Ivan Nelson Veterans Fishing Classic 2019 – Bartlett Lake Marina August 25th
The Time Is Here
You Don’t Want To Miss This One
60 Boats & 60 Veterans
Saturday August 24, 2019
South Cove Open 1 PM For Participant Overnight Camping & Parking – Just A Short Walk To Main Ramp
Bartlett Lake Restaurant “The Last Stop” Open Until 8 PM
Sunday August 25, 2019
Boats Launch Approximately 5:30 AM From Main Ramp
(You will need a Tonto Parking Pass to park here.)
Just Look For Bass Junkyz
There will be lots of activity here Sunday Morning.
Bring A Smile Media Is Expected
Don McDowell Radio Show Broadcast Live 7 – 9 AM
Weigh-In Begins 11 AM At Main Ramp
Coast Guard Auxiliary Band
Poston Butte AFJROTC Cadets
Award Ceremony And Lunch Follow Weigh-In
Hale’s Marine Provided A Service Boat
Display Booths At Main (Restaurant) Parking Area
Arizona Boating & Watersports
Arizona Color Wrap
Kokopelli Trailers
VFW Information Trailer
Pairing Dinner – August 17, 2019
Whether you are participating in the event or not please visit us at Bartlett Lake. The scenery is beautiful, the restaurant is great and of course they have boats available for your enjoyment.
Inspired by Uriah Owsley – Kokopelli Trailers.
Kokopelli – Your Home Town Trailer Manufacturer
Made Possible by Don McDowell and all of our wonderful sponsors. Please see the great list below. Don’s knowledge and years of experience have made it possible for him to select the great group of people below for their experience and expertise in putting together this great event.
These people have given generously of their time, money and resources to make this event a truly memorable fishing experience for anglers and veterans alike.
What Is ‘Fish-Net Working’?
It’s A Community Coming Together To Fish And Remember
Veterans, pro anglers, businesses, and supporters join in honoring the late Ivan Nelson.
By Carol L. Allen and Event Supporters
Editor’s Note: The information in this article reflects what is available at press time. Please visit Ivan Nelson Veterans Fishing Classic for updated, current information.
“Networking” is the exchange of information and ideas among people with a common profession or special interest, usually in an informal social setting. In this case, I call it “fish-net working”.
Let me tell you why.
It all began with a fine man named Ivan Nelson. He served on the USS Patrick Henry submarine during the Viet Nam Conflict. Later, stateside, Ivan was an eight-year Past Commander of the American Legion, Scottsdale Post 115; an active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the Scottsdale Elks, and a supporter of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV).
And, he loved to fish!
In fact, he and his wife Carol had been planning a three-month-plus vacation in their RV to many of the cool lakes in the Southwest first, then traveling on to do some fishing in the Northwest.
The couple made it as far as Woods Canyon Lake, Ariz. Then, suddenly, on June 9, 2019, Ivan died. This sad and traumatic turn of events was the beginning of this story. (A side note here is that there were 15 campers at the lake who came immediately to help Carol, and one even gave her a new, large American flag to cover her husband as he was carried away.)
There was a beautiful and significant memorial service for Ivan at the Scottsdale Elks, and at that life celebration on June 29, the Commander of VFW Post 3513 Jeff Jones and the Vice President of their Auxiliary Jim Allen made an announcement, one that surely would have made Ivan very happy: In his honor, the Ivan Nelson Veterans Fishing Classic would be planned.
The focus will be on pairing pro and experienced bass anglers with both non-ambulatory and ambulatory veterans to give them the opportunity to enjoy some time on the water and to fish in a competition.
Which brings us to now and the fish-net working that has been incredible. In addition to the VFW and Kokopelli Trailers, Don McDowell Outdoors (formerly Shake, Rattle, and Troll radio) has enlisted many in the bass-fishing community to help with the event. Joining them are the Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 10-11, the Junior Air Force ROTC AZ-201717 cadets from San Tan Valley, Ariz., and other sponsors and supporters listed below.
Who:
In addition to the planners, supporters, sponsors, pro anglers and veterans, two key participants are Carol Nelson, Ivan’s wife, who will present the winning trophy, and Tom Cole of the VFW Post 3513, who will be the event chaplain. In addition, a vital person to this event is Uriah Owsley and Matt Ringer, owners of Kokopelli Trailers, who are donating a custom-built bass-boat trailer for the raffle that will support the San Diego tuna-fishing prizes.
What:
The inaugural Ivan Nelson Fishing Classic will be on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019 with launching at 4 a.m. and fishing from 5 a.m.-10 a.m at Bartlett Lake. A lunch will follow.
When:
The fishing event will be held on Sunday, Aug. 25, and the Pairing Dinner (for the vets and the 
pro anglers) will be at VFW Post 3513 on Saturday, Aug. 17. (It is highly recommended that those who commit to fish commit also to the Pairing Dinner as the veterans and their pro anglers will be teamed up at that time.)
Where:
The event venue will be on Bartlett Lake, Ariz.
(Many thanks to the Church family for always being ready to help with a good cause.)
Why:
Ivan Nelson was a staunch supporter of our country and our veterans. We are proud to be able to continue to support his memory with this fishing tournament for many years to come. Hence this will be the Ivan Nelson Veterans Fishing Classic. The main purpose of this event will be to provide ambulatory and non-ambulatory veterans without boats a chance to spend a day on the water, fishing in a real tournament. Of course, all are expected to have a good time as well.
How:
Veterans, whether seasoned fishermen/women or complete amateurs, will be paired with professional anglers and shown the tips and tricks of being a productive angler. Fishing gear and tackle will be provided, but participants are welcome to bring their own. The Arizona Game and Fish Department will provide a one-day pass for the veterans. This will be a no-cost event and all veterans are welcome.
The tournament will consist of a 5 a.m. start and 10 a.m. finish. Each team will catch five fish (13-inch minimum) with a limit of two from the pro angler (two-fish rule for pros) and three from the veteran (three-fish rule for vets). (Note: At press time, event rules are still being worked out and will be posted in the near future.) The top five teams will receive an additional paid fishing excursion based out of San Diego, Calif., on the Malahani, in September.
Partners
Adventure idiaz
A & M Graphics
Airtime Cooling and Heating
100 BPS Crankbaits
From Bass Pro Shops
Arizona Boating & Watersports
Arizona Color Wrap
Arizona Game & Fish Department
Arizona High School Bass Nation
Arizona Custom Baits
Bartlett Lake Marina – Bryan Church
The Church family has gone above and beyond to make their great facilities available to this event. They are staunch supporters of our veterans.
Bass Junkyz – Tim Price
Can’t say enough good about Tim Price. He and his organization are bringing years of experience and expertise to this event. Thank you.
Boomstick Custom Baits
Casa Veterans Administration
Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 10-11
Tom Judd – Deptartment Commander
Mark Short – Department Surgeon
Carol and I have had the privlilege of working with Flotilla 10-11 for all the years we have been in
c Townsend
Desert Sportsmen
Daiichi Hooks
Elusions Escape Rooms
Florida Boating & Watersports
Ironwood Cancer & Research Centers
Junior ROTC, San Tan Valley, AZ
Kokopelli Trailers – Uriah Owsley
Malihini Sportfishing – San Diego
Mustang Survival
Rim Country Custom Rods
Spirit Electronics
Starfire Golf Club
Vet Tix
The VFW is a Congressionally Chartered non-profit veterans organization. It’s Post members are Veterans of Foreign Wars that take pride in supporting fellow veterans in need and their families. Our motto is “We Honor the Dead by Serving the Living.” We are also actively involved in improving our community and direct involvement always has been and will continue to be a VFW priority.
VFW District – Joe Dora – District Commander and Commander Post 720
VFW 3513 – Jeff Jones, Commander – Tom Kendra, Quartermaster
Jeff and Tom have spent countless hours bringing a group of veterans together for this event. Thank you both for all you do.
Dorothy Callaway – President
Jim Allen – Senior Vice-President
Western Outdoor Times
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