Zach Birge and Blake Flurry of Oklahoma State University topped the field of anglers from 70 other colleges to win the Carhartt Bassmaster College National Championship at Little Rock, Arkansas.

The three-day event called for competitors to fish a different water body each, and those waters were the Arkansas River, Lake Maumelle, and Hurricane Lake.

The Oklahoma team took the lead on Day One with a catch of 17 pounds, four ounces. All of their fish came from a 50-yard stretch where the anglers worked a River2Sea green-back, white-belly topwater frog.

Despite a poor catch of only four bass weighing four pounds, four ounces on Day Two, Birge and Flurry rebounded on Day Three with a weight of 16 pounds, five ounces. The anglers relied on bone-color Zara Super Spooks with a feathered treble for the Day Three catch.

Auburn University anglers, brothers Jordan and Matt Lee, had the largest catch of the tournament on Day Three when they brought 18 pounds, seven ounces of bass to the scales. With a total catch of 35 pounds, one ounce, the Auburn duo finished a strong second behind Oklahoma’s winning weight of37 pounds, 13 ounces.

Ironically, Auburn finished second to Stephen F. Austin in last year’s championship. Third-place honors went to Murray State while University of Alabama finished fourth.

Classic Berth

A highlight of the College Championship was the opportunity for the anglers from the top four teams to compete for one spot in the prestigious 2013 Bassmaster Classic on Oklahoma’s Grand Lake of the Cherokees in February.

After two days of fishing, Auburn’s Matt Lee emerged as the Classic qualifier by out-fishing the other seven anglers. Interestingly enough, Jordan Lee finished second. Commenting on his victory, Jordan said, “If we fished 20 times, Matt would win 18. I hate it for him, but I’m happy for me.”

QDMA Banquet

The Seaway Valley Chapter of the Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA) is hosting its 8th Annual Banquet on Tuesday, August 11 at the Casablanca Restaurant in Gouverneur. A single ticket ($50) includes the dinner and a one-year QDMA membership while a coupleís ticket ($75) includes two meals and a one-year membership. Sponsor tables are available for $250.

In addition to the camaraderie and dinner, attendees will have the opportunity to win guns, bows, deer cameras, chainsaws, hunting accessories, home decor, and more. For more information, contact Teresa Whitton at 287-4968.

QDMA is a national, non-profit wildlife conservation organization dedicated to sound deer management, quality habitat, and ethical deer hunting.

Clayton Gun,

Sportsmen’s Show

The Clayton Rotary Club is hosting its 35th Annual Clayton-1000 Islands Gun and Sportsmen Show at the Cerow Recreation Park on Saturday-Sunday, August 18-19. Billed as the largest gun and sportsmenís show in Northern New York, proceeds from the event will benefit the Clayton Rotary Club’s scholarship program and service work in the community and internationally.

The Clayton show is a Yellow Ribbon Event for the military, and show hours run from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $5 for adults and $4 for military with identification. Children under 12 receive free admission. For more information, contact Tom Neely at 482-4596 or Bud Baril at 686-2832.

Fishing Quote

Thaddeus Norris, renowned nineteenth century American angler, said, “For the true angler, fishing produces a deep, unspoken joy, born of longing for that which is quiet and peaceful, and fostered by an inbred love of nature.”

Calendar

Monday:Lisbon Sportsmen’s Club Hosts Trap and Skeet Shooting at Pray Rd. Property at 5:30 P.M.

Wednesday and Saturday—Hunter Education Course in Gouvereur (Pre-register at 486-0546 from 5:30-8:00 P.M.).

Saturday—SLRWA 11th Annual St. Lawrence River Walleye Challenge Team Tournament (384-3450).

Sunday—Bowhunter Education Course at Ferari’s Archery Shop in Carthage (Pre-register at Shop).

Sunday—Sporting Clays Shoot at Black Lake F&G Club at 9 A.M.

August 13—Sporting Licenses for 2012-13 Go on Sale.

August 14—Federated Sportsmen’s Clubs of SLC Meet at Boces at 7 P.M.

August 14,16,18—Hunter Education Course at Mannsville Fire Hall (Pre-register at 785-2533).

August 16-18—St. Lawrence International Junior Carp Tournament (www.northcountryguide.com).

August 21,24,25—Hunter Education Course at Adams Center Sportsman’s Club (Pre-register at 232-2942 from 9 A.M.-9 P.M.).

August 23-25—Hunter Education Course at Fort Drum (Pre-register at 772-0053).

August 26—Bowhunter Education Course at Watertown Sportsman’s Club (Pre-register at 785-2533).

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