Outdoors

East Texas has lost a big fish, at least for a short time.

Promoters of the Toyota Texas Bass Classic have announced that after two years at Lake Fork the tournament would be moving to Lake Conroe in 2009.

The move was rumored before the last tournament was held in the spring. The biggest factor is the inability for Lake Fork to attract the size of crowd needed to support the multi-million dollar event.

Tournament officials said attendance topped 25,000 each year of the event, but they had sought more. Along with the tournament activity, the event also included concerts by name artists.

The Toyota Texas Bass Classic is an independent event held by the Professional Anglers Association and has featured the top names in professional bass fishing in a team format. The anglers have longed wanted to fish Fork in a tournament format and came up with the unique team event so it could be done.

Last year's tournament was won by the team of Kelly Jordon, Lance Vick, David Smith and David Walker. They split the $250,000 first prize.

The tournament also resulted in a $250,000 donation to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department from Toyota both years it was held at Fork.

Because of a price increase for clay targets, Rose City Flying Clays announced a modest price increase.

Range owner Chris Dorsey said shooters will continue to pay the same amount as they had in the past, the difference is that tax will be added on instead of included within. That means a round of skeet, trap or 5-stand will be $7 plus tax. A round of sporting clays will be $35 plus tax.

The club also announced it has received a grant from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department toward construction of a baffled rifle and pistol range with targets out to 100 yards. However, it could be next year before construction is started on the project.

Upcoming shoots at the club include a sporting clays fun shoot beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday and a Wednesday night five-stand league running from Sept. 24-Oct. 15.

Rose City Flying Clays is located on Texas College Road north of Loop 323. For more information call 903-597-3345.

Texas Conservation Alliance will hold its annual meeting from 2-4:30 p.m. Saturday at the Hart-Morris Conservation Center of the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center near Athens.

A 40-year-old conservation group, Texas Conservation Alliance began building a network of organizations a year ago to highlight the need to protect Texas' natural resources for future generations.

"We're delighted with the response we've received," said Janice Bezanson, Executive Director of Texas Conservation Alliance. "For decades we've formed coalitions to address specific issues - coalitions with conservationists, landowners, sportsmen, businessmen, timber industry leaders, tourism officials and outdoor recreationists. It's clear from the enthusiasm of our member organizations that building a more permanent alliance is an idea whose time has come."

Keynote speaker for the meeting will be environmental attorney Rick Lowerre, who will highlight natural resource issues expected to arise in the 2009 state legislative session and how the Alliance's network of member groups can effectively protect wildlife habitat in Texas.

A public groundbreaking last week kicked off construction of the $27 million East Texas Fish Hatchery being built adjacent to Sam Rayburn Reservoir.

The facility is expected to be completed in 2010.

The state-of-the-art facility will replace the 70-year-old Jasper Fish Hatchery and provide at least 45 acres of fish production ponds capable of delivering up to 4.5 million fish annually for stocking in Texas public waters.

"Once operational, this new hatchery will have the capacity to more than double what's currently produced at the outdated Jasper Fish Hatchery. This will help meet the growing needs of our recreational angling community," said Phil Durocher, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department inland fisheries director. "We applaud the generous support of Texas anglers, who stepped up to the plate to help fund this critical project through the purchase of the Freshwater Fishing Stamp, and our partners."

In addition to stamp revenues, Jasper County in 2004 donated 200 acres of land for the hatchery and the Lower Neches Valley Authority has agreed to provide 10,000-acre feet of water from Sam Rayburn Reservoir for hatchery operation.

Also, Temple Inland provided easements to accommodate the county road as well as all site utilities and water conveyance lines. The U.S. Corps of Engineers will provide easements to accommodate the facility water intake station.

"Texas freshwater anglers are the largest single constituency Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has," noted TPW Commission Chairman Peter M. Holt. "More fish in more places equals better fishing, and that benefits the quality of life in this state."

In addition to the production ponds, the hatchery complex will feature a 34,000-square-foot production building and an 8,200-square-foot administrative building, which will office 24 TPWD employees, including hatchery, aquatic habitat enhancement and fisheries management staffs, and game wardens.

Tournament Results: Tyler Bass Club

Lake Cypress

Johnny Crocker, 5 bass, 15-1.

Pat Wright, 5 bass, 12-7.

Tom Ward, 5 bass, 11-5.

Big bass: Crocker, 4-4.

Bassmasters of East Texas

Bob Sandlin

J.D. Green, 5 bass, 11.95.

Gary Armstrong, 5 bass, 11.3.

David Murphy, 5 bass, 9.98.

Big bass: Green, 4.38.