Scenic Lake Piru was once again the site for the Piru Petroleum Club’s Annual Fishing Tournament. The 2008 edition celebrates the 11th annual hosting of this always-popular derby. This year’s event, held Saturday, September 6th, attracted 27 teams with two competitors per team. Proceeds from the tournament are dedicated to the annual scholarship fund the Club provides Santa Clara Valley students, including Piru, Fillmore and other parts of Ventura County.

Competitors launched their crafts or picked their favorite shoreline “hotspot” first thing in the morning, gathering the catches of the day for the 2 pm final weigh-in. Winners were designated in several categories, reflecting the range of fish we catch at Lake Piru, The categories and winners for this year were announced as follows: Bass: 1st Place: Greg Social & Jaime Schmidt (14 lbs. 11 oz.); 2nd Place Tony Ward & Ken Khor (12 lbs. 3 oz.); Trout: 1st Place: Ken “Punky” & Pam Preciado (4 lbs. 14 oz.); 2nd Place: Still swimming!; Pan Fish: 1st Place: Ellis Casner & Bruce Johnston (6 lbs. 5 oz.); 2nd Place: Nick Taminich Jr. & Juan Perez (1 lb. 4 oz.); (Included Crappie, Blue Gill, Red Ear, etc).

Catfish: Left to grow another year--fishing story of course!; After the weigh-in, anglers, families and friends gathered at the day camp site area on the north end of the Lake to enjoy tasty tri-tip with all the trimmings. The team of Gil and Cindy Escoto, Tim and Julie Lovelace, Richard and Christine Arias, Art and Peggy Escoto, Kelly Brown, Victor Piche, Terri McMahan, Pat and Sandy Casas with daughter Roxanne, and other helpers prepared this meaty barbecue meal.

In addition to the fishing competition, local industry and business groups donate great prizes for the incredible raffle held each year. This raffle attracts fisherman and locals to get in on the action. Prizes range from fishing gear such as poles, knives and tackle, to boom boxes, a pop-up canopy, beverage coolers, bar-b-ques, game sets and more.

Special thanks to this year's sponsors, which included: Ace Pump Testing; Cavin’s Oil Drilling; CD Lyons; Howard Supply; Excalibur Well Service Corp.; Julie Medina Avon; Ramon Medina, Century 21; National Oilwell Varco; Oilwell Service; PTS; Ventura Crane and Weatherford.

The Piru Petroleum Club is a non-profit organization based at Britt Park, located at the base of Torrey Mountain in Piru. This club has been in existence for many years, supporting the social, business and community needs in the Valley. Current officers are Gil Escoto, President; Pat Casas, Vice-President; Linda Edmonds, Secretary-Treasurer. The Board of Directors is made up of members from the industry and related enterprises. Social gatherings allow free flow of information and fellowship, and include twice monthly luncheons and once a month dinners, each month hosted by different board members and their companies. In addition to the annual scholarship, the Club supports a variety of local causes, including the Labor Day PiruFest.

For more information about Lake Piru Recreation Area, call the Lake Operators, Recreation Resource Management, at 805-521-1500.