A day in the life of TWO NGJWC Anglers

My 2009 National Guard World Jr. Championship

The 2009 NGJWC was an amazing experience I will never forget. I learned so much while I was there. I really appreciated the seminar on how to market your self for sponsorships. It was loaded with information that I really needed and that will definitely help me out in trying to get my career in fishing started. All of the pros who showed up were great. They were extremely friendly and didn’t mind taking time to talk to the juniors and to teach them a thing or to while they did. The National Guard did a great job in planning out our days for us. We always had activities to do to keep us busy, and I really enjoyed that.

The tournament was very well organized and very fun. My National Guard pro was the best. He lived in the same state as me so we got along just great. We talked about the local lakes and got along just great, it was like talking to a friend. He taught me a lot while I was with him about all kinds of things, I was like a sponge on his boat that day. I would really like to thank Clifford Perch for a wonderful day on the water. The weigh in was awesome.

Hank Parker was great, any nerves I had walking up on that stage went away when I started talking to him. He treated everyone like they were a pro and knew just as much as he did, it was great. The crowd was awesome and cheered for everyone and made everyone feel like a winner. I will never forget walking on that stage and talking to Hank Parker about my day on the water in a tournament like that.

The Pizza Party was probably the best pizza party I have ever been to. I don’t think I have ever laughed that hard in my life it was amazing. The National Guard really put a lot of time and thought into that party and it showed. They had the crowd roaring and the kids all excited waiting for their names to get called to join in on the games. Jimmy Huston was a great guest speaker at the party and made everyone feel great about their self for making it as far as they did even if they didn’t make the cut. I would like to give a huge thanks to the National Guard for throwing the best pizza party ever!

The final day was exciting. Watching all of those who made the cut was awesome. Everyone was anticipating the final weigh in. It was a great weigh in and very fun to just watch let alone be in.

When we all got the chance to walk across the big stage at Mellon Arena in front of the crowd everyone was excited and nervous. It was awesome hearing the announcer say your name over the loud speaker and hear the crowd cheer. I will never forget my experience at the 2009 NGJWC! Thanks to all who put it on and put their own time into it!

Thank you.

Corey DeLaGrange

Phoenix Jr. Bassmaster’s

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The Bartlett tournament for State Championship made me very nervous, but excited. I knew where the fish were and when I came in for weigh-in, I found out that I was the only one with a 5 fish limit and the closest other angler had 2 fish. I weighted in 5 fish for a total weight of 7.16lbs. It was then that I realized that I had made Nationals and I was going to Pittsburg, PA. I could not believe I had to wait till July to go and compete.

After arriving in Pittsburg, we had a day or two to rest up before all the exciting events of the Championship was to begin. On Thursday morning at five a.m. we got onto the trolleys that took us out to the Forest L. Wood Cup launch. I got to meet all of the top pros such as Brent Eyler , Mike Iaconelli , and Ish Monroe, who signed my Ranger Boats sweatshirt. I also got to meet all the National Guard Pro’s who were all extremely nice and welcoming.

As soon as we had gotten back from the launch, we had registration which we got to go around in a big room and collect free things donated from all of the sponsors. That was super cool!! Afterwards, we attended a couple of meetings that taught us how to speak in front of crowds , keep fish alive in the live well, and also got a lesson on the new depth finder that is coming out soon. Later that night we went to the ice cream social, which we got delicious desserts and were able to meet our partner that we would be fishing with on the first day.

Waking up at 4 a.m., we drove down to Kittanning for the first day of fishing. The fishing was extremely tough throughout the whole day so a lot of people did not bring in any fish. I happened to luck in to two nice keepers which won me the Western State Division Championship and I got to go to the second day of fishing. After the weigh-in, all of the division champions got to ride back together and were told all of the rules that we needed to follow for the following day. Once we got back to the hotel, we were taken straight into a meeting with our parents that told us what the parents should do and shouldn’t do for the next day. Later that night, we got our sponsored shirts to wear and mine was Lowrance it was awesome

At the end of our day we got to have some time to hang out at the pizza party which I got to meet Hank Parker, Forrest L. Wood and Jimmy Houston. I got to talk to Jimmy Houston who asked me how my day was and I told him that I caught two nice keepers. So at the party when it was his turn to talk, he mentioned my name and had me stand up to say that I had caught two good fish. They had a lot of fun games such as chubby bunny, and throw cheeses puffs at kids that had whip cream on there face. We got a lot of pizza and it was really really loud and extremely fun.

The next morning we woke up at 4 am to go fishing we got treated really well and got to ride in a stretched hummer. When we arrived there took a couple of pictures and got a really good biscuit and a bottle of OJ. Then we prayed, sang the national anthem and then we were off. The day was full of little fish but no keepers for me but the weigh in was at 1:00 and I never gave up and at 12:33 I caught a keeper that weighed 1.2 pounds. When I got to the stage I found out that I got third in the nation I was really surprised. I also got sponsored by Berkley! (Thank-you Tami and Berkley) a dream come true.

I had never been to the FLW National Guard Junior Championship before, but after going this year I know how much effort and hard work went into this event. I had so much fun and was treated like a real pro that I am now going to try and make it next year. I want to thank my dad for all his hard work in helping me get to nationals. I want to also thank my state director, Wayne Kukral and youth director, Curtis De la Grange in the great work they do to help out our club. I would also like to Thank Steve at Southwest Boats for our club sponsorship and awesome fishing shirt. Also Mike McFarland from Choice Fishing Adventures for all his valuable advice. And last but definitely not least FLW, the National Guard Pro-anglers, FLW Pro-anglers, Berkley.

Tight Lines,

Shane Edgar

Eckert and Messer are World Champions

Win their age group in the 2009 National Guard TBF Junior World Championship

$42,000 in scholarships and Berkley product grants awarded

01.Aug.2009

PITTSBURGH – Zack Messer of Aiken, S.C., won the 15 to 18 age bracket and Daryk Eckert of Stockport, Ohio, won the 11 to 14 age bracket in the National Guard Junior World Championship on the Allegheny River in Pittsburgh. Held in conjunction with the $2 million Forrest Wood Cup presented by BP and Castrol, the National Guard Junior World Championship awarded $42,000 in scholarships and Berkley youth-program product grants.

Messer, from The Bass Federation’s Western division, and representing the state of Idaho, won the 15 to 18 age group with five bass weighing 6 pounds, 7 ounces. A sack of fish any one of the FLW tour pros fishing just one lock down would have been proud to have. He also managed the day big bass prize…….the National Guard Pizza Party CUP! The “Pizza Party Cup” was money donated by the angler’s parents and guests at the night before’s National Guard Pizza Party by fishing icon Hank Parker. In total over $500.00 cash was stuffed down inside the “Pizza Party Cup” !

Messer started tournament fishing three years ago when a friend brought him to a tournament in Idaho, he placed second in his first tournament and was hooked. “Fishing with pro Chip Harrison on day one and Team National Guard pro Tim Klinger today was an honor and a thrill,” said Messer.

The other division champions in the 15 to 18 age group who continued competition today were Patrick Infurna of Fairhaven, Vt., eastern division, (one fish, 1-4); Tyler Kleeb of Lincoln, Neb., central division, (one fish, 0-12); Matt Hartman of Fredericksburg, Pa., Mid-Atlantic Division, (zero fish, 0-0); Cody Harris of Grant Blanc, Mich., Northern Division (zero fish, 0-0) and Dayton Jones of Hopkinsville, Ky., Southern Division (zero fish, 0-0).

Daryk Eckert of Stockport, Ohio, won the 11-14 age bracket in the National Guard TBF Junior World Championship. Eckert represents the TBF’s Northern division and the State of Ohio. He won his World Champions title with three bass weighing 2 pounds, 12 ounces.

Eckert was pretty nervous going into today’s final round of the tournament but after hearing that only three other youth anglers in his age bracket bagged fish, Eckert going into the weigh-in said he felt pretty good about his three-bass catch. He and Messer fished from the same boat; before take-off they discussed what baits to use and areas that should be fished. “Working together paid off for us,” said Eckert. Both youth have river fishing experience but were not used to the faster waters that flow through the Allegheny in Pittsburgh.

The other anglers in the 11 to 14 age group who competed in the final day today where; Representing the eastern division, Andrew Roberts of Plattsburgh, N.Y. (one fish, 1-7); Shane Edgar of Glendale, Ariz. represented the western division with (one fish, 1-2); Matt Hasenfratz of Ponca City, Okla., central division (one fish, 0-12); Kendall Seitz of Hickory, N.C., southern division, (one fish, 0-0); and Ian Alston of Windsor Mill, Md., Mid-Atlantic Division, (three fish, 0-0).

The junior anglers were paired with an FLW Outdoors Pro for competition on the Allegheny River. There were three anglers to a boat: a junior angler from each age group plus an FLW Tour pro who assists the junior anglers but did not fish. The two junior anglers shared control of the boat for the day but competed in their respective age groups. Weights were zeroed Saturday as the top six anglers in the 11 to 14 age bracket and the top six anglers in the 15 to 18 age bracket continued competition, with the winners determined by the heaviest catch from today.

Designed to highlight the best up-and-coming bass fishing talent in the country, the National Guard Junior World Championship also provides national recognition for the positive activities pursued by America’s youth.

First-place finishers in each age bracket received a $5,000 scholarship in addition to a $200 Walmart gift card courtesy of Goodwill. Second-place finishers received $3,000 scholarships plus a $150 Evinrude certificate. Third-place finishers received $2,500 scholarships plus a $100 Cabelas gift card. Fourth-place finishers received $2,000 scholarships. Fifth-place finishers received $1,500 scholarships.. Sixth-place finishers received $1,000 scholarships.

Additionally, FLW Outdoors, on behalf of the Berkley, awarded $1,000 in Berkley product to each of the state TBF chapters represented by the six finalists in each age bracket. This money, totaling $12,000, will benefit each chapter’s youth program.

For full standings, see our results page.

NEPVA Tournament – Roger Williams Park Zoo

Providence RI.

July 25, 2009

Article by Jim Marino

The fourth stop on the NEPVA Tournament trail, found bright sunny skies, high water levels and Blue Bird conditions at the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence Ri.

The Roger Williams Park Zoo, is one of the oldest zoos in the country, and has entertained and delighted Rhode Islanders since it opened in 1872. Its beautiful Victorian buildings have been home to many legendary animals. The interconnecting ponds that wind through this park provide miles of shoreline structure for the fishermen.

The uniqueness of Rogers Williams Park is the trolling motor only rule, while the pathways and roads surrounding the ponds allow spectators to actually enjoy the tournament while visiting the park.

During morning registration coffee anddonuts were provided by the The Bass Federation of RI. The Boat Captains and PVA anglers also received commemorative NEPVA tee shirts, fishing towels and tackle packs.

Rhode Island federation anglers both TBF and BASS Nation were paired with members of the NEPVA Bass Trail in a random drawing, then were loaded into their boats and the Tournament began at 7:45 am with a short meeting and a shotgun start.

According to TBF Federation President Joe Cinguegravo, the two federations pooled their resources when it comes to helping organizations such as the NEPVA. Rhode Island’s The Bass Federation (TBF) www.tbfri.com and the BASS Federation Nation www.ribassfed.org compete for tournament lakes and permits, memberships as well as sponsorship dollars, howeverwhen it comes to opportunities within the Ocean State of Rhode Island that are beneficial to others such as the NEPVA, we have collectively pulled our resources together as one to get the job done.

TBF liaison John Candelmo got the necessary permits coordinated with the Park and was on hand all day to keep things running.

Not only was the tournament date moved from the October to July but also was the way we weighed in the competitors. In the previous two years the boats were pulled out and escorted to the weigh in site in front of the Dalrymple Boat House where the fish were taken out of the boats and weighed in.

This year the weigh in was held right on the dock behind the boat house where the anglers were unloaded and weighed in as they pulled up to the dock and checked in.

Cold soda and water (by the TBF of RI) and Pizza donated by Casual Catering & Deli of Barrington RI. was served during the weigh in.

Tournament Director Tiny LaFontaine started the results of the days fishing with a recap of what the NEPVA Bass trail is all about. “This trail is Dedicated to the memory of Ken Medeiros, Past President of the NEPVA, and two disabled anglers John Walls and Larry Grainger who fished the trail as they will always be remembered for what they, in the short time they were with us brought to the trail”.

Starting off with 3rd place with 4 bass for a total weight of 4.10 lbs was the team of Boat captain Greg Mazur from Ct. and PVA angler Larry Harris. They caught their fish on Berkley power tubes and spinner baits. Both Larry and Greg said all but 4 of their bites turned out to be short of the 12” limit as they caught fish during most of the day.

2nd place went to the team of Dave Breault and Lloyd Jones with 3 keepers weighing in at 6.87 lbs. They used Yamamoto Senco’s to lure their fish into the net and also encountered many short fish.

1st place and winning by less than a ½ lb was the team of Captain Scott Basasco and PVA angler Frank (yes I can fish) Vogeli with 4 fish for 7.23 lbs.

Scott and Frank used Yamamoto Senco’s and Berkley power worms fishing structure along the shorelines of the ponds. They also encountered those pesky 11 ½ “ bass through out the day.

Big fish Lunker award went to Dave Breault for a nice 4.37 Roger Williams Largemouth…

The trail directors would like to thank the following sponsors, for without them this tournament would not be able to function:

The Bass Federation of Rhode Island(TBF), The BASS Federation Nation of Rhode Island. The Roger Williams Park Zoo, Casual Catering & Deli of Barrington RI.

GE Aviations Good Neighbors Fund, Riverworks Lynn, Gary Yamamoto Baits, Harmonix Rods & Reels, Skeeter Boats, Nam Knights of America, Northern Bass Supply, Winchester Co-operative Bank, Rockland Eagles, Erickson’s Bait &Tackle, Reservoir Dogs, Mayo’s Hand Poured Baits, Marine USA of Worc. and Campbell Post 101.

All NEPVA Bass Trail Tournaments are totally FREE to ALL participates and open to all individuals with disabilities whether veterans or non-veterans! Individuals interested in fishing the tournaments may contact Tournament Director Tiny LaFontaine @ 1.781.935.2480. As a non-profit organization the tournament trail is funded only by generous donations from its sponsors, with all sponsor donations being tax deductible. For information on becoming an NEPVA sponsor, contact the NEPVA office @ 1.800.660.1181 or visit their web site www.nepva.org.

FLORIDA IS HORRIBLE…at water management !!!

Lake Okechobee is in trouble…the Everglades is critically injured…the Kissimmee River flood control plan was (and is) a disaster (Which we are now trying to correct by restoring most of the original channel.) and now the St Johns River is in line for our next catastrophe… Surface Water Withdrawal.

I’m sure that the ‘Science of the Day’ supported sucking water out of Lake Okechobee to supply the surrounding communities and Miami with water… I’m also sure that the Sugar interests in south Florida ‘Scientifically’ justified sucking additional water from the Lake…

The Kissimmee River flood control plan was also supported by ‘Science’ but straightening the channel has dried up wetlands that replenish our aquifer and had numerous other negative environmental side effects. We are now trying to undo the damage by restoring most of the original river channel… We will see how that works out.

We have a giant canal system in south Florida engineered to divert water and that has had a disasterous effect on the Everglades. You know what …I’ll bet that project was supported by volumes of ‘Scientific Data’ that said it would cause no harm…

The latest “Victim to Science” is the St Johns River…on April 13, 2009 the St Johns River Water Management District board of governors voted 5 to 4 to issue a permit for Seminole County Utilities to suck up 5.5 million gallons of water per day to support their reclaimed water system…In other words this water will be used to water their lawns… How stupid is that?

In just a few short years we will go from being the Bass Capital of the World to some sort of salt water fish that has already made its way 100 miles inland. The Bass population has been hit hard by this intrusion of salt water and only “Science” will tell the tale.

This is the latest example (I’m sure there are more to come) of how bad Florida is at water management!

Dennis Harvin, Conservation Director, Florida Bass Federation, Inc

Jim Fowler, President, Florida Bass Federation, Inc