IL. B.A.S.S. FED. NATION
It has been an interesting year for the Champaign-Urbana Federation Bass Club. Last year we qualified to fish the Club World Championship regional event, held this past August on Lake Erie, fishing against teams from Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Wisconsin. Obviously, most of those teams had an advantage as none of us on the team had ever experienced this type of fishing. While the team finished out of the running to make the national event, several of our guys did well individually. It was an experience not soon to be forgotten.
In May of this year, our club won its first ever state title in the 6-Man State Qualifier at Mill Creek. We had finished second and third before, but it was our first win. Leading the way and making the 12-Man Illinois State team for next year were Tim Hartman, Mark Loftis and Randy Keith. Mark and Randy had also qualified for the 12-Man team that fished this year, also on Lake Erie. I believe it was the first time that we have had three make it in one year and also was the first time we had anyone qualify two years in a row. To have two of them do that in the same year was indeed a great accomplishment.
In June we held our 7th annual Ron Ward Memorial Scholarship Tournament at Lake Shelbyville. While participation and sponsorship seems to be dwindling, we continue to strive to support the outstanding graduate students who are making black bass research their lives' work. We have now awarded over $34,000 in research scholarships in the first six years and will be awarding more at our awards banquet in January.
Our youth club (one of only two in the state) did well this year and fished in the Illinois State Youth Championships on Lake Vermilion in Danville. Charlie Taylor, Ray Dallas and I provided boats for several of the youth club events. It was truly a fun time and hope next year more guys from the club can attend.
I want to say that I am truly proud of the guys in the Champaign-Urbana Bass Club who have chosen to also join the Federation Nation club. We are the only club in the state who does so much for conservation and also has a youth club. This is the foundation of our organization that sets us apart from any other. While others give lip service to conservation and youth, we do something about it. More than any time in our history has conserving our resources and getting kids involved in fishing been more important than it is now. B.A.S.S. leads the way in the fight for clean water, youth programs and access rights. The latter fight is becoming a huge battle as court rulings have lately been angler unfriendly and will become a tremendous concern unless they are overturned. Anything worth having is worth fighting for and our organization will continue to fight for access rights and conservation principles. For those of you who haven't joined us, please keep these things in mind as you enjoy our great sport. We have your interest in mind as well as our own and could really use your support. We all love to fish and I'm proud to be part of an organization that intends to make sure this sport endures for generations to come.
In May of this year, our club won its first ever state title in the 6-Man State Qualifier at Mill Creek. We had finished second and third before, but it was our first win. Leading the way and making the 12-Man Illinois State team for next year were Tim Hartman, Mark Loftis and Randy Keith. Mark and Randy had also qualified for the 12-Man team that fished this year, also on Lake Erie. I believe it was the first time that we have had three make it in one year and also was the first time we had anyone qualify two years in a row. To have two of them do that in the same year was indeed a great accomplishment.
In June we held our 7th annual Ron Ward Memorial Scholarship Tournament at Lake Shelbyville. While participation and sponsorship seems to be dwindling, we continue to strive to support the outstanding graduate students who are making black bass research their lives' work. We have now awarded over $34,000 in research scholarships in the first six years and will be awarding more at our awards banquet in January.
Our youth club (one of only two in the state) did well this year and fished in the Illinois State Youth Championships on Lake Vermilion in Danville. Charlie Taylor, Ray Dallas and I provided boats for several of the youth club events. It was truly a fun time and hope next year more guys from the club can attend.
I want to say that I am truly proud of the guys in the Champaign-Urbana Bass Club who have chosen to also join the Federation Nation club. We are the only club in the state who does so much for conservation and also has a youth club. This is the foundation of our organization that sets us apart from any other. While others give lip service to conservation and youth, we do something about it. More than any time in our history has conserving our resources and getting kids involved in fishing been more important than it is now. B.A.S.S. leads the way in the fight for clean water, youth programs and access rights. The latter fight is becoming a huge battle as court rulings have lately been angler unfriendly and will become a tremendous concern unless they are overturned. Anything worth having is worth fighting for and our organization will continue to fight for access rights and conservation principles. For those of you who haven't joined us, please keep these things in mind as you enjoy our great sport. We have your interest in mind as well as our own and could really use your support. We all love to fish and I'm proud to be part of an organization that intends to make sure this sport endures for generations to come.
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