December Meeting highlights

Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held their monthly meeting on Thursday, December 12.  The 2020 bass tournament schedule was discussed and approved.  A copy of the schedule is listed below.  All dates are TENTATIVE pending permit approval from lake authorities.  The Annual Awards Banquet has been scheduled for Saturday, February 29. 

In other news, all current officers were nominated for re-election in 2020.  Board members were also nominated.  Those nominated for board of directors positions were Colby Chandler, Kaleb Hensley, Forrest Cave, Bob Smith, Chuck Beck and Mike Burrage.  Elections will be held at the January meeting.

Also approved at the meeting was the Eugene Hensley Memorial Death Benefit fund.  Now, upon the death of a paid yearly member or their spouse, a benefit of $250.00 will be paid to the surviving spouse.  If both member and spouse pass, their children or designated heir will receive $500.00.  This benefit will be funded by an increase of yearly membership dues from $15.00 to $20.00 per year.

Members that entered the club’s deer season contest are reminded to bring their deer antlers to the January meeting so they may be scored to determine winners.

December Meeting

Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club will hold their monthly meeting on Thursday, December 12.  Meetings are held at the Wildlife Heritage Center and Museum and begin at 7:30 p.m.  Anyone wishing to join the club is invited to attend.

The main item on the agenda will be the discussion and approval of the 2020 Bass Tournament schedule.  Dates are voted on at this meeting so permits can be obtained from the lake authorities.  Also, the date for the Annual Awards Banquet will be voted on at this time as well as discussion on who will speak, if anyone, at the banquet.  Other items may also be discussed at the meeting. Those wishing to have input on the bass tournament schedule or other items should attend.

Also on the agenda will be the nomination of the 2020 officers and board members.  Nominations are made at this meeting and voting will take place at the January meeting. As well as items mentioned above, I’m sure there will also be a few deer hunting stories exchanged as well.

Eugene Hensley 10-16-19

The Pushmataha County Sportsman Club is sad to announce the passing of one of our long time club members, Eugene Hensley. Eugene has been an active member in our club since the early 1980's. He was a member that was always willing to lend a hand and help wherever he could. An avid hunter and angler, Eugene was always a member that was hard to beat in our fishing and hunting contests. Rest in peace good buddy. You will be missed.

Top Ten Tournament 9-14-19

Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club ended the 2019 bass tournament schedule with their Annual Top Ten Bass Tournament on Saturday, September 14.  The tournament was held on Sardis Lake.  This tournament allows the top ten anglers in the club to compete against each other in the final tournament of the year.  The top ten anglers are, from number one to number 10, Judd Thomas, Ellis Silvey, Billy Latham, Billy Henlsey, Mike Burrage, Kaleb Hensley, Chuck Beck, Forrest Cave, Terry Thurman, and Eugene Hensley.  Randy Janoe and Chris Ayers qualified for wild card positions.

Mike Burrage won the tournament with an impressive stringer weight of 22.52 pounds.  His stringer included a “hawg” that weighed 10.58 pounds to win him the big bass of the tournament as well.  Mike says he caught the monster bass on his third cast of the morning.  Not a bad way to start the day.  Terry Thurman finished in second place with a stringer weight of 19.64 pounds.  Third place went to Ellis Silvey.  His stringer weighed 16.33 pounds.  Chuck Beck took fourth place with a stringer weight of 8.35 pounds.  The fifth and final place was won by Billy Latham with a stringer weight of 6.20 pounds.  Each received a check for a share of the entry fees and the top ten prize pot.

Now that the bass tournament season has ended, members will turn their attention to the fall deer seasons.  Members wishing to enter the club’s deer season contest must do so before a season begins.  Entry fees are $10.00 per season and can be paid at Silvey’s Tax.

Photo:  Mike Burrage & his 10.58 lb. bass

Hugo Lake Bass Tournament, 9-7-19

Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held their last regular season bass tournament of 2019 on Saturday, September 7.  The tournament was held on Hugo Lake.  Twenty-one members participated in the event.

Anglers enjoyed mild temperatures at the start of the tournament but that quickly changed as the sun began to rise.  The temp rose rapidly and reached one hundred one degrees by the end of the tournament.  The lake level was about one foot below normal with a water temperature in the upper eighties.  Nine anglers were able to catch their limit of six bass despite the clear skies and hot conditions.

Judd Thomas won the tournament with a stringer weight of 16.73 pounds.  Ellis Silvey placed second with a stringer weight of 14.05 pounds.  Billy Latham finished in third place with a stringer weight of 13.60 pounds.  By coincidence, this is also the position that these three anglers finished the year in the over-all standings. The big bass of the tournament weighed 3.49 pounds and was caught by Marty Martin.

The club will hold its Annual Top Ten Bass Tournament on Saturday, September 14.  This tournament will pit the top ten anglers against each other with up to five wildcard positions also being allowed to compete.  Those qualifying for this year’s top ten tournament (from number 1 to 10) are Judd Thomas, Ellis Silvey, Billy Latham, Billy Hensley, Mike Burrage, Kaleb Hensley, Chuck Beck, Forrest Cave, Terry Thurman and Eugene Hensley.  Those qualifying for a wildcard position are Randy Janoe and Chris Ayers.  Those qualifying for the tournament must attend the club’s meeting on Thursday, September 12, to pay their entry fee and vote on the lake to be fished.  If they cannot attend, they should send their entry fee with someone to the meeting.

Entry fees for the fall deer season contest will also be accepted at the Thursday night meeting.  The club holds a contest for each of Oklahoma’s three deer seasons: archery, primitive and regular gun seasons.  Winners are determined by the size of the deer’s antlers using the Boone & Crockett scoring system.  Entry fees ($10.00 per season) must be paid before a season begins.  Entry fees can also be paid at Silvey’s Tax.  The club will not meet again until the second Thursday in December.

2019 TOP TEN FINAL STANDINGS:

Sardis Lake Bass Tourn: 8-24-19

Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held a bass tournament on Saturday, August 24.  The tournament was held on Sardis Lake.  Twenty members participated in the tournament.   Anglers enjoyed mild temperatures, in the mid -70’s, at the start of the tournament and cloudy skies for most of the day.  Despite the excellent conditions for fishing, only two anglers were able to catch their limit of six bass.  Three anglers were able to catch a bass that weighed five pounds or more. 

Judd Thomas was the first place winner.  Judd had a stringer weight of 17.07 pounds.  Judd also had the big bass of the tournament with a lunker that weighed 9.49 pounds.  Mike Burrage finished in second place with a stringer weight of 14.13 pounds.  Forrest Cave came in third with a stringer weight of 12.97 pounds. 

The club’s next bass tournament, which is also the last regular season tournament, will be held on September 7, on Hugo Lake.  Fishing times will be from “safe light” until 4:00 p.m.  Launch site for the tournament will be the Frazier Creek boat ramp.  This tournament will be followed one week later, on September 14, with the Annual Top Ten Bass Tournament.  In this tournament, the club’s top ten anglers, along with up to five wild card positions, will compete against each other to conclude the 2019 bass tournament schedule.

Top Ten Standings: 8-24-19

Free Youth Fishing Tournament

On Saturday, August 17, members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club were host to a free youth fishing tournament.  The tournament was held at McGee Creek Lake.  Twelve young anglers competed in the event, which was down considerably from last year’s total.  This was most likely due to the event being postponed two previous times due to rain and storms and also to the heat being forecast for the day.  All but two of the contestants were able to catch and weigh-in fish.

Payton Cave was the first place winner.  Payton had a stringer weight of 4.73 pounds.  Kane Miller finished in second place with a stringer weight of 4.30 pounds.  Kane also caught a flathead catfish that weighed 3.03 pounds to win the prize for the biggest fish weighed in.  Chandler Joslin caught the third place stringer.  It weighed 4.05 pounds. These young anglers each received a plaque and a prize.  All of the other contestants also received a prize, regardless of whether they caught a fish or not.  The young anglers were allowed to fish with live bait or artificial lures. They could also fish from a boat or from the shore.  After the tournament was over, all that attended, along with their parents, were treated to a hotdog cookout with all the trimmings and soft drinks.

The club’s next event will be a bass tournament on Sardis Lake.  It will be held on Saturday, August 24.  Fishing times will be from “safe light” until 3:30 p.m.  The tournament will launch from the Sardis Cove boat ramp and you must be a member to compete.

Pine Creek: 8-10-19

Pine Creek Lake Bass Tournament

Aug. 10, 2019

On Saturday, August 10, members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held a bass tournament on Pine Creek Lake.  The lake level was about one foot above normal with water temperatures reaching the low nineties.  Anglers enjoyed mild temperatures at daylight but were faced with temps near or above one hundred degrees at the time of weigh-in. 

Seven of the sixteen anglers entered in the contest managed to catch their limit of six bass over fourteen inches in length.  Every angler was able to catch at least one or more keeper bass.  Terry Thurman won the tournament with a stringer that weighed 18.60 pounds.  Chuck Beck finished in second place with a stringer weight of 18.27 pounds.  Chuck also caught the big bass of the tournament.  It weighed 4.76 pounds.  Billy Latham came in third with a stringer weight of 17.29 pounds.

The club’s next event will be the Free Youth Fishing Tournament.  It will be held on McGee Creek Lake on Saturday, August 17.  Anglers, age 16 and under, can sign up at the Buster Hight boat ramp before 8:00 a.m.  Fishing will end at 12:00 noon with a cookout to follow.  Complete rules can be found on our Facebook page.

The club’s next bass tournament will be held at Sardis Lake on Saturday, August 24.  Fishing will begin at “safe light” and end at 3:30 p.m.  Launch site for the tournament will be the Sardis Cove boat ramp.

TOP TEN STANDINGS:  8-10-19

Hugo bass Tourn. 7-27-19, Free Youth fishing tournament

Hugo Lake Bass Tournament

Free Youth Fishing Tournament

The Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held a bass tournament on Saturday, July 27, at Hugo Lake.  Seventeen members participated in the event.  The lake level was slightly above normal.  The weather, for this time of the year, was quite pleasant with temperatures in the low sixties at takeoff and the low nineties at weigh-in.  All anglers were able to catch at least one keeper bass over the fourteen inch minimum length limit.  Six anglers were able to catch a limit of six bass.  .

Donald Wall managed to catch a limit of bass weighing 13.46 pounds to win the tournament.  Terry Thurman finished in second place, also with a limit of bass that weighed 11.64 pounds.  The third place stringer was caught by Ellis Silvey.  It weighed 11.36 pounds.  Terry Thurman caught a bass weighing 3.49 pounds to win the big bass of the tournament.

The club’s next event will be the annual Free Youth Fishing Tournament.  It will be held at McGee Creek Lake on Saturday, August 3.  Contestants may sign up with a club member at the Buster Hight boat ramp.  Fishing will begin at 8:00 a.m. and end at 1:00 p.m.  Any youth, age sixteen or under, may enter the contest.  Anglers may fish from a boat, the shore, or the fishing pier located in the Buster Hight recreation area.  Any legal fish may be kept and weighed by the contestants. Live bait or artificial lures may be used.  All state and federal regulations must be followed.  Plaques and prizes will be awarded to the young anglers.  After weigh-in, the anglers and their parents will be treated to a hot dog cookout with all the trimmings.  This will take place at the pavilion in the Buster Hight recreation area.  There is absolutely no charge for the tournament or cookout.  You can keep up with club activities on Facebook or on our website at www.pushcountysportsmanclub.blogspot.com.

TOP TEN STANDINGS: 7-27-19

Noon to Noon Bass Tournament

Twenty-one anglers competed against each other in the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club’s Annual Noon to Noon Bass Tournament held on McGee Creek Lake.  The twenty-four hour marathon began at noon on Saturday, July 13, and ended twenty-four hours later at noon on Sunday, July 14.  A weigh-in was held at 9:00 p.m. on Saturday night.   After weigh-in, members could return to the lake and continue fishing or go home and then return at their leisure to complete the tournament.  The stringer weights from both days were added together to determine the contestants final weight for the tournament.

Anglers enjoyed mild temperatures, for this time of the year, and a steady breeze on both days.   Catching quality bass proved to be difficult for most of the contestants although a few were able to catch a bass over the 16-22 inch slot limit.  Only six anglers caught their six fish limit on Saturday.   Nine were able to do so on Sunday.  Traysn Miller caught a bass weighing 7.90 pounds to win the big bass jackpot for Saturday.  Colby Chandler caught a bass that weighed 8.09 pounds on Sunday to win the jackpot.  Other bass over the slot limit were caught by Chuck Beck and Kaleb Hensley, weighing 6.05 and 6.33 pounds respectively.

Kaleb Henlsey won the tournament with a stringer weight of 19.23 pounds.  Chuck Beck finished in second place with a stringer weight of 16.29 pounds.  Judd Thomas came in third with a stringer weight of 14.68 pounds.

The club’s next bass tournament will be held on Saturday, July 27, at Hugo Lake.  Launch site for the tournament will be the Frazier Point boat ramp.   Fishing will begin at “safe light” and end at 3:30. 

The Free Youth Fishing Tournament has been re-scheduled for Saturday, August 3, at McGee Creek Lake.  Fishing times will be from 8:00-1:00.  After prizes have been awarded, the young anglers and their parents will be treated to a hot dog cookout at the pavilion located in the Buster Hight recreation area.

Noon to Noon bass tournament info.

Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club will hold their annual endurance test on July 13-14 at McGee Creek Lake. The annual noon to noon bass tournament will begin at noon on Saturday and end at noon on Sunday. Anglers will launch from the Buster Hights boat ramp. A weigh-in will be held Saturday night. The time for the weigh-in will be voted on at the club's monthly meeting on Thursday, July 11. Entry fee for the tournament is $20.00 with an optional big bass pot of $5.00 for each day bringing the total to $30.00 if everything is entered. Membership is closed for the remainder of the year however, non-members may fish as a guest of a member in their boat with an additional $5.00 guest membership. For new members, rules for the noon to noon bass tournament are listed below.

Sardis Lake Tournament: 6-22-19

Heat, humidity and wind greeted members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club as daylight broke over Sardis Lake on Saturday, June 22. Members were competing in a bass tournament.  The bite was slow and most anglers were able to catch only three or less keeper bass.  Six anglers were unable to catch a single keeper and only two anglers were able to catch a limit of six bass.

Ellis Silvey won the tournament with a six fish limit that weighed 17.96 pounds.  Jon Tucker finished in second place with a stringer weight of 17.39 pounds. Judd Thomas came in third place with a stringer weight of 13.20 pounds.  Judd also caught a bass that weighed 5.95 pounds to win the big bass of the tournament.

The club’s next event will be the annual noon to noon bass tournament.  It will be held on July 13-14, at McGee Creek Lake.  Fishing will begin at noon on Saturday and end at noon on Sunday.  A weigh-in will be held Saturday night.  After weigh-in, members may return to the lake and continue fishing, if they did not weigh a limit of bass, or they may go home and return at their leisure to complete the tournament.  The time for the Saturday weigh-in will be voted on at the club’s monthly meeting on July 11.  Meetings are held at the Wildlife Heritage Center and begin at 7:30 pm.

TOP TEN STANDINGS: 6-22-19

McGee Creek: 6-8-19

McGee Creek Bass Tournament

June 8, 2019

Seventeen members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club competed in a bass tournament on Saturday, June 8.  The tournament was supposed to be held on Pine Creek Lake but had to be changed to McGee Creek due to the high water level at Pine Creek..  The weather cooperated with mild temperatures, mostly clear skies, and light breezes.  Catching keeper bass was not too difficult as eleven anglers caught their limit of six bass.  Two anglers, Judd Thomas and Forrest Cave, were able to catch a bass over the 16-22 inch slot limit.

Forrest Cave won the event with a six fish limit that weighed 12.96 pounds.  Ellis Silvey took second place with a six fish limit weighing 10.83 pounds.  Judd Thomas finished in third place, also with a six fish limit that weighed 10.16 pounds.  Judd also caught the big bass of the tournament.  It weighed 5.84 pounds.

The club’s next activity will be the annual fish fry held during the Antlers Homecoming celebration.  Members volunteer their time, fish cookers and propane to help with the event.  The club has performed this service for over 35 years.  Any members that can help are urged to attend.  The homecoming fish fry will be held on Saturday, June 15, at First Bank Park.

The club’s next bass tournament will be held on Saturday, June 22, at Sardis Lake.  Fishing times will be voted on at the club’s monthly meeting.  The next meeting will be Thursday, June 13.  Meetings are held at the Wildlife Heritage Center and begin at 7:30 pm.

TOP TEN STANDINGS: 6-8-19

Husband-Wife Bass Tournament: 6-1-19

On Saturday, June 1, members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held their annual Husband-Wife Bass Tournament at McGee Creek Lake.  Couples did not have to be husband and wife but did have to be a male & female team to compete.  Anglers enjoyed light breezes and clear skies with temperatures starting out in the low 60’s and reaching near 90 degrees by weigh-in.

The team of Ellis Silvey and Faith Folsom won the tournament with a stringer weight of 7.68 pounds.  Kaleb Hensley and Toni Moss finished in second place with a stringer weight of 6.32 pounds.  Kaleb also caught a bass that weighed 1.93 pounds to win the biggest bass of the tournament. 

In the ladies big bass division, Tasha Ayers took top honors with a bass weighing .97 pounds.   The second place big bass caught by the ladies weighed .65 pounds and was caught by Faith Folsom.  Finishing in third place, with a bass weighing .64 pounds, was Toni Moss.  Each lady will receive a plaque at the club’s next meeting.

The club’s next event will be a bass tournament on Pine Creek Lake.  It will be held on Saturday, June 8, at the Lost Rapids boat ramp.  Fishing times will be from “safe light” until 3:00 p.m.  This is a club tournament and is open only to club members.  Open enrollment into the club is closed for the remainder of the year.  Anyone wishing to become a member may attend a monthly meeting and request membership.  Membership will be accepted if passed by a sixty percent majority vote of members present.  The club’s next meeting will be on Thursday, June 13, at the Wildlife Heritage Center & Museum.  Meetings begin at 7:30 p.m.

POSTPONED! Free youth fishing tournament

POSTPONED!!! FREE YOUTH FISHING TOURNAMENT.
The free youth fishing tournament scheduled for Saturday, May 18, at McGee Creek Lake will be postponed to a later date. The weather forecast is still calling for heavy rain and thunderstorms for most of the day, with some being severe. In the interest of safety, the club has decided to postpone the event until later in the summer. When a new date has been selected and permits have been approved, the club will post the information on Facebook. Please feel free to share this post, especially with anyone that might have been going to participate on Saturday. Thank you.

Sardis Tournament 5-11-19

Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held a bass tournament on Saturday, May 11, at Sardis Lake.  The lake level was 3.5 feet above normal.  Anglers were faced with cool rain and drizzle for most of the day.         The only bright side to the day was that, for once, the wind cooperated and stayed calm to light for most of the day.  Only fourteen anglers were willing to fish under these conditions. 

Catching keeper size bass proved to be quite difficult.  Six anglers were unable to catch a single keeper while those that did caught only two or less.  The one exception was the youngest angler in the tournament, Brady Janoe.  Brady had four keepers giving him the first place win with a stringer weight of 14.08 pounds.  Brady also caught a bass weighing 5.52 pounds to win the biggest bass of the tournament.  Billy Hensley finished in second place with a stringer weight or 3.87 pounds.  Third was won by Ellis Silvey with a stringer weight of 3.04 pounds.

The club’s next event will take place on Saturday, May 18.  It is the annual Free Youth Fishing Tournament.  It will be held at McGee Creek Lake at Buster Hights boat landing.  Any youth, age 16 or under, may participate. There is no charge to enter.  The tournament will begin at 8:00 and end at 1:00.  The rules are simple.  The young anglers can fish from the shore, a boat or from the fishing pier in Buster Hights recreation area.  Any legal fish may be caught and weighed.  These include bass, crappie, catfish, sand bass or others.  Check wildlife regulations as length limits and catch limits must be observed.  Live bait or artificial lures may be used with rod and reels or cane poles.  Plaques will be awarded to the top three stringer weights as well as the biggest fish caught.  Each angler will receive a prize regardless of whether they caught a fish or not.

After weigh-in and after prizes have been awarded, the anglers and their parents will be treated to a hot dog cook-out with all the trimmings and soft drinks.  The cook-out will take place at the pavilion located in the Buster Hights recreation area.

Winners of the spring turkey contest were determined at the May club meeting.  Winners are determined by the length of the harvested bird’s beard.  Billy Hensley won the contest with a beard measuring 10 ¼ inches.  Coming in a very close second was Billy Latham.  His turkey’s beard measured 10 3/16 inches.   Both will receive a plaque and a share of the entry fees.

TOP TEN STANDINGS: 5-11-19

New from May 9 meeting

Bass Tournament at Sardis Lake, May 11, at Sardis Cove ramp. Fishing times: 6:30-3:30.
Free Youth Fishing Tournament at McGee Creek Lake on May 18, at Buster Hight ramp. Fishing times: 8:00-1:00. Open to any youth age 16 or under. Cookout for contestants and their parents at the pavilion in Buster Hights recreation area. No charge for anything.
Husband-wife bass tournament on McGee Creek Lake on June 1, at the Potapo ramp. Fishing times: 7:00-2:00. Contestants will meet later in the year for a fish dinner at a local restaurant at the club's expense.
Bass Tournament at Pine Creek Lake on June 8, at the Lost Rapids boat ramp. Fishing times: "safe light until 3:00.
Open enrollment into the club is now closed for the remainder of the year. If anyone is wishing to become a club member, you must attend a club meeting and request membership. Membership must be approved by a 60% majority of members present.
Detailed information of club activities will be posted as the dates draw closer.
TOP TEN STANDINGS: 4-28-19

48th Big Bass Rodeo

On April 27-28, the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club hosted the 48^th Annual Big Bass Rodeo on Pine Creek Lake.  Sixty boats with one hundred eighteen anglers competed in the big bass tournament.  The weather conditions were pretty nice with only stiff breezes to contend with on both days.  The lake was approximately seven feet above normal and falling.

Randell Shields won the tournament with a bass that weighed 7.37 pounds.  In a strange coincidence, the first place prize money, based on a percentage of the entry fee money, was $737.50.   Finishing in second place, with a bass weighing 4.93 pounds, was Donald Wall.  Third place was won by Terry Thurman with a bass weighing 4.84 pounds.  Jamie Shields caught a 4.71 pound bass to take fourth place.  Jamie Flynn finished fifth with a bass weighing 4.61 pounds.  Each received a trophy, courtesy of FirstBank, and a check for their share of the entry fees.

Also this year a prize for the biggest bass caught by an angler age 12 or under was awarded.  Tadpole’s Marine in Hugo gave $100.00 to B. J. Dalrymple for his bass that weighed 3.87 pounds.  Tadpole’s Marine also gave the angler that caught the bass weighing closest to 3.00 pounds without going over a check for $100.00.  Two anglers caught bass that weighed exactly three pounds.  Both Ashley Harmon and Bub Cunningham caught a bass that weighed exactly 3.00 pounds.  A coin toss decided the winner and Bub Cunningham walked away with the extra cash.

Anglers that placed sixth or lower were awarded prizes or gift certificates provided by area merchants.  Businesses had donated prizes, gift cards or cash for prizes.  Our local merchants were so generous that every angler that weighed in a bass over 16” in length was able to receive a prize.  Those prizes included items such as rods, reels, lures, marine batteries and other items related to outdoor activities. The Pushmataha County Sportsman Club would like to say “Thank you” to all these merchants.  Their support is what has kept this tournament going for forty-eight years.

The club’s next event will be a bass tournament on May 11, at Sardis Lake.  Launch site will be Sardis Cove landing.  Fishing times will be voted on at the club’s monthly meeting on Thursday, May 9.

Picture Info:  Left to right, also 5^th to 1^st place:  Jamie Flynn, Jamie Shields, Terry Thurman, Donald Wall, Randell Shields

Picture courtesy of Chelsi Thomas.

48th Annual Big Bass Rodeo

If you like to fish, win cash, prizes and trophies, then you might be interested in the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club’s 48^th Annual Big Bass Rodeo.  The big bass tournament will be held on April 27-28, at Pine Creek Lake.  This is the oldest, continuous running big bass tournament in the state and quite possibly the nation.  The headquarters for the tournament will be the pavilion on Rock Creek Point in Little River South Park. 

The entry fee for the tournament is only $25.00 but, for insurance purposes, you must be a member of the club.  Memberships are $15.00 per year or a temporary membership, good for the weekend only, is $5.00.  There will be five cash prizes based on a percentage of the entry fees.  First place is guaranteed $500.00.  Also, the top five finishers will receive large trophies compliments of FirstBank.  The first 120 contestants will received a free cap compliments of AmeriState Bank and Pruett’s Food.  Tadpole’s Marine of Hugo will award $100.00 to an angler, age 12 or under, that catches the biggest bass.  They will also pay $100.00 to the angler that catches a bass weighing 3.00 pounds; double that if caught from a Nitro or Tracker boat.

After the top five cash prizes have been awarded, anglers will receive prizes donated by area merchants until the supply of prizes is exhausted.  There are usually forty to fifty prizes ranging in value of $25.00 to over $100.00.  Prizes generally include reels, rods, tackle boxes, lures and many other items related to fishing, hunting, camping or other outdoor activities.

You may enter on Friday evening from 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. or before the tournament begins on Saturday morning.  Fishing times will be from 7:00 a.m-5:00 p.m. on Saturday and from 7:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. on Sunday.  Complete rules can be viewed on our web page at www.pushcountysportsmanclub.blogspot.com.  Look for the BBR Flyer under “Links we love”.

Hugo Lake tournament 4-6-19

The Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held a bass tournament on Saturday, April 6, at Hugo Lake. The lake level was near normal with water temps in the low to mid-sixties.  The day started off cloudy with mild temperatures.  Strong thunderstorms and heavy rainfall moved thru the area about 1:00 in the afternoon but had left the area by 4:00 when the weigh-in was held.  Twenty one members participated in the tournament.

Colton Fleming won the tournament with a stringer weight of 17.47 pounds.  Ellis Silvey finished in second place with a stringer weight of 16.30 pounds.  The third place stringer was caught by Kindel Holiman. Kindel’s stringer weighed 15.44 pounds.  A bass weighing 5.24 pounds was caught by Randy Wells to win the big bass of the tournament.

The club’s next tournament will be the Annual Big Bass Rodeo.  It will be held on Pine Creek Lake on April 27-28.  This is the 48^th consecutive year that the club has held the big bass tournament.  Final preparations for the Big Bass Rodeo will be discussed at the club’s monthly meeting on Thursday, April 11.

Turkey season for the southeast counties of Oklahoma will open on Monday, April 22.  The club holds a spring turkey hunting contest.  Members wishing to enter the contest may do so at the club’s monthly meeting.  The entry fee for the contest is $10.00 and must be paid before season begins.

TOP TEN STANDINGS:4-6-19

Sardis Lake: 3-23-19

On Saturday, May 23, eighteen members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club competed in a bass tournament on Sardis Lake. Anglers had to content with rain, thunder and lightning and a brisk breeze. The lake level was close to normal with the water temperature in the upper fifties.  Five anglers were unable to catch a single keeper over the fourteen inch minimum length limit and only one angler was able to boat a limit of six keepers.

Ellis Silvey won first place with a six fish limit that weighed 20.75 pounds.  Judd Thomas came in second with a stringer weighing 13.42 pounds.  Kenny Waugh finished in third place with a stringer weight of 8.17 pounds.  The biggest bass of the tournament was caught by Ellis Silvey.  It weighed 5.67 pounds.

The club’s next event will be a bass tournament on Hugo Lake.  It will be held on Saturday, April 6.  Launch site for the tournament will be Frazier Point boat landing.  Fishing times will be from 7:00 until 4:00.

The club’s next monthly meeting will be held on Thursday, April 11, at 7:30 p.m.  Meetings are held at the Wildlife Heritage Center and Museum.  One of the main items to be discussed during the next meeting will be the club’s 48th Annual Big Bass Rodeo.  This year’s Big Bass Rodeo will be held on April 27-28 on Pine Creek Lake. Keep up with club activities on the web at www.pushcountysportsmanclub.blogspot.com and also on Facebook.

TOP TEN STANDINGS: 3-23-19

McGee Creek 3-9-19

McGee Creek Bass Tournament

Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held their first bass tournament of the year on Saturday, March 9.  The tournament was held on McGee Creek Lake.  Nineteen members competed in the event.  Strong storms and heavy rainfall threatened to interfere with take-off but moved past the lake by the start of the tournament.  The storms gave way to clear skies and gusty southwest winds.

It was either feast or famine for most of the anglers.  Many anglers had trouble catching a single keeper while three anglers were able to catch a bass over the 16-22” slot limit.  Judd Thomas caught a bass that weighed 9.79 pounds to win the big bass of the tournament.  Billy Hensley caught a 7.42 pound bass and Chelsi Thomas caught one that weighed 6.52 pounds.  The first place stringer was caught by Judd Thomas.  His stringer weighed 13.11 pounds.  Billy Hensley finished in second place with a stringer weight of 10.73 pounds.  Chelsi Thomas came in third with a stringer weight of 7.96 pounds.

The club’s next bass tournament will be on March 23, at Sardis Lake.  Launch site for the tournament will be Sardis Cove ramp.  Fishing times will be voted on at the club’s monthly meeting which will be held on Thursday, March 14.  Meetings are held at the Wildlife Heritage Center and Museum and begin at 7:30 p.m.

Judd Thomas with his 9.79 pound bass.

48th Annual Awards Banquet

On Saturday, March 2, members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held their 48^th Annual Awards Banquet.  Members and their families were treated to a meal of smoked pork chops and chicken, soft drinks and side dishes prepared by the members.  Members were recognized for their achievements during the 2018 hunting and fishing contests.

The first awards to be presented were for the 2018 spring turkey season contest.  Winning first place was Eugene Hensley.  Second place went to Billy Hensley.  Both received a plaque and a share of the entry fees.

The Top Ten Anglers of the Year were recognized next.  Each angler received an embroidered patch. The Top Ten Anglers for 2018 were (from number 10 to number 1) Colby Chandler, Billy Hensley, Jon Tucker, Mike Burrage, Chuck Beck, Ellis Silvey, Terry Thurman, Billy Latham, Kindel Holiman and Bass Angler of the Year, Judd Thomas.  Judd received a plaque and a check for $100.00.

The Big Bass of the Year award went to Forrest Cave.  Forrest caught a bass weighing 7.59 pounds at Sardis Lake during the March 2018 tournament.   The Heaviest Stringer of the Year went to Judd Thomas.  Judd had a stringer weight of 27.60 pounds caught at the Pine Creek Lake tournament in April of last year.  Both received a plaque.

The “100 Pound Club” award goes to members that are able to catch at least one hundred pounds of bass during the club bass tournaments in a season.  Five members were able to catch over one hundred pounds.  They were Ellis Silvey with 115.41 pounds, Terry Thurman with 115.67 pounds, Billy Latham with 115.98 pounds, Kindel Holiman with 124.26 pounds and Judd Thomas with 153.50 pounds.  Each received a plaque.

In the club’s deer archery season contest, Billy Hensley won first place honors with Eugene Hensley winning the award for second place.  Both received a plaque and a share of the entry fee money.

Billy Latham took first place honors in the deer primitive firearms contest.  Billy Hensley finished in second place.  Both received a plaque and a share of the entry fee money.

For the rifle season contest, Billy Latham won first place.  Judd Thomas finished in second place.  Both received a plaque and a share of the entry fee money.

The Grand Slam Award is given to members who are able to harvest a deer in all three season; archery, primitive and rifle seasons.  This year only one member was able to achieve this goal.  That member was Billy Hensley.

Each year the club recognizes a sponsor that consistently supports the club and the Big Bass Rodeo.  The sponsor is presented a plaque.  The “Sponsor of the Year” award was presented to Hank’s Convenience Store in Rattan, OK.

The club’s most prestigious award is the Sportsman of the Year Award.  The winner of this award is determined by a point system based on participation and achievement.  This year’s Sportsman of the Year is Billy Hensley. Billy received a plaque and a check for $100.00.

Billy Latham was presented a plaque for his service as the 2018 president of the club.

The ladies door prize, a $100.00 prepaid MasterCard, was won by Wendy Cave.  The men’s door prize, an ABU Revo SX baitcast reel, was won by Billy Hensley.  As always, every child that attended was awarded a door prize consisting of games, sports balls, fishing equipment and more.

The club’s first bass tournament of 2019 will be at McGee Creek Lake on Saturday, March 9.  Launch site for the tournament will be Buster Hights boat landing.  Fishing times for the tournament will be from 7:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.  You can keep up with club activities on Facebook or on their web page at www.pushcountysportsmanclub.blogspot.com.

48th Annual Awards Banquet

Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club will hold their 48th Annual Awards Banquet on Saturday, March 2. The banquet will be held in the Antlers High School Cafeteria and will begin at 6:00 p.m. At the banquet, awards will be presented to members that were earned during the 2018 hunting seasons and bass tournaments.
The meal will feature smoked meats provided by the club and prepared by club member Judd Thomas. Side dishes and desserts will be provided by members and their spouses. There will be door prizes for the men and ladies, and as always, every child that attends will receive a prize. The ladies door prize will be a $100.00 prepaid Mastercard and the men will be able to buy chances on an ABU Revo SX baitcast reel valued at $159.99.
Members are looking forward to their first bass tournament of 2019 which will be held on March 9, at McGee Creek Lake. The fishing hours for the tournament will be from 7:30 to 4:30. Launch site for the tournament will be at Buster Hights Landing. Those wishing to join the club may do so before the start of the tournament. For more information about the club visit www.pushcountysportsmanclub.blogspot.com.
MORE Banquet INFO:
The Annual Awards Banquet is usually held the first Saturday in March. It is usually held at the Antlers High School cafeteria and begins at 6:00 p.m. The club will furnish a meat dish, bread, and soft drinks. Members will provide the rest of the meal with a covered dish. To keep things simple, members whose last name begins with A-G, bring a desert, H-R bring a vegetable dish, and S-Z should bring a salad.

February Meeting Date: 2-7-19

Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club will meet on Thursday, February 7, which is a week earlier than their normal meeting date.  The regular meeting date falls on Valentine’s Day and was moved so members would not end up in the “dog house” for not taking their spouse out for a nice dinner on Valentine’s Day.  Meetings are held at the Wildlife Heritage Center and Museum and begin at 7:30 p.m.

Final plans for this year’s annual awards banquet will be made during the meeting.  The awards banquet will be held on Saturday, March 2, at the Antlers High School cafeteria.  It will begin at 6:00 p.m.  Also, those members receiving awards will also be finalized at the meeting.  Bass tournaments will soon begin with the first one on March 9, at McGee Creek Lake.  Fishing times for this tournament will be voted on at the meeting.