Sarid Lake Tournament 3-26-16

 

On Saturday, March 26, members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held a bass tournament on Sardis Lake.  Twenty-six members participated in the event.  Anglers started the day with temperatures in the mid-forties and a brisk breeze, which is quite typical for Sardis Lake.  Catching a keeper size bass proved to be difficult for many of the anglers.  Only one limit of six bass was caught.  Eleven anglers were not able to boat a single keeper.

Chuck Beck won the tournament with a four fish stringer that weighed 17.72 pounds.  Billy Latham finished in second place with a stringer of five fish that weighed 15.10 pounds.  Finishing in third place was Ellis Silvey with a three fish stringer weighing 13.04 pounds.  Ellis also had the big bass of the tournament with a 7.90 pounds bass.

The club’s next bass tournament will be on April 9 at Hugo Lake.  The club will launch for the Frazier Point boat ramp.  Fishing times will be from “safe light” until 4:00 p.m.

We would like to remind everyone that our 45^th Annual Big Bass Rodeo will be held at Pine Creek Lake on April 23-24.  Anyone that enjoys fishing, winning cash, trophies and prizes is invited to attend.  More information will follow as the date draws nearer.

McGee Creek Bass Tournament 3-12-16

Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held their first bass tournament of the 2016 tournament season on Saturday, March 12.  The tournament was held on McGee Creek Lake. Twenty-three members participated in the event.  The forecast had called for rain but most areas of the lake received only light drizzle at times.  The lake was four feet above normal.  Most anglers were successful in catching some bass with thirteen anglers bringing six fish limits to the weigh-in.

Colten Fleming won first place for the heaviest stringer with two bass that weighed 11.50 pounds.  Colten also won the big bass prize for his bass weighing 9.75 pounds.  Seth Wood finished in second place with a stringer weight of 11.23 pounds. Bradley Mills took third place honors with a stringer weighing 10.37 pounds. Several anglers reported that they had caught some nice bass, but they had to be released since they were in the lake’s protected slot length limit of 16 to 22 inches. Colten caught the only bass over the 16 to 22 inch slot limit.

The club’s next bass tournament will be held on Saturday, March 26 on Sardis Lake.  Launch site for the tournament will be Sardis Cove boat ramp.  Fishing hours will be from “safe light” until 4:30 p.m.

 

45th Annual Awards Banquet

On Saturday, March 5, members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held their Annual Awards Banquet.  The banquet was held at the Antlers High School cafeteria and featured a meal of smoked chicken, ribs, and brisket, homemade yeast rolls, soft drinks and side dishes prepared by club members and their spouses.  After the meal was finished, wildlife biologist Dakota Christian presented a program on the Honobia Creek and Three Rivers Wildlife Management Areas.

After Dakota had finished his presentation, members were presented their awards.  For spring turkey season, the club awards a prize based on the length of a turkey’s beard.  Winning the competition was Billy Hensley.  His turkey had a beard of 11 ¾ inches.  Eugene Hensley won second place with his turkey’s beard of 11 ¼ inches in length. Each received a plaque and a check for their share of the entry fees.

Next to be recognized were the Top Ten Anglers of the Year.  Each received an embroidered patch.  They were, from number ten to number one;  Jon Tucker, Chuck Beck, Mike Burrage, Terry Thurman, Billy Hensley, Johnny Ivey, Eugene Hensley, Judd Thomas, Billy Latham, and Bass Angler of the Year, Ellis Silvey.  Ellis also received a plaque and a check.

The Heaviest Stringer of the Year Award went to Judd Thomas.  Judd had the largest stringer weighed in by a club member in a bass tournament.  His stringer weighed 22.00 pounds.  Ellis Silvey won the award for Big Bass of the Year. Ellis’ bass was caught at Sardis Lake and weighed 8.13 pounds.  Both received a plaque.  The club recognizes anglers that catch over 100 pounds of bass in our yearly tournaments by presenting them the “100 Pound Club” award.  Only two members qualified for the award this year.  They were Ellis Silvey and Billy Latham.  Both received a plaque.

In the deer archery season contest, Ellis Silvey took first place honors with Terry Thurman finishing in second place.  For deer primitive firearms season, Eugene Hensley won first place and Judd Thomas came in second.  Billy Hensley won first place in the deer rifle season contest.  Kaleb Hensley finished in second place for the deer rifle season contest.  Each received a plaque and a check for their share of the entry fee money.  Winners were determined by measuring the deer’s antlers using the Boone and Crockett scoring system.

The Grand Slam Award is given to members that harvest a deer in all three seasons; archery, primitive, and gun season.  Three members were presented this award.  They were Billy Hensley, Judd Thomas and Eugene Hensley.

Each year the club recognizes a business or person that consistently supports the club through their donations to club events.  The 2015 Sponsor of the Year Award was presented to McCraw’s Oil Company.

The club’s most prestigious award is the Sportsman of the Year Award.  This award is based on success in hunting, fishing, and participation in other club activities.  Points are awarded in each of these activities.  The member with the most points at the end of the year is the Sportsman of the Year.  This year however, two members tied for the honor. The 2015 Sportsman of the Year Award was presented to Billy Hensley and Eugene Hensley.  Both received a plaque and split the one hundred dollar prize.

The final award was presented to club president Billy Latham for a year of dedicated service to the club.  After awards, door prizes were awarded.  Every child that attended received a prize.  The ladies door prize, a $75.00 Wal-Mart gift card, was won by Phyllis Latham.  Billy Latham won the men’s door prize, an ABU Garcia Revo “S” baitcasting reel. 

The club’s first bass tournament of the 2016 season will be held on Saturday, March 12, at McGee Creek Lake.  The tournament will launch from Buster Hights Landing.  Fishing times will be decided at the club’s regular meeting on Thursday, March 10.  Meetings are held at the Wildlife Heritage Center and Museum and begin at 7:30 p.m.  You can keep up with club activities on the internet by visiting the club’s web site.  The web address is www.pushcountysportsmanclub.blogspot.com.