2010 NorCal Hosted CenCal Albion River Team Meet

Supporting Cen Cal with a long tradition of free dive, spear fishing, Nor Cal Skin Divers Club hosted the “Jack Rotter Memorial Dive” once again to an outstanding turnout of divers. 19 free divers formed 8 teams and included well known sharp shooters Dennis Haussler, Bob Humphrey, Brock Kennedy, Dave Lang and others. New to this event were Ryan Smith, Justin Begley, Jim McCollem and Jarrid Bordessa.

Nor Cal President, Brian Ishida organized and presided over the event, kept score and presented the competition award certificates. Jim Martin’s watchful eye monitored the fish ID and weigh-in proceedings. Jim is a well known fisheries expert and author, not to mention our west coast representative, RFA, SCAN and many other groups too numerous to list here, in the fishery issues proceedings.

Big Fish Award went to Bob Humphrey for an 11.9 lb. ling cod. Dave Lang’s 11.1 lb. Ling and Brock Kennedy’s 11.1 lb. Cabazon followed close behind. Brock was also the individual “High Points” leader although the First Place team was a Pro-Am group comprised of Bob Humphrey (second place individual points), Ryan Smith and Justin Begley.

Nor Cal Club Competition Committee member, Tom Krebs, next presented award plaques for the 2009 club competition to Jeff Fornes, 1st Place Spear Fisherman and Duanne Shoemake, 1st Place Big Abalone. Before Tom could get away, Dave “Bear” Whittington took a few minutes to explain the Nor Cal Skin Divers Club special “Cowboy Up” award presented to individuals, “For taking the recreational fishing bull by the horns” in the best interests of recreational fishers and divers. Dave then presented the “Cowboy Up” award to Tom for his mostly unknown, but very much appreciated “behind the scenes” work with recreational fisheries issues in past years. Tom has been involved with these concerns and supported Nor Cal for five years before he even became a club member. Since then he’s been actively involved assisting Nor Cal Skin Divers, Cen Cal, SCAN and RFA in the never ending battle to protect the rights of recreational fishers, most especially the abalone and spear fishing free divers.

All the competition divers got a coffee mug with the club and council logos and commemorating event information on it. Hot Link Chili, hot dogs, fresh artisan bread from Metropolis Baking Company in Berkeley and drinks were available for everyone to enjoy. The day was nice with a foggy overcast, but calm water and light breezes. As the day came to an end, Nor Cal divers cleaned the catch of the day, generously donated by the competitor for an upcoming fund raiser dinner hosted by Nor Cal Skin Divers and the Pelicans Dive Club. Thank you one and all for your support, donations and a great day!