Jonathan Chavez had good luck at Conchas Lake in July, winning the New Mexico Bass Nation Kayak series youth championship.
The Artesia High School senior returns to the lake this weekend hoping to add more hardware to his trophy case.
Chavez will compete in the New Mexico Bass Nation Kayak (NMBNK) Classic Championship set for Saturday, Sept. 26, at Ute Lake and Sunday, Sept. 27, at Conchas Lake. The lakes are in northeast New Mexico, not far from Tucumcari.
Anglers will cast their lines at 6:45 a.m. on both days of the competition with fishing scheduled to end at 3 p.m., according to the NMBNK website.
Awards will be presented at 4:30 p.m. Sunday.
Chavez, 18, is in his rookie season fishing from a kayak but he’s a veteran angler – he got his first taste of fishing when he was 2 years old.
It was a hot day at Conchas Lake when he won the kayak youth title July 18, Chavez said, but he’s expecting better conditions on Sunday.
“It will be cooler,” he said. “It was hot in July – the water temperature was very high and the fish were staying covered and very deep.”
The event will be NMBNK’s third at Conchas Lake this year.
“Conchas Lake is a great lake for fishing,” Chavez said. “It has a lot of bluff walls and drop-off (points) for the fish to cover in. It’s a great place to get outdoors and enjoy nature.”
Chavez ready for “family competition”
The youth champion credits his uncle, Anthony Barrera, with teaching him to fish from a kayak. Barrera is an Artesia native who now lives in Albuquerque and serves as NMBNK tournament director.
“I will be participating, and my hopes are to remind my nephews Matt and Johnny, I still got it,” Barrera said in a text message. “We have an internal competition going between the three of us.”
Jonathan’s brother Matt Chavez, 21, will participate in the uncle-nephew showdown this weekend
Jonathan is ready for the challenge.
“I’m hoping to win the tournament and beat my brother and my uncle just to prove I’m better,” he said.
Family rivalry aside, Jonathan said he’s grateful for his uncle’s help this season.
“I appreciate him and the opportunity and the support he’s given me,” Chavez said.
Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 extension-2361.
