Updating with TBF and FLW Outdoors is now easier than EVER!

 “No Hassle” and as easy as 1,2,3!

Club Presidents and Secretaries get registered with our online system if you are not already, it will make your life much easier!

TBF members spoke and TBF has listened. One-Stop Renewals for BOTH TBF and FLW Outdoors; It’s Simple and Loaded with Benefits!!.

“It Pays To Belong To TBF!”As most of you are aware, every state federation, by vote of the state presidents’ council, agreed to maintain as close to 100% DUAL TBF and FLW Outdoors membership as possible. All the FLW Outdoors members who are NOT TBF members, are paying $35 FLW Outdoors membership, while TBF members have paid $25. On Jan. 1, 2010, the limited time offer expires and FLW Outdoors dues will equalize at $35 for all. TBF national dues will of course stay the same at $15.

Many have asked for a way to update BOTH their TBF and FLW Outdoors dues at once. Now you can with no more hassle, or multiple membership renewals. Finally, one-stop renewing for both TBF & FLW Outdoors membership through your home club and the TBF Online Roster Management System!

For regular TBF Members, all future FLW memberships will be updated through your club online. When clubs submit each member’s $15 National TBF dues, they’ll update FLW membership on the same invoice. (Unless you’re a TBF Premium member…See #2 below) Simple and no more worries! This means, if you are a TBF member, FLW Outdoors will not accept payment for your FLW dues. It MUST be paid through your TBF club.

TBF Regular 1-year membership

Step 1. Your club administrator will log into our system, (for login info. call, 580.765.9031), and click on the “Membership Update” tab, then click on the “Dues Estimate” button. This generates a word document with ALL members on your club roster, active or not, and gives you a line item invoice of how much they owe in dues and if they are choosing a paper or electronicdownloadable FLW Outdoors magazine! Simple and easy! Print it out and take it to your next club meeting to collect the correct amount!

Step 2. After collecting dues, log back into the system and generate an INVOICE. There is a drop down where you select which form of magazine each member wants as well. Once you’ve done it you’ll see how easy it is. If you need help just give us a call. Next, submit a matching check with the invoice to the address on the invoice, which your state federation has already set up.

Step3. Enjoy a year’s worth of worry free, hassle free, fishing knowing you are updated, your dues are paid, your insurance is in full force, your preferred magazine is on its way and your member benefits are in place!

Frequently Asked Questions, (FAQ’s)

I called FLW Outdoors and they said I had to join through TBF? YES, FLW Outdoors will not sell a membership to a TBF member, (with a few exceptions) their system “talks” to our system and identifies TBF members as such. All TBF members now update through our online system, through their club roster.

What if I’m already paid up and active with FLW Outdoors for multiple years or maybe I’m one of the few FLW life members? Our system will not charge you dues until the year they expire.

My FLW Outdoors membership doesn’t expire until April 1, 2010 do I have to pay for a full year? NO, our system will pro-rate what is left of your 2010 FLW Outdoors membership and only charge you for the months up to Dec 31, 2010, until you are on a calendar year like everyone else.

I used to be able to buy a 2 or 3 year “discounted” FLW Outdoors membership? Can we still do that? No, FLW Outdoors no longer sells a DISCOUNTED 2 or 3 year membership.

If you have a problem, call the national office at 580.765.9031

2. TBF Premium membership

TBF has made 2, 3 & 5 year, value-added memberships (NOT discounted memberships) the members have requested. TBF Premium members include BOTH the $15 TBF dues and the full $35 FLW Outdoors for every year of the premium membership, as well as, many more benefits. The basic premises of premium level membership are the benefits attached, if used, will actually save time and money! TBF is willing to guarantee that or your money back. You can enjoy deep discounts in the new TBF Online Store (opening Nov. 1) and numerous vendors using the ‘AccessMember’ card. Also, premium members won’t have to renew every year! SAVE money guaranteed! Check it out at www.bassfederation.com; click the Premium Membership link.

Now that dual membership is as easy as joining your club, here is another CHOICE for you.

What do you do with all your old FLW Outdoors Magazines? Are you like most of us and simply put them in a stack to collect dust? Or maybe you throw them in the trash after they’ve been read or keep them in a box, just in case? Maybe you donate them to a group home or a youth program for others to enjoy. Or maybe you’d like to “store” them for later but don’t have the place or space. Well, beginning in 2010, you have another option.

– Printed or Electronic!

It’s your choice. The system will DEFAULT to PRINTED. If you want to keep a printed copy, that’s fine! You have your own reason why that’s good for you. Just make sure your club administrator knows so he/she can mark it when updating your roster. But,…for the rest; here are a few advantages of having it delivered right to your computer!

Get news faster…and worldwide! Now you don’t have to wait on snail mail to get your magazine. You’ll get the exact same thing by email, instantly!

GO GREEN! NO more magazines in the corner collecting dust after only one reading! Conservation is one of TBF’s core values. You can get the same info, but without the paper. Save paper, save trees! Green is “In.” Now your old issues don’t have to end up in landfills or collect dust on your tables! But, they are saved safely on your computer!

Easy Access – FLW Outdoor’s electronic version will be available on FLWOutdoors.com 24/7. Also, you can save the *pdf file to your computer, take it anywhere on a laptop, print out a page you want to save, and look back at old issues any time. Also, you don’t have to tear your house upside down, or worry someone threw it away!

What this means for club presidents/secretaries – When updating your roster, there’s an option to choose for each member. IT WILL DEFAULT TO PRINTED. If you choose Electronic for a member, they must have an email address in our system. FLW will be notified by TBF which they request, and will send FLW Outdoor’s Magazine the way they want it!

If you have questions or concerns, feel free to contact us at 580.765.9031 or tbf@bassfederation.com

Wounded Warrior Bass Fishing Experience

On Sunday, September 27, 2009, volunteers from several regional bass fishing clubs conducted the Wounded Warrior Bass Fishing Experience on the Chickahominy River.

Warrior Sgt E5 Thomas Johnson w/ Chip McDonough (Rgn 8)

Warrior Sgt E5 Thomas Johnson w/ Chip McDonough (Rgn 8)

This event was held for a very special group of military service men and women assigned to the Army Wounded Warrior Program at Fort Eustis. This program specializes in assisting the severely wounded, injured and ill

Soldiers who are recovering from an injury or illness resulting from their service in the Global War on Terrorism.

Each participant was treated to a day on the river guided by a seasoned Region 8, Virginia Bass TBF Chapter Federation Angler and was followed by a picnic and social at the Chickahominy Riverfront Park.

Although the day started in a driving rain, spirits were not the least bit dampened. By mid-morning with the weather clearing the fishing improved and several Warriors boated their first largemouth bass. The days fishing activity ended with a bass fishing tournament style weigh-in for each Warriors largest fish of the day.

Sergeant Keith Beatty, hometown – Beaver Falls PA, joyfully received the Big Fish Award for his 3.75 pound largemouth bass. Virginia Bass TBF Chapter Federation members and local bass fishing club volunteers provide thousands of hours of their time each year to host youth, handicap and conservation activities throughout the state.

Warrior- Sgt E5 Keith Beatty receives Big Fish Award from Rgn 8 event coordinator John Flicek

Warrior- Sgt E5 Keith Beatty receives Big Fish Award from Rgn 8 event coordinator John Flicek

This event was made possible through the efforts of volunteers from the 5-Rivers BassMasters, Eastern Virginia Bass Anglers, NASA-Langley Bassmasters, Nottoway River Bass Masters, Peninsula Bass Anglers, Tidewater Bass Anglers and the following sponsors that provided either goods or services in support of this event: The Wright Bait Company, James City County Parks and Recreation,Target, The Bass Federation(TBF), FLW Outdoors, Hooker Bait and Tackle, Strike King Lures, Bass Pro Shop, The Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES), Pepsi, Green Top Sporting Goods, and Trophy World Inc. of Newport News.

As Americans, we all greatly appreciate the service and sacrifices of our military service personnel. It was our pleasure to serve those who serve us so well.

Robby Fleshman and West Virginia win titles

Morgantown, WV – September 25, 2009

Robby Fleshman was the only angler to weigh in two limits of bass during TBF Mid-Atlantic Division Championship

Robby Fleshman

Robby Fleshman

three day event in Morgantown, West Virginia. On today’s final day he was only able to manage 1 keeper and the disappointment was obvious on his face when he came to the scales.

He thought he had let his biggest opportunity of his fishing career slip through his fingers. Little did he know at that particular time that his one fish would be enough to secure the Division Champions title and earn him his spot in the 2010 TBF Federation National Championship, Presented by the National Guard…it did exactly that.

Fleshman squeaked through based on his first two days limits of bass to become the 2009 Mid-Atlantic Division Champion and the Castrol Maximum Performer award bonus winner. His total catch of 13 pounds even was caught primarily on crankbaits over the three day event, he simply covered a lot of ground and made as many casts as

Fleshman Wins

Fleshman Wins

possible until he got bit. Fleshman anchored the West Virginia team to back to back division titles as the West Virginia 12 man team finished on top with 76-15.We will see if they can make it three in a row at next year’s Mid-Atlantic Division Championship hosted by Maryland.

Some would say West Virginia had a “home lake” advantage ….that was simply not true, especially this week. Any time you fish a event on your “home lake” it can be very tough to win but this week the Monongahela river was anything but normal. There were several things working against the anglers here on the “Mon.” For one the river is normally “dingy” but it is very clear right now. 2. Fall is coming fast and the fish are in transition between their seasonal patterns. 3.There is normally current and this week there was none.

These three things combined to push the bait fish out away from the banks into the middle of the river, where the suspended bass would simply lay in wait and feed at will, then suspend again. Fishing was brutally tough on the championship anglers.

WV Champs

WV Champs

Finishing up in second place overall with 10.09 and leading the Pennsylvania team, who also finished in second place in the team standings with 67-03, was Jeff Miller. Miller led the entire event on day one based on his limit of bass, on day 2 he managed four fish and day 3 only one fish. But he did it all as a non-boater out of someone else’s boat and of course a new partner every day. Another West Virginia angler, Willie Adkins, Jr. finished in third place overall and will advance as the West Virginia Co-angler for finishing second on their team, to the 2010 TBF Federation National Championship Presented by the National Guard. He was only two ounces back of Miller with 10-07.

Here is the full list of the 14 anglers who will advance to the 2010 Championship in Knoxville Tennessee April 22-25.

Nations Capitol Federation

Ed Loughran 8/8 8-14 Angler

Tim Cameron 7/7 8-04 Co-Angler

Delaware

Amos Dixon 6/6 8-06 Angler

Marlon Algier 5/5 6-05 Co-Angler

Maryland

Donald Muir 4/4 5-10 Angler

John Uhler 4/4 5-03 Co-Angler

New Jersey

Ron Schneider 8/8 8-09 Angler

Chris Oeser 6/6 8-09 Co-Angler

Pennsylvania

Jeff Miller 10/9 10-09 Angler

Matt Hartman 7/7 7-10 Co-Angler

Virginia

Damien McMahon 10/10 10-03 Angler….(NOT PICTURED)

Kenneth Owens 7/7 8-06 Co-Angler

West Virginia

Robby Fleshman 11/11 13-00 Angler

Willie Adkins Jr. 10/10 10-07 Co-Angler

2010 TBF National Championship Contenders

2010 TBF National Championship Contenders

West Virginia leads but locked in a battle with Pennsylvania, Robby Fleshman Takes Command

Robby Fleshman

Robby Fleshman

Morgantown, WV. – September 24, 2009. The state standings are shaping up to be a two way race for the division champions title and a 5 way race for everything else. Pennsylvania led the first day but West Virginia overtook them today, they are locked in a battle for first place with only 7 ounces between them. West Virginia who is the defending Champions from 2008 finished with 51.03 and Pennsylvania had 50.12, tomorrow’s final day will tell the story is West Virginia can win back to back division titles. New Jersey moved up today and is holding down the third place slot with 35-09.

West Virginia angler Robby Fleshman, was the only angler to weigh in a limit both days of competit

ion and is leading the individual overall division champion’s race. His two day total is 11-08. IF he weighs a limit tomorrow he might be tough to beat. Fleshman was closed lipped about what he is doing as the bite is tough and every ounce will count here this week. Sitting in second place was yesterday leader Jeff Miller who slipped one spot to finish with 9-04. Willie Adkins form West Virginia caught 3 today that moved him into the number three spot at 7.07. Eric Heil and Damien McMahon rounded out the top five with 7.06 and 6.13 respectively.

Matt Hartman

Matt Hartman

The only other limit caught today (besides Fleshman’s) was captured by 18 year old PA angler Matt Hartman. Matt just fished the 2009 National Guard Junior Angler World Championship through the TBF ranks, and then turned around and qualified through the adult ranks to fish with the Pennsylvania state team, he obviously is an angler to watch in the coming years and today he bested 82 other older more experienced championship qualifiers today with a 5.02 limit that moved him up into 7th overall and 3rd on the PA team. Never in the Federations 40 year history has a junior angler qualified for both the National Guard Junior Angler World Championship and the TBF Federation National Championship, Presented by The National Guard in the same year, we will see tomorrow!

Final day weigh in begins at the Ruby Hazel Park in downtown Morgantown, WV. It is free to the public.