Green Water Wizards

05/28/2026

A Bass Times cover from Jan/Feb 1984 featuring a photo of some Junior Wizard members from a 1983 event. I believe it was the Tri-Cities Youth Derby we ran that year. Also a write up of the junior club from tournaments just for junior club members. Great fishing families like Ogar, Greska, Kline, Jones, Jaynes.

05/26/2026

Part 3 and final post remembering Green Water Wizard Peter Yurkenas. The 1985 NY Invitational 1000 Islands Clayton NY was Pete's last B.A.S.S. National event. Although he finished 179th out of 300 anglers, he still represented well. Jimmy Houston won this event, with Mickey Bruce in 2nd, Cliff Craft in 3rd, Roland Martin in 4th, and Harold Allen in 5th. Other notables were Denny Brauer in 7th and New York and Alexandria Bay legend Dick Garlock in 8th. I had the opportunity myself to fish with Jimmy Houston and Harold Allen over the years. Allen, from TX, finished as Classic runner up a couple of times. Other notable anglers included Herb Reed of CT in 13th and fellow Green Water Wizard great, John Greska, who finished just ahead of Pete in 171st, and Fellow MA great Larry Allard.

More important than Pete's tournament exploits was his love of fishing passed down to his family and the youth anglers of the day.

Peter proudly served his country in the US Coast Guard and was recognized throughout his service. He was also commended by the Massachusetts House of representatives for single-handedly saving four youths on Lake Quinsigamond, earning the Treasury Department’s highest lifesaving award and bronze medals from the Humane Society of Massachusetts. Pete certainly left his mark on society and may he rest in peace. Again, our condolences to his family.

05/26/2026

Obituary for past Green Water Wizard Peter Yurkenas

View Peter A. Yurkenas's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

05/26/2026

Part 2 Remembering Green Waters Pete Yurkenas.
1984 Hudson River Invitational out of Catskill, NY.
Pete finished a very respectable 55th out of nearly 300 anglers. This event was won by none other than Roland Martin. Larry Williams was 2nd, Larry Nixon in 3rd, 4th-Rick Clunn, and 5th was Mickey Bruce. In 8th was Connecticut's own Herb "Slug-Go" Reed. Richard "Dick" Garlock of NY finished in 9th. Dick was a well known Alexandria Bay angler who passed away in 2019 at the age of 90 having competed in tournaments until the age of 88. He fished in various Northeast trails over the years. Other historic New England all time great anglers Larry Allard of MA finished in 23rd, CT's Jim Kane was 33rd, and MA angler Bob Pastick one upped Pete finishing in 54th. Other notable MA anglers competing in this event were Dean Martin and Joe Pulitano.

05/26/2026

More on Green Water Wizards Pete Yurkenas who passed away last week. Pete competed in the 1981 North Carolina Invitational East Albemarle Sound finishing 45th out of near 250 anglers. That event was won by Basil Bacon. 2nd was Rick Clunn, 3rd was Larry Nixon, 4th was Guy Eaker, 5th was Ricky Green,6th Roland Martin, 7th Jack "Do nothing Rig"Chancellor, and 8th Gary Klein.
A who's who of national bass fishing were all mostly near the top. Pete finished higher than a lot of
big names including Jimmy Houston, Bo Dowden, Charlie Campbell, Jerry Rhyne, Cliff Craft, Forrest Wood, Charlie Ingram, Randy Fife, and Paul Elias. Other MA anglers competing here were Bob Pastick, Larry Allard, and Green Waters own Bill Wright. Pete bested them all this day. I'll send out results of Pete's other 2 BASS national events he competed in as we remember him.

05/25/2026

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Peter Yurkenas, a long-time club member and Green Water legend from approximately 1980 to 1990. Pete was 83. Pete was instrumental in the growth of bass fishing in the Northeast. He was the owner of Fleet Marine, a Ranger & Fisher Marine Boat dealer in Worcester on Lake Quinsigamond. He supported our annual club open for years, held out of his marina, as well as federation events. He supported youth fishing as a club member as well. He fished in at least 3 BASS invitationals over the years, competing against the nation's best fishermen. Pete will be sorely missed. As soon as obituary info is available we will pass it along.

05/24/2026

All members - if you have artwork made by John Ogar Sr. please text or respond this post with a photo of it.

Thanks

05/03/2026

Happy Birthday
Johnny
🎣🐟🦌🍹

05/02/2026

Happy Birthday
Pete Bradley
🎣🦌🍻

03/15/2026

Very sad news, former member Bob Dipersio has passed, he and his sons were great friends of many of the long time members of the club. RIP Bob