HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE – The Hidden Valley Lake Men's Niners Golf Club held its Final Flight Match Play Competition and a Low Net Tournament on Aug. 27.

In Match Play, the "A" flight winner was Olie Smith. Bill Stricklan won "B" flight and Mill Garrett "C" flight.

In low net play the results were: first flight, Jerry Sullivan had low net 31, while Dennis Berro and Arch Madsen tied with 34; second flight, Juergen Haller and Stan Joaquin tied with 35, and Dave Mann, Carl Dennis and Bill Surber tied with 36; third flight, Wayne Baker had 31, and Bob Costello and Don Dornbush tied with 33; fourth flight, Jay Hodges had 27, and Doug Carter had 30 and Dennis Day had 35.

Closest to the par 3 pins were Jay Hodges and Dennis Day.

Chip-ins were scored by Jim Stratton and Dennis Day. Forty-seven men participated in the day's events.

Some very fall-like conditions are developing and things are changing with the weather, the lake and the fishing.

There’s a solid bass bite keeping bass anglers happy throughout the day. The catfishing is as good as we’ve seen it in years. The lake looks (and smells) a whole lot better than it has all summer here in the south end.

The fishing, lake conditions, and weather are working well together to support our favorite Clear Lake activity.

Bass are being caught in good numbers on topwater plastics such as the horny toad, buzz baits and soft jerk baits. Spooks and frogs are also switched on.

Deep water finessing continues to be good too. Look for bass in shallow water that is adjacent to deep water. Bass are crashing silverside minnows after corralling them into the weeds and mats during the late morning and early afternoon hours.

There are a whole lot of 6 and 8 inch bass that’ll whack your baits – giving you that tug-tug sensation. You’ll quickly follow with a hook set that yields nothing. If you’re getting the tell tale tug-tug and swinging for the bleachers with no results it isn’t you – it’s really aggressive tiny bass. Change your location, depth or offering to get away from where the baby bass are schooled.

Catfish action is as hot as it comes on Clear Lake. It is great to see folks from all over doing so well and having fun like they have the last few weeks. Catfish will gladly dine on mackerel, live crawdads, anchovies, shrimp, clams, minnows or crawlers. Of course, they may not be quite so happy to meet the frying pan … You decide.

Deep water and shallow water alike have been working for cats. Private docks and public docks are producing. Boaters are producing too. Find your favorite catfish hole and soak your bait.

We’re drawing Tuesday, Sept. 1, for the Savage Predator Hunter .223 rifle and scope package that the Lake Friends of the NRA is giving away. There’s still time to buy your tickets – I have mine!

Give us a call at 707-994-FISH or come by Lakeshore Bait & Tackle – tickets are $10 and will be on sale until 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1. Proceeds from the raffle benefit the Lake Friends of NRA fundraising efforts.

Hope to see you in Clearlake soon!

Bob Rider owns Lakeshore Bait & Tackle, 14913-D Lakeshore Drive, Clearlake, telephone 707-994-FISH (3474). Visit the store online at www.994Fish.com .

Walks will start at 9 a.m., instead of 8 a.m., beginning on Saturday, Sept. 5.

The public is invited to enjoy a one- to two-hour guided walk at the Rodman Slough Preserve, operated by the Lake County Land Trust.

Participants are asked to meet at the Rodman Slough Preserve Nature Education Center at 6350 Westlake Road at the corner of Westlake Road and the Nice-Lucerne Cutoff. No dogs please.

Call Pamela Bordisso at 707-279-0923 or Roberta Lyons at 707-994-2024 for information.