Representing the spearfishing community in the Rocky Mountain Region since 2008

2015 Fresh Water Nationals – Keyhole Reservoir, WY
Click here for more information regarding the 2015 US Fresh Water Nationals – PDF

Recap – 2014 Fresh Water Nationals – Pierre South Dakota
WHERE THE BUFFALO SWIM
2014 FRESH WATER
NATIONALS
Fort Pierre South Dakota was the most significant fur trade/military fort on
the western American frontier. SD is also know for mount Rushmore, the
Sioux Indian Nation, and large herds of free roaming buffalo,that can
weight over 2000 pounds. Ever spear a 2000 pound buffalo? Better bring a
big gun.
South Dakota has the Missouri river running down through the middle
of the state and with it, lots of dams creating very large lakes.
These water ways are know for there sports fish: Salmon, walleye, trout,
paddle fish, sturgeon, striped bass, large & small mouth bass, catfish,
crappie…
This area is also known for its large abundance of of rough fish, non
indigenous fish, that devour most of the food source of the lake. Buffalo,
carp, drum and suckers to name a few.
For this Nationals teams came in from around the Nation: Hi, Ca, Co, Mo,
Wy, Ut, Kn,…. Most scouted for 2-4 days but the Hawaiian’s really stepped
it up again and with a few extra days of scouting taught even the locals
some lessons. 15 teams with 2 divers per team, dove for 2 long days to
claim this championship. But after the first day it appear the meet was over.
The Hawaiian team of Calvin and Hana had shot so many fish, and many
were big Buffalo, that they had to bring them to the weight in table with a
tractors bucket. Many great scores were registered this first day, but
shooting a hundred pounds in fish was not going win this meet. Day #2 was
much more even and Team Fishlips with Mike and Don from Mo got a
much needed jump on Team Hawaii. But in the end it was all Hawaii as
they held on to win 1030 points to 850 points. Top individual was Calvin
with 604 points and big fish for the meet a 30 pound buffalo, Team fishlips
from Missouri, Don and Mike got second place team. Team Imersion Mike
and Kelston McGuire of Colorado took 3rd and got large game fish 7.4
Catfish, and 4th went to a Father Daughter team, Lucas and Texi Herrick
from Wyoming. They also won the most species award. This was there first
nationals hunting together.
For many of us just getting a chance to dive with our kids and share such
a great sport is well worth the long drive. I invite everyone this next year to
get a friend involved in our sport and help keep it alive. Everyone is
welcome to dive in our fresh water meets all summer long. Each year we
try to pick a new fun unique place to host the next Fresh Water Nationals
Meet. These different parts of our beautiful country give you a chance to
experience new divers, fish and water unlike anywhere else. And the giant
Buffalo Carp of South Dakota are a great example. New divers thrive in
these conditions as they will shoot more fish in a day then they could in a
years worth of diving in most places. So get those new friends and family
involved this next and dive, the fresh.
No Salt, No Surf, No Sharks, come dive for fun in the fresh water.
DIVE FRESH
A big thanks to all our sponsors and Steamboat Skin & Scuba for another
great Nationals.
2015 Fresh Water Nationals are planned for Keyhole Wyoming June 5-6
2016 is planned for Beaver Lake, Arkansa
Watch the RMSA web page for details: www.rockymountainspearfishing.org
MM