Stu,

Since I wasn't at the tourney meeting this year, my best guess is that there were organizations that waited until after the meeting to get their permits... for what reason, I don't know. From what Smitty said above, it sounds like BASS wasn't at the main meeting.

The state will keep issuing permits until the boat limit has been reached on the body of water. So if we say our club needs 50 boats and the body of water is listed to host up to 200, then up to 150 more boats could get permitted. Other than that, I don't have any secondary guesses as to why there might be more conflicts this year. Honestly, it doesn't sound that bad... BASS qualifiers are pretty tiny this year. Someone on the board should call Bruce Baker and ask for some clarification and see if he thinks anything went differently this year...

Chris

I agree Stu...I would like to minimize the conflicts for next year if possible.

So, if they have always allowed only two weekends per month, does anyone have any solid guesses at why there are so many conflicts this year and why they are allowing so many tourneys on the same lake - or is that just perception?

Is it because there are more clubs/circuits wanting on the lakes?  In the past, did they allow more exceptions after the fact and open lakes for clubs on other weekends when there was an "emergency" need?

Even if the number of boats per tourney isn't that high, 3 tourneys on one body of water seems a bit much. I've only been in the club for 5 years, but over that time I don't remember seeing as many lakes with multiple tourneys.

The reason I am wanting to discuss this more is so that our TD/representative knows about any changes so he can have the best strategy for 2009.

Stu

Looks like the Northend Bass club is also holding a tournament on the Wallula pool on the same weekend.

Sarge,

Thats been that way for a long time as far back as the 90's.

Russ

I'm with you, Glenn. I'm pretty sure the state has always had a restriction of two tournament weekends per month on each body of water... at least as long as I can remember back. Their reasoning was, as Bob already alluded, to limit conflicts between tournament and non-tournament anglers at public access areas.

Thanks for the clarification.  Were any reasons given for the additional restrictions on tournaments?  Surely they have in-depth studies with facts and figures to back their reasoning. 

I don't recall there being any conflict with our Tri-Cities date at the conflict resolution meeting in Ellensburg.  In fact I don't recall even seeing Mark Byrne (SP?), or anyone from B.A.S.S. at the meeting.  
I do recall Bruce from the game dept. talking and saying that it was the states desire to allow only 2 weekends per month be allowed for "T" activity.
My guess is that B.A.S.S. looked at the allocations after the draw and picked that weekend knowing that the Columbia River could easily accommodate both our club and their Qualifier without getting in either one's way.
If it is a problem, we could always launch at one of 4 or 5 other launches in the near vicinity.  They are all good launches with plenty of parking for our group.

Smitty

Congrats Mark on this year so far.

Mike

Stu- Thanks for the info.   This certainly gives me more understanding as to what's been happening this year.  It sure would be helpful if we could get some clarification from the State as to why they have decided to do this.  I'm assuming there's been a lot of complaining from the "weekend angler" about all the bass tournaments clogging up ramps and making fishing conditions more difficult for the average joe.

Both Jim and the guys from other clubs told me that they changed the rules this year and that there were a lot more conflicts. Smitty has lots of recent experience at these meetings.

Hey, Smitty. Could you confirm if things have changed on this front? Maybe there are more clubs and more opens, as well?

Stu

Hasn't it always been 2 weekends per month?  I know it was back when I was on the board back in the '90s.  Maybe they took it away and brought it back - or did it ever go away?

very funny Troy.   Actually, it can be a valuable learning tool to see where some of the states best fish.  And with it being 24 boats, its not like it will be stacked up.

Mark

i say keep it the same weekend,  i like seeing how our weights stack up to our statea best anglers.  and like daryl said it was only 24 boats.  plus if we fish the same weekend i can scream "go maderos" and i can get darly and macks autograph  . 

troy

The reason for the increase in conflicts is that beginning the 2008 tourney year, the WDFW now only allows two weekends per month of tournaments on each body of water.

Check out the page that has the 2008 bass contests: http://www.wdfw.wa.gov/fish/contests/2008contests.htm

With very few exceptions, there are only bass contests on each lake during a maximum of two weekends each month. It has been chaos for everyone. This is also why we have seen open tourneys dumped on top of clubs (Chelan in May).

The state is also going to require that the applications get in to them earlier than in previous years (Oct 1). If you don't get them in by the deadline, you have to fight for any leftovers after the conflict resolution meeting. The TD is going to have to be on top of this come fall.


( http://www.wdfw.wa.gov/fish/contests/index.htm )

"Fishing Contests
A fishing contest is defined as any event where six or more licensed anglers (age 15 and older) fish competitively for game fish and determine winners, regardless of the prize value. A permit is required by the department and the fee is $24.00 per permit (no more than seven permits will be issued to any one permittee during the calendar year). Applications for fishing contest permits may be submitted at any time of the year, but they must be received by the department no less than 30 days prior to the start date of the proposed contest. However, applications for fishing contest permits for bass and walleye contests must be received by the department by October 1 of the year preceding the year in which the contests are planned to be held. These applications will be processed simultaneously so all applicants have an equal opportunity to get preferred dates. Bass and walleye fishing contest applications received after October 1 will be processed on a first come first serve basis. Upon completion of a fishing contest, a final report is required to be submitted within 30 days. Please see the link to the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) that governs fishing events for more detailed information. "

Stu