses are essential. A pair with 'yellow' tint for sight fishing shallow bass can make a fish stand out from its surroundings. Be sure to keep a low profile and avoid bright clothing colors - camouflage or light blue seem to work really well. Noise can spook the fish, so even using a trolling motor sometimes can be too loud - better to anchor or tie up to a tree so you're completely still.

Fishing clubs

*Yuma Desert Bass Anglers: Check next week's column for latest team tournament results or call Mac or Bobbi McDermott at 726-1984.

*Yuma Women's Reel and Rifle Club: All Ladies and their young gals are welcome to fish the "open" Mid-summer Catfish Derby with sign up Friday after 12-noon, fishing until 5 p.m. Sunday July 20. Also attend the July 24 meeting being held at 6:30 p.m. at the American Legion auxiliary room, 2575 Virginia Dr. with guest speaker Michael Rosner offering uses of home grown worms in fishing. Call me anytime at 726-0953.

*Yuma Bassmasters: Call Curtis Cernik at 941-2993 for dates of the July pro/am Team Tournament, open to all anglers. Watch this column for results.

*Yuma Pro/Am Series: Contact Bob La Londe at 580-1270 or visit YumaProAm.com for dates of July fishing competition or check this column next week.

*Bass Class on the Water: Call Dave Willlhide at 782-2621 to learn about his guide trip on Colorado River waters to learn to catch bass on artificial baits just like the pros.

Hunt happenings

*Firearms/hunter safety education: Attend the July 21 - Aug. 2 class being held 6-9 p.m. at the Yuma office of Game and Fish. With youngsters,10-14 years of age, who want to hunt big game animals and who must take the class in order to hunt, and who are also enjoying summer vacation, this class is ideal. Also a great refresher for any hunter, with Mom and/or Dad also welcome to attend with their youngster. It's first-come, first-served so plan to arrive early. Call 342-0091.

*Elk Hunting Clinic: If you've been drawn, attend the July 26 clinic being conducted by the Arizona Elk Society at the FOP Lodge, 19th Ave. and Sweetwater in Phoenix. Visit stevec@arizonaelksociety.org.

*Bighorn sheep workshop: Classes are available to members of the public age 14 and older July 25-26 and Aug. 1-2 at Kingman to learn about bighorn sheep and view the majestic animals  in their natural habitat. Register by mail only by sending a $20 refundable deposit per person made out to the Wildlife for Tomorrow Foundation (to rescue the problem of no-shows) and send the check to" Ariz. Game and Fish Dept., 5325 N. Stockton Hill Rd., Kingman, AZ 86409. Include names of participants, address, phone, and specify dates preferred. Be sure to take along a camera, water, snacks, a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. Call Zen Mocarski at (928) 692-7700, ext. 2301.

*Become an outdoors woman: the last 2008 Arizona Wildlife Federation workshop, open to adult women of all ages and fitness levels, is Aug. 15-17. The cost is $235 which includes instruction, program materials, lodging in rustic cabins, and meals, being held at Friendly Pines Camp in the tall pines of the Bradshaw mountains. Hands-on classes include hiking, fishing, hunting, shooting, outdoor cooking, GPS, wilderness survival, rappelling, birding, map and compass, camping, archery and many more. Visit www.uwsp.edu/cnr/bow or call (480) 644-0077.

Shooting sports

*Renegade Archers of Yuma: All archers are most welcome to shoot the trail of 3D animals Sundays (currently at 6:30 a.m.) at the Foothills Archery Range with the range open all week. Great practice for the bowhunter and ideal recreation for the whole family with youngsters always free of charge. Call me at 726-0953.

*Southwest Bowhunters: Open 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 Adair Park. Call Jaime Almazan at 246-8299.

*Yuma Territorial Longrifles:Call James Ingram at 726-6632 for information on black powder matches at Adair Park.

*Cholla Gun Club: Call Jim Stewart at 342-7392 about shooting at the Adair Park metallic silhouette range.

*Yuma Rifle and Pistol Club: Call Paul Lerma at 783-6766 for details on shooting at the Adair Park big bore range. Scheduled matches will resume again in September.

*Yuma Matchmasters: Shoot the IPSC Combat Match at 6:30 a.m. today at the Adair Park small bore range. Open Cowboy Match July 27. Call Ron Gissendaner at 726-0022.