This is local news, but I thought some of you guys might find it
interesting. Last night at the Yuma Bassmasters meeting Officer Whitaker
from Az Game and Fish stopped by. He is working on a personal project to
haev a "Take a Vet Fishing Day." We weren't sure what he had in mind at
first, but here is the gist of it.

One day in October he would like to have as many local people with boats
available for his fishing day to take guys fishing. These are mostly active
duty guys now stationed in Yuma at MCAS or with the local Guard unit or at
YPG who are away from home and haven't had much chance to go fishing since
they joined the srevice. Mostly he wants to take guys who have been in
theater recently and give them a chance to get out on the water. He has
already coordinated with Game & Fish to waive licenses for these guys for
that day.

The day is not set yet set because he has been coordinating with all the
local fishing clubs. He has actively been working witht he Yuma Rod & Gun
Club and has managed to contact John Sneed with WON Bass who promised to
help publicize the day and with Dave Willhide of Amercan Bass who also
offered support. Yuma BAssmasters members seemed to have a lot of
questions, but they were all about how and what they wanted and how we could
help.

Unless they do something silly and put it on the same day as the classic I
plan to fish in October I will be there with both boats, and I'll have one
of my friends in the front seat of the second boat.

Mr Whittaker has said he will be glad to come to our meetings for the next
several months to give us an update on the project. Whne dates and
logistics begin to firm up he will have a sign up list for anybody who would
like to do this and show support for our troops (regardless of your personal
politics) who do what they do so we can do what we do. The sign up list
will more than likely be at all the local sporting goods and marine stores.
He is contacting all the local fishing organizations, but this is also going
to go out to anybody with a boat suitable for a day on the water. Not just
bassers with bass boats.

I will try and keep some updated information on this on my website and the
Yuma Bassmasters website as it progresses.

Bob La Londe
www.YumaBassMan.com