The Next MWBA Tournament

It’s May 20, at Badger Ramp, Windy Hill Recreation Area, Roosevelt Lake, Tonto National Forest (TNF). The mandatory Pre-Launch Meeting begins at 0400. The Tmx starts at Safelight. Flights return in 15-minute intervals, beginning at 1300 (1st Flight check-in time; the 1st Flight is the Weigh-In Crew).

Use of Badger Ramp and/or a Windy Hill campsite requires a TNF Permit. Your vehicle must display a valid Day Permit or an Overnight Permit for Wednesday Night to be legally parked in the Badger Ramp Lot on Wednesday after 1100. Permits may be purchased with a credit card at the Windy Hill entrance, which is close to the Hwy 188 turnoff to Windy Hill Road. The campground and ramp parking lot are patrolled regularly, so expect a ticket if your vehicle doesn’t display a valid Permit.

For non-campers, lodging is available at higher prices at the Roosevelt Resort Motel, Roosevelt Resort RV Park, Tonto Basin, Punkin Center Lodge and (a lightly used gem) Spring Creek Inn & RV Resort. The Roosevelt Lake Marina has a restaurant and a small store for groceries and fishing/camping related needs, but the gas station in Tonto Basin has a much better inventory of supplies and is generally cheaper.

Upsides to camping at Windy Hill: (1) It costs less. (2) It’s close to the Launch Ramp and the mandatory Pre-Launch Meeting. (3) You can be around other MWBA members, which facilitates telling lies and swapping information over communal campfires. (4) Bedbugs haven’t been reported by Windy Hill campers.