Toyota-Drive the Nation deadline October 31, 2008 For additional incentives and information please contact your region director.



Where It All Begins
   Our state team is anticipating the Mid-Atlantic on Buggs Island in September and so are our junior anglers this year.  The adult season is over.  The junior anglers have one more opportunity to qualify for the 2008 championship.  The qualifiers for 2007 are heading for New York August 8-10 for their championship in conjunction with the Elite series.  Two championships are scheduled in one year for our youth and our advisors thus  this has been a whirlwind year to say the least. 
   Our youth program has been in existence long enough now that it grows by word of mouth, reputation and enthusiasm from parents and grandparents who keep supporting the program.  We have also reached out in a much bigger way this year to groups who have never heard of BASS or bass for that matter.  We have taken our programs to schools and for the first time to a museum.

President Joan Blankenship, Casting Kids winner Drew Thomson, J.Carolyn Seay, Museum Special Events Coordinator and Nicholas Farley winner

   It all begins with Casting Kids®.  Anglers often conduct these events as an obligation and sometimes with indifference but if you could measure the impact that interest from an adult has on the younger generation you would see this program differently.  We are most fortunate to have Bert Seymour coordinating Casting Kids® as a separate and rapidly growing program.


Bert Seymour, Casting Kids Coordinator


   It is often the first time that a child has held a rod and reel.  It is also often the first time that a child has had the opportunity to compete for a tangible object that has meaning to them.  The certificate, the junior angler magazine and any other gift that is given is remembered and many Casting Kids® have returned as junior anglers and some like Jelani Hennessey are serving as mentors for younger members and  are fishing the Bassmaster Open events while still in high school.

Jelani Hennessey a role model for future generations


   This year we also took Casting Kids® to the Virginia Museum of Natural History where we introduced BASS and bass to people who had never heard of the program.  Bert and Anita Seymour came from Orange to help set up the event and Jelani Hennessey and his mother Angela Cates made the trip all the way from  north of Richmond.
   Their next stop is the state championship to be held at Orange County High School on August 30, 2008 so that the winners can also complete in Clarksville in September.

Hunter and Christopher Sites winners at Beaver Creek


  While our adult anglers have followed a tournament trail with the hope of reaching the Bassmaster Classic like Jeff Freeman did last year our junior anglers have a trail of their own.  Due to the many changes, a tightening economy and forces beyond our control this year their trail was shortened by one event so that they will be able to qualify in time for the Mid-Atlantic championship to be held on Buggs Island Lake this year. 
   Their first event was held at Claytor Lake and we had excellent support from our adult boat captains and two lucky anglers got to qualify for the championship to be held in August on Smith Mountain Lake.
   Next stop was Sturgeon Creek Marina on Lake Anna when we qualified 3 additional anglers.  The turn out was huge and again we had the adult support that is critical to the success of the junior angler program.  We are fortunate in that we have mentor clubs who support the youth programs. 


Second junior angler qualifying event at Lake Anna


   The final stop for the youth trail this year will be Philpot Lake because we had to cut qualifying events to 3 in order to hold the championship in time for the regional championship.  This will be the last chance for the junior anglers to qualify for 2008 and then like the adults they will have to wait until 2009 for the next opportunity. 
   Junior anglers have an additional factor to deal with and that is age.  When they “age out” of the program they are eligible to join adult clubs and it is up to the mentors to encourage them.  The “coaches” as some mentors are called or sponsors are really important and this year we have had youth support at some of the adult events and this gave youth leaders the opportunity to see what else is available.  Many of our youth have helped with everything from measuring fish to announcing weights. It is conceivable that in the future they will be able to run our team championship themselves.  If you have not had the opportunity to be a boat captain then Philpot Lake will be your last opportunity this year.  It is an experience worth while and an opportunity to make a big difference in the life of a young person. The winning juniors will be announced at Philpot  and will then fish at Smith Mountain Lake where only two will advance to Clarkville in September. 


Region 2 Director Steve Woodroof and his wife Joan
Steve says to be sure that he sees you at the Children's Miracle Network Tournament on Smith Mountain Lake on October 5 at Saunders Parkway Marina


   A few members did take time to have some fun in the sun at the His and Hers tournament.  Jamey and Jaime Brugh  took all of the money but as you can tell by the look on Joan and Steve Woodroof’s faces we all had a good time.

Jamey and Jaime Brugh brought in a limit of bass that won them enough money to buy gas for the trip

   Mark you calendars.  The next board of directors meeting is August  10, 2008 at the Lamplighter Restaurant in Clarksville.  If you would like to find out what our plans are for 2009 please attend.  Call Pam Bryant to let her know so  that we can save a place for you at the breakfast table.