New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung from New Braunfels, Texas • Page 10

Wednesday, July 28,1 Herald-Zeitung Sports Page 10 Traveling with the Texas Angler Keith Warren Hydrilla is going to be around a while ocated on the Guadalupe River in the city of New Braunfels lies Lake Dunlap. Recently, the fishing has improved, at least compared to this time last year. Not only good catches of catfish and crappie zre being reported, but bass fishing is picking up as well. Hydrilla is now growing in numerous areas of the lake along the river banks in water up to 10 feet deep. This grass is wonderful fish habitat for all species.

It serves as additional cover for small and large fish. Tne water clarity around the hydrilla is unusually clear and fish of all sizes can be easily seen finding sanctuary in the new growth. Fishermen are ex died to see the hydrlila. Other reservoirs around country that have great fishing have this type of vegetation. Just nive Lake Dunlap a cou- pk of yjars hyarilia and i look oui.

the fishing will be ulous. I Bu: t'tKK UK problems that this hyurilit causing. Some wrrers are conipiainiru; thai tiie hydriiia is limiting and even restricting access to their boat docks and ssurne areas of the hike. Texas Parks; Wildlife and the Guadaiupe Blanco River Authority ate aware of the problem and I've spoken to them about it. They are also aware that hydrilla is good for the fishery.

The problem is how to make everyone happy. Fishermen don't want the hydrilla removed, and some property owners care nothing about fishing, and consequently don't want this vegetation. Certain problems exist when you try to remove the hydrilla. First off, cost. Where will the money come from and how much will it cost? I've been told that funds would be needed to be raised from property owners because Texas Parks Wildlife and GBRA don't have funds for this project.

Only about 15-20 acres of hydrilla are in the lake. It is very spotty in most areas. Spraying of this grass with herbicides cannot guarantee it will get rid of it. Also, herbicides are not selective, meaning any coontail grass or other underwater grass growing under the surface could be killed as well. Because Dunlap is a river, the current makes it more difficult to precisely kill the grass.

Even if the grass is successfully sprayed, it will regrow. Also, once herbicides are used, there cannot be any swimming for at least 24 hours. Fish caught during this time cannot be consumed for a period of three days. Signs would need to be posted and who would be responsible if a problem occurred? There are many problems that this space allows me to cover. Also, there are other solutions that would keep the hydrilla under control, such as mechanical harvesters But once again, who will pay for this? My opinion is that the hydriila See WARREN Page 12 Life is but a dream Herald-Zaitung photo by JOHN HUSETH Members of the Olympic Festival rowing team find It hard to concentrate while Canoeing and kayaking gets underway Wednesday, with sprint practices at 9 a struggling to maintain form during Tuesday's rowing competition at Canyon Lake, at the lake and Whitewater practices at 10 a.m.on the Guadalupe River.

Lanee's Line; 11211111 Olympian has sailing competition all but sewn up By RICHARD TUERINA Sports Editor CANYON LAKE There are only three women younger than her in the women's sailboard competition, but 23-year old Lanee Butler is wise beyond her years. She is anything but a dinosaur in this sport, but Butler's experience has told the tale thus far in the 1993 U.S. Olympic Festival. Now it's put her just two races away from a gold medal. Tnrough eight races, Butler has lost only once.

Her total of nine points puts her 27 ahead of second place Melissa Spoerke in the low-point competition, and she should win her third Festival gold medal barring any unforeseen events in the women's field of 16. "There's a pretty big difference (in points) between me and Melissa, so I'll play it conservative Wednesday," Butler said "If I finish in the top five or 10 in the last two races, I'll be OK." But finishing fifth or 1 Oth in a race is not Butler's style, although she did come home from the 1992 Summer Olympics with fifth place. Still, she performed better in Barcelona than even she thought she would The experience she gained there has been evident on the sometimes tranquil, sometimes inconsistent waters of Canyon Lake. "In this type of sport, the more experience you have, the better," she said. "Now I understand the sport better.

If I get off to a bad start, I know it's not over until it's over and I don't give up. I've had experience in racing against some of the world's best girls. Once you just get to the Olympics, you can handle the pressure." Pressure treated Lanee Butler like an old friend Wednesday. In the third race, Spoerke came from behind and nearly beat her. Butler took the early lead in the race as Spoerke remained in the back of the pack.

FESTIVAL FACTS The races In sailing and dinghy going Into today's final races at Canyon Lake: EUROPEAN DINGHY LHaberland 213111 (9) 2. Logan 121272 (15) 3. Graham 552744 (27) MEN'S SAILBOARD 1. Marinkovic 3 5 8 5 1 2 4 1 (29) 2. Somnitz 81412763 (32) 3.

Smith 103624128(36) WOMEN'S SAILBOARD 1. Butier 2. Spoerke 3. Elyar 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 (9) 924224211(36) 49145582 (38) CANYON LAKE. A GUADALUPE RIVER 1993 US OLYMPIC FESTIVAL July 23-Aug.

1 pj Herald-Zeitung photo by JOHN HUSETH Lanee Butler and her signature Body Glove Mistral sailboard are two races away from a gold medal. Butler, who finished fifth In Barcelona, has come In first place In all but one of her eight races so far. But heading toward the last buoy, Spoerke's sail found a sudden gust of wind. Then in 10th place, she blew by the rest of the field to remain neck and neck with Butler. However, race rules called for Spoerke to yield right of way to Butler heading for home, and Butler was able to maneuver inside of her angle.

The two battled to the finish line, but Butler finished just ahead. "Anyone from behind can pass you easily," Butler said. "This is a really tricky course. It can change so quickly and you just have to hope you're in the right place at the right time. This is one of the hardest courses I've ever sailed." Many courses remain to be conquered by Butler, who says she has her eyes set on the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia.

Her first Festival was in 1989 in North Carolina. She finished 12th in that one, but has since won a total of two golds and three silvers. She should have Gold No. 3 on Wednesday. But "should" is a powerful word, Butler said.

She knows better than to take the last two races for granted. "The people who have never had that experience of going to the Olympics, of winning Festivals, it makes them hungrier," Butler said. "You know in the back of your head who's favored and who's not favored. They don't give out 10 gold medals, only one. But anything can happen in a race.

That's what makes this sport so exciting." She has only been racing since 1985, but Lanae Butler can draw from invaluable experience if she runs into trouble. She is like a streetsmart prize fighter still in his prime. Even the town she hails from Aliso Viejo, California tells of her experience. "Viejo" in Spanish means "old." Lanee Butler can hardly be called old, but her Olympic experience is making all the difference on Canyon Lake. New Braunfels Diamonds qualify for national slowpitch championships By RICHARD TUERINA Sports Editor The New Braunfels Diamonds 10-and-under slow pitch softball team qualified already have qualified for the national tournament.

Now all they have to do is eliminate their favorite way of losing games. Throughout the tournament season, New Braunfels has fallen victim to numerous close losses, usually in the form of one-run games. They'll try to put that streak to an end when they travel to the Pony League National Championships, to be held in Round Rock August 5-8. Close to 50 teams from around the, country will be competing in the round robin tournament. Tournament officials will conduct a drawing August 4 to determine slots for brackets and play times.

This is the first time a 10-and-under slow- pitch team from New Braunfels has qualified for the national championships. The Diamonds did it by placing sixth last weekend in the state tournament held in Castroville. Sports Bulletins Quotable NB football tickets New Braunfels season football ticket holders may practice their option from August 9-August 19. The remaining tickets will be open to the public starting August 20. The last day to purchase season tickets will be August 27.

Hours are from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Adult prices are $25, students $10. NB football practices New Braunfels High School will be issuing equipment for senior, juniors and sophomores on the morning of August 4, from 8-9 a.m. with its first two-a-day workout immediately following. Those who will be issued equipment should be at the field house as close to 8 a.m.

as possible. Some players may need a physical. Freshmen equipment will be issued August 12 from 4-6 p.m. The first freshmen practice will be August 13 at 4 p.m. All incoming freshmen must have a physical before they can practice, and they should have arrangements for one taken care of before August 12.

For more information, call the field house at 625-5713. Senior Center workouts Everyone is welcome at the Senior Center for exercise programs. Programs run twices a week, on Mondays and Fridays from 9:45 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. The programs are fun low impact classes designed to get and keep participants in shape while feeling good.

For more information, call Patty at 629-5627. Austin Skiers The Austin- Skiers hold their monthly meeting August 10 at the Hilton North in Austin. For more information, call 335-3662. "I ain't got no quarrel with them Viet Cong." Muhammed All..