Bonny Lake Fish Salvage Authorized

Bonny Lake Fish Salvage Authorized
BURLINGTON, Colo. - Colorado Parks and Wildlife biologists have begun salvaging sport fish from Bonny Reservoir in Yuma County in preparation for the draining of the lake over the next two months.

The State Engineer began releasing water from the reservoir on September 21 to satisfy a legal obligation to release all the water to Kansas and Nebraska. The result will most likely be the loss of the entire fishery.

As long as conditions allow, biologists will trap as many fish as possible and relocate sport fish to other public fishing waters. Anglers can continue to remove fish provided the shoreline remains stable and access is safe.

"Right now it looks like it might take as little as 90 days to drain the lake," said Parks and Wildlife Area Wildlife Manager Cory Chick. "We encourage anglers to harvest as many fish as possible before the water is gone."

Under the salvage order signed by Southeast Regional Manager Dan Prenzlow, all legal methods of fishing will be allowed including the use of trotlines, jugs and seines. Commercial angling is prohibited. There are no limits on the number or species of fish anglers can keep, but everyone must have a valid Colorado fishing license to be in possession of fish and must complete an angler survey card available at the reservoir.

Access may be closed to boats and/or anglers if the receding lake creates unstable banks or other hazards.

"I grew up hunting and fishing at Bonny Lake State Park," Prenzlow said. "This is difficult to watch."

Bonny Reservoir was created in 1951 when the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation built a flood control dam on the South Fork of the Republican River. Shortly after the completion of the project in 1951, the former Colorado Division of Game Fish and parks negotiated an agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation to manage fish, wildlife and recreational assets of the reservoir and the federal land around the lake.

As a result of draining Bonny, Colorado Parks and Wildlife will transition Bonny from a State Park into a State Wildlife Area beginning Oct. 1, while simultaneously exploring other potential options with a variety of partners. Public hunting access areas will remain open to the public.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is working with Yuma County Commissioners, Three Rivers Alliance, and Yuma County Economic Development Council to determine whether management of 56 acres, including the Visitor Center and Wagon Wheel Campground along with other facilities in Bonny Lake State Park, can be transitioned to Yuma County.

Pending completion of discussions with these local groups, the North Cove and East Beach Campgrounds will remain open in October, although without potable water sources. The Foster Grove campground facilities, however, will be shut down and winterized until a final resolution is reached with Yuma County and local groups. Tables and grills will be removed from isolated picnic sites on the north and south side to be distributed to other Parks and Wildlife areas in critical need of such items.

For more information on the South Republican State Wildlife Area, please see: http://wildlife.state.co.us/LandWater/StateWildlifeAreas/.

Media Contact
Michael Seraphin (719) 227-5211

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2011 California Billfish Series Wraps Up

While the 2011 California striped marlin season will go down as another tough one for the West Coast, the teams that participated in the California Billfish Series presented by Typhoon Polarized Optics made the most of it and still had plenty of fun. With three individual fishing tournaments, including the Zane Grey Invitational, Catalina Classic and Avalon Billfish Classic, the California Billfish Series attracts the top marlin crews in the western U.S. to compete for some big money.

The Zane Grey Invitational was the first tournament in the series, held September 11-13. Tournament director Ali Hussainy made the decision to move the tournament to Dana Point to take advantage of a body of striped marlin located right off the beach. It was a popular decision and the crew on Shark's Parlour, a 47 Riviera, scored a big win, taking home a paycheck of $79,213 for the Day One and Day Two dailies as well as the overall jackpot.

The team on Shark's Parlour, including Jim Sloan, Tom Sloan, Eric Hermann, Bryce Hermann, Rick Triguiero and Jesse Henry took the lead on Day One and held the position the entire event. The team hooked a marlin well south of Dana Point on a live bait at 10:55 a.m. on Day One. Jesse Henry landed the fish just 20 minutes later, and the team decided to release it and take the 100 points. Henry's fish was the only one caught on the day.

At 8:19 a.m. on Day Two, the team on Ruckus, a 40 Riviera, radioed tournament control to report a hookup on a live bait. Angler Johnny Jensen came tight to a striped marlin and it sounded like the fleet had found the fish. Unfortunately, Jensen's fish came unbuttoned just a few minutes later and the 10-boat fleet did not report any more hookups on the day. Shark's Parlour release on Day One stood as the only qualifying catch and swept all of the dailies and overall jackpot.

The next two events in the series, the Catalina Classic and Avalon Billfish Classic were held on historic Catalina Island from September 18-20. These tournaments are fished simultaneously as the Catalina Classic is a big-fish event and the Avalon Billfish Classic is an all-release tournament. The majority of the participating boats fish in both tournaments at the same time.

The 21 participating teams enjoyed blue skies and perfect temperatures as they checked in at Descanso Beach and tried their luck at the Phenix Rods casting contest, and battled it out from the Pompanette fighting chair. The prize money up for grabs totaled $138,167 with 10 boats going all-in across the board in the Catalina Classic and two more went for the big payday in the Avalon Billfish Classic as well. When you add in all of the great prizes from the tournament's sponsors, including Fraser-Volpe gyros, custom bronze trophies, Phenix marlin casters with Accurate reels, Hot Liquid Lures, Dana Landing gift cards and much more, the fleet is fishing for more than $160,000 in cash and prizes.

Each angler had a chance to win a brand-new Phenix marlin caster with an Accurate 665 reel in the casting contest. It was a tight competition with several guys hitting the target but in the end Billy Miyagawa and Barry Brightenburg won out and each went home with a rod-and-reel combo worth upwards of $1,000.

There was also a cranking contest from a Pompanette fighting chair and the Berkley knot-tying competition. Teams mingled back and forth chatting with sponsors and going through their swag bags which were packed to the gills with goodies from the event's sponsors. The Typhoon girls made everyone's day a little brighter as they took photos with competitors.

The opening day festivities were a big hit, but these teams came to catch striped marlin. On Day One, the 21-boat fleet lined up outside of Avalon Harbor in a misty grey light for the Shotgun Start. At the sound of the opening horn most of the fleet motored southeast hoping to find striped marlin. There were a few bodies of fish scattered around the Mackerel Bank and off the east side of Clemente. At 11:13 a.m. the crew on Chaser came tight to a swordfish, which unfortunately don't count in the California Billfish Series. The angler cranked down the drag and broke the fish off after just a few minutes. It was the only reported action of the day.

Conditions were tough going into Day Two, but the fleet wasn't about to give up. After consulting with the teams, tournament director Ali Hussainy made the decision to expand fishing hours to 5 p.m. if no qualifying marlin were caught or released to give teams more time to find a fish.

"We want to see someone win the prize money, so we decided to expand the fishing hours," Hussainy said.

Just before 4 p.m. Capt. Mike "the Beak" Hurt and his team on Chiqelin found what they were looking for. Working the area way south in the tournament grid, the crew cast out a live mackerel on a feeding marlin. They came tight to the fish, which was worth upwards of $140,000 in prize money, but unfortunately it spit the hook just a few minutes after taking the bait.

With no fish caught in the event, Hussainy decided to roll the prize money over to the 2012 events and give back all of the optional jackpot cash minus the tournament's operational cut. It was either that or fish for one more day. It was a popular decision with the participants who applauded the move at the banquet.

Later that night all of the teams assembled in the historic Catalina Casino at Avalon for the banquet dinner and though fishing may have been slow, you wouldn't know it based on the laughs and good times everyone had. Teams dined on prime rib, licked their wounds and walked off with a long list of raffle items such as custom casters from Fisherman's Landing Tackle Shop, Montauk Tackle clothing, artwork, Tournament Cable dredges, subscriptions to Pacific Coast Sportfishing, a trip to Rancho Leonaro, a Pompanette fighting chair and the biggest prize of the night, a $5,000 pair of Fraser-Volpe gyro binoculars.

In the end, it was a fun three days on Catalina and all of the teams agreed that the new owners did a great job with the tournament. The teams loved the new live scoring feature on the tournament website, www.catalinaclassic.com and thanks to the tournament's sponsors, no one went home empty handed.

Media Contact
Ali Hussainy, ali@catalinaclassic.com; 619.277.1978

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USFWS Finds 374 Aquatic-dependent Species May Warrant Endangered Species Act Protection

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) will conduct an in-depth status review of 374 rare southeastern aquatic, riparian and wetland animal and plant species to determine if any or all of them warrant federal protection as a threatened or endangered species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

The Service made this decision, commonly known as a 90-day finding, after reviewing a petition seeking to add a total of 404 species to the Federal Lists of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants and analyzing information about these species in its files. While this initial review found evidence to suggest that ESA protection may be warranted for 374 of these species, the Service will now undertake a more thorough status review before determining whether to propose any of them for listing.

The review will encompass 13 amphibians, six amphipods, 17 beetles, three birds, four butterflies, six caddisflies, 81 crayfish, 14 dragonflies, 43 fish, one springfly, two isopods, four mammals, one moth, 35 mussels, six non-vascular plants, 12 reptiles, 43 snails, eight stoneflies, and 75 vascular plants. Included in the review is the Florida sandhill crane, a long-legged, long-necked gray crane that resembles herons except for the bald patch of red skin on top of its head.

"The Endangered Species Act has proved to be a critical safety net for America's imperiled fish, wildlife, and plants. Our finding today is the first step in determining whether these species need the special protection afforded by the Act," said Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe.

Eighteen of the 404 species petitioned are already on the Service's list of candidates for listing as threatened or endangered or are subjects of a proposed rule to list. The decision for one fish, the Alabama shad, was given to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) because the species is under its jurisdiction. The NMFS found that the petition did not present substantial scientific or commercial information to move forward with a 12-month finding for the Alabama shad. The Service has not yet made a finding on the remaining 11 species, but anticipates doing so no later than September 30, 2011.

Most of the species, such as the caddisflies and crayfish, are found in small areas. However, some like the green floater mussel and the black rail historically ranged over much larger areas and have seen their habitat and numbers significantly reduced. All of these species face one or more of the following threats: the present or threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of their habitat or range; overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or educational purposes; disease or predation; the inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms; and natural or manmade factors affecting the species' survival.

The status reviews for these species (other than the 18 already on the candidate list), as well as any subsequent listing proposals that may follow, will likely follow completion of a multi-year listing work plan approved by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on September 9, 2011. This work plan, developed through a settlement agreement with WildEarth Guardians and a separate, complimentary settlement agreement with the Center for Biological Diversity, will enable the agency to systematically, over a period of six years, review and address the needs of more than 250 species now on the candidate list, to determine if they require ESA protection. A list of these species is available at http://www.fws.gov/endangered/improving_ESA/listing_workplan.html.

Based on the status reviews for these 374 aquatic-dependent species, the Service will issue 12-month findings for each species and determine whether to propose them for listing. At this time, however, the 12-month findings are not scheduled to be completed within the next six years due to the priorities detailed in this court-approved work plan, unless the Service is able to combine these findings with other actions already funded and/or scheduled.

To ensure this status review is comprehensive, the Service is soliciting information on the 374 species from governmental agencies, Native American tribes, the scientific community, industry, or any other interested parties concerning the status of the species.

The finding will publish in the Federal Register on September 27, 2011. Written comments regarding the status of these 374 species may be submitted by one of the following methods:

Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments to Docket No. [FWS-R4-ES-2011-0049].
U.S. mail or hand-delivery: Public Comments Processing, Attn: Docket No. [FWS-R4-ES-2011-0049]; Division of Policy and Directives Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, MS 2042-PDM; Arlington, VA 22203.
Comments must be received within 60 days, on or before November 28, 2011. The Service will post all comments on http://www.regulations.gov. This generally means the agency will post any personal information provided through the process. The Service is not able to accept email or faxes.

For further information contact: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services, Southeast Regional Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1875 Century Blvd., Atlanta, GA 30345.

For more information about this finding, please visit the Service's Southeast regional web site at http://www.fws.gov/southeast/.

The ESA provides a critical safety net for America's native fish, wildlife and plants. The Service working to actively engage conservation partners and the public in the search for improved and innovative ways to conserve and recover imperiled species. To learn more about the Endangered Species Program, visit http://www.fws.gov/endangered/.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov. Connect with our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/usfws, follow our tweets at www.twitter.com/usfwshq, watch our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/usfws and download photos from our Flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwshq.

Media Contact
Vanessa Kauffman, 703-358-2138, vanessa_kauffman@fws.gov
Tom MacKenzie, 404-679-7291, tom_mackenzie@fws.gov

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6th Annual Berkley/Sebile Big Bass Challenge On Lake Fork Yields Success

COLUMBIA, S.C. - The 6th Annual Berkley Big Bass Challenge on Lake Fork hosted by BassChamps took place on October 15th - 16th, 2011 at Lake Fork Marina. The event was wildly successful with over 700 anglers competing for over $120,000 in cash, boats and prizes being awarded.

With blue-bird skies and the lowest lake levels in recorded history, the Berkley/Sebile BBC made fishing a challenge. Lake Fork is a "slot" lake, so all fish brought in must be under 16" or over 24". Many anglers cashed checks with fish weighing less than 2 pounds. Michael Davis from Bossier City, La., was the overall winner, bringing in a 9.35-pounder during the last hour to the scales that won the angler $500 and a new Skeeter bass boat.

Davis caught the fish just 20 minutes before bringing it to the scales during the last weigh in hour to take the lead from Kenneth Goodwein of Port St. Lucie, Fla., who weighed in his 8.42-pound bass just 5 minutes earlier. Davis used a Berkley Frenzy Popper on a windswept point to bring in the winning fish.

Tommy Climer from Mesquite, Texas won the under 16-inch fish award with his 2.76-pound bass that was caught using the new Berkley Havoc® Craw Fatty. The Craw Fatty was designed by Berkley Pro Bobby Lane. Climer and his partner caught over 25 fish using that bait, but most were in the slot. The most prolific baits for fish brought to the scales included 7" and 10" PowerBait PowerWorms and the new Havoc 6.25" Bottom Hopper designed by Berkley Pro Larry Nixon.

"This tournament was a great event for Berkley and the angling public," said Andrew Marks, Marketing Director for Berkley Fishing. "This tournament was designed for amateur anglers of all skill levels to have the opportunity to fish without the pressure of the typical tournament angling experience. It is fun and exciting for the entire family.

In previous years only Berkley baits were allowed, but Sebile baits are now included in the list of approved baits to be used in the tournament and this broadened the bait assortment for many anglers.

"The basis for these tournaments is much like playing poker," said Marks. "The format is fun and strategy plays a vital role in determining each winner. If they caught a fish in the morning they could choose to weigh in the fish during the afternoon when fishing seemed to slow. It is all about strategy and not all reliant on skill."

The Berkley Experience trailer, a 60-foot event center, was on site Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The Experience trailer staff along with several key Lake Fork guides helped the anglers select some of the baits that helped them catch some of their fish.

The planning has already started for the 7th Annual Berkley/Sebile Big Bass on Lake Fork in October 2012.

Media Contact
Kevin Jarnagin
Blue Heron Communications
(800) 654-3766
Kevin@blueheroncomm.com

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Avid Angler Wins Fantasy Fishing Event For Lake Champlain Tournament

MINNEAPOLIS - Frank Vallar Jr. of Brownstown, Mich., correctly picked Walmart FLW Tour pro David Wolak of Wake Forest, N.C., to win last week's Walmart FLW Tour on Lake Champlain presented by Snickers Peanut Butter Squared. For his picks, Vallar won $15,000 playing FLW Fantasy Fishing presented by Straight Talk held in conjunction with the FLW Tour fishing tournament.

"I'm speechless," Vallar said. "With the event being this late in the year and knowing some of the anglers like I do really helped me out. This is the second tournament in the row I've picked the winner."

Vallar, an avid smallmouth fisherman who lives "15 feet from Lake Erie," said he hasn't been able to spend as much time on the water as of late and turned to Fantasy Fishing to stay involved in the sport.

"I've been out of fishing for a couple of years because I'm in rehab for my shoulder," Vallar said. "Playing Fantasy Fishing has been really nice. I really appreciate FLW Outdoors for putting on the game and I can't say enough about the organization.

"A few years ago I won a free FLW Outdoors membership at one of the tournaments here in Michigan," Vallar added. "So this is the second thing I've won from FLW Outdoors. I'd better start fishing the tournaments."

Vallar said his physical therapy goals in his medical records list "return to fishing" as a top priority and one of his current therapy techniques employs practice casting with a rod.

"I just can't wait to get back into fishing," Vallar said. "Just being out there with my family ... I really miss it."

Wolak won the FLW Tour event last week with a four-day total of 20 bass that weighed 81 pounds even.

Vallar's Fantasy Fishing team earned him 2,274 valuable points that will continue to accumulate throughout the season, putting himself in position to contend for the $100,000 grand prize.

Fantasy Fishing is free to play, but fans can gain a valuable edge with Player's Advantage. Player's Advantage is a unique tool that offers additional resources and information, and those with Player's Advantage have won at a rate of four-to-one. An added benefit to purchasing Player's Advantage is receiving access to the FLW Outdoors Magazine e-Edition.

The 2011 Fantasy Fishing season consists of 10 tournaments surrounding the Walmart FLW Tour with cumulative and individual tournament prizes. Fans compete for more than $25,000 in cash and prizes from each of the 10 tournaments and a top prize of $15,000. The cumulative grand prize is $100,000 with the overall runner-up winning a Ranger Z-520 boat with a Ranger Trail Trailer, 250 Mercury outboard, Minn Kota Maxxum 80 trolling motor, Lowrance electronics and trolling motor batteries - all valued at $54,000.

The third-place overall winner will win a Chevy 1500 Silverado valued at $38,000, and fourth place will take home a FinCraft 17 Dual Console boat with a 115 Evinrude outboard valued at $27,000. A BRP Can-Am Outlander 400 All-Terrain vehicle, valued at $8,000, will be awarded to the fifth-place finisher; while sixth- through 10th-place finishers will win Walmart gift cards ranging in value from $9,000 to $5,000.

To begin playing, visit FantasyFishing.com and sign up. A team will automatically be selected for you, but you can edit that team and choose the 10 anglers you think will place the highest in the next Tour event. You must then select the angler you think will win the tournament and predict that angler's cumulative winning weight, which will serve as the tiebreaker. Player's modifications to their teams must be finalized by 11:59 p.m. ET the night prior to the tournament.

TracFone Wireless, America's largest "no-contract" cellular service provider is the official and exclusive mobile phone service provider of FLW Outdoors. Supporting a two-member professional fishing team, Team Straight Talk's Scott Canterbury and JT Kenney will compete in internationally televised events on the 2011 Walmart FLW Tour.

For updates, insider tips, tournament news and more, follow FLW Fantasy Fishing on Facebook at Facebook.com/FantasyFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWOutdoors.

ABOUT FLW OUTDOORS
FLW Outdoors is the best in fishing, on and off the water. Anglers worldwide can compete for millions over the course of 191 tournaments in 2011. FLW Outdoors has taken fishing mainstream with the world's richest fantasy sports game, FLW Fantasy Fishing presented by Straight Talk, where competitors can play for free as well as sign up for Player's Advantage to gain an edge. For more information about FLW Outdoors and FLW Fantasy Fishing, visit FLWOutdoors.com or FantasyFishing.com.
FLWOutdoors.com

Media Contact
Chad Gay, Public Relations Manager, (270) 703-3346 or cgay@flwoutdoors.com
Julie Huber, Communications Specialist, (612) 337-1810 (w), (612) 812-9512 (m) or julie.huber@jacobs-mgmt.com

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Vermont Offers Spectacular Fall Foliage and Great Fishing Opportunities

Vermont Offers Spectacular Fall Foliage and Great Fishing Opportunities
Barre, Vt - Looking for a good location to escape to for enjoyable outdoor fun in a quiet, colorful setting? Vermont has spectacular fall foliage coupled with great fishing opportunities, and it's easy to plan a trip to sample both using Vermont websites.

The cooler water temperatures of fall stimulate Vermont's largemouth and smallmouth bass to feed heavily, bringing some of the best bass fishing of the year at a time when you won't see much competition from other anglers. Lake Champlain, and lakes St. Catherine, Morey, Bomoseen, Hortonia, and Seymour have good fishing for both largemouth and smallmouth bass.

As surface waters cool in lakes, landlocked salmon and trout also increase their activity near the surface, making for great fishing that doesn't require deep trolling tactics. Lake Champlain has landlocked salmon from Vergennes north to its "Inland Sea." Landlocked salmon also can be found in lakes Memphremagog, Seymour and Willoughby in northeastern Vermont.

Fall spawning runs of landlocked salmon produce good fishing on the lower Winooski River in Winooski and the lower Clyde River in Newport. Fishing with artificial lures or flies is allowed on the lower Clyde during October, but salmon must be released when caught.

How about a family fishing and foliage vacation? The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department has a new section on their website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com) with over 20 family-friendly fishing hotspots. Visit http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/fish_familyfishing.cfm to learn about fishing opportunities, including directions, a list of fish species present, a satellite image overview, and links to additional helpful information. These areas are selected, in part, because they are easy places to go fishing without special equipment.

Want to see where the foliage is best? Go to www.vermontvacation.com and click on "Fall Foliage Central" and the "Foliage Forecaster" for an interactive map showing where to go as leaf colors change during September and October. The same site also has additional information for lodging, events and places to visit.

Vermont makes is easy to take the family fishing. Kids under 15 years of age can fish without a license in Vermont. Reduced rate licenses are provided for youths 15-17 years old. One, three and seven-day fishing licenses are offered at reduced rates for adults.

You can see lots of photos of some of Vermont's latest big catches in the "Master Angler" section of their website (http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/masterangler_list.cfm).

Vermont fishing licenses are available online from their website. Regulations are found in the 2011 Guide to Hunting, Fishing and Trapping available from license agents and on the Fish and Wildlife website. For additional information, contact Vermont Fish and Wildlife by calling 802-241-3700 or Emailingfwinformation@state.vt.us.

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Caption for attached photo:
From Vermont Fish & Wildlife
You can pair a leaf-peeper visit to Vermont with a hunt for colors of another type - the colorful native brook trout, whose markings are never more brilliant than they are now, before spawning. There is only one thing in Vermont that rivals the red, orange and yellow foliage colors on the mountains, and that's the red, orange, yellow, blue, gold, and black colors of a spawning male brook trout like this one.

Media Contact
Bernie Pientka, 802-879-5698; Eric Palmer, 802-751-0107

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2012 Team Military Bass Competition to Alabama

ATHENS, Ala. - The best bass anglers in the U.S. Armed Forces will gather at Lewis Smith Lake near Jasper, Alabama, from April 29-May 4, 2012, to compete in the 22nd annual Military Team Bass Championship tournament.

"We are very excited to host the American Bass Anglers Military Team Bass Championship and to invite the country's most avid military bass anglers and their families to our community," said Linda Lewis, executive director of the Walker County Chamber of Commerce. "The direct economic impact alone of these events makes this a wise investment to our area. Furthermore, when coupled with the immeasurable media exposure that a community such as ours would otherwise not be able to obtain, the return on our investment increases tremendously. The pride and excitement that is felt throughout the community for hosting such a well-known, well-respected organization also adds to the benefits. Our citizens take every opportunity available to thank the men and women who put their lives on the line every day for us to enjoy our freedoms. We are overjoyed to welcome our military to our community."

The week-long celebration culminates in the three-day bass tournament. Deep, clear and blue, Lewis Smith Lake covers about 21,200 acres of Walker, Winston and Cullman counties about 20 miles northwest of Birmingham, Ala. More than 500 miles of shorelines studded with large rocks, fallen trees and other cover provide outstanding habitat for largemouth and Kentucky spotted bass. In places, the lake about 20 miles northwest of Birmingham drops to more than 264 feet deep. Created in 1961, the lake formed when Alabama Power Company built a dam across the Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River. On the western side of the lake, the 180,000-acre Bankhead National Forest keeps the area wild and pristine.

"We are excited to be going to Smith Lake for the 22nd annual meeting of our Military Team Bass anglers," said Debra Talley, ABA national marketing director. "The Jasper/Smith Lake community knows the importance of tournament fishing and welcomes participants with open arms. Our military anglers are in for a real treat from this fishing savvy town. They go above and beyond what is normally expected of a host community to insure a great time is had by everyone in attendance. We can't wait to spend this week with them."

Long associated with the U.S. Armed Forces, ABA began in 1975 as the Military Bass Anglers Association, an organization dedicated to providing bass anglers in the military an opportunity to compete in tournaments with other military members. In 2000, Morris Sheehan, a life member who retired from the U.S. Army, bought MBAA, renamed it American Bass Anglers Inc., and relocated it to Athens, Ala.

The Military Team Bass Fishing Tournament began in 1991 to promote fishing and camaraderie among all branches of the military. Any active duty Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, National Guard, Reserve or Coast Guard member may fish in this event. Families of military members at least 16 years old, Department of Defense civilians, contractors and retired military members may also fish this event. The tournament will crown an "Angler of the Year" from each of the military branches.

In 2011, Majors Hamby and Ron Figueroa, representing the U.S. Army, won the 21st annual American Bass Anglers Military Team Bass Championship tournament, held May 4-6, 2011, at Clarks Hill Lake on the Georgia-South Carolina line. They beat 120 teams, bringing in a perfect three-day tournament limit of 15 bass weighing 40.77 pounds with a 3.76-pound kicker. For the victory, Hamby and Figueroa won an opportunity to spend four days and three nights at Los Sueños Resort in Costa Rica, courtesy of Early Times Kentucky Whisky and JDC Marketing.

Lake: Lewis Smith Lake

Ramp: Alabama Power Dam Ramp Near Jasper, AL

Dates: May 2-4, 2012

Registration Opens: November 14, 2011 (boat numbers assigned based on date and time of entry)

Holiday Inn Express
202 OAK HILL ROAD
JASPER , ALABAMA 35504
Hotel Phone: 1-205-302-6400

For more information on the Military Bass Anglers, call (888) 203-6222. On line, see www.militarybassanglers.com

About American Bass Anglers
American Bass Anglers is the largest tournament organization for the weekend angler. American Bass Anglers operates the American Fishing Tour, The Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series and the American Couples Series. Each tour is designed specifically for the weekend angler, offering low-cost and close-to-home events where anglers can qualify for a larger championship. For more information on American Bass Anglers and the Military Tournament, visit www.americanbassanglers.com or www.militarybassanglers.com.

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Kansas Trout Season Open, Some Stockings Delayed

PRATT - From October 15 through April 15, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) stocks rainbow trout in select waters across the state. During this time, some waters stocked with trout require a $12.50 trout permit for all anglers 16 or older, whether they are fishing for trout or not (Type 1 Waters). Other waters require a trout permit only for anglers fishing for or possessing trout (Type 2 Waters).

Type 1 trout waters are Cedar Bluff Stilling Basin, Dodge City Lake Charles, Ft. Scott Gun Park Lake, Garnett Crystal Lake, Glen Elder State Park (SP) Pond, Kanopolis Seep Stream, KDOT East Lake in Wichita, Lake Henry in Clinton SP, Mined Land WA Unit No. 30, Pratt Centennial Pond, Sandsage Bison Range and WA Sandpits, Vic's Lake and Slough Creek in Sedgwick County Park, Topeka Auburndale Park, Walnut River Area in El Dorado SP, Willow Lake at Tuttle Creek SP, and Webster Stilling Basin.

Type 2 trout waters are Atchison City Lake No. 1, Belleville City Lake (Rocky Pond), Cimarron Grasslands Pits, Ft. Riley Cameron Springs, Ft. Riley Moon Lake, Great Bend Veterans Memorial Park Lake, Holton-Elkhorn Lake, Hutchinson Dillon Nature Center Pond, Lake Shawnee, Salina Lakewood Lake, Scott State Fishing Lake, Scott State Park Pond, Sherman County Smoky Gardens Lake, and Solomon River between Webster Reservoir and Rooks County No. 2 Road, and Syracuse-Sam's Pond.

Trout fishing at Mined Land Wildlife Area Unit No. 30 requires a trout permit year-round. Trout permits are valid for the calendar year, so permits purchased last January or later are valid through Dec. 31. All residents 16-64 years old and all nonresidents 16 and older must also have a valid fishing license.

The daily creel limit is five trout unless otherwise posted (two trout for anglers 15 and younger who do not have a trout permit). The possession limit is three times the daily creel.

While most designated trout waters in the state will be stocked with trout in time for opening day, the following waters will be delayed (see following text for details):

Cedar Bluff Reservoir Stilling Basin;
Cimarron Grasslands Fishing Pits;
Lake Charles in Dodge City;
Glen Elder Park Pond - second week in November;
Great Bend Veteran's Park;
Kanopolis Reservoir Seep Stream;
Pratt Centennial Pond;
Rocky Pond in Belleville - second week in November;
Scott State Fishing Lake; and
Sedgwick County Park Slough Creek - low water.
Other areas may have to delay stocking, as well. Before a trout fishing expedition, anglers are encouraged to check for updated information on stocking of trout waters by visiting the KDWPT website, www.kdwpt.state.ks.us. Type "trout stocking schedule" in the search box.

As of Oct. 10, the Cedar Bluff Stilling Basin had yet to experience fall turnover, which occurs as surface water cools. When this happens, dissolved oxygen levels in the water can drop, and it takes time for the system to recover and provide conditions safe for trout. Rather than risk a fish kill for newly stocked trout, biologists have decided to delay the stocking. Conditions will be monitored, and if the basin is ready, trout will be stocked in late October.

Trout stocking at Cimarron Grasslands Fishing Pits, Dodge City-Lake Charles, Great Bend Veteran's Park, Pratt Centennial Pond, and Scott State Fishing Lake will be delayed, but the recent cool weather should allow stocking early during the week of October 17.

The Kanopolis Reservoir Seep Stream is currently laden with duckweed and filamentous algae, creating water-quality problems. The seep stream is closed to all fishing, with plans to stock trout in early November, provided conditions have improved.

Smoky Gardens and the Sand Sage Bison Range Pond are currently dry. Both will need precipitation before trout can be stocked.

The Solomon River above Webster Reservoir is not stocked in the fall, nor is it stocked each year. Stocking is dependent upon flows. In years when flows are adequate, stocking generally occurs in January, February, and March.

The Glen Elder Park Pond is not stocked in October. The first stocking of the season is scheduled for mid-November each year in order to allow time for the water to cool.

Trout permits are available at the KDWPT website, at KDWPT offices, and license vendors.

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ODFW stocking tiger trout in Fish Lake

CENTRAL POINT, Ore. – ODFW will stock tiger trout fingerlings in Fish Lake for the first time on Wednesday, Oct. 19. Media is invited to the U.S. Forest Service boat ramp at 10 a.m. when the fish will be stocked.
“Tiger trout are a unique fish being used in a unique situation here at Fish Lake,” said David Haight, Assistant District fish biologist. “They tend to be more aggressive and are easier to catch than other predatory trout like brown trout. They should also feed on the minnows – tui chub and fathead minnows – that are in Fish Lake and be catchable by next summer. Angling will be catch and release.”
Haight explained the minnows were illegally introduced into Fish Lake and have taken over the lake’s ecology and harmed the trout fishery. Fish Lake has been treated with rotenone several times over the years, but too many springs prevented an effective treatment. ODFW has also been stocking spring chinook to provide a better fishery for anglers.
“We’re going to keep stocking spring chinook and will stock the tiger trout for several years. This combination has the potential to be a nice one-two punch of growing large fish on the exotic minnows that anglers will love to catch,” Haight said.
ODFW is stocking about 1,500 tiger trout fingerlings this year. These fish are a sterile hybrid of brook trout and brown trout. Both brook trout and brown trout are currently present in parts of the Rogue watershed.
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Contact:
David Haight or Dan VanDyke (541) 826-8774
Meghan Collins (541) 440-3353

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Three Holiday Gift Ideas for Three Different Kinds of Boaters

Three Holiday Gift Ideas for Three Different Kinds of Boaters
ALEXANDRIA Va. - Not all boat owners are the same, so when it comes time to pick out a holiday gift for your favorite boater or angler, not just any present will do. Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) has three gift-giving options that can all be purchased online at www.BoatUS.com/gift.

1. The "affordable" $24 gift: BoatUS membership is just $24 and is a perfect gift if you are on a budget. A BoatUS membership makes anyone's boating better and comes in two "flavors" - one for boaters and sailors (BoatUS membership) and one for anglers (BoatUS Angler membership). For each, the $24 annual membership fee includes a subscription to BoatUS Magazine or to BoatUS Angler Magazine (respectively), and includes 24/7 dispatch with $50 of on-the-water boat towing assistance and $50 of on-the-road assistance for a disabled boat trailer and tow vehicle. Exclusive fuel, transient slip and repair discounts, savings on boating gear, fun online learning opportunities (such as navigation video games), and access to lots of "how-to" information is also included. Being a member also means a bigger voice for your boater on Capitol Hill when government unfairly targets boaters with anti-boating legislation.

2. The gift for "trailerboaters": There is nothing worse than having a boat trailer breakdown on the road, which often results in having to leave the rig unattended while the owner looks for help. Adding BoatUS "Trailer Assist" for an additional $14 to any BoatUS or BoatUS Angler membership means this will never happen to your favorite boater. Included is 24/7 dispatch and 100 miles of free towing for both the boat trailer and its tow vehicle to a safe location or repair facility, as well as a lock-out, flat tire, battery jump and fuel drop-off service. We'll even winch the boat trailer up a slippery boat ramp if you get stuck. Also included is a subscription to BoatUS Trailering Magazine.

3. The "Unlimited" gift: Having an on-the-water towing plan from the nation's largest towing fleet means your boater will always have the security of knowing help is just a call away. Freshwater boaters can add "Unlimited" on-the-water towing to their membership for just $34 while saltwater boaters can add it for $125 annually. 24/7 dispatch, soft ungroundings, jump starts, fuel delivery and tows back to a marina, home dock or launch ramp are included for any boat that is owned, rented, chartered or borrowed. To see the various service levels offered, go to www.BoatUS.com/join/servicelevels.asp.

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About BoatUS:

BoatUS - Boat Owners Association of The United States - is the nation's leading advocate for recreational boaters providing over half a million members with government representation, programs and money-saving services. For membership information visit www.BoatUS.com or call 800-395-2628.

Media Contact
D. Scott Croft, 703-461-2864, SCroft@BoatUS.com

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