In an event that was more fun than usual, Les Ore of Lake Gaston Bass Holes     managed a two day total of fish that weighed 20.95 pounds to win the Mr. BASS title for 2008.  This tournament was distinguished by the large number of sponsors who supported the event as well as the cook out at the pairings meeting that was provided by Abby and Sid Ryan, Vice President for the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation of Virginia, Inc.  Also significant for this event was that two of the winners are also sponsors.  Everyone owes a great big thank you to Jim Geiser, Region 7 director, for putting this event together and in spite of several challenges, the event was a huge success. 





    New state sponsors for this event included Discount Auto Sound; Glass Baron; Murphy’s Propeller Shop; Ocean’s East; Wendy’s and Checkered Flag Toyota.  Checkered Flag is our state representative for Toyota, who is also a national sponsor.  We welcome Checkered Flag and John “Tank” Tankersley, your Toyota representative, to our list of sponsors.



    It was no surprise that  region 7 took the top three places and Christopher Napier of County Bassmasters  finished in second with 19.45 pounds with local favorite Ivan Morris of Virginia Bassmasters winning the team captain position in third place.  Day one leaders Erling “Red” Bruun and Mike Cumberledge, who everyone thought would surely win the event, had a bad second day and ended up in fourth and seventh place respectively.  Mr. BASS contenders are limited to the top two finishers from each club and participation is optional. 



    The weather was great for the pairings meeting and day one.  The average fish weighed over two pounds and there were several over 5 pounds.  Mike Cumberledge had the largest fish for the event. It weighed in at 6.51 pounds on day one. 

On day two the water had an ominous red tinge at take off.  It didn’t take long for the weather to turn very windy and rainy. The big fish was caught by Vic Hamlett and it only weighed 5.1 pounds.  It was the only fish that he caught on the second day but it was the right fish.  Vic is from region 10.  No one will argue that the conditions were challenging but reports about this event were favorable and the location proved to be a welcome change from our usual locations. If you missed it, you missed a great event. 


Vic Hamlett big fish day 2


Ed Clayton & Mike Bryant


Mr. BASS


Munden Point Volunteers


Red Brunn


Susan Owens to the rescue day 2


Joel Eberts and Mike Handy




Mike Cumberledge



Claytor Lake was the setting for the first junior angler qualifying event for 2008.  In the senior division, Cody Martin of Warren County won the event.  In second was Preston Gray of Foggy Bottom and Steven Beasley finished third for Orange County High School Bassmasters. Ben Bresnehan had the big fish and he is also from Orange County High School.   In the junior division, Levi Snapp of Frederick won the overall event and also had the big fish. Jacob Cooper of Henry County was second and Jeremy Lineberry of Black Hollow was third.  Martin, Gray, Beasley, Snapp, Cooper and Lineberry will now advance to the state championship and an opportunity to compete for one of two places at the Mid-Atlantic Championship on Buggs Island Lake in September 2008.  The next qualifier will be held at Lake Anna in June where six more anglers will qualify.

    While most of us were sitting at home and waiting for the fishing season to begin, a group of really dedicated B.A.S.S. Federation Nation of Virginia volunteers were coordinated by Mike Bryant region 5 director and included Steve Woodroof, Region 2 director; Jim Geiser Region 7 director, Jeff Franklin, Tournament director, Nelson Troyer region 5 member; Noel Schaaf, region 1 member; and Kenny Reynolds, region 5 member.  They donated time and lots of muscles to complete the installation of a jet pump from the lake to the weigh in area at Occoneechee State Park.  The project seemed to bring the coldest and wettest weather that we have had so far this year.  The cold weather survivors are pictured with the almost completed pump house. (Left to right is Jeff Franklin Tournament Director, Steve Woodroof, Region 2 Director, Mike Bryant, Region 5 Director and Jim Geiser, Region 7 Director).
We also have to give a special thanks to H.R. Ramsey Construction who donated a backhoe and the time and labor to move rock to complete the pipe installation.  If you live in the Clarksville area and need some work please call Herbert Ramsey.  His donation made the project possible when we thought that we were in a lot of trouble. 
In addition to time and labor a lot of merchants came to our rescue as well and either donated or discounted the supplies that we needed.  For this we want to give a special thanks to Martinsville Concrete Products, Inc. for block, corners, mortar, anchors, etc.; Seybar, Inc. for the door, frame, hinges, lockset, etc.; Troyer and Sons Construction for doing all of the labor for setting the block; Steve Woodroof for the electrical wiring, etc; Jim Geiser for pipe, fittings and other materials.  We also need to thank Lowes of Danville, VA for discounting the cost of the pump and Home Depot of South Hill, VA for discounting the cost of last minute items that were necessary to complete this costly and time consuming project. 
This project will benefit everyone who uses the pump at the Occoneechee State Park this year.  If you see anyone of the people involved in this project please say thanks for a job well done and if you have the opportunity please patronize their businesses this year.  It is the best way to say thanks to our sponsors and supporters. 

    Would you like to earn a quick hundred dollar bill?  In keeping with our overall mission and commitment to the conservation of Virginia’s water resources   we are holding a short contest that is open to everyone.  We need to develop a slogan for our campaign to keep our water clean.  This will be put underneath the Virginia BASS Federation Nation Logo on a biodegradable trash bag that can be hung in your car or your boat to put waste in for future dumping in the appropriate trash receptacle.  We need to really stress the need to keep trash off the ground so that it doesn’t end up in our drinking water.  The deadline is May 1, 2008.  The winner will be announced at the Team Championship in Clarksville, VA.  Remember this is open to the general public and anyone can submit an entry.  This would make a good school project as well.  Entries should either be e-mailed through our web page to Joan Blankenship, President or mailed to her at 3461 Lee Ford Camp Road, Ridgeway, VA 24148.  You do not have to be a Federation Nation Member to participate but you do have to be a Virginia resident.