Texas Boat Fees Rise

Salute!

Don Kugle, right, Commodore of the Lakewood Yacht Club, was commissioned into the Texas Navy as an Admiral, an honor bestowed by the state and Texas Governor Rick Perry to those who have exhibited extraordinary contributions and civic responsibility to their  communities.

Texas Licensing Fees to Rise

Sportsmen will be spending more on their hobby if proposed increases in hunting and fishing licenses and boating registration fees are approved by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission. This will be the first increase since 2004–the previous increase was in 1996. For hunting and fishing licenses, as well as biannual boat registration fees for boats up to 26 feet in length, the increase will be only $2 to $3. For larger boats, however, the increase gets more serious, with boats from 26 to 40 feet seeing a rise from $70 to $110, and those 40 feet and up jumping from $110 to $200. Texas has only charged registration fees for large boats that are U.S. Coast Guard documented in the last few years, and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission press release says they need to catch up on this category of vessel.

San Bernard Cut Gets Honorary Name

On February 22, the dredged mouth of the San Bernard River, below Freeport, Texas, was reopened culminating a five-year effort by the Friends of the River San Bernard. Years of silt build-up from the Brazos River had closed-off access, causing the San Bernard to flow through the ICW to the Brazos, which negatively affected wildlife, recreational boating and commercial shipping. The U.S. Corps of Engineers estimates the reopening, which reduces adverse currents in the Brazos and ICW, will save the barge industry as much as $20 million annually. The reopening also eases ICW travel and allows local shrimpers and fishermen to once again enter the Gulf here. The river flowing properly should improve the health of the San Bernard ecosystem.
Some 500 people attended a party to celebrate the re-opening. Guests were ferried to the party location at the river’s mouth that could only be reached by boat. Attendees included Brazoria county dignitaries as well as Congressman Ron Paul. A proclamation was read naming the new opening “Edwards Cut” in honor of Roy and Jan Edwards, founders of Friends of the River. This designation will not appear on many maps, but it will be known as Edwards Cut in Brazoria County, Texas.

Port Aransas Tournaments

Cater to Lady Anglers and Kids

Down the coast at Port Aransas, Texas, the fishing focus for June and July will be on women and youngsters. On June 5-6, the Coastal Conservation Association “Take A Kid Fishing Tournament” for children 16 and under will be held at Woody’s Sports Center. On June 19-20, the “Powder-Puff” Tournament for women will be held at Woody’s. For more information on both these events, see woodysonline.com. The Hope Devlin’s Kids Fishing Tournament on July 3-4 benefits the Port Aransas Kiwanis Club Scholarship Program. For information, call Evia Tamayo at 361-749-4096.