Keep kids safe near water with floatation device

Being at the right place at the right time is an important ingredient for hunting and fishing success. It is also necessary when preventing a disaster.

This was the case over the weekend when we were enjoying the water, sun and sand at Mittry Lake with a group of anglers and families.

Consider the circumstances: A young boy who was fishing with us did not have on a life jacket (PFD) and he did not know how to swim. I'm guessing he must have dropped his fishing pole into the water from the dock and fell in the cold, dark water when trying to retrieve it. Luckily, my granddaughter, Cari, was at the same area of the dock and saw what happened. When she couldn't reach him from the dock and he began going under for the count, she jumped into the water, grabbed him and held his head above water until his Dad, who had been a short distance away, could get there and pull him out. Thank goodness she is a quick thinker - the boy is fine and went right back to fishing after drying off a bit. It could have ended very different. But for the grace of God!

What is the point of this story? Whenever you have your youngster (or any young person) at or even near a water area for any reason, be sure they are wearing a PFD - AND they know how to swim. Dog paddling is better than nothing and a child learns fast. Swim classes are offered in Yuma off and on so take advantage of the opportunity (call Parks and Recreation as well as the YMCA) so your child can learn to stay safe and sound. Don't put it off - it could save his/her life. The same goes with an older person if they don't know how to swim - you'd be surprised at how many fill this category. PFDs come in a variety of sizes and are readily available. Better to be safe than sorry.

Fishing clubs

*Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club: 78 youngsters showed up for the Father and Child Derby just held with 35 fish being caught. All kids went home with great prizes and a good lunch under their belt. The club thanks all volunteers and the many generous sponsors for all they did to assist in making this event a huge success. Winners of the latest Big Bass Derby: 1. Gary McKay 4.86, 2. Lanny Brock 4.85, 3. Mike Gaither 4.53, 4. Alvy McKay 3.19. Keep in practice for the June 7 Combo Bass/Catfish Derby - call Ed Foster at 726-7735. Club members can check with Bill Shook at 783-8110 for hunt plan details.

*Yuma Pro/Am Series: To correct some misinformation on latest results, Joe Achondo, not Rick Johnson, took the second place Big Fish with Manuel Garcia placing third. Bob La Londe offered his latest tip simply, "In order to catch fish, leave the comforts of home and go fishing"! A good idea too is to take note of circumstances when you do catch a fish. What were you using for bait? What were the weather conditions? Time of day (or night)? La Londe has found, "The more you fish, the more fish you will catch." Sign up this week at Sportsmen's Hideaway to fish the May 18 Pro/Am Tournament, with plenty of room for anyone wanting to fish. Call La Londe at 580-1270.

Yuma Women's Reel and Rifle Club:  Elaine Yates topped her previous catch for the club's Bass Board - the new bass weighed in at 4-5 pounds to beat her previous 4.0 weight. Good fish'n! Be sure to get your raffle tickets from any club member (Yuma Coin and Gun also has tickets) for the $500 cash or other prizes including a hunting package, local fishing package that includes spending the day on the water to learn all the 'trick of the trade' with Yuma fishing guide Dave Willhide, the super San Diego Deep Sea Fishing package or the Nite on the Town that includes a night at the Microtel Jacuzzi Suite with all the trimmings. The drawing is 7 p.m. May 22 at the club meeting at American Legion, 2575 Virginia Dr., open to all ladies and their young gals interested in hunting, fishing or the shooting sports. Call me anytime for details. Members are reminded to fish the May 16-18 All Member Bass Derby at Colorado River waters.

Yuma Desert Bass Anglers: Enjoying latest team tournament success were Lanny Brock/Bob McLendon in first place with 15.16 while husband and wife team Gary/Lorie Key took second with 13.71, Jeff Cotton/Joe Myerchik took third place with 13.59 as well as second place Big Fish 5.20, followed by Husband/wife team Jim/Lana Warnicki in fourth place with 12.76. First Place Big Fish honors was enjoyed by Curtis Cernik/Ernie Melcher with 6.57. Winning the Junk Fish Option was father and son team Steve/Kalib Lund with a 14.35 flathead. Stay in practice for the June 7 Team Tournament on the river. Call Mac or Bobbi McDermott at 726-1984.

Yuma Bassmasters: Sign up at River Marine to fish the May 24 "open" Pro/Am Team Tournament launching out of Fisher's Landing. Watch for May 10 results next week or call Curtis Cernik at 941-2993.

Shooting sports

Renegade Archers of Yuma: Shoot the trail of 3D animals at 8 a.m. Sundays at the Foothills Archery Range. Call me for details and directions to the range.

Southwest Bowhunters: Archery shoots at 8 a.m. Sundays at Adair Park. 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: Sign up for black powder shoot at Adair Park at 8:30 a.m. Saturday. Call James Ingram at 726-6632.

Yuma Rifle and Pistol Club: Ron Foster won the Vintage Rifle Match using his MI Gerand while Paul Lerma won the NRA Match. Sign up by 7:30 a.m. to shoot Sunday's long range rifle match at the Adair Park big bore range. Call Lerma at 783-6766.

Cholla Gun Club: Call Glenda Graves at 314-1029;

Yuma Matchmasters: Call Ron Gissendaner at 726-0022.