August 10, 2011 – 82 TBF junior elite make their way to Arkadelphia, Ark., this week to face off in the 2011 National Guard Junior World Championship, August 11-13, on DeGray Lake. This national contest will see two champions, one in each age group, 11-14 and 15-18. For most, this is a year’s worth of competition, advancing through tournaments in their respective states and age groups to make it to the world championship. All anglers will take off at 6:30am on Friday, Aug 12 and weigh-in at 1:30pm at the spillway ramp on DeGray Lake. Then, Saturday the field will be cut to 12 anglers. These 12 will represent the top finishers (one in each age group) from the 6 different TBF youth divisions across the US.
Saturday’s final day will be the division champion’s shootout to crown the 2011 National Guard Junior World Champions. Saturday’s weigh-in will also be held at 1:30pm lakeside at DeGray Lake, and immediately following all anglers will travel to Summit Arena in Hot Springs, Ark. to be introduced on the FLW Outdoors main stage of the 2011 Forrest Wood Cup, presented by Walmart, at 4:45pm.
The 82 championship anglers travel from all over the country and will be taken out on DeGray Lake Friday by volunteer anglers who are local or from other areas who fish the BFL tournament ranks, TBF federation clubs, and other tournaments. These anglers donate their boat for the kids to compete out of for the day and will serve as boat captains, coaches and mentors. The boat captains cannot fish, but they can offer advice to the young competitors if they need it.
Each boat will have one angler form the 11-14 and one from the 15-18 age groups, randomly assigned by computer draw. Tournament rules stipulate each angler must fish out of the front of the boat half the day and switch midway so it’s fair to all competitors. All take-offs and weigh-ins are free to the public; 6:30am-1:30pm. Come out and cheer these young 
anglers on!
Over $20,000 in scholarships and prizes are up for grabs this week and there a several prize opportunities and activities for all, including a Friday evening National Guard Pizza Party for all competitors and their families. Daily stories and pictures will be posted on www.bassfederation.com and The Bass Federation’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/thebassfederation ); live streaming of the weigh-ins on Friday and Saturday will be on www.bassfederation.com in partnership with http://www.ihigh.com/.
The 2011 Forrest Wood Cup will be held all week on Lake Ouachita in Hot Springs, Ark., August 11-14. Sunday, the final day of the Forrest Wood Cup will be a full day of activities with tons of prizes and giveaways, including a new Ranger Boat presented by Arkansas Democrat Gazette, activities at the FLW Outdoors Expo, including fishing seminars, on the water Ranger boat rides and Chevrolet test drives, as well as, a free concert by Steve Holy at 4pm presented by Walmart. There’s fun for the family all week so come out and support our Junior TBF anglers and our partnership with FLW Outdoors.
Local Hosts: City of Caddo Valley Advertising and Promotions Commission, Arkadelphia Regional Economic Development Alliance and Area Chamber of Commerce, info@arkadelphiaalliance.com ; 2401 Pine Street, Suite B, Arkadelphia, AR 71923, Phone: 870-246-1460
