TBF Tour Anglers learning the ropes!

Bass Federation anglers Brian Travis and Craig Fredrychowski are learning more than just fishing while out on the FLW tour. In addition to spending a tremendous amount of time out on the water learning what it takes to become a touring professional angler, both of these young men are also learning the marketing end of the business by working the National Guard Fun Zone.

“Both of these anglers worked the TBF Booth at the Huntsville Tour event and just did a tremendous job” cited TBF Youth Programs Coordinator Mark Gintert. “I think they both realize that there is a lot more to professional fishing than just catching fish and they are working very hard to show sponsors that they have what it takes to represent any company or product. The fact that we have them working the TBF Booth is just a great bonus for us”.

If you want to see Brian and Craig in action plan on visiting the TBF Booth when the tour comes to your town. They will either be in the TBF Booth or up on the Big Stage cashing in on another payday.

Around The TBF – February 2009 Youth Newsletter

Sooner or later that snow and ice is going to melt and it’s going to be time to go fishing!!

I know many of you will be going to sport, boat and outdoor shows across the country and if your really lucky one of the FLW events is going to come to your town. If it does by all means please come to the event. It is truly one of the greatest shows in all fishing!!
 
Yesterday I had the opportunity to attend a FLW series event in Clewiston Florida and although it doesn’t have all the fan fare of a tour event it drew a great crowd to the Local Wal-Mart in Clewiston. One of the neat things about an event like this is the economic impact that it has on the local economy. A representative from the local bureau of tourism said that the annual event in Clewiston is the biggest economic boost that the city receives each year.
 
If a tour event is headed to your town it can also be a huge economic impact to your local club. This year the FLW has a new program that allows your adult or youth club to hand out free tickets to any and all of your friends and families. And here is the great thing, they will pay your club one dollar for every ticket that is turned in at the National Guard Fun Zone. That’s right; if you hand out 500 tickets and those people turn them in at the fun zone your club will receive $500 for their efforts!! Now that’s about as simple as it gets!! Talk about your economic stimulus!!!! If your club is interested in getting involved please contact me and I’ll get you the details on how to participate.
 
I’m also happy to report that our school program is starting to gain some momentum with our first couple of schools coming on board. With spring hopefully just around the corner were expecting more schools to come on board as the number of applications for our DVD is continuing to increase. Please remember this program just isn’t limited to schools. If you have a Boy/Girl Scout Troop, a Boys and Girls club or any organization that is looking to get kids involved in the outdoors drop me a note as this program can work for almost everyone. We’re also starting to lay the ground work for phase two of this program which will include a greater emphasis on conservation and aquatic education.
 
As the spring draws closer please remember to get your junior anglers signed up and plan your state qualifying tournaments. We would like to have all of these completed by early June if possible.
For those of you in the northern half of the country hang in there!!! Spring will be here soon!
Until next month don’t forget to take a kid fishing today!
                                                                                                Mark Gintert

Who Owns the Water?

By Dick Smith Conservation Director TBF New Hampshire

Answer: everyone . . . and equally.

The rivers, lakes, and most of the ponds in New Hampshire are held in the public trust by the state.

Many (not all) lakeshore property owners often feel that the lake is more “theirs” than the general public. They feel this way because of the high property taxes that they pay and the fact that their dock is placed in the public water. Listen, the lake is not valuable because they built a house on it’s shoreline . . . their house is more valuable because of the lake.

The reality is that there are potential positives and negatives when you choose to live adjacent to a public park. It makes no difference if that public park consists of grass or water. If you build or buy a house adjacent to a park with a ball field, you should not complain when the kids inadvertently hit a ball onto your front lawn. You should not be able to petition the selectmen or town manager to restrict the kids or other folks who are using the park. You should have known that the public would be using this park and that they might make some noise early in the morning or late in the evening.

If you build or buy a house adjacent to a lake, pond, or river, you should not be surprised that the general public wants at least reasonable access to what is their water. Some of us will want to launch our boats and start fishing at 5:00 AM – when we all know fishing is best. It is not right for a group of lakeshore property owners to be able to use their wealth and political influence to restrict how the general public can use the lake. If you put your dock into the public water, you should not be surprised when bass anglers that are fishing along a shoreline also fish the water your dock is in. Remember, that water, the aquatic vegetation, and the fish belong to everyone . . . equally.

Just because you are fortunate enough to own property adjacent to a lake does not give you the right to remove natural cover (like trees that have fallen into the water) or aquatic vegetation. These are very important parts of the fisheries habitat. Some lakeshore property owners don’t see it the same way as anglers or fisheries biologists. They view all aquatic vegetation as icky weeds that ought to be gotten rid of and don’t want them around their dock and “private” swim area. They would rather see “pristine” (and sterile) water because it is more pleasing to their eyes and increases the value of their lakeshore property.

Owning a house adjacent to the public water does not entitle you to put chemicals or fertilizers on your lawn and shrubs that can then leach into the water. It is your responsibility to make sure your septic system at least meets minimum standards.

Now, what are some of the responsibilities of the boating public? First, we must show courtesy and consideration for others who may be wanting to enjoy the lake or river too. We must make every effort to help keep the water clean and make sure the wake from our boat is not contributing to undue erosion. And please, after loading your boat onto the trailer, look around and pick up any trash that you see. That’s the New Hampshire way.

by Dick Smith Conservation Director TBF New Hampshire

ATLANTA to host $2.5 million FORREST Wood CUP IN 2010

ATLANTA (Dec. 16, 2008) – FLW Outdoors® and the State of Georgia, in conjunction with the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau and local authorities, announced Tuesday that Atlanta will play host to the world’s richest bass-fishing championship, the $2.5 million Forrest Wood Cup presented by BP and Castrol, Aug. 5-8, 2010, along with the National Guard Junior World Championship from Aug. 6-7, 2010.

The Forrest Wood Cup, bass fishing’s crown jewel, will be held on Lake Lanier, pitting the sport’s biggest names against one another for up to a $1 million top award.

“The Forrest Wood Cup is the largest fishing tournament in the country, and bringing this tournament to Georgia is exactly what I envisioned for the mega-ramps we are building as part of Go Fish,” said Governor Perdue. “This tournament will provide nationally televised exposure for our fishing resources, generate excitement about fishing in Georgia and provide a positive economic impact on our local communities.”

The historic 2007 Forrest Wood Cup in Hot Springs, Ark., where Scott Suggs became the sport’s first $1 million winner, drew a record crowd of more than 60,000 fans over the course of four days, and the 2008 Forrest Wood Cup in Columbia, S.C., earlier this year drew even larger crowds. The 2009 Forrest Wood Cup will be held in Pittsburgh, Pa.

“The Forrest Wood Cup is more than a championship tournament and an outdoor show,” said FLW Outdoors President and CEO Charlie Evans. “The Forrest Wood Cup is a weeklong festival that engages the entire community. Young anglers are able to showcase their talents in the National Guard Junior World Championship and up-and-coming professionals get to test their mettle against the sport’s legends. The Forrest Wood Cup showcases everything that makes bass fishing the greatest sport in the world, including the richest payout in all of fantasy sports, and we are honored to have Atlanta serve as host.”

The Forrest Wood Cup will feature a free Family Fun Zone and Outdoor Show at the Georgia World Congress Center with daily giveaways for children 14 and under. A new Ranger boat will also be given away to a member of the audience during the final weigh-in. Daily weigh-ins and a free concert will be held at the Georgia Dome.

Coverage of the Forrest Wood Cup is broadcast to 81 million FSN (Fox Sports Net) subscribers in the United States as part of the “FLW Outdoors” television program. “FLW Outdoors” is also broadcast in Canada on WFN (World Fishing Network) and to more than 429 million households in the United Kingdom, Europe, Russia, Australia, Africa, Asia and the Middle East through a distribution agreement with Matchroom Sport, making it the most widely distributed fishing program in the world. The program airs Sunday mornings at 11 Eastern time in most markets. Check local listings for times in your area.

FLW Outdoors, named after Forrest L. Wood, the legendary founder of Ranger Boats, is the largest fishing tournament organization in the world. In 2009 alone the organization is offering more than 90,000 anglers the chance to win over $40 million through 230 tournaments in 10 circuits. FLW Outdoors is also taking fishing mainstream with FLW Fantasy Fishing, offering the largest awards possible in the history of fantasy sports, $10 million in cash and prizes.

For more information about FLW Outdoors and its tournaments, visit FLWOutdoors.com or call (270) 252-1000. For more information about FLW Fantasy Fishing and Player’s Advantage, visit FantasyFishing.com. To plan your trip to Atlanta for the $2.5 million Forrest Wood Cup Aug. 5-8, 2010, go to Atlanta.net.