Author: Lake Havasu Guide

ROCKPORT, Texas — On Nov. 9, a manatee was spotted just outside of Rockport at an area known as Cove Harbor North, according to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department experts. The manatee was caught on video by some local residents and T.P.W.D. personnel were also on hand to witness this rare sighting. Aransas County Game Warden Danny Flores and Coastal Fisheries Biologist Dennis Pridgen also responded to the sighting.

“The manatee was videoed swimming in the area before disappearing. Sightings of manatees are extremely rare for this area as well as for the State of Texas,” said Capt. Henry Balderamas. A manatee was last seen just South of Corpus Christi several years ago.

“The last time we have seen a manatee (or more than one) was July 2001,” said Karen Meador, of TPWD’s Coastal Fisheries Division in Rockport. “More than one was observed off Galveston, Port Aransas and in Rockport. Before that, we observed one or more manatees during late summer of 1995. What’s interesting in all three instances is that tropical activity in the eastern Gulf of Mexico was above-average. As you know, this summer’s weather could’ve easily blown this animal west of its habitat. There are no resident populations of manatees in Texas,” said Meador.

Deborah Cohea, administrative assistant in the Rockport Law Enforcement office, witnessed the animal’s rare appearance. “Game Warden Danny Flores said they had a manatee sighting and I said ‘Where, I want to see it, I’ve never seen a manatee!’ So I drove down there to Cove Harbor. I lived in Florida and I never saw one the whole time I lived there, it just made my day. We were standing on a dock and he was about five feet out on the water and he was huge, they said no less than 7-800 pounds, and a full grown healthy male. He rolled over and his front flippers came up by his face and it was just too cool!” – Lake Havasu

AUSTIN, Texas — It is said that giving is better than receiving, but why not do both this holiday season.

Persons who order a Texas State Parks Pass gift certificate before Dec. 31 to give to that special someone will receive a Texas State Parks holiday tree ornament just for giving a gift of the great outdoors.

The $60 state parks pass, which debuted on Jan. 1, provides not only a year of free entry to more than 120 state parks and historic sites for members and their guests, but also discounts on camping, state park store merchandise, recreational equipment rentals and other perks. Through October, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department had sold 53,772 park passes, generating $3.3 million to support Texas state park operations.

“The parks pass paves the way for the gift recipient to enjoy a year’s worth of the beautiful Texas outdoors and many of the state’s most important heritage sites,” said Walt Dabney, Texas State Parks director. “The commemorative tree ornament just sweetens the pot.”

You can purchase Texas State Parks Pass gift certificates at your favorite state park or historic site, or by calling TPWD’s Customer Contact Center at (512) 389-8900. The center’s operating hours are: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday.

Pass members also are entitled to receive a quarterly e-newsletter, “The Getaway Planner”; a free copy of the Texas State Park Guide; and an “I Belong in Texas State Parks” decal. For more information about the park pass, visit the Web (http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/parkpass/).

In addition to the parks pass, holiday shoppers can purchase a host of other unusual gift items from TPWD, such as books, videos, conservation license plates, posters, wildlife stamps and more, by visiting the Web (http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/) and selecting the “Great Holiday Gifts” link. – Lake Havasu

It’s already the time of the year to start planning your winter bass fishing tactics. Cold weather is possibly the toughest weather condition to fish in because, not only does one have extreme temperatures, but one must also contend with finicky fish.

Here are a few basic questions you may have when changing your tactics from summer to fall:

Color selection:
Most feel color is not as important as the type of lure you use. I disagree. Color has just as an important role as the lure. The color on the lakes I fish tend to be darker colors for plastics and jigs, and lighter colors for spinnerbaits and crankbaits. It is important to match your lure color and size to the baitfish of the lake you are fishing. For example: Lake Conroe’s main source of baitfish is shad approximately 2” in length. They are silver in color and tend to exhibit a blue hue. The lure that I would choose would be a ½ oz. white/chartreuse Bull Dog spinnerbait and slow-roll it around pylon docks.

Retrieval change:
Because a bass’ metabolism tends to decrease during this time, your retrieval should also decrease. This is why jigs are so productive during the cooler season. They have little action and are the big bulky bite bass are looking for to fatten up for the winter season and also for the pre-spawn season as well.

Cover:
When the front passes, the strike zone decreases and bass bury in cover. Turn to tree tops, brush piles, grass beds and docks. When fishing brush piles or tree tops, work the biggest limbs. It is important to remember that bass will bite after a front blows by, but you will have to use more finesse.

Patience is the key, but also remembering these minor changes will help improve your catching more bass.

EAT. SLEEP. FISH. SKEETER. – Lake Havasu

Recently, I was speaking with two of my fellow Skeeter Pro Staff buddies, Andrew Faterkowski and Mark Wheeler. We were going over our tournament plans and started discussing the transition stage from the late-spring post-spawn stage. That conversation inspired me to write about several of the most-asked questions we feel you should know and keep in mind when searching for bass on Lake Conroe.

1. How should your lure selection change?
“Color is important. The tendency on Lake Conroe is a darker color during the spawn and a lighter color during post-spawn,” Andrew stated. “The use of a bait with increased action, such as a Texas rigged Cobra lizard, a steady-retrieved Cobra spinnerbait or a crankbait that runs 7-10 foot in depth with a tight pattern, will increase your odds of catching fish as well,” Andrew said.

2. How should your retrieval change along with your lure change?
Because a bass’ metabolism increases during this time, your retrieval should also increase. The bass have just spawned, are hungry, and looking for action. However, if you are using a Texas or Carolina rig, retrieval should remain at a steady, slower pace.

3. What changes in areas and depths should you make?
Mark, Andrew and I agree that with the water temperature increasing during this time, bass will have the tendency to move deeper. Early morning will be best for a topwater lure or spinnerbait action. When you notice the action diminishing, move to the 4-10 foot depth with a crankbait or Carolina rig. A key to remember is to fish verticle drops where deep water is nearby.

We hope these tips will help increase your chances of catching bass. Remember, bass are at a fragile state during this time because of the stress associated with the spawn. Handle them as little as possible and release them quickly. Remember to give your bass CPR: Catch, Photograph, Release…it’s the best way to catch another in the future.

Special thanks to Andrew Faterkowski and Mark Wheeler for helping contribute to this article. If you can “catch” these guys on the water, they’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Also, a really BIG thanks to Andrew – He jokingly told me he was going to catch a massive fish for my cover story…that’s when he caught this 9 1/2 pounder shown on the cover.

Andrew is sponsored by Skeeter Boats, Louis DelHomme Marine, Cast-A-Way Rods, Cobra Lures and OkieLite Lures. Mark is sponsored by Skeeter Boats, Louis DelHomme Marine and Cobra Lures.

In closing, remember the three necessities:

EAT. SLEEP. FISH.
– Lake Havasu

Attend an Angler’s Choice tournament early one Sunday morning, before the flight numbers are called, and witness which brand of boat dominates the field. If you have been there, you know. If you have not, I will let you in on the secret; it is a Skeeter. According to Angler’s Choice tournament directors, thirty percent of their field is running a Skeeter and this number is certain to increase thanks to the new ZXc line.

Skeeter has made a tremendous comeback over the last couple of years. Skeeter challenged their engineers (some that came from the F-16 sector of the aerospace industry) to build a bass boat that would meet the demands of a serious tournament fisherman. To accomplish this challenge, the boat would have to be fast, turn on a dime, provide a smooth ride in rough water, be durable enough to withstand the pounding of four foot waves, and be laid out to accommodate an angler’s needs. Above all, this boat must be safe at all speeds. The engineers at Skeeter came up with the new “ZXc” class of boats. From the hyper-space quickness of the 190ZXc to the brute strength of the 300ZXc; each boat has been designed to meet all of these needs.

Staring at the front of a new Skeeter, you can’t help but notice the deep-vee that appears to never end. The degree of the vee changes as you make your way up the side of the boat enabling the hull to direct wave spray down and out. This makes for an extremely dry ride. This deep-vee design, although not new to the bass boat market, has been coupled with an idea that no other boat builder can duplicate. The patented reverse draft transom located at the back of the ZXc series offers stability at all speeds and will counteract the “tip to the side” characteristic of other deep-vee bass boats. In addition to greater stability, this transom virtually eliminates backsplash over the transom when coming off plane. This hull design provides an excellent holeshot, (typically not more than four seconds), awesome turning ability, exceptional lift at high speeds, and a comfortable ride in the roughest of waters.

Skeeter has also tackled the gel coat cracks and transom damage resulting from the pounding bass boats endure while running through four and five footers on Rayburn during thirty mile an hour winds. To remedy these problems Skeeter’s engineers have employed a truly composite (that is the “c” in ZXc) material for all structural components. This composite material (technically known as an elastic polymer latex) along with klegicell make up all structural components in the ZXc series. This composite material tested by an independent laboratory to be three times stronger than materials perviously used. Other manufacturers may claim to have tried quote “composite” materials, but usually these materials were some mixture of foam and fiberglass and were only used as either a liner or in the building of the stringers. Skeeter’s hull, transom, and stringer system are made of this composite material while the deck and floor are made of klegicell. The only wood found in this boat is in the compartment walls and where screw retention is a high priority. This composite material, combined with the aid of computer modeling during the design and drafting stages, will allow for precision tolerances ensuring a near perfect product from every mold. Stomp your foot in a Skeeter ZXc storage compartment and then test the competition. There is no question about the quality in this new line of bass boat.

After the performance and durability needs were met, Skeeter engineers turned to the tournament fisherman for suggestions on how to accommodate his fishing needs. The tournament angler responded, “We need:
lighted rod boxes capable of holding 71/2′ flipping sticks,
retractable rod holders that are out of the way when not in use,
large storage boxes that utilize power lifts and have extra tall lips to keep water out,
an intermediate step between the floor and the flipping deck,
massive deck space to accommodate two people comfortably,
a location specifically designed to mount a “hot foot”,
hidden propeller storage,
driver/passenger glove compartments and ice chests,
a tilt steering wheel,
easy
to read gauge placement that is not blocked by the steering wheel,
a place to mount an LCR or paper graph that does not hinder our view while driving,
separate livewells with their own timers, pumps, and release valves capable of
keeping bass alive in the hottest of summer months,
and comfortable seats that reduce lower back pain after a long day on the water.”
The layout of these boats is perfect for anglers who enjoy fishing team events. Each compartment, from the rod lockers to the glove compartments, have an almost identical twin. This feature makes storing a non-boaters fishing essentials a breeze. Skeeter answered all of these requests and many others with the new line of ZXc boats.

From the design of the hull, to the “composite” material that makes up the structural components, to the layout of the deck; the Skeeter ZXc line of boats will remove “the bad taste” from the mouths of previous owners and soon become the bass boat others are trying to copy. Visit Louis DelHomme Marine on I-45 at the Airtex exit to see the new line of ZXc bass boats and understand why Skeeter owners EAT. SLEEP. FISH.
– Lake Havasu

If you want to up your average on catching your fish, try some of the new Fortified Riverside soft Plastics. Riverside, Big Wag, Big Claw, and Big Foot are now hyper charged with the same all-natural, real crwfish extracts found in Riverside Real Claw attractant. The Riverside Grub and Big Gun are hyper-charged with real Baitfish attractant.

The Big Claw has the most lifelike action of any soft plastic crawfish on the market today. The Big Claw in five weeks of feild testing was credited the winnings of almost $15,000 in just four tournaments.

Each Big Claw is hyper-charged with Real Claw, the only real crawfish extract in the world.

On Lake Sam Rayburn, in 1991 the call time B.A.S.S. ; 11 time B.A.S.S. Master Classic Qualifier, 7 time National Champion, 1987 B.A.S.S Angler of the year. One year later Denny’s record was broken by Kevin Van Dam, using the Riverside Big Foot Lizard with Real Craw scent.

The Big Foot Lizard has more detailed features than any other lizard on the market today. The head, body and feet have been sculptured to great detail. The lizard has more flash and action, with the flexible tail and legs.

The Big Wag curly tail worms, with side to side action, will produce unbelievable strikes. The Big Wag is excellent will fishing weeds, brush, and grass. The flat belly and flotation allows it to be perfect for a topwater also. The worm is available in 6” and 7 1/2”.

The Riverside Grub, and Bigt Gun are hyper-charged with real baitfish extract. The Grub comes in the length of 5” and 3”. The Big Gun comes in 4’ and 6’. The Grub and Big Gun jerkbait come iun the colors that will all produce good quality bass.

All of the Riverside plastics come in resealable packages, with easy access for the angler. All plastics have each been hyper-charged with scent and flavor.
– Lake Havasu

The popularity of Richland Chambers is on the rise and will continue to become even more popular. Richland Chambers has some of the best fishing you will find in the state of Texas. If you fish for black bass, white bass, crappie or catfish, RC is where the action is at.

In 1991 my husband and I won a fully rigged Champion Boat, fishing the TABC Classic Championship here on RC. I had located the fish about a month prior to the tournament. The day the fish were located, I had cast a bubble gum/ June bug worm into some timber. The action took place, I had a ~51b bass on and their was at least five other 5 lb.’ers trying to take the worm away from the one I had hooked. Action such as this will get your blood to pumping. I loved it , pulled out of the hole knowing that the quality of fish that lived here would definitely be a win for the boat. We never returned to the hole until tournament morning. First day of the tournament we had a limit within 15 minutes of over 20 lbs. left the hole for the rest of the day. Second day of the tournament had a limit again within 15 minutes , took a little longer to catch our bigger fish, but we done it by ~1:00 and pulled out of the hole with the confidence of winning. That evening we pulled a new rig home.

My opinion of course is RC is the best lake in Texas. It’s normal for a guide to praise the lake they guide on. Other anglers I have spoke with have mutual-feeling as ~I on RC.

Bob Rayel from Whitney a tournament angler, believes RC has better quality and quanity of black bass than any other lake he has fished in 5 years. His experience while fishing was on tank dams. Bob caught fish all over the lake , but the most exciting experience was when a tree would begin to shake, a explosion on his worm while in the tree, out would come a ~51b bass. The shaking of the trees yielded Bob a first place win in a Angler’s Choice tournament in 1992. He has also placed high in other tournaments here.

Ken Knott, TABC President and tournament angler states RC is in the league with Sam Rayburn and Toledo Bend as far as quantity of. RC is the best producing lake in the state of Texas. The studies from Texas Parks and Wildlife shows RC has a faster growth rate of fish than any–other lake in Texas. Ken has won and placed high in tournaments here.

I could continue for pages giving different opinions of the fishing , from different anglers. Everyone ~I spoke with agrees 100% RC is one of the best lakes to fish. – Lake Havasu

Over 45 years ago, a man named Holmes Thormond of Shreveport, Louisiana designed what has recognized today as the original bass boat, the Skeeter. Unknown to Thurmond at the time, he was laying the initial groundwork for not only a new company, but also one of the largest booms in the history of the marine industry.

The original Skeeter was a little over thirteen feet long and made entirely from marine plywood, With slanted sides, flat bottom and pointed bow, the original Skeeter was considered a bass fisherman’s dream come true, With the introduction of fiberglass into the marine industry around the same period. the adaptation to the Skeeter came only natural, and did much to assist the boat in gaining quick recognition and acceptance. Idealistic, as the Skeeter was at the time, the people at Skeeter recognized that with the coming of the new man-made reservoirs in the 1950’s, changes were inevitable.

Shortly thereafter, a new and larger version, the “Super Skeeter ” was born, The bass boat, as it was known in those times, offered the fisherman more than he had ever hoped, Capable of handling outboards up to 35 H.P., the Super Skeeter skimmed across the water at unparalleled speeds, better than 30 m.p.h., However, the history of fishing was about to embark on a new trend, which would greatly alter the wants and needs of the fishermen.

With the era of competitive or tournament style fishing taking hold, Skeeter quickly set out designing a boat to meet the competitive anglers’ needs. The demanded boats which would handle even larger motors, take on the rough water the reservoirs handed our, and interior layouts more accommidating to their specialized sport. Skeeter answered these demands with the Skeeter hawk, whose design eliminated the characteristically pointed nose of the original Skeeter, Sponsors at the bow allowed for a less jarring ride, where the raised platform in the front made fishing more comfortable. The demand for the Hawk by both tournament fishermen and guides was phenomenal, vaulting Skeeter to a dominant position in the marketplace. It was a new beginning, a trend of listening
to the customers needs, that has held its theory for over 45 years now.

At this point the bass fishing craze was approaching near epidemic stages. Hundreds upon hundreds of bass clubs sprang up, leading to more and more tournaments, which in turned to new requirements by the fishermen. Faster, larger boats capable of handling the worst of mother nature’s elements were high on the fishemans priority list.

What came next was probably the biggest gamble in Skeeter’s history. Knowing, there was a fishing and boating market growing by leaps and bounds, Skeeter pushed hard to design a new boat which would not only expand the existing market, but create a new one and dominated it. Once satisfied they had developed the “ultimate” boat, it was time, to lay the cards on the table. The showdown took place on the number one lake in the country, Toledo Bend Reservoir, in an American Angler’s Tournament in 1975. Skeeter took with them a boat which was a radical departure from anything any fisherman had ever seen, They called it the Wrangler. The boat was 16 feet long, over two feet wider an its forerunners (89 inches), had a sponsonless vee design, and carried a horsepower rating of 150 HP. With a resemblance similar to that of a bath tub in the water, only Skeeter’s past history of producing superior boats refrained the pros from laughing the boat off the dock. But as they often do, conditions changed come tournament day. The fishermans biggest foe was present for the Wrangler’s debut. The howling norther was there in full force with winds packing four foot waves. At the blast off, the wrangler left all of the fishermen nearly spellbound, The Wrangler, high on its pad, blasted around the conventional boats at near full throttle, yet yielding its occupants a smooth, dry ride, Total amazement was on the, faces of all that attended and competed, A now dawning had evolved in bass boats -Skeeter’s gamble had paid off. During the next five years, over twenty one different manufacturers copied or imitated the Wrangler, Skeeter Products was moved in the early seventies from its’ plant in Longview, Texas to Kilgore, Texas where Skeeter still resides today.

“Anyone can copy a quality product but not everyone can build quality in.” John Ruskin.
During the later 1970’s the fishing public again turned towards Skeeter for something now, innovative and dynamic in every aspect, The pressure on Skeeter to produce back-to-back winners was immense, yet viewed as a rewarding challenge for being the leader in the bass boat market. In 1979 Skeeter took another giant step towards their dominance of the market their introduction of the Statfire, Akin to something out of the distant future, the Starfire left its rivals in awe, The uniquely different, patented hull design allows maximum stability at any speed and offers comeforting abilities far superior to the products that were available in the marketplace. The Starfire series was expanded over several years bringing innovative deck layouts and more choices to the marine consumer. Skeeter led the pack with innovation. Bigger decks, larger storage compartments to accommodate the modern fishermen, new Fish n’ Ski models were introduced, By the end of the 80’s Skeeter fishermen had completely dominated the Professional Bass fishing tour, taken several world championships, and the status of owning a Skeeter boat had poured into an image only a company like this could hold true.

From that point on Skeeter has led the way to modern performance watercraft. In 1989, the all new 200SX series of boats was introduced as a “top end” to the complete Starfire lineup. This boat was bred for speed and handling the demands of the modern competitive fishermen. After throughout the last three years, many changes have come about as a result of this boat, and as Skeeter has grown both internally at the factory, and extemally in market share, new horizons have been approached.

In the Spring of 1993, Skeeter products introduced at the Houston International Sport Show, its first product designed for Sal*****er, Skeeter has brought 45 years of boat building experience to the designig board to make the BAYPRO series. These are deep “V” designed boats that incorporate a “pad” for the boat to run on combing both soft rides along with speed and top end handling benefits. The Skeeter bayboat family offers center console enthusiasts a platform for perfomance in all three (21’ 19’, 17’foot) models. Modem internal design and materials make this one of the most technologically advanced boat in the complete product line.

To complete the circle of 45 years of boat building, Skeeter has brought forward its newest member. the 200ZX. A pinnacle in the line, this boat will be the highlight of the 1994 boat shows and consumer demand has taken production schedules well into the 94’building season. A boat which was designed using Skeeters biggest asset, its ears. The all new boat incorporates the stylish ZX hull and transom design in a 19 foot 9 inch boat, bringing an all new meaning to “Total Performance”. Skeeter has utilized its leading ‘ledge” technology in boat design to build up a strong dealer base, and widespread customer loyalty, The growth of Skeeter has lent itself to look further into the market and begin a new committment to refining the definition of modern boating.
– Lake Havasu

Pre Spawn: When the water temperature is between 45-54 degrees in early spring, bass begin their movement away from the deep water. This movement will be slow. You will find bass in or near deep water during this period, on drop offs, points, creek banks and creek beds. A few bass will move to shallows on warm sunny afternoons. The bass metabolism is slow and they won’t chase fast moving lures. Slow rolling spinnerbaits and crank baits will work, but you must retrieve them slowly. When the water temperature rises over 55 degrees, the bass move from the deeper water into the shallows.

The warmer water will make the bass more aggressive. The best lures will be spinnerbaits, Texas rigged worms, crankbaits and top water minnows. When the water temperature reaches the 60s, tie on a spinnerbait and work the shallows — the bass will be selecting spawning sites.

Post Spawn: Some bass will remain in shallows for a short period and will strike

spinnerbaits, worms and top water lures. Bass will leave the shallows and head for their summer homes. During this time bass are hard to locate so stay on the move, and work creek banks, points and drop offs.

The warmer water accelerates the bass metabolism; therefore, early in the morning and late in the evening, bass will come from deeper water up in the shallows to feed. Spinnerbaits and buzz baits will produce good bass. As the day progresses and temperatures rise, fish deeper waters: drop offs, the edge of creek banks, tank dams, and sloughs. The Texas rigged worm will produce some good bass.

In the early fall, bass will go on longer feeding sprees. Larger lures will work — spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and buzz baits. Your retrieves should be from moderate to fast. When the water temperatures reach about 55 degrees, the bass will begin to move to their winter homes. You can locate them on creek banks and points as in early spring.

During the winter, bass stay deep near drop offs, creek channels and submerged timber. Fish your lure slow. Jigging spoons, jigs and worms will produce some large fish. During winter months, I always use a dark colored worm, preferably black/blue.

If you need guide service, or I may be of any assistance to you give me a call. Happy Holidays!!!
– Lake Havasu

Asking ten anglers to define finesse fishing would likely result in ten different perspectives. To many, finesse fishing is equated with light, ultralight, or microlight tackle and vague concepts such as splitshotting, slipshotting, doodling, shaking, stiching, and other mysterious techniques. Consequently, finesse fishing is frequently dismissed as too slow, too complicated, or necessitating fragile tackle. The common denominator in the various finesse techniques is an unobstrusive, natural presentation. Bass subjected to intense fishing pressure become inured to frequently encountered lures. Under less than ideal conditions they may respond only to specialized techniques, Quiet presentations, and lures that they haven’t grown weary of seeing daily. One of the least utilized finesse techniques for bass is fly fishing. How many Lake Conroe bass have ever seen a Silver Darter or Gray Ghost or Mickey Finn – all very effective streamer flies?

Fly fishing has surged in popularity the past several years, but its positive aspects have been largely overlooked by bass anglers. Generally regarded as a fun way to catch small bass and panfish, fly tackle can produce quality bass, and do so when all other techniques fail. Fly casting facilitates a more delicate presentation than any other system emloying artificial lures. Shallow, spooky bass are extremely wary of intrusions within their environment; a feather is much less imposing than a chunk of wood, metal, or plastic. The long, soft rods utilized are capable of exerting substantial leverage on a fish. And today’s bass boats provide an excellent fly casting platform. The application of fly tackle to bass fishing is limited only by one’s imagination.

Mastering the fly rod is not as difficult as it may appear. I’ve never been accused of being particularly dexterous, and I taught myself to cast unassisted in one afternoon when I was twelve years old. The following year I caught my first tarpon – on a fly rod. Learning the fly rod requires balanced tackle. The line, rather than the lure, provides the weight for the cast. It must be matched to the rod to properly load it. Although really long casts are seldom necessary, balanced tackle will facilitate powerful, accurate casting in the wind. An 8 ½’ or 9’ rod matched to a 6,7, or 8 – weight floating line will provide a good balance of power and manageability, A basic single – action reel will suffice. The reel’s primary function is line storage, although some anglers prefer to play larger fish off of the reel. Tapered leaders enhance accuracy and soft entry by helping the fly “turn over” properly at the end of the cast. They may be purchased or made up from lengths of progressively lighter monofilament.
– Lake Havasu

The wary days and nights are upon us again and night fishing is beginning it’s annual surge of popularity. From now until hunting season, nighttime traffic on the lake will be at it’s peak. Along with the increase in traffic the Lake Patrol will be receiving more callouts for nighttime accidents. If history repeats itself alcohol and lights will be the predominant factors. With safety in mind I’d like to review the laws and offer some suggestions for nighttime operation.

Vessels not at dock are required to display their navigation lights from sunset to sunrise. Although there is some variation in the lights required for different types and sizes of vessels, Class A and Class 1 vessels, into which categories most boats fall, require a red and green combination light for sidelights foreword and a white 360 degree light aft. The combination light must be red to port and green to starboard and be visible for 112 1/2 degrees from dead ahead. The white light must be high enough to provide unobstructed visibility for 360 degrees. Make sure that your lights are high enough to be seen throughout their required ranges: that your combination light’s lens is not upside down, putting the colors on the wrong sides(I know your brother-in-law changed the bulb, but it’s your boat and your problem); and make sure that you have spare fuses and bulbs aboard. Your bulb won’t burn out when it’s not on – it’ll burn out at night, while you’re using it. The purpose of the lights on your vessels are to make you visible to other vessels, and to reveal your direction of travel. If your lights do not operate as required you will be issued a CITATION and your vessel will be taken off the water until your equipment is in compliance.

PFD’s (Personal Floatation Devices) are especially important at night. If someone goes overboard, they will be much harder to locate in the dark. I strongly endorse the application of reflective material on PFD’s for boaters who operate at night, as it enables the PFD to be seen from several times the distance at night. Remember that the law now requires Type I,II,III or V(wearable) in Class A(under 16’) boats. Type IV(throwable) PFD’s are no longer acceptable as primary PFD’s. You are still required to have a Type IV PFD aboard Class I(16’-26’) vessels.

By law you must operate your vessel at a speed at which you can stop within the assured clear distance ahead. Unless you have an exceptionally clear night, I recommend running at substantially less than full trim. You will be able to turn much quicker and safer if sudden evasive action becomes necessary.

Prior to embarking on a nighttime excursion, you should familiarize yourself with the area by day. Take notes of landmarks and lineups you can use at night. Anything which stands out on the skyline will be the most visible landmark. A compass is an invaluable aid at night and I won’t own a boat without one. You may want to write down your Azimuths if exploring a new area; marking them on your map provides a permanent record for nighttime navigation. And speaking of maps, always know where you are. our dispatchers receive an awful amount of calls for us on the lake in which the caller has no idea in which creek arm he’s in. and the directions he’s giving are confusing. If I know you’re in Little Lake Creek I’ll find you. If all you can tell the dispatcher is that you’re “by an island” (yep we get lots of those), I have to check every creek and main lake area until I find the island near you.

A problem many night operators have is “tunnel vision” – they don’t scan when running. During the day your peripheral vision picks up vessels to your sides. At night, the effectiveness of your peripheral vision is greatly reduced, essentially with a background of numerous lights, as are found on many lakes. Tunnel Vision is responsible for a significant number of collisions. If you make a conscious
effort to scan back and forth constantly at light, it soon becomes second nature. A vessels navigation lights can blend in with a multitude of background lights. Bright lights ashore can make it impossible to see anything in that direction. Bright instruments at the helm, or a backlit graph, can destroy your night vision. Another night vision destroyer, and one that is often abused, is spotlights. If you must use a spotlight, make a pass with it and then turn it off. The same applies to the driving lights so commonly mounted on pontoon boats. Show a little consideration toward your fellow boaters – don’t indiscriminately blind everyone else on the lake. You’ll find that under most condition, you can see all ,around you better without a spotlight. With the spotlight on, you can see what’s in the beam, but everything outside the beam is harder to see than if the light was off.
you might consider a nighttime distress signal in the boat. if you break down, or come up on an accident, flares, a marine radio, or a cellular phone may cut short a long, lonely wait; it may also save lives.

When you finally get past the spotlights, shore lights, BOZOS without lights, and the fool running 70 MPH in the dark, and arrive safely at your “Honey Hole”, don’t turn off your white-all around light just because the glare is annoying. put a Styrofoam cup over it – it softens the glare but is still highly visible. just remember to remove it before you leave, so it won’t blow off into the lake.

Night fishing is an enjoyable, productive experience, but it requires a higher degree of preparation and awareness on a crowded lake. A nighttime wreck on the water is a terrifying way to become a statistic. If we all try to set an example, many of the novices will try to emulate us, making the lake safer for everyone.
– Lake Havasu

Who is responsible for water quality on Texas lakes? The Texas Parks &Wildlife Department puts blame on the river authorities and the river authorities point back to the TP&WD. Who is protecting wildlife, their habitat and even human health? The answer is, sadly, NO ONE.

The agencies that have been set up by both the TP&WD and the river authorities to protect us from chemical pollution in our waters are the same agencies we should be protected from. Texas seems to be having the same problem as the state of New York; “after four years of battling the NYS Department of Conservation and the Chatauqua Lake Association, Save Our Lake Environment (SOLE) stopped the lake application of the toxic herbicide endothall by pressuring the state to follow its own rules.” Endothall, which contains the herbicide Hydrothol 191, has been found to cause massive fish kills when applied to lakes and even bears the warning, “Do not use where fish are important resources.” It seems the state of Texas needs to be regulated itself if we are to have safe recreational and drinking water. The Health Awareness and Water-Knowledge (H.A.W.K.) organization states, “there are little or no laws in the State of Texas other than following the labeling for application guidelines. THIS IS NOT AN INDICATION OF SAFETY – THIS IS THE PROBLEM. THE EPA DOES NOT DO RIGOROUS TESTING.”
Out of the cooperative efforts of concerned citizens that halted the chemical poisoning of Lake Bastrop, Better Aquatics in Texas (B.A.I.T.) was formed. B.A.I.T. is a network of Texas sportsmen, conservation, health and environmental advocates, including Bastrop County Environmental Network, Central Texas Association of Bass Clubs, Clean Water Action, Fishermen Involved in Saving Habitat (F.I.S.H.) and Health Awareness and Water Knowledge (H.A.W.K.). The organization’s primary purpose is to improve the habitat of our freshwater reservoirs.

One problem Texans have in their lakes is the overgrowth of Hydrilla and other dominating plants in the lakes causing hazardous boating conditions, fish kills and related problems. The TP&WD all too often seeks to solve this problem with total eradication of the nuisance plant with the use of grass carp, which eat the problem plant AND all the vegetation in the lake, or chemical methods. One pesticide used by the TP&WD is called 2, 4-D. This chemical is easily absorbed by foliage and quickly distributed throughout the treated plant, which dies in seven to 14 days after treatment, but it has also been traced to incidences of cancer and birth defects.

Another toxic chemical that the TP&WD uses to rid Texas lakes of unwanted vegetation is Sonar. The ingredients of Sonar includes N-Menomethyl Formamide (NMF), which can cause birth defects, Teratoger, which can cause birth defects, and Hepatoxin, which damages the liver. Dr., David Marrack, a Houston physician who heard that the TP&WD and LCRA were considering the use of Sonar in Texas waters, specifically in Lake Bastrop, says in a letter to the TP&WD, “these facts which could and should have been known by Texas Parks and Wildlife And LCRA ought to have eliminated any consideration of the use of Sonar in this State’s waters….”

Therefore, the need for organizations like B.A.I.T. and H.A.W.K. are very real indeed! B.A.I.T. supports the use of non-chemical methods to control Hydrilla and other nuisance weeds in our lakes. They are also “further resolved that grass carp are the least acceptable method of non-chemical control and should be used in bodies of water from which they cannot escape and in the proper stocking rate to maintain the ecosystem.” They want to change the policies and the prescription-writing practices of the TP&WD for Hydrilla and other noxious weeds from total eradication to the use of non-chemical control methods.

B.A.I.T. relies on the generally accepted principles of Integrated Pest Management for protection of the environment. Integrated Pest Management is the “coordinated use of pest and environmental information with available pest control methods to prevent unacceptable levels of pest damage by the most economical means, and with the least possible hazard to people, property and the environment.” These principles include “1) strategies that rely on the best combination of pest management tactics that are compatible with human health and environmental protection, 2) the use of non-chemical management strategies whenever practical, and 3) the preferential use of least-toxic chemical controls when pesticides are needed.”

As a frequenter of Texas fresh waterways, I am very glad B.A.I.T. and H.A.W.K. are out there watching out for my health interests! The use of chemicals without
discretion is getting way out of hand and all of these organizations need our support! To contact B.A.I.T. and H.A.W.K., write to 728 Lake Placid Dr., Seguin, TX 78155, or call 830-303-4717. You can also e-mail the President of H.A.W.K., Robin Richardson at rrichar315@aol.com. – Lake Havasu

FOND DU LAC, Wis. Nov. 15, 2004 – Mercury Racing is pleased to introduce the all-new Bravo III XR drive. All of the Bravo One XR drive performance enhancements, once limited to racers and performance boaters,are now available for recreational sport cruisers. The heavy-duty XR components have been time tested in the world’s harshest environment – therace course.

The counter rotating, duel propeller drive features a new cone clutch and shift engagement strategy. SmartCraft electronic engine management makes shifting into and out of gear smooth as silk, making docking much easier with less chance of stalling. A sleek new shape and hot new graphics highlight the new Bravo III XR drive.

The Mercury Racing Integrated Transom System (ITS), available as an option, enhances drive height flexibility while making the transom more aesthetically pleasing and simplifying installation. The ITS features integral power steering cylinders. Trim and steering cylinders, multi-mounted to the heavy-duty gimbal ring, transfer stress loads back to transom, increasing strength and durability. A built-in, seven-inch setback improves boat running attitude in selected applications. Performance upgrades to the Bravo III XR drive includes a new rear drive cap with built-in, tie-bar attachment. The tie-bar attachment fixture, built into the new rear drive cap, eases installation of a tie-bar for multi-engine boats by eliminating the need to change drive caps. Multi-attaching points of the upper and rear drive caps enhance the strength and durability of the tie-bar attachment fixture as well.

The Mercury Racing Bravo III XR drive is available as an option with selected HP525 EFI engine packages and as an accessory.

Released: 11/15/2004-RM – Lake Havasu

For several years now, Lake Conroe’s supply of largemouth bass and crappie and its comeback as a major Texas fishery have been discussed by scientists of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and other biologists across the state. The Lake Conroe Restocking Association was implemented as a way to guarantee an abundant supply of game fish for the lake.

At a meeting held at Stow-A-Way Marina on May 7, 1995, Mark Webb of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department noted that the restocking program was successful in bringing back a dying population of crappie, but the restocking of largemouth bass had not been sufficient. Webb says the TPWD is “trying to put Lake Conroe back in as good a position as possible trying to maximize the fishery.”

To this end, the TPWD plans to assist the LCRA by stocking a total of 525,000 largemouth bass fingerlings in the lake in the Spring of ‘95 and again in the Spring of ‘96. In an effort to make the lake “a better open water fishery” and to give sportsmen another fishing target, the TPWD will also stock 210,000 hybrid striped bass in Lake Conroe. Crappie will also be monitored by the TPWD and the agency will advise the LCRA whenever more stockings are necessary.

Another problem that affects the fish populations on the lake was discussed at length. The problem, according to Webb, is the lack of aquatic vegetation in the lake. What Lake Conroe needs, he said, is “juvenile fish habitat on this lake.”

In the early 1980’s, landowners around the lake saw the over-abundance of Hydrilla in the lake as a hazard to recreational boaters and were able to convince the TPWD to put a supply of grass carp in the lake. The grass carp were chosen because they would eat the Hydrilla, but they also ate other native plant populations. This eliminated the chances of younger fish to hide from their predators and eliminated a major source of food for fish, subsequently reducing the numbers of all fish in the lake.

Webb feels the grass carp are dying or at least aging and not eating as much. He thinks now would be the time to re-establish native aquatic vegetation.

Also present at the meeting was Dr. Michael Smart of the U.S. Army’s Corps of Engineers’ Lewisville Aquatic Ecosystem Research Facility (LAERF). Dr. Smart is an aquatic plant biologist who has been studying aquatic vegetation for 20 years. He and his associates have been working on aquatic vegetation problems in other lakes throughout the country such as Lake Onondaga in New York, Lake Guntersville in Alabama and Lake Lewisville in north Texas. He agrees with Webb that the time is right to start re-vegetating Lake Conroe.

According to Webb, the TPWD will implement a program to re-establish aquatic vegetation in Lake Conroe with the technical advise of the scientists at LAERF. Funds for the program will be provided by the LCRA, who will also provide the manpower necessary for re-vegetation, and matching funds will be obtained by the TPWD from private and government sources.

Dr. Smart desires a diverse community of native plant species for re-vegetation in Lake Conroe. He hopes by establishing several non-problem native plants, he can reduce the incentive of fishermen to plant their own Hydrilla and starting the problem all over again. He recognizes the establishment of Hydrilla as a very real threat and warns the lake area of a need for a “Hydrilla early-detection system” whereby the plant can be found and quickly destroyed.

Hydrilla is an exotic plant that multiplies to a point where it can choke a lake, killing other native plants and whole fish populations. It also becomes a nuisance to boaters, water-skiers and swimmers. Developers despise it because it can make otherwise ideal lakefront property unappealing to potential buyers. Eventually, if allowed to grow unchecked, it can kill a lake.

The plant biologists of LAERF recommend a variety of non-problem plants to use in re-vegetation. These include wild celery, stargrass, the American lotus, muskgrass, American pondweed and cara.

A group that included Dr. Smart and Mark Webb were setting out to begin their plans for re-establishing the vegetation the following morning, starting with the north end. They were to look for desirable plant seed
and places to establish caged plots where the growth of the plants can be monitored. The entire process can take several years.

Dr. Robert Doyle is a research scientist from the University of North Texas who is conducting research at the Lewisville facility. He was on hand at the meeting and added, “nature herself could be relied upon to do the landscaping.”

Dr. Smart is confident that plants will grow in Lake Conroe. If the research group can get some test plots out this year, he says, they will know by the end of the year what will grow and what the next step will be.
Phil Durocher, the director of the TPWD Inland Fisheries Unit, was also at the meeting. He spoke in favor of the plan, noting that Lake Conroe was the first lake to use grass carp as a method of controlling the overgrowth of aquatic vegetation, so it should also be the first lake to take advantage of this habitat enhancement program. “This project is where we need to go.”

Now all Lake Conroe needs is the help of everyone who uses the lake to work together with the TPWD and these scientists. Someday soon, Lake Conroe can once again rank as one of the state’s best fisheries.
– Lake Havasu

On June 11th, Governor George W. Bush met with representatives of the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (GBRA), the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), and several conservation groups at Lake Bastrop to address the issue of treatment of aquatic vegetation.

Dr. Larry McKinney, senior director of aquatic resources at TPW, explains the dilemma. “Our research and experience, and that of scientists throughout the southern states, clearly demonstrates the positive benefits to both fish populations and sportfishing when aquatic vegetation is present. The difficulty arises when vegetative surface coverage becomes excessive, particularly when the plant is a non-native species like Hydrilla. Access to fishing, boating, swimming and other water-related activities can become a real problem when one of these exotic species gets out of control.”
Aquatic vegetation like Hydrilla can be a nuisance to boaters, swimmers and fishermen if it is allowed to grow unchecked. Several measures have been taken in recent years to eliminate this problem on Texas lakes.

Chemical control was once thought to be the answer and herbicides are still used today. However, chemical treatment of the unwanted vegetation has led to death or illness in humans and wildlife and will no longer be tolerated by a growing number of Texas citizens.

Mechanical methods have been used in several Texas lakes, but the results have been less than desirable. Grass carp were used by TPW in Lake Conroe and the unwanted vegetation was destroyed, but the cost in fish habitat and water quality was very high. Steps are currently being taken on this lake to restore the fishing resources of this once famous bass-fishing lake in East Texas.

Another mechanical solution to the abundance of noxious aquatic vegetation was introduced recently and examined on that day in June. The Mechanical Vegetation Harvester (MVH) that was presented to the government officials was on loan from the Tennessee Valley Authority and received unanimous support.
This machine reportedly can cut one acre of Hydrilla per hour to a depth of five to six feet. It cuts the vegetation, squeezes the water from it, shreds it, then puts the shredded vegetation back in the water. The machines have a cutting width of up to 10 feet and weigh up to 14,000 lbs. The harvester does not hurt the fish population either, according to the Department of Natural Resources in Minnesota, where the harvester has been used for years.

The harvesters have been around since about 1902, according to Pat McCarty of Texas Black Bass Unlimited. They were created from a need to knock down weeds so that clean ice could be cut from frozen lakes. These massive machines have evolved considerably in the last several decades. By efficiently cutting and removing Aquatic vegetation, harvesting offers an environmentally sound, cost effective and practical solution to the control of excessive plant growth.

Harvesters have been used extensively in the Great Lakes region and in the northeast, with some very positive results. Mr. B Rendan of Woodbridge, Virginia, is very happy with the harvester his community purchased. “Harvesting is selective for fish management – it leaves habitat available for fish.”
Mr. D. Heise of LaPorte, Tennessee, says, “The quality of fishing has improved [on City Lake since we started using the harvester], and the fishing areas are more accessible now.”

Mr. J. Wardlaw of Dewey Lake in Dewagiac, Michigan, has been using the Hydrilla Harvester for years. He comments, “We have bigger fish of all types now because of reduced cover.”

The Governor took the MVH on a test drive and he is reported to be pleased with his findings. Other Texas State officials were similarly impressed.

According to Robin Richardson, President of Health Awareness and Water Knowledge (HAWK), in a Board of Director’s meeting of the GBRA on June 17, approval of a Cooperative Aquatic Vegetation Management Contract between TPW, LCRA, GBRA, Friends of Lake McQueeney (FOLM), and the Sportsman Conservationists of Texas (SCOT) regarding a MVH was passed.

Richardson sees the MVH as the only viable means to rid Texas lakes of nuisance vegetation. – Lake Havasu

Capt. Kirk’s Marine is growing by leaps and bounds! Glenn Kirk has expanded operations to include the Stratos, Ski Centurion, Donzi and Reinell lines in addition to the Fisher line and Gambler line he had previously sold.

Stratos is a very good name in fishing boats. Kirk carries all sizes of this boat line from 15 feet, 10 inches to the 33-foot offshore fishing boat with the patented Stratos Deep Vee hull. The Deep Vee hull carries a five year warranty and is available on most of the Stratos line.

Ski Centurion is a tournament water-ski boat. It is designed for the competition water-skier who skis year-round. Five-time world slalom champion, Bob La Point, has assisted Ski Centurion in development of the new LaPoint Tru Trac. This tournament ski boat is available at Capt. Kirk’s Marine Service.

Kirk describes the Donzi line as “sports cars on the water. They are small, compact and REAL fast.” The Donzi also makes a luxurious 33-foot pleasure boat. But don’t let the elegance fool you; the Donzi 33ZX is all performance. With twin 502 MerCrusier power she’ll reach speeds up to 65 mph, with all the stability and tracking that Donzi’s are famous for.

Capt. Kirk’s line of Reinell boats include the family pleasure boats and the fishing boats. Reinell has been in the boat building business for over 70 years and carry with them a legend of unsurpassed craftsmanship. Reinell’s motto is “we’re in the water to stay.”

Kirk says, “we feel like we have a boat for everybody out there. If you like boats, come see us and we’ll put you into a boat that will fit your lifestyle and needs. We have the pontoon boat, aluminum bass boats, fiberglass bass boats, tournament bass boat, jon boat, jet boat, sport runabout boat, bow-rider, tournament ski boat, offshore fishing boat, offshore runabout boat, center console bay boat and cuddy cabin.”

Capt. Kirk has also made some staff changes. New to the staff are Randy L. Nichols, who joined the team in October of ‘94 as the Sales Manager, and Service Manager, Gary Bellman. Sally Grimes assists as the Office Manager, David Inman is the new fiberglass repairman and Paul Nordstrum and Mike Walker are new service technicians. Duane Blair still acts as Parts Manager and Troy Kirk, the Captain’s son, still assists Capt. Kirk as VP of Operations.

Expansion of the shop itself is another change that is currently underway. Kirk is planning to build a 4800 square foot showroom, five new sales offices, a 3200 square foot parts and accessories area, a 4000 square foot closed service shop area and a 6000 square foot open service bay area. The shop will basically expand to ten times its present size onto the three acres surrounding the shop. Kirk hopes to complete renovations by late spring of this year.

Kirk, who is still very involved in the tournament circuit, sponsors a pro staff team that welcomes Mike Metcalf, David Truax, Kirk McKenzie and Steve Cain as new members. Dick Clements and J.C. Evans are two members of the pro staff from last year.

Tournament fishing is going to play a big part in Kirk’s future. “In 1995, we see ourselves getting more expertise in the area of serving the needs of the tournament bass angler.” Capt. Kirk’ Marine Service is going to become more involved with the B.A.S.S. tournament circuit and through that they plan to learn how to best serve the tournament bass fisherman’s needs. “We have found that it is a constantly changing, hi-tech sport and we’ve found that it’s necessary to be out there on the front line so that we stay abreast of innovation.”

Captain Glenn Kirk, his wife, Donna, and son, Troy, along with the rest of the staff are working together to serve their customers with their boating needs.
– Lake Havasu

Club Exclusive offers the serious outdoorsman the hunting adventure of a lifetime. Located on Lake Guerrero just 165 miles south of the Texas border, this hunting lodge set in the unspoiled Mexican countryside offers terrific opportunities to catch trophy size bass and hunt plentiful whitewing dove, duck, geese, and quail.

Thanks to catch-&-release, the fishing that Lake Guerrero has to offer has proven excellent in the past and only promises more of the same for decades to come. Club Exclusive can even provide fully rigged bass boats with 48 HP outboards and trolling motors. Fishing licenses are issued at the lodge and if you insist on bringing your own boat, boat permits are issued here also.

Club Exclusive is the closest hunting facility to the Abasolo Whitewing Colony, the largest whitewing colony in the hemisphere. Mexico’s whitewing dove season runs from August 15 to October 30 this year. Morning Dove season begins on September 1 and runs through December 31.

Travel back in time to the days of NO POINT SYSTEM when hunting for duck in Mexico. Club Exclusive will even provide the decoys and duck blinds. Mexico’s duck season lasts from December 1 to February 28.
The converging flyways over Club Exclusive provide incredible goose hunting. Resident guides are specially trained in goose hunting. Goose decoys are supplied by the resort. Mexico’s goose hunting season is the same as duck season: December 1 – February 28.

Quail hunting is an untapped resource in Mexico. Club Exclusive offers 30,000 acres of leases for hunting quail and you’re welcome to bring your dogs. Kennels are available on the premises, but you are sure to bust plenty of coveys with or without dogs. Mexico’s quail hunting season spans from December 1 to February 28.

Transportation to the resort is provided from McAllen, Texas, but you can also fly directly to Club Exclusive’s sister lodge, Big Bass Lodge, which is located very close by and offers similar amenities. You can even drive all the way there on all-paved highways.

Club Exclusive Hunting Lodge provides combination hunting and fishing trips that include the use of their own shotguns. This will save you the expense of purchasing a Mexican gun permit for $350.00. Experienced guides, refreshment coolers, cleaning and packing of game and fish, hunting and fishing licenses, transportation to grain fields for bird hunting, and fully equipped 48 HP fishing boats are all included in the combo packages because Club Exclusive wants your trip to Mexico to be one you’ll repeat again and again. Gasoline is even available on-site and the lodge features a paved boat ramp.
For the traveling outdoorsman, RV campgrounds are available at the resort. Drive all paved highways right up to your lot.

Rooms at the lodge are modern with private baths and all are air conditioned. The rooms sleep two to four guests. Wake up with complimentary juice and coffee. The Palapa Bar offers card playing and a satellite TV. The open bar features nachos, margaritas, beer and soft drinks, and a game room with pool tables, darts, and Ping-Pong. The restaurant serves three meals a day and a swimming pool is available.
For a truly memorable hunting or fishing experience, Mexico is the place to do it and Club Exclusive or Big Bass Lodge can surely help make it the trip of a lifetime! – Lake Havasu

The training of dogs for hunting purposes requires a knowledgeable trainer with a firm hand AND a kind heart. Dogs are trained in Texas to retrieve birds, primarily duck and geese. Pheasants and quail are also birds of prey in Texas that dogs are very useful in hunting. Some even say it’s impossible to hunt quail without a dog because a bird dog is necessary to locate and flush the covey. It should be noted here that there are two distinct types of hunting dogs: the retriever that is used to retrieve the duck or goose that falls in the lake or marsh and the bird dog that is used to point to and flush quail. This article will focus on the training of retrievers.

I researched the training methods of several well-known trainers of retrievers. Although each had different ideas about small aspects of the training process, all share the same basic concepts about training a retriever to hunt.

The first question when training a retriever is, “What breed of retriever is best?” Richard A. Wolters, is the author of several books on hunting dogs and has developed techniques for training hunting dogs for the dog owner who wants to train his dogs himself. In Water Dog, he recommends potential dog owners to visit a field trial, where hunting conditions are simulated in a competition setting, and “watch the dogs work.” Each breed is different in certain aspects, he says, such as the dog’s coat. Potential breeders should pay attention to what breed is available with which to breed their *****es, he adds.

The big three breeds to look at, for retrieving, he says, are the Labrador retriever, the Golden retriever, with its long coat, and the Chesapeake Bay retrievers. “If you can find the flat coat, curly coat retriever or the Irish water spaniel,” he says, “don’t overlook them.”

Jeff Campbell owns and operates Katybrook Kennels Retriever Country in Hockley, Texas, located nine miles north of Katy. He specializes in training all types of retrievers for hunting in any bird season. Jeff will take a dog to train anytime after the dog is six months old. Prior to the dog turning six months old, the owner has a responsibility, Campbell says, to help develop retrieving instincts in the dog and let it become “a grand game.”

“A dog that has those instincts developed before the intensive training begins is much easier to train and becomes a better hunting dog,” according to Campbell.

Kerry V. Kern has written extensively on canine training and care. In his book, Labrador Retrievers, A Complete Pet Owner’s Manual, he recommends starting the puppy as early as eight weeks on some elementary retrieving exercises..

The training period for a retriever spans from four to six months at Katybrook Kennels, but Campbell also trains any breed of dog for obedience in a one-month course for which the dog is boarded for the month.

Jelly is Campbell’s Labrador retriever and she is extremely well trained. She is now 7 1/2 years old and has won two derbies, or field trials for dogs under two years, and has qualified all-age, which is a very high achievement for a competition hunting dog. Jelly’s father is a National Amateur Field Champion (NAFC) named NAFC Trumarcs Zip Code, or Cody for short. Her mother is Doc’s
Country Classic.

Jelly is a champion because she’s had good breeding and also because Campbell has shown her a firm hand AND a kind heart. He believes in not over-doing it with the reprimands. “In training retrievers,” he says, “ you must keep the dog’s spirit alive at all times. When making a correction, do not overwhelm the dog so that he has a hard time recovering.”

Campbell believes that the training should not end when the dog goes home. The dog’s return home should be the beginning of a new phase in the process. “The whole key to training is that when the dog goes home, the owner needs to follow up on the dog’s training and the dog will excel and the two will become a team.”

Most hunters have their dogs trained the summer before the bird hunting season begins. Some dogs receive refresher courses each summer. Texas summers can be brutal and Campbell warns owners to beware of heat stroke. He says, “have two large bags of ice on hand in coolers to cool down the dogs if they get too hot.” A dog’s normal temperature is between 100.5 to 102 degrees F (38-38.9 degrees C). When cooling off the dog with ice, Campbell says, be careful not to bring the temperature below normal because the dog may go into shock.

Arnold Boudreaux owns Schomer Kennels in Cut ’n Shoot, Texas, located northeast of Houston. He has been training dogs for over 30 years in Morgan City, Louisiana, and in Texas. He trains primarily retrievers and, in addition to basic obedience, he only trains dogs to hunt.

Boudreaux tries to train the dogs in water in the summertime. A well-trained dog, he says, should be trained on land and in water.

Boudreaux has some tips for the owners of hunting dogs: “I recommend that potential dog owners investigate the blood lines of the dogs before the purchase. Don’t just buy the dog because someone said it was a good dog. Go by what the mother and father are like to tell what your dog is going to be like.”

The 49th day of the puppy’s life is the day Boudreaux recommends taking the puppy from its litter. This, he says, is a theory developed over 30 years ago by the trainers of seeing-eye dogs, On this day, so the theory goes, the bond that has developed between the dog and its littermates can most easily be transferred to a human family, and not a day before or later.

On the other hand, Kern recommends that puppies wait until their eighth week to be separated from their littermates. He calls the first eight weeks of a puppy’s life “the canine socialization period” and he says that if a puppy is taken before the eighth week, “the puppy may not have fully learned the lessons of animal socialization.” The animal may grow to react aggressively to other dogs.

Labrador retrievers are excellent hunters and their owners are blessed with a breed that loves to learn. Dog hunting with a well-trained retriever is exciting and a reliable conservation tool. The dog can retrieve birds from places where most hunters can’t get to it or can’t find it and would otherwise leave behind.

It is vital that the owner also be a part of the training process. Each dog has its own idiosyncrasies that the trainer must identify and teach to the owner before the dog goes home. – Lake Havasu

The Emergency Medical Service Benefit Fund, Inc., held a benefit bass tournament at Lakeview Marina on May 7th, which proved to be a beautiful day, for the Alan Schlein family of Montgomery County.

Schlein was only 29 when he passed away, leaving behind a wife and young son. He served as a paramedic in Montgomery and Harris counties. He worked for the Montgomery County Hospital District EMS at the time of his death.

The EMS Benefit Fund, Inc., was organized shortly after Schlein’s untimely death “to raise funds to support EMS personnel in times of need or catastrophe,” according to Bobby McMinn, President of the organization. The corporation began with this benefit at Lakeview Marina and will continue with other benefits as they are needed.

The tournament was a success with 32 teams competing. All the funds raised were split in half, with half going to the Schlein family and half split among the winners, according to Stanley Mims, Secretary of the EMS Benefit Fund, Inc.

The entry fee per team was $60.00 with a $10.00 optional “Big Bass” entry fee. The “Big Bass” category had a 100% payback.

First place was taken by Joey Pizzini and Tom Dean with a total weight of 13.63 lbs. The first place team won 70% of the half of the earnings ear-marked for contestants, or $660.00.

In second place was Keith Yarbrough and Eric Chandler of Crosby with a single bass weighing 7.4 lbs. The second place team members shared $160.00 or 20% of the day’s winnings. Yarbrough, who actually caught the 7.4-lb. bass, was the big winner of the day because he also walked away with the optional “Big Bass” prize totaling $310.00.

Third place went to a couple that weighed in at 7.28 lbs. Third place won 10% of the winnings or $80.00.

Following the bass tournament, an auction was held at the marina. McMinn wishes to thank the cooperation of numerous businesses of Montgomery County in providing over $7000.00 of auction goods and services. Bar-B-Cue was also provided at the tournament by “numerous grocery stores,” says McMinn.

A total of $800.00 was received at the tournament for the Alan Schlein family.
– Lake Havasu

Family Boating Center has been doing business in the Houston area for about eight months. They opened their doors at the Humble location on January 2nd of this year and they’ve already captured a large share of the Houston boating market.

The boat dealer is the exclusive dealer of Tracker boats in the Houston area. Tracker boats are reputed to be the world’s #1 selling fishing boats. They offer a bass boat, the Bass Tracker, a pontoon, the Sun Tracker, and a high-performance bass boat called the Nitro. All of these boats Tracker Marine builds “to exceed your expectations,” and I know Family Boating Center will exceed your expectations, too. The boat dealer also sells Mercury outboard motors.

Clay Mills, the president of Family Boating Center, does not believe in high pressure, pushy salespeople. He wants to sells his customers only what they really want.

“We believe in letting the customer drive the boat before they buy it,” Mills says. “We’re so close to Lake Houston that we can let a customer drive a boat anytime they want to and they’re under no obligation to buy.”

Mills says other dealers are proud of their “demo weekends”, but Family Boating Center has a demo day every day.

Tracker Marine, located in Springfield, Missouri, sends their catalog of all their boats and boating accessories to thousands of customers each year, and James Julian, the sales manager of Family Boating Center, is proud to say all these same products are available at Family Boating Center for exactly the same prices. The boat prices are not marked up as you might expect.

Mills says they like to take the team approach to customer service at their store. Their goal is to have the customer’s purchase of a boat be only the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship. He likes to stress to customers that Family Boating Center will be there after the sale.

He backs this up with a top-notch service department that works on all Tracker products, whether purchased at his store or not. They also work on all American-made boat engines and keep Saturday hours.

Mills has been in and around the marine business for almost 20 years. Before opening Family Boating Center, he operated several Tracker Marine stores in other cities. Prior to this period, he worked with OMC in their Performance and Racing Division in Lake Hamilton, Florida.

All the experience and hard work of Mills and Julian and the eight other employees have paid off for Family Boating Center. The store was named 1994’s Top New Dealer for the U.S. at the recent Tracker convention. This is quite an honor and reflects the overall customer satisfaction of the store.

Family Boating Center and Tracker Marine are both proud sponsors of the pro-team of Brian Utecht and Curtis Thompson who each drive Nitro 190s. Utecht’s boat is a Nitro 190-DC and Thompson drives a Nitro 190-TF. Both boats are equipped with a Mercury 150 XR6 outboard motor and feature anti-feedback standard. The Nitro 190-TF boat, motor and trailer is available at Family Boating Center for only $16,995 and the 190-DC, with heavy-duty carpeting new for ‘94, for a paltry $17,295, plus freight and rigging.

Tracker introduces the all new 2000-TF in ‘94. This is the top of the line in Tracker high-performance bass boats and features the latest innovations, power options and fishing electronics. This boat offers “maximum performance for uncompromised fishability” and you can pick it up at Family Boating Center for only $18,295.

Family Boating Center is open at Highway 59 North and Beltway 8 from 9:00 to 5:30 Monday through Saturday, and by appointment anytime. In addition to the weekday hours, their service department is even open on Saturdays from 9:00 to 3:00.

Family Boating Center is there to assist you in the knowledgeable purchase of a boat and Clay Mills will not let you leave the store with anything less than what you want. Pay them a visit and experience why Tracker is the #1 fishing boat.
– Lake Havasu