Documentation for the much talked-about 22-pound,

4-ounce largemouth bass, caught from Japan’s Lake Biwa in July, has arrived into the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) headquarters for world record recognition.

This past Monday, the IGFA — the 70-year old non-profit fisheries conservation, education and record-keeping body — received the application for the largemouth bass caught July 2 by Manabu Kurita, 32, of Aichi, Japan. 

IGFA rules for fish caught outside the U.S. allow anglers 90 days to submit their applications from the date of their catch.

IGFA conservation director Jason Schratwieser said the World All-Tackle application is currently under review after it was received through the Japan Game Fish Association.

“We still have a number of questions to ask them and Kurita regarding local laws and the area he caught it in while he was trolling through a canal on the lake,” said Schratwieser.  “We hope to make an announcement in three to four weeks.”

Kurita’s fish would tie the current record held for over 77 years by George Perry, caught on Georgia’s Montgomery Lake, June 2, 1932, near Jacksonville, Georgia.

Creek to Bay Cleanup Day in Napa County

This Saturday, Sept. 19, is the annual Creek to Bay Cleanup Day in Napa County’s waterways.

This is a great opportunity to help make our rivers, streams and lakes more habitable and appealing to the fish, wildlife and people of our community, and help sustain them for future generations.

At last year’s event, more than six tons of trash and recyclables were hauled away from the various sites, thanks to the efforts of nearly 600 volunteers.

This year, volunteers are asked to help with the cause at 10 different sites throughout the county.

If you would like to help, there is no need to register in advance — just show up at 9 a.m. at any of the locations below: 

Napa

• Riverside Drive, at end of Elm St.

• South Wetlands, south end of Jefferson St.

• Kennedy Park, near boat launch

• Butler Bridge, end of Soscol Ferry Rd.

• Napa River Trail, between Trancas St. and Lincoln Ave.

• Vintage High School, behind cafeteria

• Behind Fire Fighters Museum, 1201 Main St.

Yountville

• Napa River Eco Reserve, Yountville Crossroad

American Canyon

• Call Lou Leet at 647-4521 for details.

Lake Berryessa

• Call Carol Kunze of Berryessa Trails and Conservation at 966-5211 for details.

Large groups are asked to check in with the event coordinator, Stephanie Turnipseed, to find out where their help is needed most.

She can be reached at 252-4188, ext. 111 or steph@naparcd.org.

Kids are welcome at many of the sites.

Volunteers are asked to bring sunscreen, clothing that can get dirty, and your own water bottle (water will be available).

Everything else will be provided, including light refreshments.

You will be asked to sign a liability waiver. 

More information is available at the Napa County Resource Conservation District’s Web site, naparcd.org/

Coastalcleanup09.html

This event is part of the 25th annual California Coastal Cleanup Day, a statewide effort to clean trash and debris from California’s coast, bays, creeks, rivers, and lakes.

It’s also part of International Coastal Cleanup Day, when thousands of volunteers in all 50 states and 90 countries take part in the largest waterway and beach cleanup of the year.

Guy Carl is a CPA and partner with BDCo Accountants and Advisors in St. Helena (www.bdcocpa.com). Contact Guy at GC.outdoors@sbcglobal.net.