TBF Mid-Atlantic Divisional set for Lake Erie

PRESQUE ISLE BAY, Pa. — The Bass Federation 2008 Mid-Atlantic Divisional Championship will be held on Lake Erie in Presque Isle Bay, Pa., Sept. 24-26. As many as 84 competitors representing seven Mid-Atlantic Division areas – Delaware, Maryland, Nation’s Capitol, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia – are expected to compete in the tournament.

The public is invited to the Marina Launch at Presque State Park in Erie, Pa., to watch the takeoffs and weigh-ins at 6:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., respectively. Admission is free.

Anglers will compete both individually and as state teams in an effort to qualify for the prestigious 2009 TBF National Championship presented by the National Guard. The top three state teams will be awarded trophies and cash prizes. The angler with the heaviest three-day weight will also earn a $500 Walmart gift card as the Castrol Maximum Performer.

Each state team is made up of 12 anglers, and the top-finishing angler from each team will advance to the 2009 TBF National Championship presented by the National Guard as a boater. The No. 2 competitor from each state team will advance to the National Championship as a co-angler.

TBF National Championship anglers will compete for a share of more than $200,000 in cash and merchandise, including a $100,000 “Living the Dream” prize package with use of a wrapped Chevy truck and Ranger boat powered by Evinrude or Yamaha, sponsor merchandise and paid entry fees into the Walmart FLW Tour or Walmart FLW Series. The top boater and co-angler from each of the TBF’s six divisions at the National Championship will receive a berth into the $1 million BFL All-American presented by Chevy, where boaters compete for a top award of $140,000 and co-anglers cast for a top award of $70,000. The winning boater and co-angler at the TBF National Championship will also advance to the $2 million Forrest Wood Cup presented by BP/Castrol, where pros compete for a top award of $1 million and co-anglers fish for a top award of $50,000.

In TBF Divisional Championship competition, anglers are randomly paired each day and share control of the boat throughout the day.

Official practice for the TBF Mid-Atlantic Divisional Championship begins at daylight Sept. 21 and continues through 2 p.m. Sept. 23.

Coverage of the TBF National Championship will be broadcast to 81 million FSN (Fox Sports Net) subscribers in the United States as part of the “FLW Outdoors” television series. “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.

The Bass Federation Inc. (TBF) is owned by those it serves and is dedicated to the sport of fishing. TBF affiliated state federations and their member clubs conduct more than 20,000 fishing, youth and conservation events at the local level each year and have provided the foundation for the entire bass-fishing industry for more than 30 years. For more information about The Bass Federation, visit bassfederation.com or call (580) 765-9031.

FLW Outdoors, named after Forrest L. Wood, the legendary founder of Ranger Boats, is the largest fishing tournament organization in the world. In 2008 alone the organization is offering more than 90,000 anglers the chance to win over $40 million through 230 tournaments in 10 circuits targeting bass, walleye, redfish, kingfish and striped bass. FLW Outdoors is also taking fishing mainstream with the largest cash awards in the history of fantasy sports, $7.3 million.

TBF Junior World Champions crowned

Kyle Raymer and Lowell Turner III earned the titles of the National Guard Junior World Champions as the tournament concluded on Lake Monticello in Colombia, SC., today. The National Guard Junior World Championship awarded $42,000 in scholarships and grants to the six division championions in both age groups. These division champs each received a scholarship ranging from $5,000 to $1,000 dollars. Raymer and Turner will receive $5,000 in scholarship money and $1,000 in Berkley sponsorships. Both TBF junior champions were all smiles today as they walked away from the National Guard Junior World Championship on top of the pack.

LT General Clyde Vaughn was on hand to present the awards

LT General Clyde Vaughn was on hand to present the awards

Kyle Raymer had three fish today with a total weight of 3 lbs. 14 ounces. Kyle is a 17-year-old senior at Meade High School in Brandenburg, KY. He won the junior TBF state tournament, which qualified him to represent his division and state in the 15 to 18-year-old category at the National Guard Junior World Championship. “

Kyle Raymer

Kyle Raymer

My Dad is really my hero; he taught me how to fish and most everything I know. We fish together on my favorite lake, Kentucky Lake, a lot,” Kyle said. Also, he said he respects and likes all the professional anglers. “They’re all so down to earth and willing to listen and help you out.” Kyle expressed a desire to become a professional fisherman as well. “I know realistically becoming a pro will be tough, so I’m also planning on graduating from Eastern Kentucky University; I hear they have an awesome TBF college fishing club.” Kyle said he “dedicates all his time to fishing,” and it was his dedication and hard work that earned him the title of National Guard Junior World champion.

Lowell Turner III caught one fish today that weighed 7 lbs. 6 ounces. Lowell, 13, is from Bradford, RI., and he won the junior TBF state tournament, landing him a spot in the NGJWC. “I have been going fishing since I was two years old,” Lowell said. Lowell’s family was full of tearful emotion when he pulled out his fish; the biggest fish caught in the tournament. “I had one bite, on my fifth cast of the day, and it is by far the biggest fish I have ever caught!” Lowell was still a little shocked, and he was extremely excited to have won the World Champions title in the 11 to 14-year-old category.

Lowell Turner

Lowell Turner

All junior anglers fished with a FLW pro for both tournament days. Scott Martin from the National Guard professional staff fishing team was Kyle Raymer’s partner. Lowell Turner fished with Raymie Colson, who also fishes on the National Guard pro staff team.

Rounding out the top six anglers in the 15 to 18 age group are Ben Dziwulski of Woodbine, Md. (two fish, 2-2); Tyler Dennis of Shawnee, Okla. (one fish, 1-0); Broghan Cullen of Sun Prairie, Wis. (one fish, 0-15); Nathan Bromley of Albany, Ore.; and Nick Sampson of Gorham, Maine.

Rounding out the top six anglers in the 11 to 14 age group are Nikolas Autrey of Port Angeles, Wash. (five bass, 5-10) Johnny Schultz of Maumelle, Ark. (two fish, 1-13); Hamilton Brown of Plant City, Fla. (one fish, 1-8); Zach Whitten of Oceana W.Va. and Lucas Lindgren of Rush City, Minn.

THE DREAM HAS BEGUN!

TBF Living The Dream Angler Brian Travis – A TBF “Dream Come True”

Photo by Brett Carlson

Brian Travis

Brian Travis

The date was April 26, 2008. Brian Travis, a TBF angler from Conover, NC. And the North Carolina TBF Bass Federation had just finished weigh-in in at the 2008 Federation National Championship. Travis had just won the event, the $100,000.00 prize package; The cash, and TBF Living the Dream package that goes with it.

Every sports fan and human being for that matter has had a dream at one time or the other. Everyone should “dream” of a goal to achieve, fame and fortune, to be the best at whatever you do, is something that everyone should strive for. Travis set himself upon that path last April. By winning that event, Travis will not only fish as a full time, fully sponsored, Pro on the FLW Tour in 2009, but secured a spot in this years $2 million dollar Forrest Wood Cup.

That’s where we are at now, here in Columbia, South Carolina, among thousands of fishing fans, watching a TBF angler. Travis is a guy just like you, who loves to fish as much as he can, who has a family and a full time job, who fished his way through his local club and his state, and earned the right to live his dream. The dream of tens of thousands of grassroots anglers nationwide.

Travis, is fishing well, very well, and has made the top ten final cut, he is on Lake Murray fishing right now, competing in the first of two final days, for a very real shot at THE title in all of bass fishing. The title of “2008 Forrest Wood Cup Champion”, and his share of the richest tournament payout in fishing history that goes with it.

Call it a “Cinderella story”, “rags to riches”, call it whatever you want. Brian Travis has put himself into a position to win it all……and if he does not catch another fish, (which he will), he is living his dream, and the dreams of thousands just like him.

Whatever it is, live your dreams.

You can follow Brian live today and tomorrow starting at 5pm by watching the weigh-in on flwoutdoors.com or FLWLIVE.com

If you are anywhere near Columbia, SC. The best advice is, get here, dreams are coming true.

Lake Winnipesaukee to host TBF Eastern Divisional

Seven state teams to compete Sept. 17-19

CENTER HARBOR, N.H. — The Bass Federation 2008 Eastern Divisional Championship will be held on Lake Winnipesaukee in Center Harbor, N.H., Sept. 17-19. As many as 84 competitors representing seven Eastern Division states – Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Virginia and West Virginia – are expected to compete in the tournament.

The public is invited to the Silver Sands Marina located in Gilford, N.H., to watch the takeoffs and weigh-ins at 6:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., respectively. Admission is free.

Anglers will compete both individually and as state teams in an effort to qualify for the prestigious 2009 TBF National Championship presented by the National Guard. The top three state teams will be awarded trophies and cash prizes. The angler with the heaviest three-day weight will also earn a $500 Wal-Mart gift card as the Castrol Maximum Performer.

Each state team is made up of 12 anglers, and the top-finishing angler from each team will advance to the 2009 TBF National Championship presented by the National Guard as a boater. The No. 2 competitor from each state team will advance to the National Championship as a co-angler.

TBF National Championship anglers will compete for a share of more than $200,000 in cash and merchandise, including a $100,000 “Living the Dream” prize package with use of a wrapped Chevy truck and Ranger boat powered by Evinrude or Yamaha, sponsor merchandise and paid entry fees into the Wal-Mart FLW Tour or Wal-Mart FLW Series. The top boater and co-angler from each of the TBF’s six divisions at the National Championship will receive a berth into the $1 million BFL All-American presented by Chevy, where boaters compete for a top award of $140,000 and co-anglers cast for a top award of $70,000. The winning boater and co-angler at the TBF National Championship will also advance to the $2 million Forrest Wood Cup presented by BP/Castrol, where pros compete for a top award of $1 million and co-anglers fish for a top award of $50,000.

In TBF Divisional Championship competition, anglers are randomly paired each day and share control of the boat throughout the day.

Official practice for the TBF Eastern Divisional Championship begins at daylight Sept. 14 and continues through 2 p.m. Sept. 16.

Coverage of the TBF National Championship will be broadcast to 81 million FSN (Fox Sports Net) subscribers in the United States as part of the “FLW Outdoors” television series. “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.

The Bass Federation Inc. (TBF) is owned by those it serves and is dedicated to the sport of fishing. TBF affiliated state federations and their member clubs conduct more than 20,000 fishing, youth and conservation events at the local level each year and have provided the foundation for the entire bass-fishing industry for more than 30 years. For more information about The Bass Federation, visit bassfederation.com or call (580) 765-9031.

FLW Outdoors, named after Forrest L. Wood, the legendary founder of Ranger Boats, is the largest fishing tournament organization in the world. In 2008 alone the organization is offering more than 90,000 anglers the chance to win over $40 million through 230 tournaments in 10 circuits targeting bass, walleye, redfish, kingfish and striped bass. FLW Outdoors is also taking fishing mainstream with the largest cash awards in the history of fantasy sports, $7.3 million.