Announcing the 6th annual US Freshwater National - July 13, 2009

[SpearMax]

Here is a message from our friend James Hardesty.

Hey everyone... Time to mark your 2009 Calendar. The 6th U.S. Freshwater Nationals will be Saturday June 13th, 2009 in Glendo Wyoming. Over a Thousand dollars in prize money plus a couple thousand dollars worth of gear to give away. Two man Teams scuba or skin diving. A great dinner as you enjoy the awards ceremony. Plus T-Shirt... For more information contact James Hardesty at Rockymountainspearfishing@gmail.com or Private Message Scubadown16 here on Spearboard.

Thanks
James Hardesty

[scubadown16]

INFORMATION ABOUT THE LAKE, LODGING,AND BOAT RENTALS.


Freshwater Nationals 2009

Information on facilities in and around Glendo State Park



The park itself:
I have personally stayed at Glendo State Park many times, and have had fun every time. It has an abundance of camping around the lake, some spots being very close to the water while others are up higher and a little farther from the water. If you are bringing children, Big Sandy Beach is a great spot. There is lots of sand to play in and good shade. This is the only camping area that requires at least a 48 hour advance reservation.

The tournament will be held at Whiskey Gulch Campground

Camping:

*Red Hills and Waters Point--Camping areas have some shade trees and close access to the lake with a rock and gravel shoreline and protected bay for tying boats. Grounds are not very level and sites are exposed to the wind. Approximately 45 sites.


*Reno Cove--Boat launching area with limited camping area and few shade trees. Close access to lake with rock and mud shoreline. Protected bay for tying boats. Grounds are not level and sites are exposed to wind. Approximately 30 sites.

*Custer Cove, Soldier Rock and Colter Bay--Camping areas with shade trees and close access to lake with mud and rock shoreline. Protected bay for tying boats. Some level sites with fair protection from the wind. Approximately 40 sites.

*Whiskey Gulch and Sagebrush--Large camping areas along the south side of a large bay with good access to shoreline of mud and gravel. Shade trees and lots of grass. Level sites with good wind protection and some protected areas for tying boats. Approximately 100 sites.

*Two Moon--Our largest and best camping area with many pine trees for shade and wind protection. Located on a bluff overlooking the lake with no access to the shoreline by foot. Most sites are leveled with paved roads through the area. Approximately 200 sites, 23 are reservable.

*Sandy Beach--A large area with many trees above the high waterline and approximately 2 miles of sandy beach for swimming, waterskiing, etc. Tent camping on the beach next to the shoreline is permitted. However, all vehicles including campers are no longer allowed on the beach. New camping areas recently built away from shoreline. No protection for tying boats. Room enough here for hundreds, sometimes crowds in the thousands. Completely renovated in 2005.

*Elk Horn--Boat launching area with limited camping spaces with some shade trees. Close access to lake with mud shoreline. The boat ramp is a short season ramp normally unusable in early July due to receding water levels. Approximately 20 sites.

*Reservable Shelters--Available for an additional fee. Contact park office for more information.







History of the Area:

Glendo State Park is found in one of Wyoming's most historic areas. Spanish Diggings, suggesting a large area of Aboriginal activity, lie just a few miles east of the reservoir. Rising out of the reservoir's east side at Sandy Beach is a series of sand dunes that reach from the Great Divide Basin and the Green River to the sand hills of Nebraska. The Arapaho and Cheyenne Indians arrived in southeastern Wyoming and the North Platte River Basin in the 18th century. The Oglala and Brule Sioux arrived in the 1830s, moving into eastern Wyoming from South Dakota. Tipi rings and a variety of cultural artifacts can still be found at Glendo State Park and the surrounding area. Remember though, removing artifacts is unlawful. Although now mostly covered by water, two or more branches of the Oregon-Utah-California Trail went through the area. Upon close examination you can still see evidence of the historic trail. Fertile ground was an enticement to early farmers and ranchers. At one time some of the finest potatoes in northeastern Wyoming were grown here. Glendo Dam construction began in 1954. The dam was completed in 1957 and the power plant in 1958. The dam is an earth fill structure 2,096 feet long and 167 feet high.

Map of Glendo Park and park brochure



Glendo Parks and Rec. website
http://wyoparks.state.wy.us/Site/SiteInfo.asp?siteID=6

Wyoming fishing Regulations
http://gf.state.wy.us/fish/fishing/fishregs.pdf

Link to Jackson Hole Tribune: good fishing reports can sometimes be found here.
http://www.jacksonholestartrib.com/a...s/open_spaces/


Boat Rentals:

These are the only two places to rent boats in or around Glendo that I have found. If you are driving in from the north, there are places in Casper to rent boats. From the south, possibly Cheyenne, Fort Collins, or Denver.



Hall’s Glendo Marina
(307) 735-4216 383
Glendo Park Rd,
Glendo, WY

Bellwood Boats
(I was not able to contact to verify they rent boats. I assume they are closed for the winter.)
(307) 735-4211
206 S. Yellowstone Hwy.
Glendo, WY


Lodging:

Here is the lodging I have found around Glendo. I have included some reviews that I thought might be helpful

Lodging in the city of Glendo, WY.

Glendo Lakeside RV Park
(307) 735-4161
631 Lakeshore Dr,
Glendo, WY

Lakeview Motel & Trailer Court
(307) 735-4461
442 6th St, Glendo, WY 82213

Hotels in Douglas (approx. 30 miles North of Glendo marina)

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Douglas
900 West Yellowstone Highway
Douglas, WY 82633
(877) 863-4780
hiexpress.com
“Fantastic Stay” - A TripAdvisor Member - Aug 11, 2008

Alpine Inn
2310 E Richards St
Douglas, WY 82633
(307) 358-4780
worldweb.com
“Not Fantastic for a Holiday...” - A TripAdvisor Member - June 24, 2008
“You can tell when people don't care” - A TripAdvisor Member - Jan 7, 2008

Best Western Douglas Inn
1450 Riverbend Dr
Douglas, WY 82633-2052
(307) 358-9790
bestwesternwyoming.com

First Interstate Inn
2349 E Richards St
Douglas, WY 82633
(307) 358-2833
tripadvisor.com

Super 8 Douglas
314 Russell Ave.
Douglas, WY 82633-2306
(307) 358-6800
super8.com
“Be Afraid...very, very afraid” - A TripAdvisor Member - Jul 30, 2008
“Stay away at all cost.” - A TripAdvisor Member - Jul 7, 2008

Four Winds Motel
615 E Richards St
Douglas, WY 82633
(307) 358-2322
4-windsmotel.com



Hotels in Wheatland (approx. 35 miles south of Glendo)

Super 8 Wheatland
2401 16th Street
Wheatland, WY 82201
(307) 322-2224
“Great Hotel for the Price! “- A TripAdvisor Member - Jun 19, 2008


Best Western Torchlight Inn
1809 N 16th St
Wheatland, WY 82201-2241
(307) 322-4070
bestwesternwyoming.com
“No problems” - A TripAdvisor Member - Jun 9, 2008


Motel 6
95 16th St
Wheatland, WY 82201
(307) 322-1800
motel6.com
“A Positive Experience” - A TripAdvisor Member - Feb 23, 2008
“Nice rooms” - A TripAdvisor Member - Aug 20, 2007

Wy Motel
1101 9th St
Wheatland, WY 82201
(307) 322-5383
wyomingmotel.com
“I was amazed” - A TripAdvisor Member - Mar 21, 2008
“Great Travel Experience” - A TripAdvisor Member - Sep 22, 2008

[scubadown16]

Rules for US Freshwater Nationals

General Rules

Violation of any of these rules will result in forfeiture

1. All state boating,fishing, and spearfishing regulations must be obeyed.
2. Spearing is only allowed in the designated body of water for the tournament.
3. Divers must dive within 75 lateral feet of their dive flag.
4. Divers must be courteous to sport fishermen, other competitors, and other users of the lake. Remember, you are an ambassador of your sport, strive to represent spearfishermen well.
5. No diving or spearfishing will be permitted in any area that may obstruct or restrict access to any boat launch areas or bays.
6. Briefing is mandatory, it will be held at 8:15 am at Whiskey Gulch Boat Ramp. If divers are not present for roll call at the briefing, they will be disqualified and their entry fee forfeited.
7. Shooting times will begin with a Shotgun Start at 9:00 am from Whiskey Gulch Boat Ramp, and end with an Honor Stop at 3:30 pm. All divers must be OUT OF THE WATER no later than 4:00 pm. All Divers MUST check out at the Weigh In even if they have no fish to weigh.
8. Each Competitor is responsible for keeping their fish separated from other competitors fish and must present them at the beginning of their individual weigh in. After the weigh in is complete, competitors must sign the weigh in sheet stating that they agree to the weights. Any disputes will be settled by the Series Board members present.
9. Tournaments will be scored on a point-per-fish and a point-per-pound basis. The tournament winner will be decided by the total number of points for all fish SHOT THAT DAY. No fish shot outside of the time frame of the tournament may be weighed.
10. Additional Rules, Safety Warnings, and Recommendations may be brought up at roll call before the diving begins.

[sticknrelease]

The Rocky Mountain Spearfishing Association has taken the reigns on Freshwater Nationals, and is stacking up the sponsorships! If you are interested in sponsoring, or competing, you can get more information at www.rockymountainspearfishing.com
This is going to be one of the best Nationals yet, with cash and prizes, lots of tough competition, and lots of fish, so polish up your "A-Game" and spears, and start practicing. I will see you all there!

[scubadown16]

UPDATE ON PRIZES FOR NATIONALS Imersion from France has stepped up with a huge donation of over 1500 dollars in prizes. Two suits, 3 guns, 2 sets of fins, shirts, masks, and much more.

Austins Dive center with Fins, Masks, Snorkel, shirts, and stickers,

Spearfishing Store Masks, Snorkels, Loading Pad, and More,

Rob Allen and Florida Freedivers RA 11 liter Float

DUI: A big gear bag

20 Fathoms: A couple of Guns

Otterbox: Dry Boxes

High Plains Scuba center: Big Mesh gear bag

Plus Much Much More...

I hope to see lots of guys from all over attend. We have a couple of National Champions coming. One from California and another from Grand Junction. We will even have a world Champion coming from Arizona.

James Hardesty

[harleydiver1]

Count on two Arizona teams from DIVE SHACK SPORTS CENTER, LLC Bullhead City, AZ

TEAM DIVE SHACK Jerry & Randy

CARPE' DIEM Drew & Jeff

[sticknrelease]

Harley, Scubadown just went to check things out up at Glendo this weekend, he said vis is great and fish are plentiful. Bring your A-game, this is going to be an AWESOME tournament! I look forward to meeting you and the rest of the nation's best freshwater spearo's there!

[harleydiver1]

Originally Posted by sticknrelease

Harley, Scubadown just went to check things out up at Glendo this weekend, he said vis is great and fish are plentiful. Bring your A-game, this is going to be an AWESOME tournament! I look forward to meeting you and the rest of the nation's best freshwater spearo's there!

FANFRICKIN'FREE&DIVIN'TASTIC! 4 of us will still be there. Great viz will sure help and plenty of fish is going to save us lots of $$$$$ not having to stop at the fish market!

A game!? ... hoping we are at least in the alphabet!

Looking forward to the adventure!

harleydiver1

[harleydiver1]

Originally Posted by sticknrelease

Harley, Scubadown just went to check things out up at Glendo this weekend, he said vis is great and fish are plentiful. Bring your A-game, this is going to be an AWESOME tournament! I look forward to meeting you and the rest of the nation's best freshwater spearo's there!

We are packing the A team gear. Whats the H2O viz like and are the fish moving, laying low or schooling?

[jstroup]

Originally Posted by harleydiver1

We are packing the A team gear. Whats the H2O viz like and are the fish moving, laying low or schooling?

Scubadown was there a couple of weeks ago and it sounds like the vis was great. Plenty of carp, walleye. Doesn't sound like any cat's were seen, but the rest of the fish are active. This will be a great tourny with a lot of gear/prizes cash and trophies. A lot of companies have stepped up to donate for an impressive prize table.

One other thing, make sure to bring some cash for 2 large raffle packages... one will be $10 and the other $20. Lots of gear for each package for the respective winners!

[John Galt]

I was hoping I'd get the chance to hit this one - not to dive but to meet people. Looks like I won't...we got an offer on the house, and I'll be fixing all the nits the buyers found. Price of progerss, I guess.

Be in Evergreen full time the second week in July, though. Can you spear in that lake there, near the town center?

[sticknrelease]

Congratulations to RMSS president and vice president, Mike Ban, and Duke Spackman for taking first place as a team, and Mike Ban for taking Grand Champion in the individual category! I am sure some reports are going to follow shortly, but Thank You to all 41 competitors, and all of the sponsors for an amazing tournament.

[scubadown16]

Short report is...
Excellent vis up to 25 feet in areas.. Carp were everywhere, Walleye and Cats were brought in to. Big fish were. 8 1/2 pound walleye by Sean George of Texas, 10.22 pound carp by Steve Turner of South Dakota. 9.8 pound Catfish by StickNRelease (Justin Fox). Over 1300 fish brought in to the scale. Weather was awesome with no wind and sunny skys. 41 competitors, and 10 states represented.
1. Mike Ban (Skidoo) Colorado
2. Sean Wiesler from South Dakota
3. Duke Specmen (phishsniper) Colorado
4. Justin Fox (StickNRelease) Colorado
5. Dennis Haussler (DennisHaussler) California
6. James Hardesty (Scubadown16) Colorado
7. Mike McGuire (AnyH2o) Colorado

[element]

Way to go Mike and Duke!!!

[AQUA ASSASSIN]

Great tourny and competitors. Full report to come soon!!