Columnist Paul DelGiudice: Boulder City man wins tournament

Paul DelGiudice

Wednesday, Sept. 22, 1999 | 10:08 a.m.

Paula DelGiudice's outdoors notebook appears Wednesday. Reach her at PDelGiudice@compuserve.com.

John Murray of Boulder City captured his second WON BASS tourney last week with a total catch of 35.79 pounds. His first title came in 1997.

For his efforts, Murray, a Phoenix native, won $50,000 cash, a Ranger 518VX boat with a Mercury 175 outboard, Raytheon electronics, GNB Stowaway batteries and MotorGuide trolling motor and a 1999 Ford Lariat pickup truck. The prize package totals more than $112,000 -- the second-largest payoff in western bass fishing history.

Last year, Marcus Clouse of Henderson totalled more than $118,000 on his way to winning the 1998 U.S. Open tournament.

Dean Farrell of Scottsdale, Ariz., placed second with 35.76 pounds. Farrell had almost a two-pound lead over the field when the final day started, but Murray's 12.48 pound stringer put him over the top for the second time during the three-day event. Farrell missed the lead by only .03 of a pound. His second-place finish netted $18,000.

Third place went to Dave Mitchell of Lake Havasu City, Ariz., with 35.12 pounds. He went home with $15,000. Fourth place with 30.33 pounds went to Tom Phillips of Corona, Calif., who won $10,000. Fifth and $9,000 went to Dennis Kolender of Henderson with 30.16 pounds.

The tournament also was favorable to other local anglers. Byron Velvick of Boulder City placed 10th and earned $5,000 with 28.74 pounds. Tommy Puleo of Henderson caught 27.28 pounds to tie for 16th place. Las Vegas angler Chuck English earned $2,800 for his 26.45 pounds, landing him in 20th place. Bobby Sandberg of Henderson netted 25.99 pounds bringing him 23rd place and $2,800.

In the AAA division, the championship went to Tim Karas of Las Vegas who was fishing in his first tournament. He caught 34 pounds and earned $10,000. Brandan Jardine of Henderson earned $750 with his 26.62 pounds.

The final day's big stringer award of $2,500 each went to Steve Pike of Las Vegas and AAA Mitsu Handa of Japan with 13.86 pounds. In the Monday big bass option pro angler Bobby Ellis of Henderson came in second at 4.02 pounds.

The field included 145 boats with anglers from 17 states.

* FLY AND FISH: The basics of fly tying and fly fishing will be taught in a pair of free Nevada Division of Wildlife workshops this weekend.

A fly tying class will be held from 7-8:30 p.m. Friday at NDOW's Las Vegas office, 4747 W. Vegas Drive. All equipment and fly tying materials will be provided for this beginning level class.

On Saturday, an introductory fly fishing class will be conducted from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Floyd Lamb State Park. The class will cover the basics of fly fishing including beginning casting techniques.

To register for either class call NDOW at 486-5127, ext. 3863. There will be limited enrollment for both classes.

* DUCK AND PHEASANT: Drawings for opening day duck hunting reservations at Key Pittman Wildlife Management Area and pheasant hunting reservations at Overton Wildlife Management Area will be held on Monday, Oct. 4 at 8 a.m. at the NDOW office, 4747 W. Vegas Drive.

Reservations at Key Pittman will be limited to 55 hunters for the Saturday, Oct. 9 duck season opener. The only other date that advance reservations will be required for waterfowl hunting at Key Pittman is Saturday, Nov. 20 -- the opening of goose hunting.

Reservations will be limited to 55 hunters each day at Overton during the Oct. 9-15 season. The drawing will include all seven pheasant hunt days.