Mark Sunday, June 1, on Your Calendars

That's the date of the 13th annual Steve Gambill Cancer Classic to be held, as usual, at West Landing Marina in Virginia Beach.

Tournament hours in the Bass Only Division are 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Only artificial baits are allowed, and the costs are $25 per adult (plus $5 launch fee), $15 per child (age 15 and under).

Tournament hours in the Open & Junior Divisions are 6:15 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. Those fishing from boats can weigh bass (12-inch minimum), crappie and catfish, while those fishing from shore at the marina can weigh in whatever they catch. Costs are $25 per adult (plus $5 launch fee for those fishing from boats), $15 per child (age 15 and under). Juniors compete only against other juniors, and only the first child pays--the second is free.

All participants must abide by the following rules:

     * Everyone in the same boat must be in the same division.
     * Life preservers must be worn when the big motor is running.
     * Bass must be a minimum of 12 inches (14 inches if caught in North Carolina), and there's a 4-oz. penalty for dead fish.
     * If you weigh a short fish, you'll lose the weight of the short fish and your largest fish.
     * There's a 5-fish limit per boat in the Bass Only Division and a 5-fish limit per person in the Open & Junior Divisions.
     * Live bait is allowed only in the Open Division.
     * You must return to the marina to weigh in by 2 p.m. for the Bass Only Division and 2:15 p.m. for the Open Division.
     * You must have your registration packet to weigh in.
     * All other state regulations apply.

Pre-registration for the Cancer Classic opened April 28th and ends May 29th. To receive a participant certificate, however, you must have pre-registered by May 25th. If you haven't already registered, do so now by calling Chris Vitovich (8 a.m. to 5 p.m ., Monday through Friday) at 512-6837 or 468-0972. You also can register online at www.cancerclassic.org. And, of course, last-minute registrations still will be taken tournament day at West Landing Marina, starting at 5 a.m.

Registration date and time will determine the order of blastoff. And Chris further tells me that Wayne Hayes once again has agreed to serve as weighmaster for the event.

Remember, all proceeds from this tournament go to the American Cancer Society. Over the past 12 years, the Steve Gambill Cancer Classic has raised $124,000. Meanwhile, 1st-, 2nd- and 3rd-place tournament winners in each division receive trophies.

Don't forget, too, that the tournament is only part of the day's fun. There's also a family picnic that follows from 3 to 5 p.m. So plan now to come and stay awhile, and help Chris honor his late best fishin' buddy, Steve Gambill (pictured left), with another highly successful event. You'll be glad that you did because, after all, what better feeling is there than knowing you've done the right thing by your fellow man?