Top Ten Tournament: 9-16-23

 Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club ended the 2023 bass tournament schedule with their Annual Top Ten Bass Tournament on Saturday, September 16.  The tournament was held on Pine Creek Lake. The lake was at normal level and the weather was very nice with moderate temps and a light breeze. This tournament allows the top ten anglers in the club to compete against each other in the final tournament of the year.  Those qualifying for this year’s tournament were, from number one to number ten, Judd Thomas, Ellis Silvey, Billy Hensley, Randy Janoe, Tony Derby, Billy Latham, Johnnie Ivey, Terry Thurman, Forrest Cave and Aubrey Davidson.  The club allows up to five wildcard contestants.  These positions are for members that have not missed more than two regular season tournaments.  Only one member qualified for a wildcard position, Colby Chandler.

Billy Latham won the tournament with a stringer weight of 13.07 pounds.  Billy Hensley finished in second place with a stringer weight of 12.38 pounds.  Third place went to Tony Derby.  His stringer weighed 11.69 pounds.  Aubrey Davidson was fourth with a stringer weight of 11.34 pounds. The fifth and final place was won by Judd Thomas with a stringer weight of 10.91 pounds.  The big bass of the tournament was caught by Johnnie Ivey.  It weighed 3.22 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 hunting 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.

McGee Creek: 9-9-23

 Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held their last regular season bass tournament of 2023 on Saturday, September 9.  The tournament was held on McGee Creek Lake.  Fifteen members participated in the event.

Anglers enjoyed mild temperatures at the start of the tournament but quickly warmed as the sun began to rise.  The lake level was 4 inches below normal with a water temperature in the upper eighties.  Catching quality keeper bass proved to be a challenge for most of the anglers although a couple of members did manage to boat a couple of very nice bass.  All fifteen anglers were able to catch a limit of five bass.

Judd Thomas won the tournament with a stringer weight of 12.95 pounds.  Judd also had the big bass of the tournament.  It weighed 7.85 pounds.  Terry Thurman placed second with a stringer weight of 10.45 pounds.  Terry also caught a very nice bass that weighed 6.26 pounds.  Billy Hensley finished in third place with a stringer weight of 8.61 pounds.

The club will hold its Annual Top Ten Bass Tournament on Saturday, September 16.  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 Hensley, Randy Janoe, Tony Derby, Billy Latham, Johnnie Ivey, Terry Thurman, Forrest Cave and Aubrey Davidson. Only one member meets the qualifications for a wildcard position, Colby Chandler. Wildcard positions are offered to anglers that have not missed more than two tournaments until up to five positions have been filled. Those qualifying for the tournament must attend the club’s meeting on Tuesday, 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. If a top ten angler is not able to fish the tournament, their spot will be offered to the next person in the top ten standings.

Entry fees for the fall deer season contest will also be accepted at the Tuesday 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.

Tournament location change for 9-9-23

 Our club bass tournament scheduled for this Saturday, Sept. 9, on Hugo Lake has been changed to McGee Creek Lake, Buster Hight ramp. Fishing times will be "safe light" until 4:00 p.m. After much discussion with officers and board members and putting much thought into this, it was determined that we could not safely unload and load boats at Frazier Point due to the low water level. It was suggested that we try for permits at Sardis Lake. I could not reach anyone at the Corps office and due to time restraints in obtaining permits, both for the ramp and length limit exemptions, the decision was made to move to McGee Creek where oral confirmation was made on permit approval. The actual paperwork has not been completed but I see no problem in getting it done. Please spread the word to our members that might be fishing on Saturday so they will be aware of the change. Thank you.