North Platte WU
Newsletter Editor
Thursday May 3, 2007
at Wyoming Game and Fish
Another month gone by. Last month was marked by the start of the wet water fishing season, our Toughman Tournament, and the need to break out and try to start our lawn mowers.
The Toughman Tournament was a success. It was a bit nippy in the morning, and caused some hairy moments launching boats on the ramps that got icy after the first few boats launched. Many decided to launch from shore and avoid the ramps. We had 36 boats entered this year which is a record for the period I've been involved. We had a very nice metal sculpture donated this year that we awarded to the biggest walleye winner. Poor planning on my part meant we didn't get a picture for our website. The sculpture was donated by Jason Brown 3435 Rich Lane, Ammon, ID 83406. His phone # is 208- 524-4218 if you would like to contact him. I'll try to get a picture for our website.
I would like to thank Sportsman's Warehouse for their donation of gift certificates that we handed out as door prizes. I would also like to thank Heather Bundy for helping weigh the fish as they came in.
The tournament results are: Biggest walleye winners was the team of Justin Howard, Matt Rodrick, Cameron Parmely. Second place biggest walleye, as well as third place and fourth place was won by Chuck Mcauley and Mike Homan. Chuck and Mike weighed eight walleyes that day as well as some nice trout.
Biggest trout was won by the team of Rob Davis, Casey Davis, and Colton Davis. Second Place trout was won by the team of Mike Bailey, Brian Loose, and Michael Bailey. Third place trout was won by the team of Harold Mason and sons. Last but not least, was the most "trash fish" winning team of Mitch Horning, Greg Alvar, and Dan Sullivan.
I received a few comments during the tournament, regarding how it was organized and run. I would like to explain why I/we "do it" the way I/we "do it" First of all, the Toughman would not happen without the efforts and assistance of Howard and Lacinda Tilton with help from John Green. The Toughman was within minutes of being discontinued when Howard and I, neither of us knowing anything about tournaments, volunteered to run it. I was told the Toughman director could run it any way he wanted. Howard and I decided to make it a membership drive event and not try to turn a profit. We decided to allow three people in each boat to try to lower the entry fees per contestant considering each contestant had to be a club member or be required to join. Both changes made some folks grumpy to various degrees.
The first year we had 35 boats and gained 55 new members. This year we gained 20 members and had 36 boats. Our goal is not to provide entertainment for the community, it is to try to attract more club members, give club members a kickoff to the season, and try to make it non-profit. I honestly try to lose a few hundred dollars each event which would mean nearly 100% payback. Alas the turnout was greater than I expected and we did manage to show a profit this year. We will have more door prizes next year to prevent profit.
Three persons per boat gave the advantage over 2 person teams was claimed. I think Chuck and Mike made that a moot point this year.
Another issue brought up was making the tournament a no-kill event. This years event had 20 walleye caught which is about 15 fish more than usual. This was probably because of the early part of the month this years event was held which was pre-spawn. I'm seriously considering making the tournament later in the month, post spawn, next year to hold down the number of fish caught. Making the tournament no-kill would make it necessary for more equipment, more volunteers, more restrictions, more hassle, and more work. I don't see the point for 5-6 fish.
We spent over $200 for awards and we spent nearly $425 for dinners for two that were handed out for door prizes. I would like to recognize those restaurants that donated dinners when I went to purchase dinner gift certificates. These fine folks donated to our tournament and should be thanked the next time you enjoy a meal in their restaurants. Barry's Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant 123 W E St Casper, Dorn's Fireside 1745 CY Ave Casper, Hometown Buffet 601 Wyoming Blvd Casper, Karen & Jim's Restaurant 520 S Ash Casper and Poor Boy's Steak House 739 N Center.
Every month at club meetings we have a drawing from the entire membership list. If that member is present at the meeting he/she would win a $100 gift certificate from Sportsman's Warehouse. Last month's winning loser was Steve Mundorf.
I had hoped to have a presentation of bottom bouncing and harness construction and techniques at this months club meeting. I will try to get it scheduled for the June meeting. So this month I'm offering to show anyone interested how to pour jigs at my home. If you would like learn how to make your own just give me a call at (Woody) 247-0695. Three to five people at a time means a lot of jigs can be made in an afternoon or evening. I have all the molds and materials necessary.
Fishing reports, tips and tricks
The Wyoming Game and Fish is trying to finalize the new fishing regulations for the 2008-2009 seasons. Public meetings will be held the weeks of May 7 and May 14. A public comment period will start on April 30 and run through June13. After the comment period closes they will prepare their final recommendations and present them to the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission at the commissioners July 19-20 meeting. If you would like to be present at the public meeting call the Casper office of the Wyoming Game and Fish at (307) 473-3400 for the local dates and times.
The first tournament of the Lowrance Pro Team Walleye Circuit was held last week on Lake Francis Case in South Dakota. Club members Rick Walter and Bruce Brugger finished 5th overall just a tic over 3lbs out of first place.
Area lake levels Glendo................ 84% full......... inflow 2720 cfs...................outflow 1151 cfs
Boysen................ 62% full..........inflow 423 cfs.................. outflow 689 cfs
Pathfinder...........23% full......... inflow 2637 cfs.................. outflow 2658 cfs
Alcova..................98% full......... inflow 2658 cfs.................. outflow 2223 cfs
Seminoe............ 32% full.......... inflow 1618 cfs.................. outflow 2541 cfs
Almost forgot to mention that at our last club meeting the flycasters presented me with a really nice cap for all the good work I've done bringing the flycasters and walleye guys to-gether. Thanks
And for a really great laugh, those with internet access, go to google.com and click on "videos" and do a search for "fishing bloopers". There go, but for the grace of God, goes us..........
Useless facts and space filler
May is National Duckling Month
May 10th is National Clean Up Your Room day
These businesses support us
Here is the list of Donors and Sponsors of our 2007 Banquet. Drop by and say thanks!
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White's Marine Center Compression Leasing Sportsman's Warehouse Casper Well Products Rocky Mountain Discount Sports Overman Realty LLC Bentz's Town Pump Mckendree Trucking, Inc Liquor Shed Andreen Hunt Construction, Inc Eagle Claw Ken Mayer-Countrywide Home Loans Terry Doughty Extreme Exteri-ors Hilltop National Bank Ben Knox White's Mountain Motors Platte River Builders Silver Fox Lounge USA Trucking Lowrance Electronics Scott's HotShot Service Rick's Rocks Lathrop Equipment Co Wilson Equipment Hilltop National Bank Jim Ellison - Versa Ramp Parkway Plaza Walgreen's Overhead Door Company Staples Shakespeare Minn Kota | John Green Buffalo Creek Clothing Company Lake Tobin Lodge Greg and Tracy Alvar Red Butte Ranch Bed and Breakfast JTL Group Inc. John Ma-rohn Western Walleye Magazine Bakers Narrows Lodge Lowrance Pro Team Walleye Circuit Rick Mclaughlin A1 Tires Dave Underhill Overhead Door Company Shawn and Connie Edmonson Wyoming Builders Supply Xtools Kevin Reinhart Red Rum Sport Fishing Karst Motorsports Cowboy Auto Spa Team Outdoor TV by Lowrance Berkley Abu Garcia Mack's Lures Bar D Signs Woody's Little Print Shop Big Wyoming GMC Shoremaster Docks Walmart Artist Choice Gallery Woody G's Gallery & Frame Shop |
Some great quotes
"No Matter what you do there will be critics."
"Always carry a flagon of whiskey in case of snakebite and furthermore always carry a small snake." -- W.C. Fields
"Boys will be boys, and so will a lot of middle-aged men." -- Kin Hubbard
On the lighter side
Stun gun .......
Pocket Taser Stun Gun, a great gift for the wife. This was submitted by a guy who purchased his lovely wife a "pocket Taser" for their anniversary. Last weekend I saw something at Larry's Pistol &Pawn Shop that sparked my interest. The occasion was our 22nd anniversary and I was looking for a little something extra for my wife Toni. What I came across was a 100,000-volt, pocket/purse-sized taser. The effects of the taser were suppose to be short lived, with no long-term adverse affect on your assailant, allowing her adequate time to retreat to safety.... WAY TOO COOL!
Long story short, I bought the device and brought it home. I loaded two triple-a batteries in the darn thing and pushed the button. Nothing! I was disappointed. I learned, however, that if I pushed the button AND pressed it against a metal surface at the same time; I'd get the blue arch of electricity darting back and forth between the prongs.
Awesome!!! Unfortunately, I have yet to explain to Toni what that burn spot is on the face of her microwave. Okay, so I was home alone with this new toy, thinking to myself that it couldn't be all that bad with only two triple-a batteries,. right?!!!
There I sat in my recliner, my cat Gracie looking on intently (trusting little soul) while I was reading the directions and thinking that I really needed to try this thing out on a flesh & blood moving target. I must admit I thought about zapping Gracie (for a fraction of a second) and thought better of it. She is such a sweet cat. But, if I was going to give this thing to my wife to protect herself against a mugger, I did want some assurance that it would work as advertised. Am I wrong?
So, there I sat in a pair of shorts and a tank top with my reading glasses perched delicately on the bridge of my nose, directions in one hand, taser in another. The directions said that a one-second burst would shock and disorient your assailant; a two-second burst was supposed to cause muscle spasms and a major loss of bodily control; a three-second burst would purportedly make your assailant flop on the ground like a fish out of water. Any burst longer than three seconds would be wasting the batteries.
All the while I'm looking at this little device measuring about 5" long, less than 3/4 inch in circumference; pretty cute really and loaded with two itsy, bitsy triple-a batteries) thinking to myself, "no possible way!"
What happened next is almost beyond description, but I'll do my best..... I'm sitting there alone, Gracie looking on with her head cocked to one side as to say, "don't do it master," reasoning that a one-second burst from such a tiny little ole thing couldn't hurt all that bad....I decided to give myself a one-second burst just for the heck of it. I touched the prongs to my naked thigh, pushed the button, and HOLY MOTHER, WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION@!@$$!%!@*!!!
I'm pretty sure Jessie Ventura ran in through the side door, picked me up in the recliner, then body slammed us both on the carpet, over and over and over again. I vaguely recall waking up on my side in the fetal position, with tears in my eyes, body soaking wet, both nipples on fire, testicles nowhere to be found, with my left arm tucked under my body in the oddest position, and tingling in my legs. The cat was standing over me making meowing sounds I had never heard before, licking my face, undoubtedly thinking to herself, "do it again, do it again!"
Note: If you ever feel compelled to "mug" yourself with a taser, one note of caution: there is no such thing as a one-second burst when you zap yourself. You will not let go of that thing until it is dislodged from your hand by a violent thrashing about on the floor. A three second burst would be considered conservative.
SON-OF-A-.. that hurt like heck!!! A minute or so later (I can't be sure, as time was a relative thing at that point), collected my wits (what little I had left), sat up and surveyed the landscape. My bent reading glasses were on the mantel of the fireplace. How did they up get there??? My triceps, right thigh and both nipples were still twitching. My face felt like it had been shot up with Novocain, and my bottom lip weighed 88 lbs. I'm still looking for my testicles? I'm offering a significant reward for their safe return. -- Still in shock, Tommy
One for the ladies
One day my housework-challenged husband decided to wash his sweat- shirt. Seconds after he stepped into the laundry room, he shouted to me, "What setting do I use on the washing machine?"
"It depends," I replied. "What does it say on your shirt?"
He yelled back, " University of Oklahoma ." -- found on walleyecentral.com
wyowalleyenewsletter@hotmail.com
Tight Lines -- Woody G.