Welcome back, Swinging Bridge

$10,000 payout guaranteed in bass tournament

WHEN: Saturday, July 19 from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Register by Monday, July 14.

WHERE: Swinging Bridge Reservoir, Mongaup Valley, NY.

COST: $100 per boat for one or two anglers.

CONTACT: allianceenergy.us

MONGAUP VALLEY, NY — For more than two years, Swinging Bridge Reservoir stood almost empty, pending ongoing dam repairs. It reopened last summer, and now its new owner, Alliance Energy Renewables, LLC plans a boffo welcome-back party in the form of a charity open bass fishing tournament on Saturday, July 19. The company is guaranteeing a $10,000 total payout in prizes. First Bassmasters of Sullivan County will co-sponsor the event.

“This tournament celebrates the value and significance of Swinging Bridge Reservoir to local anglers,” said Nick Glenney, Alliance’s tournament director.

The tournament is open to all interested anglers 18 years and older. All bass caught must be maintained in live wells to be released following the tournament.

Boats will be launched from both the Swinging Bridge Marina and Starlight Marina on Starlight Road. The tournament will run from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Registration and check-in will be from 4:30 a.m. until 6:30 a.m. Weigh-in will take place at 3:00 p.m. at the Swinging Bridge Marina, with awards to immediately follow.

To protect public safety, there will be no water skiing or jet skiing on the reservoir on July 19.

The first-place prize of $6,000, second-place prize of $3,000 and third place prize of $1,000 will be awarded for the highest total weight for five fish per boat. A lunker pool will provide a prize for single largest fish. Trophies will also be awarded for the highest weight for individual fish.

Registration forms and tournament rules are found on the Alliance Energy web site at www.allianceenergy.us. Fees include $100 per boat for one or two anglers, and an optional $10 per boat to contribute to the lunker pool, payable to Alliance Energy Charity Open. Advance registrations and fees should be post-marked no later than midnight, July 14, mailed to Alliance Energy Charity Open, PO Box 412, Jamesville, NY 13078. Boat launch fees will be collected by the marinas on the day of the event.

Registration fees will be donated to the Felix Organization Adoptees for Children, which supports children in the foster care system, providing opportunities and experiences.

For more information about Felix, visit adopteesforchildren.org .