The SCBBBC will be meeting this Wednesday, October 3 in Santa Rosa. A big part of our meeting will be planning for the Invitational. Based on John's recent post (thanks, John), it sounds like there may have been some concerns from last year. I think John may have told me what they were, but I can't remember what he may have said. In any event, if some BNT'ers have some specific suggestions that would improve the event or make it go more smoothly, please post or send me an e-mail at anaparsons@earthlink.net.

Thanks. Hope to see you folks on October 20. Since that's my birthday (I'll be turning 29), you guys can bring me lots of presents (money preferred, although expensive fishing gear is OK) and help me win the tournament by putting me on some big fish.

The main thing just be sure all the rules are in the open so eveyone knows. Also if the anglers are expected to check in at weigh in time with a certain person be sure eveyone knows who that is and they must do it or be DQ'd. I would recommend the weigh in check in person where a orange shirt and hat or something to make them stand out.

If 50 to 60 anglers attend, Rodman may not have enough parking for all the competitors. Launching at Library Park, County Park, State Park or maybe the Lucerne ramp would be much better.

I agree. Last year, with 35 people, Rodman seemed pretty crowded, making parking tight for blast-off & weigh-in. I don't know how important it is to BNT folks to blast-off f/ Rodman so that they have immediate access to the water. Rodman also is a relatively central location for the north end of the lake, although Library Park isn't bad either.

If any BNT folks read this & have comments re: blast-off location, please let us know by posting or e-mailing.

Go out of somewhere with more parking then Rodman this year. More BNT guys will be traveling the lake rather then fishing rodman.

I would be glad not to check in/wiegh in at rodman. anywhere else would be great.Swampy

The other thing to remember is that some of us don't like to run. Personally I don't like to, I just don't like to transfer the fish. Keep that in mind for where we launch...I don't think I am the only one.
-- Josh

Josh, Swampy & John,

Thanks for your input. Now, the question is, where do you guys want to launch from? It's not a big deal for our folks, since most of us run anyway. We just don't want to have to make a ridiculously long run (say f/ the south to the north end of the lake). I agree, too, with Josh that, for folks unfamiliar with Clear Lake, it makes sense to blast-off f/ a spot where you can also launch, weigh-in & catch some fish.

What do you think of Library Park? With oars, you have pretty good access to the north side of the lake. Plenty of parking, good central location in Lakeport.

Lucerne is a bit east, State Park is somewhat west of ideal, central locations for the north side of the lake, although either would probably work. Where is County Park?

I would have to say Library park if ya want to camp at UWANNA Camp and launch north. State park woudnt be to bad either.

M&M would be good if you want to launch and camp in the south end.There is also hotels there to.

I am not going but I would tend to agree with Josh. Since the water is very very low this year, Rodman slough is probably not going to have the greatest fishing. In years past almost everyone from SCBBBC ran to other parts of the lake anyway. In fairness to guys who don't have the livewell setups and transport stuff, or who just don't like to run (I don't particularly like to myself) I would put a vote in for moving the launch site to a place that might stand to have some decent fishing nearby. Hopefully we'll see some of you guys out there on Saturday.

Our club discussed this at a previous meeting, & most of our folks wanted to keep the Invitational at the north end of the lake. Plus, some people have already made reservations at U Wanna Camp, the Mallard House, etc. So, it seems to make the most sense to blast-off & weigh-in f/ somewhere on the north end.

I haven't fished directly out of Library Park in Lakeport, so I don't know how the fishing is there. Many tournaments are held from there & release a lot of fish, so there must be some in the area. It has a huge parking lot & several nice launch ramps.

Feel free to throw in other ideas. Our club will meet this Wednesday & finalize the decision. Thanks.

I feel we should just meet, and blast off, and weigh in at Library park this year, and next year lets try doing it from State Park, they have group camping right there next to the launch area, plenty of parking, and lots of good fishing in the immediate area.

Jeff

The fishing out side of libray park isnt very good,very shallow and weedy. I would say launch at Skylark's ramp. The water is very low and they have closed the ramp for launching boats but I am sure would love to have you guys there. The good thing about this area is you can fish burger and ramsey bay and both have good fishing. Plenty of parking they would probally even let you weigh in on the grass behind the hotel on the waters edge. Launching out of any of the public ramps will be a nightmare with kickboaters and tubers trying to pull out of the water with all the boat traffic in the area.

Sounds interesting. I didn't know if they'd have enough parking for all of us. We blasted off & weighed-in there @ last year's TOC, & it was a good spot. One of us will check with them to see if it's OK.

Keeping the launch/weigh-in site at a place that offers some good fishing sounds like a smart idea. I think State Park offers the best alternative. It's still located in the north end, has good fishing and plenty of parking. Next year we can move the camping there as well.

Chris

..

I would prefer to launch from an area where we can fish and not have to run. I am not familiar with Liberty Park or State Park, so for me it is all new water.


FIT

I'm sure that there are many BnT people that don't usually run and it's a good guess that Rasta people won't run. It's going to be all new water to a lot of people, so it should be as good as water as possible. And keep it simple to find, launch and close to camping.

I did call Skylark yesterday. I tried to get permission for blast-off & weigh-in, but their manager, Chuck, is out-of-town until Friday, & he's the one I have to speak with. They have no vacancies for the weekend of 10/19-20 - there's some sort of car club rally & the Model A (?) folks are staying at the Skylark. By the way, as of yesterday, Mallard House has one vacancy left for the Invitational weekend.

We'll have to decide at the Wednesday meeting. We might choose to go for Skylark, with either Library or State Parks as backups if we can't get permission. A couple of questions re: State Park - is there a parking fee? I've heard it's $4 but don't know for sure. Also, is there a locked gate & if so, what time is it opened?

As it has often happened this year, I won't be able to make the tournament because of work. I still think on behalf of the others that launching at a place that has sufficient fishing for a fairly good number of people is best. Where that happens to be, I don't know. Good luck to all and sorry I can't make it.....it will sure be nice when this merger with Texaco is complete.
-- Josh

f.y.i. lakeport lagoons is totally dry!! you can walk across the bottom of the lake there....my sugestion is county park or state park....state park does have bardges diging out part of the ramp. pretty grey to brn there at the ramp only but clears out nicely at the mouth..... rodman???? not!!!!! lucerne? maybe. i dont plan to travel once on the water .to stressful on the fish transporting them back and forth..... food for thought guys!!!!!!
see ya deren....

Actually Daren, tranposting them is not any more stressful than a ride in a boat's livewell.
Just get a good sized cooler. Fill it with fresh water just before moving your fish. (Thats key) Add a handful of ice and some fish dope plus use a decent aerator or at least a couple bubblers and the fish will be fine.

Chris