Because of damage to the dam at Oroville Lake, the California B.A.S.S. Nation is postponing the Oroville tournament and moving up the New Melones event.
Oroville tournament moves to June; New Melones event is now in March
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Damage to the dam at Oroville Lake has caused two major changes to the California B.A.S.S. Nation tournament schedule for 2017.
The Oroville Dam has made national headlines in recent days due to its impairment and, with rain still in the forecast, there is no guarantee of immediate improvement in the conditions at Oroville Lake. The first California B.A.S.S. Nation qualifier of the season, scheduled for March 18-19, has been rescheduled for June 3-4.
New Melones Reservoir was scheduled to host the second qualifier of the season, May 20-21. Instead, it will be the first tournament, held on Oroville’s original dates, March 18-19.
The other events on the schedule are not affected by the change.
“It’s about safety first,” said Mark “Chief” Torrez, president of the California B.A.S.S. Nation. “We do not take risks with the safety of our anglers. We also wanted to make a decision early so competitors could make a plan.”
The revised schedule is as follows:
Date Lake Location
March 18-19 New Melones Reservoir Angels Camp, CA
June 3-4 Lake Oroville Oroville, CA
July 8-9 California Delta Oakley, CA
Oct. 14-15 Lake Nacimiento Paso Robles, CA
The top boater and top nonboater at each event will qualify for the 2018 California B.A.S.S. Nation State Team. The rest of the team will be made up of the best anglers throughout the season, based on points. The State Team will represent California in the 2018 Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Western Regional, at a location to be announced. California’s top boater and top nonboater from the regional will advance to the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship to compete for a spot in the 2019 Bassmaster Classic and a berth in the Bassmaster Elite Series
The points winner in each division, Boater and Nonboater, will earn the California B.A.S.S. Nation Angler of the Year award.
To be eligible to compete, each angler must be a member of a B.A.S.S. Nation-affiliated club. To find a club in your area, contact Mark Torrez, California B.A.S.S. Nation president, at (805) 233-0883, or visit www.calbn.com.
Keep up with future announcements by following California B.A.S.S. Nation on Facebook (www.facebook.com/CaliforniaBassNation).
Advertising