ARIZONA ANGLERS FAMILY FISHING CLUB *********************** Tails from Lake Mary For those who missed Lake Mary…… You missed out!! How?.. You ask. Well, where do I start. Oh yes….. The portable restrooms. Shake the hand of the person that came up with that idea. But really. What a great weekend! Everyone had a blast. The weather was absolutely perfect. The kids were running around looking for the last items on their scavenger list, the Fish Fry and raffle being spectacular for all who took part, and of course the Ice Cream Social.  Where do I begin to give thanks. First off, the Scavenger hunt that was orchestrated by Charlotte Grissom was, as always, a great idea for the kids that usually keeps them very busy bustling around the campsites and our tackle boxes searching for various articles on their list. This year’s champs for the girls were a "trio". Congrats to Maddi, Bailey, and Rachel. Double teaming the search for the boys win was Ryan and guest angler, Drew. Great job and effort to all kids that participated and thank you Charlotte for putting together such a fine event. The Fish fry again was a big hit. Who better to have manning the boiling grease pit as your club "cookies", but the "Ol' Salty Dogs" themselves, club Trustee, John Hawkins and former club President Robert Cazares. Let's not forget all the AAFFC members who donated fish for the fry and folks that put together a dish for the potluck that made this bountiful feast possible. For those who preferred burgers and franks over the deep fried vittles, give kudos to Bill and Vonna Sutton, who are not actually members…. Yet! They are looking for a fishing club and heard of our organization. So they traveled out to spend a weekend with us and graciously volunteered their time at the bar-b-que grill.  The ice cream social went very well. Bobby Grissom organized efforts with M&M ice cream distributors in phoenix to have 12 gallons of ice cream donated for the gathering. Your choice of chocolate, vanilla, and orange sherbet. Plenty for all to have 2nds and even thirds. The raffle that was held on Saturday night after the pot luck went over very well. There were plenty of folks in attendance. Club President, Wade Marsh, volunteers much of his time searching and purchasing prizes for the raffle. As always he put together another fine collection for this derby at Lake Mary and everyone had a fun time partaking and was a wonderful time of fellowship. Of course,  planning for events, such as our past excursion to Lake Mary and others, take much time and commitment by the board members and club officers to organize. It is still very rewarding to see so many people having a grand time spending the moment together and creating fond memories. All the hard work and efforts are always worth it in the end. The fishing at Lake Mary was nothing short of amazing. The Lake is higher than most anglers have seen it in a long time (must be Global Warming finally taking effect here in Arizona) and the fishing proved to reciprocate with large bag limits and a bountiful supply of fat healthy Northern Pike. Randy Gray WOW's members with his presentation of a 7.40lb behemoth Pike that he lured with White/Chartreuse spinner baits to snag another Big Fish of the Derby plaque and option check. His big fish also gave him an undisputed takeover of the Big 3 option by pegging the needle for 13.63lbs. Justin Langdon visited this event as a guest and dominates the Men's division for a derby win and will be awarded a first place plaque if he were to decide to join our club. He fell 1 pound shy of 20 pounds for a grand total of 19lbs and also cashes in a 2nd Option check with a 3 fish weight at 12.29lbs. Charlotte Grissom gives the ladies in her division a run for their money, and then takes the money in the Big Fish with 3.64lbs and squeezes out the Big Three hauling 10.16lbs. She did all of this while flipping a pink spinner bait…. Yes, you read it right, PINK! Just when you thought you had it all figured out…..! Three hauling 10.16lbs. She did all of this while flipping a pink spinner bait…. Yes, you read it right, PINK! Just when you thought you had it all figured out…..! When you look at the Intermediates Division, and you notice the same young man dominate the club month after month, and see that he weights in better than 70% of his senior anglers, you begin to wonder why we don't just eliminate that division and incorporate him in with the adult men. Wouldn't that save the club some money? Once again, Ben Chairez, Jr. embarrasses me  and others in the men's division by out weighing us with 16.19lbs. Future Intermediate hopeful, Joshua Cassidy, turns up the heat at Lake Mary to muster a Junior division win with10.41lbs. Right on his heels is his brother Dustin Cassidy taking the Kids over with 2.64lbs. Both were blade running chartreuse chatter and spinner baits. All anglers did a great job tackling those jagged toothed marauders at Lake Mary. I am confident the cool air was, as always, much deserved and appreciated.  Let’s get ready for another big fish getaway to Canyon Lake when the moon is full and green backs can produce "personal bests" for those lucky enough to chance upon them.    ***********************    It is with a sad heart that I share the following information.  Roy Espe a long time member of Arizona Anglers passed away May 8th  2010. *********************** It is with a sad heart that I share the following news. Beloved Arizona Angler George Beaumont Sr. passed away early morning December 25th, 2009.   *********************** "New Fishing Rules and Regulations" Effective January 1, 2009 the following lakes have new protected slot limits; Saguaro Lake, Canyon Lake and Apache Lake.  The limit is 6 bass in possession (any combination of largemouth and smallmouth); of which no more than 1 may be between 13 and 16 (protected slot limit) may be in possession.  Roosevelt  Lake - The limit is 6 bass in possession (any combination of largemouth and smallmouth); of which no more than1 may be between 13 and 16 (protected slot limit)  may be in possession.   *********************** An Angler's Code of Ethics 1. I will help protect the outdoors.  I will not litter.  I will pick up and properly dispose of all fishing line, bait containers, fish remains and other trash. 2. I will protect our fisheries by cleaning and drying all my equipment after use. 3. I will not transfer live fish or illegally dump them in another water. 4. I will buy and carry a valid fishing license or combination hunt and fish license if I am 14 years or younger. 5.  I will know the fishing regulations including the size and the number of fish I can keep.  I will abide by these laws and report anyone who violates them to Operation Game Thief (1-800-352-0700). 6.  I will keep only those fish that I plan to eat.  I will carefully release all other fish right away. 7.  I will properly care for all fish I plan to eat.  This means putting them on ice, cleaning them, properly disposing the entrails, and quickly storing them in a refrigerator or freezer. 8.  I will share my fishing knowledge and skills with others, particularly kids. ***********************  "Thank you Robert Cazares, John Hawkins, and Ben Chairez" Bartlett lake ~ August, 2008  First of all, we had a late start, barely making sign in and missing start time. Thankfully John Hawkins was gracious enough to launch us so that we could get to the business of fishing. Fishing was a little slow but the weather was perfect… till the wind kicked up. Although, wind is expected during the monsoon season in Arizona, it can be frustrating, unsafe, not to mention the toll it can take on your batteries. By midnight our batteries were showing wear and the wind with no end in sight, we made the decision that it was safer to take the three fish we had to the weigh-in, load up, head home, and try again another day. We weighed our fish and after sharing our circumstances and frustrations with other members of our club, the President of Arizona Anglers, Robert Cazares and his family, stepped forward and offered their batteries to us so that we could continue fishing. What a Class Act! After assuring us that the Cazares family was done for the night anyway, we switched out batteries, and were on the water again.             We fished the area behind the marina for the rest of the night where I was successfully hooking quality fish, including a 4.97lbs HOG throwing DD crank baits. At dawn we headed to a cove across the lake from the marina ramp to try a new area for the last two hours of fishing time. At 6:30 am it was time to start the outboard and head to weigh-in. Because I had the live wells, fish graphs, and lights running all night, when I tried to turn the motor over and got nothing, you can imagine the panic in my gut. With a fat limit of fish and possibly the win we proceeded to head towards the ramp that was in eyesight straight ahead under trolling motor power. Now the batteries that were loaned to me by the Cazares family were now showing signs of stress. Now What!  Limping our way out of the cove we found Ben Chairez Sr. and Jr. After trying to jump the boat with cables it was determined that the battery was far too gone to start. Ben Sr. was kind enough to take my fish to weigh in and return to assist us back to dock, where my truck was already waiting in the water that John had backed in. What a Night!! Some might think of all the events of that derby as being bad or good luck and being in the right place at the right time. We think of it as having the right attitude about what Arizona Anglers Family Fishing Club is supposed to be about. For those who have forgotten or are members with other agendas, AZ Anglers is about Family, Good Competition, and Camaraderie. Leave your politics at home.  Anyway you look at it we feel that everyone that helped us during this derby are perfect examples of why this club is the oldest club of its kind in Arizona. You don’t get this kind of first rate treatment in most other clubs and organizations. While others will leave the club because they have forgotten this motto or for reasons of their own this is why we return every year and will for years to come. Thank you to those that were so kind, Sid and Arla *********************** Member News ******************* Bob Lyons one of our oldest member, trustee and good friend had a stroke 2 months ago.  Many of you who remember Bob know how much he loved fishing and being with his 'fishing family'. We sincerely wish him a speedy recovery.  If you would like to contact him, his address is: 2050 89A Site 62 Cottonwood Az 86325  Advertisers ******************* If you know of anyone who would like to advertise in our newsletter, please contact Wade Marsh or Sid Hudson...    Remember to send in your fishing pictures.      If you have a comment or angler tip, just send me an email. Send an email to amarsh02@hotmail.com