Columnist Paula DelGiudice: Arizona angler leads bass tourney

Paula DelGiudice

Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2000 | 11:16 a.m.

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

Bass anglers invaded Southern Nevada early this week in search of big largemouth bass in the 10th U.S. Bass Open. The bass tourney got under way Monday at Callville Bay Marina and wraps up with final weigh-ins today.

As this column was going to press, the first official day stats had been tallied. Leading the tournament was Casey Iwai of Lavern, Ariz., with five fish weighing 13.05 pounds. His big fish weighed 3.73 pounds.

Leading the pack of Nevada anglers was Pat Donoho of Las Vegas with five fish totaling 10.63 pounds. He is followed by Chuck English of Las Vegas with 10.42 pounds and a big fish of 2.4 pounds. Chris Delb Sr. of Henderson is fourth with a 2.54 pound big fish and a total weight of 10.02 pounds. Among the Nevadans doing well is former U.S. Open champion Byron Velvick of Boulder City with a total weight of 8.92 pounds.

Participants in the workshop will tie a woolly worm and several other flies. All equipment and materials will be provided by NDOW.

Enrollment is limited and advance registration is required. To enroll in the workshop, call Ivy Santee at 486-5127, ext. 3503.

Game wardens working in the Nelson and Searchlight areas said hunting was poor on the opener. Better success was found at Key Pittman Wildlife Management Area and Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge in Lincoln County where hunters averaged about four doves on the opening weekend.

Some of the better hunting took place at Wayne E. Kirch Wildlife Management Area in Nye County where hunters averaged more than five doves. Hunters who were near Spring Valley State Park in Lincoln County had a slow opener.

Chaves said compliance from hunters was very high and few citations were issued.

In addition to the Park Ranger programs, the Great Basin Natural History Association is offering a field seminar, open to park visitors and surrounding area residents. The group will host "Astronomy in the Best Dark Skies" with Steven Overholt on Sunday, Sept. 24. If you would like additional information, contact Cindy Berger at Great Basin Natural History Association at Great Basin National Park, Baker, NV 89311 or call (775) 234-7270.

Additional information may be obtained from the park's website at www.nps.gov/grba. Call GBNP at (775) 234-7331 to obtain an information packet or to inquire about specific times or programs.

If you like wildlife, there's another hike scheduled that day that is right up your alley. This hike is in the colorful Calico Hills at Red Rock National Conservation Area. This hike is geared for hikers age 8 and up. You'll learn about spotting lizards on this two-mile moderate hike, which may involve rock scrambling. All hikes require advance registration at 363-1922.