Columnist Barb Henderson: Summer heat brings fishing tournament to California, free fishing in Nevada

Friday, June 4, 2004 | 10:42 a.m.

The top five anglers in the first Western Open and their total points:

1. Clint Johanson, Washington...310

2. Steve Sapp, California...295

3. Dee Thomas, California...290

4. Bill McAninch, Arizona...285

5. Kent Brown, California...280

The anglers entered from Nevada and their finishing position numbers in the first Western Open are:

Boaters

Charles Christy, Las Vegas...124

Daryl Dempsey, Las Vegas...26

Stephen Pike, Las Vegas...30

Jack Snyder, Las Vegas...123

Byron Velvick, Boulder City...54

Rob Wenning, Sparks...50

Kevin Wiggins, Las Vegas...13

Nonboater

Steve Howard, Las Vegas...67

The first of three CITGO Bassmaster Western Open events was held last week, a three-day tournament on the California Delta.

On the second day, Clint Johanson of Washington caught a 20-pound, 13-ounce catch, giving him a two-day total of 33-7 heading into the final day. Johanson picked up a $46,100 winner's check on the final day and has the lead in the point standings.

On the nonboater side, Scott Head of California, won $24,000 with a 32-10 total.

Before it was the Western Open, these Bassmaster tournaments were called invitationals.

Lake Mead was the location for the main event in 1989 and in 2001. In all, there have been five Bassmaster tournaments held on Lake Mead.

The second event in the 2004 CITGO Bassmaster Western Open series this year will be Oct. 21-23 on Lake Shasta in Shasta Lake, Calif. The third will be Nov. 18-20 on Clear Lake, near Lakeport, Calif.

There are four divisions each holding three tournaments: Western Open Division, Northern Open Division, Southern Open Division and Central Open Division. At the end of the season, 20 boaters from each division will advance to the Citgo Bassmaster Open Championship, which will send its top five finishers to the Classic.

All other regulations, including limits, will be enforced. For information on several fishing events that have been scheduled for June 12, visit www.ndow.org.

The experts remind boaters who travel to other Nevada waters, such as Lake Tahoe and Topaz Lake in Northern Nevada, to be prepared for colder water and take precautions against hypothermia.

Many boaters and anglers might enjoy traveling to fishing hot spots in more out of the way places in Nevada to try their luck catching trout, bass and crappie. No matter where you float your boat, boating laws of Nevada apply.

"Boaters should take special care to take all the required safety equipment, and additional safety gear, such as a first aid kit, extra water and other provisions, when boating or fishing the rural areas of Nevada," said Edwin Lyngar, boating education coordinator with Nevada Department of Wildlife.