OUTDOOR BRIEFS
DAY OF FISHING
Anglers show contest winner a good time
By the smiles on their faces, it was easy for passers-by to tell that the six competitive bass anglers standing on the dock at Lake Mead Marina had just done something that made them feel good about themselves. Sandwiched in between them was Alexandra Dumitru, winner of the 2007 Free Fishing Day Poster Contest sponsored by the Nevada Department of Wildlife. This is an annual statewide contest open to all fourth and fifth grade students.
As the poster contest winner, Dumitru and her family were given the opportunity to go on a guided fishing trip, compliments of the Nevada BASS Federation.
“Youth and conservation is where we’re focused, as well as getting new people involved in fishing. When the department asked us to help with Alexandra, nobody could say no,” said Tim Myers, federation president. “I took it to the general meeting of the federation guys, all the clubs, and everybody said, ‘Go for it. All expenses paid. Get her out there. Give her her a good time, a mini tournament.’ “
Although it was Dumitru’s first fishing experience, it didn’t take her long to set the standard for everybody. She caught the first two fish of the day, both spunky largemouth bass. And just to make sure Dumitru went home with her own one-that-got-away story, a very large bass took her bait just long enough to put up a good fight. The fish even cleared the water before spitting out the hook.
Dumitru said she had a good time and was anxious to go fishing again. It was hard to tell who was more excited and proud of Alexandra, her parents Octavian and Nicoleta Dumitru who joined her for the adventure, or the half-dozen professional fishermen.
Speaking of their day on the lake, pro-angler Brent Becker said, “I remember when my dad took me fishing, and I can’t thank him enough for that. So I think you should always take a kid fishing, that’s the grassroots of our sport. I think she’s going to be hooked for life. She caught two or three bass today, and the smile on her face — she said it was fun. So I think she’s hooked. She’ll be going fishing a lot more.”
The Nevada BASS Federation has two additional youth events on the horizon. On Saturday, the organization is hosting a Casting Kids event at Peter Piper Pizza on the corner of Decatur Boulevard and Alta Drive. Participants flip, pitch and cast hookless lures to a bulls-eye target. Winners of two age groups will have the opportunity to compete for a trip to the national championship with state BASS champion Jesse Milicevic. The event is scheduled to run from 9 a.m. to noon.
For kids who may want a taste of big time bass fishing, the Federation is also hosting a junior bassmaster qualifying tournament for kids ages 11-18 at the Kirch Wildlife Management Area Aug. 4-5. The kids will fish from the front of a boat and work for their own five-fish limit like the pros do, said Myers. Winners of two age groups will get a shot at going to the Bassmaster Classic where $21,000 in scholarships is for grabs.
More information on the BASS Federation can be found on the Web at www.nevada bassfederation.com.
WATCH THE WEATHER
Summer storms a danger to boaters
Summer thunderstorms in Southern Nevada are characterized by sudden and often violent changes in the weather. These summer storms are often accompanied by high winds that create a severe danger for boaters, according to the Nevada Department of Wildlife.
A main concern to NDOW game wardens are boaters who are new to the Southwest and are unfamiliar with the strength of the region’s summer storms.
“Many people, especially those who are new to the desert, just don’t realize how fast desert thunderstorms come up. These storms bring with them high winds and rough water. Unsuspecting boaters are often taken by surprise and that can lead to problems,” said David Pfiffner, supervising game warden for NDOW.
Summer storms may also be accompanied by heavy rains that can lead to flash floods, which can wash large amounts of debris into waterways. Boaters need to watch for floating debris that might damage their boats or cause an accident.
While cell phone coverage is available in many parts of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, NDOW encourages people who frequent the area’s waterways to carry a marine band radio. The National Park Service monitors two-way radios 24-hours a day on channels 16 and 22A.
RESERVE NOW
Special Sage Grouse hunt applications open
Applications for the 2007 Special Sage Grouse Hunt at Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge in northwest Nevada on the Oregon border are now available online at www.ndow.org
The Sheldon hunt will be open for two weekends Sept. 15-16 and Sept. 22-23. This is a permitted hunt, with 75 permits available for each hunt by reservation only. The hunt is open to both residents and nonresidents. The daily limit is three and the possession limit is six for sage grouse.
Permit applications are available in a hard copy format via the Internet at www.ndow.org under the hunt section. Applications must be received by mail or in person by 5 p.m. on Aug. 3 at the Nevada Department of Wildlife headquarters office.
Both residents and nonresidents must have an upland game stamp and either a hunting license or short-term permit to hunt while hunting upland game in Nevada.
