National JR World Championship

                August 4^th and 5^th 2007

We arrived Thursday at noon and were greeted by Mark Gintert, the National Youth Director, at Little Rock Airport. Next, we went to a restaurant and had lunch before boarding a coach bus. The bus brought us to the Austin Hotel in Hot Springs.

            The entire group checked in at around three o’clock. Shortly after we walked up the street to a restaurant named “The Brick House” for dinner. Norm and I headed up to Central Avenue to check out the famous Hot Springs and Old Bath Houses. We found an assortment of historical details and several fountain areas, which capture the hot mineral spring water. The locals bottle the spring water in plastic jugs and bring it home for drinking.

            Friday morning the group met for breakfast and had various seminars and meetings. After pairings, rules and equipment preparation was completed we were able to check out the “fun-zone” and sponsor booths. There were too many sponsors to mention all of them.

            We had lunch and dinner with family, contestants and even with the Pro’s and guest speakers joining in. Later Friday evening, around five o’clock, the weigh-in for the FLW Cup began. There was a sense of high energy and excitement with all the sponsor motivation.

            Early Saturday morning, the entire group and families were bused to Lake Hamilton. We all had breakfast and met with pros before boarding the boats. After the National Anthem and prayers we took off! The juniors finished at 12:30 p.m. and when they came back in it was very hot outside. There was a large cook-out for all and the weigh-in began. Hank Parker and Robert Cartlidge were the weigh masters and they made it very interesting. Gabe Keefe got two but both were short. Kyle Demeritt brought in a spot 1-1 lbs. and finished second for eastern division, Best of  luck and success at UVM this fall. We were all bused back to the FLW weigh- in stage where all the kids were brought on stage and recognized.

            After Pro’s weigh- in the kids, families, and youth directors had a wild pizza party energized by the National Guard Pro Staff Team. Jimmy Houston and Hank Parker were the judges for the human banana splits. The kids poured whip cream, chocolate sauce and sprinkles all over the youth directors.

            The Presidents dinner was going on in a separate hall. This dinner was a bit fancier, as roast beef and stuffed chicken was served. A General of the National Guard, Dave Simmons, of FLW, Charlie Evan’s, CEO of FLW, and Robert Cartlidge, President of the TBF all spoke and gave their perception of the direction we will be heading in. All men were dressed more formally. I finally got to bed at about 10 p.m. on Saturday night.

            Sunday the top 12 kids went back to Lake Hamilton for the final day of fishing. After the FLW Cup weigh in was at about 1:30 p.m. The Youth Directors and Presidents had meetings until noon. After we had lunch on our own, were able to explore hot springs, and check out the show until 3:30 p.m. The Kids went up on stage for a live weigh- in and there was a full house. It was an awesome event. Tracey Byrd sang for an hour  and then the weigh in started. Forest Wood, Irwin Jacobs, Hank Parker, Mayor BeBee and two National Guard Generals were there to speak. Charlie Evans was the weigh master and the top 10 Pros were brought in. There was an unbelievable light show and introduction for the guys. In the end, Scott Suggs received a check for $1,000,000.00 and the Forest L. Wood Cup. I was able to see and pick up the trophy before the weigh- in and it was heavy. After this, Scott went to the (give away Z-20) boat and picked out a name. A Mom of one of the Jr. Anglers from Arkansas won!

            Irwin Jacobs announced that next year a fan, either in the audience or at home, will win $1,000,000.00 at the FLW Cup and an Angler.

            This was a fun week that left us with no time to twiddle our thumbs. It was inspiring to see the great efforts and rewards for the sport of fishing.

                                                                                    Tim Austin

                                                                                    Vermont State Youth Director