Free Youth Fishing Tournament and Cook-out

   If you are looking for a reason to get the kids outdoors to enjoy the good springtime weather then you might want to think about heading to McGee Creek Lake this weekend.  The Pushmataha County Sportsman Club will be hosting their Annual Free Youth Fishing Tournament and Cook-out this Saturday, May 9, at McGee Creek Lake.  Entries will be taken at Buster Hights boat landing.  There is absolutely no charge for the tournament and any child 16 or under may enter.  Fishing times for the tournament will be from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.  The young anglers can fish from a boat, from the bank, or from the fishing pier located in the Buster Hights camping area.  Contestants may use rod and reels, cane poles, etc.  Artificial lures or live bait may be used.  Any legal species of fish may be weighed in by the contestants.  Winners will be determined by the heaviest stringers weighed in.  First, second and third place finishers will receive plaques donated by Kiamichi Kreations.  A plaque will also be awarded to the angler that catches the biggest single fish. Every contestant will receive a prize.  After the fish have been weighed, the kids and parents will be treated to a hamburger & hotdog cookout with all the trimmings. The cook-out will take place at the pavilion located in the Buster Hights camp area.  Hope to see you there for a fun day of fishing and eating.

In other club news, the club held a bass tournament on Sardis Lake on Saturday, May 2.  Anglers enjoyed mild temperatures but did have to contend with a stiff breeze.  Every angler was able to bring at least 2 keeper bass to the weigh-in.

Eugene Hensley took first place honors with a stringer weight of 17.44 pounds.  Ellis Silvey finished in second place with a stringer weight of 16.03 pounds.  Ellis also took honors for the biggest bass of the tournament with a bass weighing 8.13 pounds.  Third place was taken by Billy Latham with a stringer weight of 12.36 pounds.

The club’s next bass tournament will be on May 16.  It will be held on Hugo Lake at Frazier Point boat landing.  Fishing times will be voted on at the club’s monthly meeting.  The club will meet on Thursday, May 14, at 7:30 p.m.  Meetings are held at the Wildlife Heritage Center and Museum.  Members that entered the club’s turkey hunting contest and were successful should bring their turkey’s beard to the meeting to be measured so contest winners can be determined.  Don’t forget that you can keep up with club activities on the web at www.pushcosportsmanclub.blogspot.com.