C11D24F1.QXD 12/23/2006 4:37 PM Page 1 CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

CALLER- TIMES . December 24, 2006 . Sunday . 11C OUTDOORS / CALENDAR

VEKTOR TABLES The Vektor Fish and Game Activity Tables are computer-generated time tables that indicate feeding and migration patterns based on positions of the sun and moon.

SOUTH TEXAS FISHING GUIDELINES ROCKPORT SALLY MOFFETT Cool weather fly fishing can be quite productive during sunny days on the flats. Find super shallow water with deepwater access. Cast white/chartreuse clousers or natural colored crab imitations. Lure throwers try weedless gold spoons, small crankbaits or soft plastics. Try Redfish Bay, Estes Flats, East Flats and the flats of Shamrock. Remember to use a slow presentation in cooler water. David Sikes/Caller-Times David David Green's lab, Sister, does what she's trained to do, flush quail. Green sends in Sister behind his pointers and after hunters are positioned — Contact Sally at 205-0624 or [email protected] to safely shoot a rising covey. LAGUNA MADRE/BAFFIN BAY JIM ONDERDONK SIKES From 10C strong. No fat and lazy birds here. We’ve been seeing scattered trout in Baffin Bay. So QUAIL OUTFITS Purists still might argue that we I’d recommend drifting deeper structure such as Center Reef while throwing plum, rootbeer, red-flake David Green’s InFlight Outfitters — shouldn’t chase quail unless nature pro- On the wingshooting scale, bobwhite vides them. But realistically, quail hunt- or chartreuse soft plastics on a sixteenth-ounce jighead. 960-3556 ([email protected]) Work these lures very slowly right up against drop-offs packages with David Green’s InFlight Out- Luther Young — 296-3331 ing ranches are costly to maintain and at and along the edges of submerged rocks. We’ve been fitters are a bit pricey compared with John Johnson — 729-9320 times cannot afford to gamble on nature. seeing good numbers of trout along the rocks of Black hunting doves or ducks. But these are not Woody Touchstone — 318-0993 Green has a staff of five at the ranch full- Bluff, too. fair comparisons. Hugo Ford — 949-2040 time. And I’m not just referring to the Behind the gate of Twin Oaks Ranch is Jim Atkins — 851-1962 money spent on posh lodges, but also the — Contact Jim at 774-7710 or [email protected] 6,800 square feet of shameless luxury. Tak- John Witte — 729-1051 extra effort to sustain habitat that’ll grow PORT ARANSAS/ARANSAS PASS ing up more than 200 square feet of the Scott Carter — 543-4039 healthy coveys. lodge is a sparkling kitchen, which should George Foulds — 729-3214 Because of natural and manmade hard- CURT THOMAS tell you something about the hospitality of Wild Horse Lodge — 584-3098 ships that are difficult or impossible to Start out in Copano Bay, searching the drop-offs and this resort. avoid, quail populations have diminished reefs for trout. Use live shrimp under and Alameda At the other end of the lodge, past the NEW QUAIL BOOK dramatically. And the folks who have quail Rattling Float or dark soft plastics with lightweight pool table and shuffleboard table, near the often charge high fees to pay for their jigheads. As the day warms, look for redfish feeding in Texas Quails, Ecology and Management seagrass and potholes. Drift or anchor up with live massive stone fireplace you’d expect to see Edited by Texas A&M-Kingsville’s Leonard A. operations. finger mullet, cut bait, mud minnows. We’ve been there, is an intimate eight-seat theater, Brennan, endowed chair for quail research at Without supplemental birds during catching better fish on Carolina-rigged mud minnows replete with a big wide screen and amply the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute droughts, these hunting businesses would with a slip sinker. padded captain’s chairs with inset cup hold- Available through Texas A&M University Press be forced to lay dormant until nature ers. It wouldn’t surprise me if there were (www.tamu.edu/upress) bestows a huntable quail crop. This is one — Contact Curt at 463-9163 buttons on the armrests to vibrate and of those ebb years for South Texas quail. recline each chair. We didn’t watch a movie. There are bright spots supporting healthy PORTLAND/INGLESIDE But yes, this is one of those destinations impressive. It’s about 2,000 acres of low- populations this year, but only a few. DON MILLER businessmen brag about. fenced and well-managed and diverse Because of poorly timed rainfall, Twin Start out drifting along the outside of Dagger Island, I felt privileged to visit the ranch with wildlife habitat. Green oversees about 200 Oaks did not enjoy one of its better wild targeting depths of four to five foot. We’ve been throw- Portland’s Charlie Hoge and Wes Hoskins, whitetail, give or take. He enhances the quail hatches this year. If Green doesn’t ing live shrimp under Alameda Rattling Floats or using along with the ever-cheerful Pat Roberts of property’s natural offerings with cotton- seed his fields with birds, we might lose soft plastics for trout and redfish. Try throwing a pump- kinseed/chartreuse soft plastic or even a topwater Corpus Christi. These gentlemen, who like- seed feeders for the deer. another wild quail ranch. plug. Also try the inside flat of Dagger Island if the tide ly are not easily impressed, were indeed Part of the ranch’s wildlife program Instead, when two English pointers isn’t too low. And also drift Estes Flats with shrimp, soft impressed. On the eve of our hunt, they includes supplementing several fields with locked in tightly on a dry patch of tangled plastics or a gold spoon. told me so while lounging around a stack bob white quail. I understand that this is brush early Tuesday and Green command- of mesquite logs smoldering in a sunken not for everyone. Some folks who wouldn’t ed his black lab Sister to “flush ‘em out,” — Contact Mark at 775-1124 or [email protected] fire pit out back. think to scoff at catching redfish or bass we watched at least a dozen quail thunder By this time, some of us had sufficient- added to a lake or bay by Texas Parks & skyward and fly high and fast in every FRESHWATER (COLETO CREEK) ly embarrassed ourselves at the com- Wildlife biologists might reject the similar- which way. Shots rang out as children’s JOHNNY HARRISON pound’s professional-grade skeet and trap ity in mixing pen-raised upland birds with hearts beat within adult chests. I’d get an early start and throw a weightless watermelon range, dined on a hearty meal and mel- native fowl. Did we wonder whether those birds seed Senko or Super Fluke-type lure. Concentrate on lowed for the evening. It was a relaxing To offset this, Green has created the were wild? depths of anywhere from one to three foot near the scene with good company in a comfort- best quail-raising facility possible, next to Nope. island on the main lake. Target submerged vegetation. able setting — again, the way you’d imag- nature. His pens are made of soft netting We simply reloaded and followed the This should produce bass into the morning with or without cloud cover. Later, try the outside edges of the ine such a place to be. stretched over a metal frame that mea- dogs to the next covey. same vegetation in depths of four to five foot. Use a The lodge has overnight accommodates sures nearly 100 yards long, 20 yards wide Texas-rigged junebug or redbug worm well into midday. for 12 guests, two in each room and a din- with a 20-foot webbed ceiling. Outdoors writer David Sikes’ column appears ing area has space for 24. And he feeds his birds supercharged Thursdays and Sundays. Contact him at 886- — Contact Johnny at [email protected] The surrounding ranch is just as protein chow to keep them lean and 3616 or [email protected] Local Sports Calendar

BASEBALL begin second week of December. All games Aikido classes by the Corpus Christi SOFTBALL Swim lessons offered by the CC Park & Corpus Christi Baseball Umpires Asso- will be played at 2801 Mcardle. Info: Felix Parks & Recreation Department from 5:30-7 City of Corpus Christi Greenwood Recreation Department Aquatics Division ciation is looking for umpires interested in Cornejo at 563-0079 or [email protected] p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at Ben Garza Softball Complex fields available for prac- year-round at the CC Natatorium. Lessons calling high school baseball games for the or Marcus Williams at 658-0099. Gym for adults 17 and older. Fee is $28 per tice, tournaments and leagues. For informa- are offered on Tues./Thur. or Wed./Fri. for upcoming season. Contact Martin Navarro at Corpus Christi Youth Football League month. Call 884-2194. tion on renting the fields, call 826-3588. four weeks or on Sat. for eight weeks. Fee is 249-3028. is taking applications for coaches in Pee American Free-Style Karate classes for CC Senior Softball Association seeks $35/session per student. Info: 880-3158 (8 Kingsville High School is looking for var- Wee, Junior Varsity and Senior Varsity. Call teens and adults offered by the CC Park and players for 50+, 55+, and 60+ leagues. Games a.m.-5 p.m.) or 878-2337 (6-9 p.m.). sity baseball games March 14-17. Call Coach 851-8952. Recreation Department on Mon. and Thur., are played on Monday, Tuesday and Wednes- YMCA classes for six months-adult on Rick Soliz at 522-9223. The Grandstands Is offering an adult flag 7:30-9 p.m.; and Sat. from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. day nights at Kiwanis Field. Info: 852-8416. Mon.- Wed.-Sat.. Fee is $20 (2-week session) football league beginning in January. Four- Cost: $23/month. Info: 855-0392. CC Senior Softball Association seek- for YMCA member, $25 (2-week session) for BASKETBALL game format, every team makes the playoffs. Judo classes by the Corpus Christi Parks ing men over 60 to play slow pitch softball. non-members, free to YMCA family mem- The IWA freshman basketball team Deadline to enter: Jan. 10. Fee: $325. Call office & Recreation Department from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Games are played Monday and Friday at bers. Info: 882-1741. is looking for games and tournaments. at 854-9994 or Raul Dominguez at 765-6306. Mondays and Wednesdays at Ben Garza Gym Kiwanis Field. Info: Geno 852-8416. TENNIS Contact Coach Frances Flanagan at Padre Youth Football League is screen- for ages 12 and older. Class is free for ages Corpus Christi Parks & Rec Depart- Beginners classes for men, women and [email protected] ing football coaches, cheer coaches and is 12-16 and $15 per month for ages 17 and ment is looking for non-profit groups to run mixed doubles. All classes will last approxi- looking for a cheer coordinator for next sea- older. Call 884-2194. CHEERLEADING the Greenwood Softball Complex conces- mately one hour. Cost: $36 plus $3 court fee son. PYFL is a Pop Warner Football Associa- Karate lessons every Tuesday and Thurs- Padre Youth Football League is screening sions during weeknight league games, week- per month. Info: Paul Cass, 882-6013. tion. Call Abe at 510-3455 day at the Robstown-Nueces County Commu- cheer coaches and looking for a cheer coordi- end city rental tournaments or city-run tour- H-E-B Tennis Center is offering adult nity Center. Fee is $25. Info: 387-5904. nator for next season. PYFL is a Pop Warner GOLF naments. Call 826-3588. tennis lessons for men and women in begin- Lopez Judo Academy has judo classes Football Association. Call Abe at 510-3455 Alice 50 Plus Golf Club is seeking new Falfurrias coed tournament on Jan. 13- ner, intermediate and advanced levels. Info: from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays and members age 50 or older. Tournaments held 14. Entry fee: $175. Three games guaran- 882-6013. Wednesdays at the Corpus Christi All-Star CYCLING second Saturday of each month. Info: 664-7033. teed. Info: Carlos Hernandez at 455-6890 ‘Tennis-Exercise-Boot Camp’ extreme Gym on Holly and Kostoryz. Monthly fees are Cycling group meets every Sat. and Sun. Alice 60 Plus Golf Club is seeking new (daytime M-F), 325-2890 (after 5 p.m.) or tennis workout class. Tuesdays 9:30-10:30 $50 with a $50 registration fee. Info: Louis M. at 8 a.m. Ride lengths are 20-50 miles at a golfers age 60 or older. Tournaments held 215-1394 (cell). a.m. and Wednesdays 7-8 p.m. Cost: $10 per Lopez at 853-7944. pace of 15-20+ mph. Saturday rides meet at first Tuesday of each month. Cost: $5 per Falfurrias High School is looking for class. Info: Paul Cass, 882-6013. Martial arts classes by the Corpus Christi Jason’s Deli (Saratoga and Staples), and Sun- year. Info: 664-7033 or 460-1603. teams to fill its varsity tournament on March Parks & Recreation Department for children VOLLEYBALL day rides meet at Lamar Park Shopping Cen- Corpus Christi Golf Association is seek- 1-3. Class 5A & 4A JV teams and 3A, 2A, and and adults. The children’s class for ages 12-16 CC Parks & Rec Adult Leagues for coed ter. Info: 993-7000. ing new members. Monthly tournaments are A varsity teams. Info: Coach Pete Trevino at is 5:30-6:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at ‘B’ and ‘C’ and men’s open divisions. Late reg- held the second Saturday of each month at 701-2858 or 325-5681. FITNESS Ben Garza Gym. The classes for ages 17 and istration ($125/team) through Dec. 20 at City Oso Golf Course. A meeting and putting tour- The Grandstands is offering a spring Noon Fitness Program for all ages at up are 5:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Ben Garza Hall, 3rd floor. All games at CC Gym (3202 nament are held the Thursday before the golf softball league open to men’s, women’s and Ben Garza Gym (1815 Howard) offered by the Gym. All classes are free. Call 884-2194. Cabaniss). Info: 851-1612. tournament. Info: 826-8011. coed teams, beginning in January. Four-game Corpus Christi Parks & Recreation Depart- MMA: Ages 15+, offered Mon - Thurs at 8 format, all teams advance to playoffs. Fee: Corpus Christi Over 50 Golf Associa- WATER AEROBICS ment. The program is offered Monday-Friday, p.m. Price range: $55 - $75 / month. Info: $250. Deadline to enter: Jan. 10. Call office at tion is seeking new members. Tournaments CC Parks & Recreation Department 11 a.m.-1 p.m. through May 31. Gym offers Weapons at Hand, 857-6983 854-9994 or Raul Dominguez at 765-6306. are held on the third Saturday of each month. will offer water aerobics classes at the Cor- free weights, treadmill and an aerobic room Tae Kwon Do classes by the Corpus Softball for Seniors for women over 35 Info: John at 850-9039 or Pat at 993-9406. pus Christi Natatorium on Mon.-Wed.-Fri- with access to workout videos. Cost is $5 a Christi Parks & Recreation Department for and men over 58. Info: Sharon 815-8058 or Oso Senior 60 golf tournament is at 8 from 6-7 p.m. Classes will also be held at Oso month or a daily drop-in fee of $1. Info: 884- children and adults. The children’s class for Ricki 877-3640. a.m. Dec. 27 at Pharaoh’s Golf Course. Format: Pool on Tues. and Thur. from 9-10 a.m. The 2194 or 826-3588. ages 6-16 is 5:30-6:30 p.m. Mondays and Select drive, one-low net. Call 826-8010 before cost is $4/class or a monthly pass is available Wednesdays at Ben Garza Gym. The classes SWIMMING FOOTBALL 1 p.m. Dec. 26. New members welcome. for $35 for unlimited classes at the natatori- are free. The classes for ages 17 and up are Bay’s Edge Aquatic Team is a USA swim Coastal Bend Corpus Christi Football Weekly Winter Texan and Retiree um or $25 for unlimited classes at Oso Pool. 5:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursdays at Ben team open to all levels of swimmers. Prac- League is now taking application for coaches Scramble held every Wednesday at 9 a.m. at Monthly passes for both pools are $55. Info: Garza Gym. The classes are $20 per month. tices are held at the Natatorium, Tuloso-Mid- for winter football. Season begins upon inter- L.E. Ramey Golf Course in Kingsville. Entry 880-3158. Call 884-2194. way Aquatic Center, and Portland Aquatic est of coaches. All games will be played at fee: $21 includes cart, green fee, and expens- Tracy’s/Dragon Hand Kenpo Karate Center. Info: 241-4649 or beat.usswim.net. 2801 McArdle. Divisions include Freshmen 5-6 es. Call 592-1101. SUBMISSIONS studio, ages 6, and up. Info: 215-0624. Coastal Bend Swimming practices at Sophomores 8-9 Juniors 9-10 Seniors 11-12. KICKBALL the Natatorium Mon.-Fri. from 6-7:30 p.m. Bulletin Board items are published every All players included; no weight limit except RUGBY Year-round USA swim team open to all levels. CC Adult Kickball League, Fall 2006 Sunday on a space-available basis. To be for running backs and tight ends. Info: Felix Corpus Christi Rugby Football Club is Womens League and Co-ed League now Tryouts are free. Info: 939-7356. included these items must be received by Cornejo at 563-0079 or [email protected]. always looking for new players and practices accepting teams. Info: 549-0538 or 991-0356. Club Estates Adult Swim Instruction. noon on Friday. Items must be submitted or at www.eteamz.com/cbccyfl from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at Lessons available Tuesday and Thursday in writing, by fax (885-0535), e-mailed to Coastal Bend Corpus Christi Football MARTIAL ARTS the youth football fields at the corner of evenings. Info: 991-0402. [email protected] or mailed to: League is now holding registration for its first Adult Gung Fu: Ages 14+, offered Mon, McArdle and Everhart, with games at 2 p.m. PADI Open Water through Dive Master Caller-Times Sports, annual adult co-ed season. Entry for teams Wed and Fri at 7 p.m.. $65 / month. Info: Saturdays at Haas Middle School. Info: 877- Training. Open Water Scuba Certification $250 P.O. Box 9136, will be $400 for 6-8 game season. Games Weapons at Hand, 857-6983. 8575 or www.corpuschristirugby.org. includes use of equipment. Info: 229-3483. Corpus Christi, TX 78469.