Be smart, clean up after time on river

Summer is here and with it, once again, comes the never ending mess along the Colorado River and other Yuma area waters.

We have so much fun keeping cool and entertained along the river or our lakes nearby, we forget our manners. Some of us aren’t smart enough to realize if we don’t keep it cleaned up while we’re out there playing we may lose it. It can happen!

Would it be OK with you if we had to pay a mandatory entry fee each time in order to get to and enjoy what our waters have to offer, whether it’s for swimming, fishing or just enjoying the outdoors? I bet not! This has already happened at a few of our favorite spots along the river, for example at Squaw Lake and Senator’s Wash where fees are charged in order to keep it well kept after no one cared.

While most of us pick up after ourselves and leave it better than we find it, there are still a good share of slobs out there who feel it’s alright to toss the beer bottles and endless trash into the water and bushes along the river because it’s there and free (for now). They flat don’t care — they’re users. They figure “let someone else do it!” Then the rest of us with our trash bags under our arms have to make the time to get busy and pick it all up. Someone has to do it and, if the others won’t do it, it might as well be us - we love the river and all it offers, and we don’t want to lose the privilege of having it to enjoy.

Before we do lose the use of these water areas we love so much, each of us needs to make trash bags a standard item in the tackle box or swim bag we take with us to the water. Then when we’re done enjoying what we’ve been doing, bring the filled trash bags home for proper disposal. It really doesn’t hurt to pick it up whether it’s our trash or belongs to someone else. Encourage others to do the same. It will keep our areas looking good and it may well pay off to our advantage.

Fish clubs

• Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club: 70 people fished the latest Ted Townsend Memorial Catfish Derby with the following results: 1. Lyle Franklin 29.17, 2. Paul Hester 15.24, 3. Sean Kerley 12.07, 4. Dave Kraner 11.22, 5. John Nicewander 9.43, 6. Shane Luke 9.04, 7. Rick Bielke 8.99, 8. Mark Loghry 8.71, 9. Kent Inglett 8.17, 10. Ryan Diener 8.03, 11. Amber Nelson 6.78, 12. Logan Hester 6.75, 13. Glenda Hazlett 6.20, 14. Chase Mitchell 6.03, 15. Jayson Brooks 5.79. Check next week’s column for results of the latest Combo Bass/Catfish Derby or call Billy Morgan at 210-2478.

• Desert Bass Anglers: Check next week’s column for results of yesterday’s Colorado River Team Tournament or call Mac or Bobbi McDermott at 726-1984. Mid-season top 10 anglers are: Ed Reeder 218 points, Alan Hook 217, Jim Phipps 213, John Borgoff 212, Bob La Londe 191, Mac McDermott 189, Bobbi McDermott 189, Chris Walker 180, Joe Kling 178, Rick Johnson 175. McDermott states, “it’s still anyone’s game with 5 points tournament left this year”.

• Yuma Pro Am: Join the club ($15 annual dues) and Sign up July 18-23 at Sportsmen’s Hideaway to fish the July 24 tournament launching out of Fisher’s Landing. Call Bob La Londe at 580-1270.

• Slim Evans Catfish Derby: Sign up at Fisher’s Landing gas dock, Sportsmen’s Hideaway or Fisher’s bar and grill to fish the July 23-24 derby. Call Jimmy Phipps at 782-2207.

• Goin’ Fishin’ Productions: Not just a guide trip - but a Bass Class on the Water to learn tips, techniques, tactics, locations and bait selection for catching bass like the pros at local waters in all seasons and conditions. Call Dave Willhide at 782-2621.
Hunt happenings

• Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation: Drawing funds from local as well as national coffers, the RMEF has committed $150,000 in support for wildfire mitigation measures in response to emergency proposals from the Arizona Game and Fish Department for projects that will benefit elk as well as other wildlife effected by the recent fires in Arizona.

• 2011 KOFA Junior Quail Camp: Any Arizona licensed junior hunter 17 years and under who would like to take part in the quail camp needs to mark the calendar for the Oct. 15-16 camp at the KOFA National Wildlife Refuge (same area as last year). There is a refundable $40 registration fee that includes meals and the two-day hunt for 1 junior and 1 adult - call Game and Fish at 342-0091 for registration forms. Volunteers, both hunters and non-hunters are also needed to help make this camp a success. Sponsors are Southwest Arizona Habitat Partnership Committee, AZGFD, the KOFA National Wildlife Refuge, Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club, Arizona Game Ranger’s Lodge FOP #71 and BLM.

Shooting sports

• Renegade Archers of Yuma: All archers are most welcome to shoot the trail of 3D animals at 7 a.m. (to beat the heat) Sundays at the Foothills Archery Range located south of I-8 and east of the Foothills at the base of the Gila Mountain Range from Avenue 15-E. The adult shoot fee is $5 with youngsters always free of charge. Call Jean Wilson at 247-4450.

• Southwest Bowhunters: Open archery shoots at 8 a.m. each Sunday 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 the Adair Park range. Call Gary Knight at 210-0805 or John Gross at 329-0960.

• Yuma Territorial Longrifles: Open black powder matches at 8:30 a.m. 1st and 3rd Saturdays at Adair Park with the monthly meeting preceding the shoot on the 1st Saturday. Call Dennis Hansel aat 342-7573.

• Cholla Gun Club: .22 rifle or pistol “fun” matches at 8:30 a.m. each Friday at the Adair Park metallic silhouette range. Call Rich or Glenda at 502-0736.

• Yuma Rifle and Pistol Club: Monthly high power, Vintage and Palma Matches will resume in September at the Adair Park big bore range - call Paul Lerma at 783-6766.

• Yuma Matchmasters: Open IPSC Combat Match at 6:30 a.m. today at the Adair Park small bore range. The Cowboy Match will be held July 24 the range - call Ron Gissendaner at 726-0022.