West Wetlands fishing day a success
The latest youth fishing day at Yuma's West Wetlands Pond provided a world of fun for bunches of kids and their parents who came to enjoy the fishing with Arizona Game and Fish Department personnel assisted by the Southwest Habitat Partnership Committee and other volunteers including a crew of snowbirds who provided hotdogs with all the trimmings as well as a great raffle of fishing items for the kids taking part in this event.
SWHPC hopes to continue planning similar events throughout the year for Yuma area kids to enjoy.
Congratulations to Alexandria Vasquez who caught the first fish, a trout, along with another nice catch later in the day. Also enjoying his two-fish limit catch was Chais Ott with 5-year-old Isiah Arriola. The kids offered worms, small marshmallows, power bait and corn to entice the fish.
The Feb. 13 Hidden Shores "Kids Fishing Derby" is the next event on the horizon - call Game and Fish at 342-0091 or me at 726-0953 for details. The goal of these events is to help youngsters learn how to fish and hopefully go on to enjoy it for the rest of their lives.
FISHING CLUBS
• Desert Bass Anglers: Check next week's column for results of the Feb. 6 Colorado River Tournament or call Mac or Bobbi McDermott at 726-1984.
• Yuma Bassmasters: Sign up at 5:30 a.m. Feb. 13 at Fisher's Landing to fish that day's "open" Colorado River Bass Tournament. Fees are $25 for the annual membership and an additional $60 per team. Get in on the 8-pound pot that pays $1,500 to any team catching an 8-pound bass in a points tournament. Thanks to Bassmasters for donating five Zebco fishing outfits for the kids to enjoy at the latest kids fishing event at West Wetlands.
Twelve teams participated in the Jan. 16 tournament with Billy Skinner winning the top spot with his 14.96-pound total as well as second place Big Fish with a 4.06 bass. Kelly Leigh and Jim Waits placed second with 14.58 total and the day's Big Fish weighing 7.94 (February newsletter reported, "They only missed the 8-pound pot by thaaat much!"). Third place was taken by Robert Murray and Mike Edwards with 10.97. Call Jeff Pacewic at 580-2031 or visit jpacewic@msn.com or River Marine at 783-6502 for club information.
• Jackpot Fishing Tournament: Sign up and pay the $5 entry on Tuesday at the Fisher's Landing Bar for that week's Wednesday tournament beginning at 7 a.m. and ending with weigh-in at 1 p.m. at the gas dock. You'll be given a $1 coupon to use at the bar after weigh-in. Call Jimmy Phipps at 919-0376. Watch for latest results in next week's column
• American Bass: Sign up between 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Feb. 19 at Sportsmen's Hide-A-Way to fish the Feb. 20 Bass Tournament launching out of Fisher's Landing. Call Gabe Valdez at 928-897-5691.
• Yuma Pro/Am Series: December finishers in tournament competition were: 1. Billy Skinner/Bobby Kirby, 12.88; 2. Robert Murray/Christian Carter, 11.11; and 3. Dave Willhide/Kalib Lund 10,60. The Big Fish winner was Bob La Londe with his 4.98 bass. Sign up Feb. 22-27 at Sportsmen's Hide-A-Way to fish the Feb. 28 Bass Tournament launching out of Fisher's Landing. Costs include: $15 membership plus $25 tournament entry with options available. Call Bob La Londe at 520-1270 or visit bob@yumaproam.com.
SHOOTING SPORTS
• Renegade Archers of Yuma: All archers are welcome to shoot the trail of 3-D animals at 9 a.m. each Sunday at the Foothills Archery Range with adult fees $5 ($3 with $15 membership) and youngsters always "free" with equipment available. Call me at 726-0953 for details. Latest winners: UNL. Sr. Men — 1. Gene Cox, 2. Ken Wells, 3. Gordie Lehman, 4. Lowell Lehman; Sr. Women — 1. Sandy Lehman; Men — 1. Tom Gilleland, Women — Leslie Gilleland; LIM: 1. Duane Kleiman; BB — Sr. — 1. Jean Wilson; Women — 1. Sheila Rosner; TRAD: Sr. — 1. Dick Gale, 2. Dick Gilleland; Men — 1. Michael Rosner.
• Southwest Bowhunters: Plan to shoot the Feb. 20-21 Walk the Trail Archery Invitational at Adair Park with primitive camping at the archery range and a dinner on Saturday night. Check next week's column for details or call Uschi House at 345-3770 or Wayne Wittenberg at 314-0140.
• Yuma Trap and Skeet Club: Open trap and skeet 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday, Noon to 4 p.m. each Tuesday and Thursday at Adair Park. Call John Gross at 580-7837.
Kids firearms programs available are: 4-H — for air rifle, archery, muzzleloader, .22 cal. rifle and shotgun - Call Stanley Gourley at 726-3904; Yuma Young Guns — Call Couch Franco at 246-7157 or John Gross at 580-7837; Boy Scouts and the Venture Program for both boys and girls — Call Mike Brick at 783-9268; Scholastic Clay Target Program — Call Game and Fish at 342-0091 or the Yuma Trap and Skeet club.
• Yuma Territorial Longrifles Club: Meetings the first Saturday with black powder matches the first and third Saturday of each month at 8:30 a.m. at Adair Park. Call James Ingram at 726-6632. Roger Bickel holds .22 Rifle Schutezen Matches the second and fourth Tuesday at the black powder range - call Bickel at 726-7453.
• Cholla Gun Club: Sign up at 8:30 a.m. at the Adair Park metallic silhouette range, on Wednesday and Friday for .22 rifle and pistol fun shoots, open to all (any rimfire firearm can be used with the door prize draw each Friday). Silhouette matches are held the fourth Saturday and Sunday for lever action rifle. Call Glenda or Rick at 314-1029.
• Yuma Rifle and Pistol Club: High power rifle match — Feb. 21 open to civilian, service, women, men and juniors who sign up by 7:30 a.m. at the Adair Park big bore range. Call Paul Lerma at 783-6766.
• Yuma Matchmasters: Open IPSC combat match Feb. 14 at the Adair Park small bore range with sign up at 7:30 a.m. Call Ron Gissendaner at 726-0022.
HUNT HAPPENINGS
• Elk hunters, final reminder: Apply by the 7 p.m. Tuesday deadline for this year's elk and pronghorn antelope hunts. Postmarks don't count and there is no online application service available.
