Plenty of fish to catch at Isabella, Truxtun, River Walk
By The Bakersfield Californian
In anticipation of the 16th Annual Kern River Valley Trout Derby to be held March 31-April 2, large plants of decent-sized fish are being stocked weekly into Lake Isabella. With more than $250,000 in prizes available, the event should draw thousands of people determined to catch one or more of the $10,000 and $20,000 tagged fish that will be swimming in the lake when the derby officially starts.
Some nice limits are being taken around the lake right now, with power bait, eggs and mousies getting the best action.
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Local anglers are also getting some nice fish at the River Walk and Truxtun Lake. Both were planted Tuesday of this week and are providing good action for bait fishermen.
Once again, it's time for outdoorsmen to pay the fiddler for their outdoor pursuits. Each of these upcoming events highlights the funding necessary to provide and promote our wildlife, habitat construction, and our hunting and fishing programs and experiences. Please attend them if you can.
Hunter education classes
Kern Shooting Sports continues to offer hunter education classes to the general public.
Although hunting seasons are still seven months away, prospective hunters can get a jump on the crowded classes of summer by enrolling now.
The next course will be March 24-25, with an internet class set for March 26. All prospective out-of-state hunters wanting to get their hunter safety out of the way for fall hunts should sign up immediately. Contact Jay Busby (661) 871-9025 for more information.
Kern Shooting Sports
The annual Kern Shooting Sports breakfast will be held Saturday (Feb. 18) at Hodel's Restaurant. Cost is $15 and reservations are a must. Contact George Stilwill at (661) 319-2589 or Lela Martin at (661) 831-0797. This is a perfect chance to meet the crew that brings so many pleasant outdoor activities to the general public.
Tulare Basin Wetlands Assoc.
Put Friday evening, March 9 on your calendar for a fun evening of food and drink, raffles and auctions. Held at the Bakersfield Elks Lodge, at 1616 30th St., the Tulare Basin Wetlands Association's 16th annual fundraising dinner will raise money for habitat enhancement and wetlands conservation in Kern, Kings and Tulare County. As usual, promoters are anticipating another sellout so please purchase tickets and table sponsorships as soon as possible. Club VP Jim Delmarter said: "We are trying to promote this cause while enhancing camaraderie among hunting clubs and conservationists in the area." Contact Dennis Slater (661) 444-0407 or Jim Delmarter at 661-327-1486.
35th Sportsman's Show
Every year the "Sportsman's Boat, RV and Outdoor Living Show" seems to grow larger and more popular, and this year is no different. This year's event has been expanded to more than 3 million square feet of outdoor exhibit area and more than 50,000 of indoor. Special attractions for the show include the always popular Kids Trout Pond, Fly Casting and casting Demonstrations, Field Dog Training, Youth Archery, the 16th Annual Super Cruise Car Show, the new Berkely-sponsored kids trout derby, the newly-revised Sportsmen's Theater and the 5th Annual Bako Sand drags.
Guest celebrity speakers, as usual, will draw large crowds to entertain and teach about fishing, duck calling, archery, professional bass fishing and other outdoor pursuits, while over 250 manufacturers and dealer booths will be on hand to provide the best in professional products, adventure trips and outdoor related gear.
If you're looking for fishing and hunting equipment, lodges and resorts, outdoor destinations, guides and outfitters, RV vehicles, boats, motorcycles, ATV's, sand cars, outdoor living accessories while having a great time, then this is the show for you.
The show is held each year at the Kern County Fairgrounds and runs from Feb. 24-26. E-mail www.calshows.com for information.
WITO/NWTF fundraiser
The Bakersfield Chapter of "Women in the Outdoors" and the popular "National Wild Turkey Federation" are selling tickets for their upcoming 19th annual fundraising banquet to be held on March 10 at the Kern County Fairgrounds.
Silent and live auctions, a huge general raffle, a ladies raffle, and plenty of outdoor related prizes including lots of guns will highlight the evening of fun, food and camaraderie.
Doors open at 5 p.m. for attitude adjustment with dinner served at 7.
Contact or email Marieellen for more information on this great cause at (661) 578-0339; (661) 549-0200 or marieellen.wito@me.com.
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