2008 Jr
World National Championship in Columbia, South Carolina
We arrived in Columbia with temps in the low 70s and were promptly brought to the Courtyard hotel. We Checked in and headed to the “meet and greet” where you say your Hellos and let the TBF staff know you have arrived OK. I shared a room with Paul Jagmann, youth director from the Wisconsin Bass Federation. Thursday morning we were bused to the launch at Lake Murray to see the Pros take off. We returned for registration, Ben Seaman, 11-14 age champion and Daniel Infurna, 15-18 age champion were loaded up with products from all the sponsors, like Solar Bats sun glasses and a Ranger jacket. After a seminar on some helpful items we had lunch followed by pairing, rules, and tackle preparation. The family fun zone opened up and two massive floors of sponsors booths, products and tackle suppliers were open to the public. We watched the weigh- in, for the pros first day of the FLW Cup, and show at the stadium which have very comfortable seats and a powerful air conditioning system, it was hot and muggy outside now.
Competition, day 1 for the juniors. Off to Lake Monticello to meet up
with the Pro captins. Load, Launch,
prayer and National Anthem. It is take off time. 39 boats, calm water and
overcast conditions keep it comfortable for the day.
Unfortunately they did not draw water for power generation and it made
for slow fishing and disappointing
stage presentation for some kids. As always some were more fortunate and caught
enough to move on to the final day. Norm White and I stayed and worked the “bag
and bucket” portion of the fish handling process for day 2 of the FLW Cup weigh-
in. By far, bigger bags can in from Lake Murray. Micheal Bennet is now leading,
and the TBF hopeful Brian Travis is in 5th place. “WHOO- AHH”
7:00 pm, Pizza party time, hosted by Jimmy Houston, Hank Parker and the
entire National Guard Fishing Team. WOW, there is no sign of disappointment or
sorrow in the air. The kids are wound up and wild. Games and prizes were none
stop until 10:00 pm. Parents and youth directors were all kids again themselves.
We all were hoarse from chanting “WHOO -AHH” at the top of our lungs. Thousands
of dollars in Wal-Mart gift cards, BP gas cards, IPOD
Nanos, Lowrance GPS units, Berkley baits, line, rod and reels. Everyone
got something! It was now time for bed, Morning would come very fast.
The top 12 junior anglers headed back to Monticello for the final day of
competition. Youth directors wrapped up with a positive meeting and a great
presentation from Mark Gintert, the national youth manager. It felt good to know
our had work has almost doubled the amount of youth members in the last two
years. I can’t wait to share the knowledge I obtained with the club youth
directors back home.
The
Final day proved to be as tough as the first for the Jr anglers,Lowell Turner
from Bradford Rhode Island brings in a lone fish that weighed 6lbs 14oz. The
crowd is on their feet and his Mother is now bawling. He caught the giant with a
rattle trap, something not normally thrown when finesse fishing!
At
dinner with the Infurna’s (Patrick ,Daniel and father Larry)we told lots of
fishing stories and crazy things from our pasts and had lots of laughs.
Sunday
morning, I say my good byes to the other Youth directors and Ben Seaman's Dad
,Murray. He said they may check out the Zoo before they leave.
The
program is getting stronger and You can see the benefit of the TBF/FLW
relationship and the good things that are happening.
We are
seeing former Youth anglers now boating for today's Jr anglers, These are the
young adults that are making a difference.
Tim Austin
Vermont State Youth director