Sports
FISHING ORANGE COUNTY
Commentary Kaz’s Korner
Capt. Dickie Colburn Page 1B
Page 4B
Caroline Brewton
Down Life’s Highway Roy Dunn For The Record Page 9A
Travel Tips Page 2A
The Record TheRecordLive.com
Vol. 56 No. 48
Distributed FREE To The Citizens of Bridge City and Orangefield
Week of Wednesday, March 18, 2014
Sabine overflow challenges Bassmaster pros David Ball
For The Record
Here’s to hoping the Toledo Bend Reservoir doesn’t rain on Orange’s fishing tournament this weekend. Heavy rains north of Orange have created floodwaters that are flowing downriver. The Sabine River Authority stated in a press release persons having interests in the Sabine River Basin below the reservoir are hereby advised that
on Tuesday, March 17, 2015 at 9 a.m., the reservoir elevation was 172.9 ft. Mean Sea Level. Currently, one generator is out of service for repairs and the other generator is operating 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Seven spillway gates have been opened two feet and two spillway gates have been opened one foot. Total releases are 22,890 CSF. T-Roy Broussard of Swamp People and a member of Fishing League Worldwide, belives the water flow will affect the
2015 Bassmaster Elite Series tournament, held March 19-22, at the City of Orange Boat Ramp on the Sabine River. “It definitely will hamper the fishermen,” Broussard said.
“There is an overwhelming amount of water coming down the Neches and Sabine Rivers that has flooded the backwater areas from below the dam to Beaumont.
“Not only will it muddy the water up and cause the fish to not bite, it also will have low levels of oxygen from the vegetation dying. In my opinion, this will cause a chain of events
Bassmaster pros hit the water . . .
County proclaims Bassmaster week David Ball
For The Record
The Orange County Commissioners Court decided to continue with the current policy authorizing maternity/paternity leave for employees rather than reverting to the previous policy at their regular meeting on March 16. County Judge Brint Carlton introduced the agenda item. He said Orange County had a policy a year ago that did not count against employee sick time. Employees could take up to six weeks of leave. Since changing, leave counts against employee vacation and sick time. John Banken, Precinct 3
commissioner, said the system was abused by employees who weren’t affected by maternity/ paternity leave. The county follows the Family Medical Leave Act which protects the employee’s job for a maximum of 12 weeks while they are out. “What really bothers me is the abuse,” Banken said. Douglas Manning, assistant county attorney, said commissioners can structure the maternity/paternity leave as wither medically based (with no leave available to women who adopt), or non-medically which is gender neutral. Orange County has a non-medical polCOUNTY BUSINESS Page 7A
Fish Tank Arrives
Bassmaster Elite fisherman Fred Roumbanis is among the 115 professional anglers taking part in the 2015 series inaugural event in Orange this week. The 36 year old Roumbanis is from Grand Lake , Oklahoma. Also taking place during the fishing tournament will be Art in the Park and live entertainment. For more details and complete schedule of events log on to TheRecordLive.com. RECORD PHOTO: David Ball
that will possibly cause a fish kill. I have seen this before when there isn’t enough growing vegetation to oxygenate the water. During the winter, vegetation dies off and starts to grow in the spring. This is the worse time for this to happen. I’m afraid it will be tough for these guys that fish the Neches and Sabine Rivers.” David Montagne, general manager of the SRA, said forecasters are projecting more rain later this week. Deweyville will be a little above flood level with the heaviest rain predicted for Saturday. “It will be tougher to fish but they (the professional anglers) know that,” Montagne said. “If they’re a great river fisherman, they may win it too.” Montagne said current flood levels are out of the bank, but not in the roads. He added because there’s been a drought for the past three years, the water level is still seven feet low at the top stage of Toledo Bend. “It’s moving and picking up and that may be better. It’s running so fast and the lake is so big. We have a dissolved oxygen problem when there’s a drought. It’s no problem on the fish but it’s harder to find them from low flows and lots of heat,” he said. Montagne said the rush of water is not necessarily a bad thing because fresh water and the alluvial plain needs overflow to stay healthy. “We’re matching outflow with the inflow. It depends on how much rainfall there is,” he said. Roger Bacon is a guide and a tackle representative from the Lakes area. He said this weekend tournament will separated the wheat from the chaff for the professionals. He mentioned authorities opened the Louisiana Wildlife Refuge at the tournament two years ago on a Saturday, The anglers went in blind because they haven’t fished it and they “caught pretty good.” This time, the refuge is already opened and Bacon believes this will spread out the fishermen. FLOODWATERS Page 7A
Anglers predict more fish in 2015 event Each year, the Berkley Experience trailer sets across the country looking to promote fishing while giving families a fun, interactive experience. The Berkley Trailer is headed to Orange and the B.A.S.S. Elite Series at Sabine River. Consumers are encouraged to flock to arrive March 20 - 22. The trailer will be on hand to entertain and offer deals to consumers. This will be an interactive trailer. This marks the 10th year the Berkley Experience Trailer has been rolling through states, covering ground and giving novice and experienced anglers the chance to see what makes Berkley one of the leaders in using science to develop the most innovative products. Consumers get an exclusive look once inside the trailer. Kids and adults can experience the history of Berkley. Onlookers also get a glimpse inside the Berkley labs in Spirit Lake, Iowa. It’s here where many of the innovative products anglers use today were first painstakingly researched and studied. There is also a timeline of key products, an updated fish biology section and educational videos on Berkley products. The walk through trailer also displays how the products were developed from the ground up. Highly trained Berkley professionals are on hand to provide more in depth knowledge on products, knot tying, line selection and how to select the best baits to Catch More Fish.
David Ball
For The Record
The public got a sneak peek on March 14 of the anglers -along with their boats and trucks- who will be fishing in the Bassmaster Elite Series tournament as they registered at Baptist Orange Hospital. The tournament will be held on March 19-22 at the City of Orange Boat Ramp on the Sabine River. The Orange County River Festival is presented by Stark Cultural Venues and Gopher Industrial, and hosted by the Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce. Around 50 anglers arrived early to register for the 2 p.m. start. Everyone else made it in
before the 4 p.m. deadline. Fred Roumbanis is an angler from Grand Lake, Oklahoma. He said he had a lot of fun at the first tournament in 2013 and he couldn’t wait to come back when he discovered there would be another one in Orange in 2015. “It’s awesome. The fishery is huge,” he said. “I think there will be a lot more catching this time. Last time, a 12 pound bag a day would win it. A 13 or 14 pound bag a day may win this one.” Roumbanis and other fishermen said the biggest challenge for this tournament will be the rainfall and the Toledo Bend Reservoir letting out floodwater down river.
But whether the waters are clear or muddy, Roumbanis thinks the fishing will be “awesome.” Roumbanis has been watching two to three particular areas a day to fish, especially the backwater areas. A win at this tournament at the beginning of the year would be just fine with Roumbanis because it would qualify him for the Bassmaster Classic- the Super Bowl of fishing at the end of the season. “Winning it would be awesome. I would be ahead in points and I would have the upper hand advantage,” he said. “Orange is fantastic. It’s one of the greatest venues we have. Everyone has Southern hospi-
tality and the food is great.” Roumbanis said the tournament will also bring in visitors to the motels, restaurants and money for the city. “It adds up to a lot of dollars,” he said. Chris Lane hails from Alabama. He also fished in the tournament here two years ago and is “really excited” to be back. “We don’t expect to see 20 pound bags,” he said. “It’s a unique experience. It will be wide open.” Lane said he saw one of the largest crowds for a Bassmaster tournament in Orange in 2013. He added he’s also looking forPRO FISHERMEN Page 7A