MD Conservation Director Starts Monofilament Recycling Program

TBF of Md Conservation Director poses with one of three Monofilament Recycling bins he and his Wife, Tanya, installed at Smallwood State Park
TBF of Md Conservation Director poses with one of three Monofilament Recycling bins he and his Wife, Tanya, installed at Smallwood State Park

5/1/11 – Drew Lofton became the Maryland Federation Conservation Director in March 2011, then attended the National Championship in April where he attended the TBF Conservation Meetings, led by TBF National Conservation Director, Mark Gintert. After attending, Lofton had some ideas for his Federation. The day he got back from the meetings, he told Gintert about his plan to start a monofilament  recycling program. He had noticed that tubes didn’t exist in alot of places where he fished. “I had previously lived in west Palm beach for about 5 yrs, and they are everywhere down there, so I thought what a great “first” project for our Federation”. 

Gintert told him about a program where BoatUS would donate the tubes, so the MD Federation didn’t have to spend alot of their own money to begin this project. BoatUS donated 20 pre-made recycling bins (about $1000.00 worth) to the TBF of MD. So far MD has only gotten “permission” to put them in 3 locations; the fuel dock at National Harbor (which will be hosting an FLW event in June), Smallwood State Park, and Fort Washington Marina. TBF National office sent TBF/FLW Partner in Fishing stickers to post near the tubes.

Lofton is in the midst of conducting a survey, with the help of the DNR on which ramps have recycling tubes, and which ones do not. “Ideally we would like to see one at EVERY boat ramp, and all the high fishing traffic areas,” Lofton said.

Pelletier Holds on to Win Overall 2011 Northwest Division Championship

Ten Anglers Qualify for 2012 TBF National Championship

Overall winner Renaud Pelletier

Overall winner Renaud Pelletier

Hood River, Oregon (4/29/11) – Weather conditions tested the best Northwest Division anglers on the final day of the 2011 Northwest Division Championship, presented by Cabela’s.

Local river knowledge and years of fishing experience paid off for Oregon Federation angler, Renaud Pelletier, for a wire-to-wire win in the TBF Northwest Divisional Championship. Renaud said that he had a great week of fishing. “The water level of the pool dropped 3 feet today and the fish I was targeting moved out to deeper water and would not bite the rattlebaits I was throwing earlier in the week,” Pelletier said. All of his fish today came on tubes and said he had to work for the bites. He fished all 3 days on the west end of the pool. He finishes the tournament with a 3-day total weight of 49-06. Continue reading

2011 Northwest Division Day 3 Morning Takeoff

Eric Lippincott - Wyoming

Eric Lippincott - Wyoming

Good spirits flow among the anglers to starts off day 3 of the Northwest Divisional in Hood River. Local weather forecast are calling for sustained winds throughout the day, which could hamper some anglers.

Pelletier continues to lead after Day 2 of the TBF Northwest Divisional Championship presented by Cabela’s

Day 2 leader still Renaud Pelletier with partner from Caldwell, ID Josh Carver

Hood River, Oregon (4/28/11) – After a calm morning of fishing, the West wind decided to appear in the afternoon in Hood River for the weigh-in of Day 2 of the Northwest Divisional Championship, presented by Cabela’s.

Renaud Pelletier continues to lead the tournament after 2 days of fishing on the Columbia River, with a total weight of 35 pounds 9 ounces. Water levels fluctuated all day causing anglers to adjust their fishing patterns to catch fish. Pelletier said that he had a great day of fishing again and credited his partner, Josh Carver of Idaho, with finding some good fish and helped both of them weigh in good limits of fish today. Pelletier said most of their fish came on tubes and rattlebaits today. Pelletier also said he fished some new areas and found some good fish for tomorrow. Continue reading