January 31, 2008

Commentary
Big bass contest tests anglers’
mettle as much as fishing skills

By JIM MATTHEWS
Outdoor News Service

Facing some of the worst weather conditions ever in a Southern California bass fishing tournament, the 50 anglers in the first-ever Heavyweight Bass Classic Tournament at Lake Casitas last Friday found more than their fishing skills tested. The event opened to a pounding hail, then rain, and then winds that whipped the lake into tall whitecaps before it was three hours old.
Little did anglers know that the deal was really settled within the first 10 minutes of the morning.
Before mid-day, with at least three hours to go in the event, many of the anglers had burned up all of their battery power running their trolling motors in the strong winds and sloppy water and were forced to fish the afternoon on their big engines, setting up drifts, or anchoring in a spot and casting. All 50 of them stayed out, hurling big swim baits and casting jigs looking for a bite from that one big fish.
The event, designed to pit the best big fish anglers against each other in a winner-take-all format, tested far more than an angler’s big fish skills. To call the competition grueling would be an understatement, but many of these anglers like this kind of weather because it is when many have caught their best fish.
“I usually do good in rotten weather, but I never got a bite. Not one bite,” said Allan Cole of Henderson, Nev., one of the 50 big-fish anglers who paid the $200 entry fee to compete with his big fish peers.
At the final weigh in, only 20 of the 50 anglers weighed in a fish, and there were only seven that were over the five-pound mark.
Don Osborne of Castro Valley ended up winning the $10,000 grand prize and the first “belt” with a 10.52-pound bass caught on his first cast of the morning with a 12-inch Castaic Trout soft bait. Although confident that his big bass might win the tournament, he also knew there were a lot of other bigger bass in the lake and 49 other good anglers trying to catch them.
"After catching that fish, the clock couldn't move fast enough and it seemed like it took forever for the weigh-in to get here," said an excited Osborne during the weigh in.
"It's been over three months since I've caught a big bass and today was a good day to break that dry spell," said Osborne. “It helped that I called Lake Casitas before the HBC and asked them what size hatchery trout were being planted in the lake, and that's why I jumped up from an eight-inch swimbait to a 12-inch swimbait."
Everyone else came in last, although there were some other quality fish caught, but not near as many as might be expected with this many big fish specialists on one of the best big bass lakes in the state.
Blame the weather. The fact that any fish were caught is miraculous.
Randy King, manager of the Casitas marina, said the conditions were “awful.”
“If it hadn’t been for that tournament, it would have been bad enough to close the lake,” said King. “We had a south wind, which is an ugly one for us, and it blew 25 to 35 miles per hour all day with gusts to 60. All the trolling motors were gone by noon as guys tried to hold on spots. They’d ride up on a swell, the motor would come out of the water and cavitate, and then they’d crash back down and take water over the bow. I actually felt sorry for them.”

Steve Davies of California City was second with a 7.99-pounder, and third went to Mike Lander of Castaic with a 7.36-pound bass. Fourth place went to Ken McDonald of La Mirada with a 5.61 pounder, and fifth place went to Ron Thigpin, a Lake Casitas guide, with a 5.27-pound bass.
Event organizers Ken Huddleston and Ron Cervenka envisioned this event like the World Series of Poker. You win it and you can claim you’re the best big bass angler in the world until you’re unseated in the next big event, which will be at Clear Lake in Northern California on Friday, July 11.
For more information on this tournament series and more details on the Castaic event, go to http://heavyweightbassclassic.com/. This site has biographies of all the entrants in Friday’s event that give you some idea of the talent fishing this competition.

LEAD BULLET RESIDUE POISONING WILDLIFE

A new study published in the January edition of the Journal of Wildlife Management adds more evidence that lead bullet residue left in gutpiles of big game shot by hunters is a danger to wildlife that scavenges on those gutpiles.
While California has been in the news with its ban on lead hunting ammunition within the range of critically endangered California condors, biologists across the country have been studying the impacts spent lead from hunter’s ammunition has on a wide variety of wildlife.
The latest study was conducted on ravens in the Greater Yellowstone area over a four-year period by researcher Derek Craighead, who heads up a non-profit science and education organization in Kelly, Wyo. Craighead’s team tested common raven blood lead levels during and after the big game hunting seasons in Jackson Hole, Wyo.
The median blood lead level in ravens was more than five times higher during the hunting season than during the non-hunting season, according to the report. The ravens became poisoned with lead after scavenging on gut piles left in the field by hunters who shot deer, elk and other big game with lead-based ammunition, said Craighead. There was also a spike in levels that coincided with the first spring thaws after more viscera, which had been snow-covered, was exposed. Those raven’s median blood lead levels during the fall are also five times higher than what would be regarded as safe for humans.
“The implications of our study are that lead contamination should be suspect in all species, including humans, that feed on hunter-killed animals,” said Craighead. “Fortunately, using non-lead bullets is one relatively easy solution to curb this form of lead contamination.”
Craighead also has unpublished data showing an even worse problem with bald eagles and golden eagles, whose blood lead levels can reach fatal levels, and this data will be presented at a lead conference being held mid-May in Boise State University.
The effect of lead poisoning in animals and humans is well-documented, Craighead said. Animals that don’t die directly of lead poisoning can experience a variety of mental and physical ailments which can lead to death from other sources. Lean poisoning can lead to an inability to compete well for food, more collisions with power lines and other obstructions, anemia, decreased weight and muscle mass, higher blood pressure, lower bone density and paralysis of the nervous system.
As most California hunters know, a ban on lead ammunition for big game and varmint hunting in condor territory was approved by the California Legislature in October and refined by the California Fish and Game Commission in December. Two California military bases and one large ranch, all three with extensive hunting programs, have also completely banned all lead ammunition. Missouri, North Dakota, and South Dakota have limited bans on lead shotgun ammunition on certain lands for upland bird hunting. More recently, Grand Teton National Park currently is considering a change in its regulations that would ban the use of lead bullets in the elk reduction program that occurs in the park each fall.

OUTDOOR CALENDAR

FEBRUARY 2 BASS MADNESS UNIVERSITY: Bass Pro Shop will host the Bass Madness University from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 2, at its Rancho Cucamonga store in Victoria Gardens. Cost is $100. Featured speakers include Wood Daves, Jason Quinn, Matt Reed, Stacey King, Alton Jones, and special guest Jimmy Houston. Information at www.basspro.com/bassmadness.
FEBRUARY 8 IMPERIAL VALLEY FRIENDS OF NRA FUND-RAISER: The Imperial Valley Friends of the NRA will have its annual fund-raising dinner beginning 6 p.m., Friday, Feb. 8, at the Swiss Club, 1585 E. Worthington Road, Holtville. Tickets are $50 per person. Contact Jeff Mercer at 760-337-3030 or via e-mail at jeff.mercer@gcinc.com.
FEBRUARY 9 CWA INLAND EMPIRE SHOOT: The California waterfowl Association will be having its Inland Empire Shoot and Lunch fund-raiser beginning 7 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 9 at Mike Raahauge’s Shooting Enterprises, 14995 River Road, Corona. Cost is $60 per shooter, $300 per squad. Contact Frank Moore at 714-803-7374, Debbie Davis at 909-730-7730, or log on to www.calwaterfowl.org.
FEBRUARY 9 BALD EAGLE CENSUS: Volunteers are needed for the winter census of bald eagles at Big Bear Lake, Lake Arrowhead, Silverwood Lake, and Lake Hemet on Saturday, February 9. Counts are conducted the same day and same times at all four waters. Volunteers need to bring binoculars, a watch, and wear warm clothes. For more information about eagle counts, please call Marc Stamer with the San Bernardino National Forest in Big Bear at 909-382-2828 to count at Arrowhead or Big Bear; Heidi Sellers at the San Jacinto Ranger Station at 909-382-2945 to count at Lake Hemet; or Rick Reisenhoffer at 760-389-2281 to count at Lake Silverwood. The last of these winter counts is March 8.
FEBRUARY 9-10 CONCEALED CARRY WEAPON COURSE: A 16-hour California Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) course is being offered by Firearms Training Associates at Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises this Saturday and Sunday. Cost is $180 per person. This course meets the state requirement for 16 hours of training to qualify for a CCW. Other dates for 2008 classes are Mar. 29-30, April 19-20, May 17-18, June 21-22, July 12-13, Aug. 2-3, Sept. 6-7, Oct. 4-5, Nov. 1-2, and Dec. 6-7. Contact FTA at 714-701-9918 or 877-544-4867. The web site is www.ftatv.com.
FEBRUARY 15 CWA SAN DIEGO COUNTY DINNER: The California Waterfowl Association’s San Diego County Chapter will have its annual fund-raising dinner beginning 6 p.m., Friday, Feb. 15 at the Elks’ Club, 1400 E. Washington, El Cajon. Cost is $65 per person, $95 per couple. Contact John Howard at 619-440-8319, Tom Homen at 209-587-0886, or log on to www.calwaterfowl.org.
FEBRUARY 16 NWTF-LAKE SUTHERLAND TURKEY TUNE-UP: The San Diego County Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, along with the City of San Diego and the California Department of Fish and Game, are hosting the annual Turkey Tune-Up at Lake Sutherland 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 16. There will be a drawing for the 22 turkey hunts at Lake Sutherland, calling seminars, where-to-hunt information, calling contest, raffle, and shotgun and archery range practice. Contact Debbie Doan at 619-561-5738.
FEBRUARY 16 TEMECULA CHAPTER OF NWTF CONSERVATION BANQUET: The Temecula Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federal will have its 2nd Annual Conservation Banquet beginning 5:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 16, at Temeku Hills, 41687 Temeku Dr., Temecula. Dinner tickets are $65 each, $100 per couple. Contact William at 949-212-9150, Duncan at 951-679-3699 or Larry at 951-600-2765.
FEBRUARY 16 HUNTER SAFETY CLASS: A one-day, 10-hour certified hunter safety class will be held at Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises, Norco. Classes are required for all first-time California hunters before a hunting license can be purchased. Cost is $35 per person. The 2008 class date schedule is Mar. 8, Apr. 5, May 3, June 21, July 12, Aug. 2, 16, 23, 24, 30, Sept. 13, Oct. 11, Nov. 1, Dec. 6. Sign-ups are taken at all Turner's Outdoorsman stores. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981.
FEBRUARY 16-17 WATER-FOR-WILDLIFE WORK PROJECT: The Mojave Preserve Water-for-Wildlife Volunteer Group will have a guzzler repair project and campout in the Cedar Canyon area of the Mojave National Preserve Feb. 16-17. Repairs will be made to two small game guzzlers and a final coat of Merlex applied to a third drinker. Everyone should bring camping gear, water, firewood, food, and gloves. Next project dates are March 14-15, April 11-13, May 16-18. For more information and directions to the camp site, contact Cliff McDonald at 760-326-2935 or via e-mail at bigmc@citlink.net.
MARCH 2 SAN GABRIEL MOUNTAINS BIGHORN SHEEP COUNT: Volunteers are needed for the annual bighorn sheep count in the San Gabriel Mountains. Conducted jointly by the Department of Fish and Game, U.S. Forest Service, and several conservation groups, the comprehensive count relies on ground-based volunteers throughout the range and government crews in helicopter. The count provides the agencies with accurate population data on the sheep to help management. There is a mandatory orientation meeting on March 1 for all volunteers. For information and to volunteer, call the Lytle Creek Ranger Station at 909-382-2851.
MARCH 5-9 FRED HALL LONG BEACH SHOW: The Fred Hall Fishing Tackle, Boat, and Travel Show will be held March 5-9 at the Long Beach Convention Center. This is the West Coast’s granddaddy of sportsman’s shows filling the convention center with exhibitors. Admission to the Hall Show is $15 for adults and kids are free. For more information, go to www.fredhall.com or call 805-389-3339.
MARCH 7 WEST VALLEY FRIENDS OF NRA FUND-RAISER: The West Valley Friends of the NRA will have its annual banquet beginning 6 p.m., Friday, March 7, at the Rancho Cucamonga Community Center. Speaker will be Chuck Michel, one of the leading firearm attorneys in California. This banquet is normally in the fall, so mark the calendar. Contact Steve Gomez at (909) 560-6000 or via e-mail at westvalleyfnra@aol.com.
MARCH 8 QUAIL UNLIMITED GUN DOG SHOWDOWN: The San Gabriel Valley Chapter of Quail Unlimited is hosting its 20th annual Gun Dog Showdown beginning 7:30 a.m., Saturday, March 8, at the Prado Regional Park Dog Training Area, Chino. The event is open to all hunting breeds and will feature planted chukar. Hunter-dog teams will be scored on time and shells expended to shoot and retrieve all three birds. Cost is $65 for non-QU members, $60 for QU members, $50 for re-runs. There is also a $10 park entrance fee. Contact Tim Bovard at 909-624-7411.
MARCH 8 BALD EAGLE CENSUS: Volunteers are needed for the winter census of bald eagles at Big Bear Lake, Lake Arrowhead, Silverwood Lake, and Lake Hemet on Saturday, March 8. Counts are conducted the same day and same times at all four waters. Volunteers need to bring binoculars, a watch, and wear warm clothes. For more information about eagle counts, please call Marc Stamer with the San Bernardino National Forest in Big Bear at 909-382-2828 to count at Arrowhead or Big Bear; Heidi Sellers at the San Jacinto Ranger Station at 909-382-2945 to count at Lake Hemet; or Rick Reisenhoffer at 760-389-2281 to count at Lake Silverwood.
MARCH 8 HUNTER SAFETY CLASS: A one-day, 10-hour certified hunter safety class will be held at Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises, Norco. Classes are required for all first-time California hunters before a hunting license can be purchased. Cost is $35 per person. The remaining 2008 class dates are Apr. 5, May 3, June 21, July 12, Aug. 2, 16, 23, 24, 30, Sept. 13, Oct. 11, Nov. 1, Dec. 6. Sign-ups are taken at all Turner's Outdoorsman stores. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981.
MARCH 14-16 WATER-FOR-WILDLIFE WORK PROJECT: The Mojave Preserve Water-for-Wildlife Volunteer Group will have a guzzler repair project in the Cima area of the Mojave National Preserve March 14-16. Five guzzlers and two springs are scheduled for repair and restoration. Food will be provided two evenings and two mornings, but everyone should bring camping gear, water, firewood, food or lunch and snacks, and gloves. Next project dates are April 11-13 and May 16-18. For more information and directions to the camp site, contact Cliff McDonald at 760-326-2935 or via e-mail at bigmc@citlink.net.
MARCH 26-30 FRED HALL DEL MAR SHOW: The Fred Hall Fishing Tackle, Boat, and Travel Show will be held March 26-30 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. The companion show to the Long Beach event, this is the largest sportsman’s show in San Diego County. Admission to the Hall Show is $15 for adults and kids are free. For more information, go to www.fredhall.com or call 805-389-3339.
MARCH 29-30 CONCEALED CARRY WEAPON COURSE: A 16-hour California Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) course is being offered by Firearms Training Associates at Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises this Saturday and Sunday. Cost is $180 per person. This course meets the state requirement for 16 hours of training to qualify for a CCW. Other dates for 2008 classes are April 19-20, May 17-18, June 21-22, July 12-13, Aug. 2-3, Sept. 6-7, Oct. 4-5, Nov. 1-2, and Dec. 6-7. Contact FTA at 714-701-9918 or 877-544-4867. The web site is www.ftatv.com.

CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS

The following is a list of hunting, shooting, and fishing clubs and organizations in Southern California with contact information and regular meeting dates:
976-TUNA ROD AND REEL CLUB: The 976-Tuna Rod and Reel Club meets 7 p.m. the first Thursday of each month at Bass Pro Shops, Rancho Cucamonga. At the December meeting a free trip to Palmas de Cortez in Baja will be given away. Contact Phil Friedman at 310-328-8426.
CALIFORNIA STATE VARMINT CALLERS ASSOCIATION: The California State Varmint Callers Association meets 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at the Denny's just north of the 210 freeway at Irwindale Ave., Irwindale. Contact Steven Childs at 626-407-8826 or steve@sdchilds.com. Web site: www.csvca.com.
CANYON OAKS SPORTSMAN’S CLUB: The Canyon Oaks Sportsman’s Club meets the first Tuesday of every month at it’s clubhouse in Lakeview Terrace-Sylmar. The club has regular trap, skeet, smallbore, big bore, handgun, and Cowboy Action shooting events. Contact Gary White at 818-998-7240, Mike Totta at 818-362-2181 or Mike Nickoloff via e-mail at idpamike@yahoo.com.
CERRITOS ROD & GUN CLUB: The Cerritos Rod & Gun Club meets the second Wednesday of each month at Heritage Park in Cerritos. Contact Charles Sharp at 714-317-8290 or fish_90605@yahoo.com.
CLUB FISH: Club Fish, a 20-year-old fishing club, meets 7:30 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at the Izaak Walton League Clubhouse, Santa Ana. The clubhouse is located at the entrance to Riverview Gold Course. Contact Mike Cross at 949-854-5258 or m_r_cross@yahoo.com.
HIGH DESERT FLY-FISHERS: The High Desert Fly-Fishers holds its monthly meetings on the second Thursday of each month at The Apple Valley Fire Conference Center, 19235 Yucca Loma, Apple Valley. Contact John Rose at 760-247-5966.
HIGHLAND PARK SPORTSMEN'S CLUB: The Highland Park Sportsmen's Club meets at 8 p.m. the first and third Wednesday of each month at 2035 Colorado Blvd., Los Angeles. Contact Mauro Garcia at 323-254-0763 or incareal@juno.com.
NATIONAL VARMINT HUNTERS: The National Varmint Hunters meets 7:30 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at the Veterans of Foreign Wars club located on Grand Avenue, just west of 17th Street, Santa Ana. Contact Mark Harris at 714-655-6954 or mhitis1@yahoo.com or Terry Mathers at 714-299-9938 or coyote@jps.net.
NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION (HIGH DESERT CHAPTER):The High Desert Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation meets 6:30 p.m. the first Thursday of each month at the Apple Valley Gun Club, 16699 Stoddard Wells Rd., Victorville. Contact Dave Recce at 760-956-7092 or Dave Halbrook at 760-553-2794.
NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION (ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER):The Orange County Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation meets 6 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at The Firing Line, 17921 Jamestown Lane, Huntington Beach. Contact Pat Ryan at 714-841-2100 or Casey Rasmussen at 714-377-5859.
ORANCO BOWMEN: The ORANCO Bowmen meet the second Tuesday of each month at the club range, 17504 Pomona Rincon Rd., Chino (Euclid Avenue one block north of the 71 freeway). The range is open to the public on Sundays 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 909-597-7582. Web site: www.oranco.org.
ORANGE COUNTY BASS CLUB: The Orange County Bass Club meets 7 p.m. the third Monday of each month at the Garden Grove Elk's Lodge. Contact Steve Pendergast at 949-651-8172 or prendergasts@netzero.com.
PLUNGE CREEK COWBOYS: The Plunge Creek Cowboys, a new Cowboy Action Shooting club in the Inland Empire, has shoots the third Saturday of each month at the Inland Fish and Game range on Orange Street in East Highlands. Authentic or replica firearms and garb required. Information: www.plungecreekcowboys.com.
PREDATOR CALLERS OF ORANGE COUNTY: The Predator Callers of Orange County meet 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month at the Denny's restaurant, 7490 Edinger Ave., Huntington Beach. Contact Bob Peters via e-mail at bpi1@ca.rr.com or Don Jamroz at donjamroz@aol.com.
QUAIL UNLIMITED (HIGH DESERT CHAPTER): The High Desert Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 6 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at the Apple Valley Gun Club. Contact Cruz Garcia at 760-949-6334 or fathercruz@verizon.net.
QUAIL UNLIMITED (ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER): The Orange County Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month at the Izaak Walton League Clubhouse (located at the entrance to Riverview Golf Course) in Santa Ana. Contact Craig Riedel at 714-282-1194 or criedel@mflex.com.
QUAIL UNLIMITED (RIVERSIDE CHAPTER): The Riverside Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 7 p.m. the second Thursday of each month at Prado Olympic Shooting Park, 17501 Pomona Rincon Road, Chino (one block west of Euclid, just off the 71 freeway). Contact Ron Gibbons at 909-902-9814 or gibbent@gte.net. Web site: www.quriverside.com.
QUAIL UNLIMITED (SAN DIEGO CHAPTER): The San Diego Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 6:30 p.m. the third Thursday of each month at DFG Headquarters at 4949 Viewridge Rd., San Diego. Contact David Preddy at davidpreddy@cox.net or visit www.sdqu.org.
QUAIL UNLIMITED (SAN GABRIEL VALLEY CHAPTER): The San Gabriel Valley Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 6 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at Triple B Clays in El Monte. Contact Tim Bovard at 866-206-9070, ext. 6715 or sgvqu@onebox.com.
REDONDO ROD & GUN CLUB: The Redondo Rod & Gun Club meets 8 p.m. every Thursday of every month at its own clubhouse. The club has promoted hunting, fishing, sport shooting and the outdoors since 1948. The clubhouse is located at 2023 Vanderbilt Lane, Redondo Beach. Contact 310-379-7772.
RIVERSIDE VARMINT CALLERS: The Riverside Varmint Callers meet 7 p.m. the last Saturday of each month at Flo's Country Kitchen, Riverside. Contact Lance Cochrane at 909-919-4309 or Ray Gauthier at 951-785-4986. Web site:www.californiavarmintcallers.com/chapters.html/.
SAN DIEGO SPORTING DOG CLUB: The San Diego Sporting Dog Club meets 7 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at the Animal Medical Center, 600 Broadway, El Cajon. Contact Steve Sarmiento at 619-659-9393 or sssarmi@sbcglobal.net.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA VARMINT CALLERS ASSOCIATION: The Southern California Varmint Callers Association meets 8 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month at the Denny's Restaurant at Pioneer Blvd and Imperial Highway in Norwalk. Contact Granville Crow at 310-548-6221 or crowshot1@cox.net or Skip Gildner at 562-900-9020 or mtnhigh5@excite.com.
TEMPLE CITY SPORTSMEN: The Temple City Sportsmen meet the first Thursday of each month at the Temple City Civic Center in Temple City. Contact Jim White at 626-201-7782 or TCSPresident2006@yahoo.com.
TURNER'S OUTDOORSMAN ROD AND REEL CLUB: The Turner's Outdoorsman Rod and Reel Club meets 7 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at Marie Calendar’s Restaurant, 2300 Foothill, Pasadena. Contact Richard Crowe at 626-960-9610.

[Want your event or club listed here? Send the information to Jim Matthews, Outdoor News Service, P.O. Box 9007, San Bernardino, CA 92427-0007 or e-mail it to odwriter@earthlink.net. Following the style used above for events and clubs makes our life easier and increases the likelihood of it being included here.]

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