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   If you wonder why the update on this page has taken a little longer than usual it is because at the end of the year a lot of events are compressed together and the suitcase stays packed until the middle of November.  The trip to Kansas was a killer as it was freezing cold and two days of tournament had to be extended so that anglers could have a second chance to weigh in fish.  Everyone present stated that the championship should move to Florida in 2009.   Winners of the fall classic are featured in the next issue of Hook Set as well as here.


   Bryant Copley who is a Triton Gold member will benefit from the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Alliance as he moves forward on his quest for a place at the BASS MASTER Classic, has the first place on the state team.  Roger Farris finished second and has the second place on the team.  They can now start preparing for the regional event to be held in September 2009 in West Virginia. 

   December is the month that we look back at what we did right in 2008 and what we need to do in 2009.  We are the fourth largest federation in the nation and that is really good considering that we had to rebuild from the bottom up but we can and should be number one.  One of our first steps for 2009 will be to jump start region one with leadership to be determined and a community meeting in January.  Interested members need to contact Scott Taylor, Paul Thomson, Pam Bryant or Joan Blankenship. 

   By compressing our qualifying events into three events instead of four we saved gas money for everyone and increased our participation.  Even though gas prices have dropped dramatically, we do not know for how long therefore by popular request we will hold the same three qualifiers this year.  We also have to sell our boat.  Bids are still being accepted. 


The boat is a Triton 18X3 SC boat with a Triton Single Axle Trailer, Mercury 150 OPTIMAX, MotorGuide TR82 45” Trolling Motor and Lowrance LMS480 GPS and a 23 Pitch Tempest Plus propeller.  The colors are Platinum Red, and Black Ice with complimentary colors for seats and interior.   Taxes, rigging and other accessories are the responsibility of the purchaser.   The boat is at Angler’s Choice Marine and it can be yours for a really great price. 

Photos from each of our events highlight our 2008 year. 
At the Fall Classic-John Terry and  Jeff Stubbs qualified. Neither angler fished the Mid Atlantic this year. 
  
We moved on to beautiful Munden Point and Mr. BASS.   Les Ore  won the event with Chris Napier, Ivan Morris and Red Bruun all getting to fish.  All alternates come from the Mr. BASS event. 





   At the team championship we qualified Ken Lackey, Greg Hylton, Jeff Salmon, Steve Roberts, J.J, Hale, Eddie M. Fore, Wayne Burchett, and Kedrick Sumner.  Team captain Jeff Franklin was appointed at the option of the president due to time constraints and the fact that everyone wants to fish. 

   Our youth had the most adjustments to make this year with Mitch Willis having one week between the 2007 national championship in New York , the state championship on Smith Mountain Lake and then on to Buggs Island for the 2008 championship in conjunction with the Mid Atlantic.  Mitch did an outstanding job in finishing second in the senior age group and he will be back again next year.  Kevin Beasley qualified from the junior division but didn’t have quite as much luck.  There may be another change next year that will impact the youth.  Stay tuned as we adjust again.  On the plus side we will not be doing two years of qualifiers in one for 2009. 

 
   You can look forward to increased emphasis on conservation, education, community service and growth in our programs during 2009.  Our fishing team building moves under its own power now and builds with a good foundation and good planning.  Our 2008 conservation projects that were the result of a lot of donations and hard work resulted in the pump at Occoneechee State Park and the recycling bins for fishing line that were built by Ben Bresnehan of the Orange County High School Junior 4-H Bassmasters.  Ben’s project has been shared with Ron Southwick of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.


   We are the only state that has separate leadership for CastingKids®.  With Bert Seymour at the helm, we only need to be sure that he gets the requests and the paperwork.  This is where the excitement starts so as federation-nation leaders we need to build this program to ensure our future anglers.  We have several junior anglers who started as CastingKids.  Jelani Hennessey, Jeremy Lineberry,   Jesse Lineberry;           Ryan Bush and  Jacob  Bush, etc.  When they get on a boat they already know how to cast.  It makes a good day much better. 


Toyota Drive the Nation and Bonus Bucks 
   Many of you missed a strategic opportunity this year if you didn’t sign up for the Bonus Bucks program.  I have seen more Toyotas this year than before and even though you could have received some money back and “Free Stuff” you missed an opportunity.  We tried hard to win the Toyota to go with the boat but it takes an entire team to win and we needed an additional hundred members.  We do not know whether the Drive the Nation program will continue into 2009 or not but we do know that we have bonus bucks.  Ask your region director for an application or see your Toyota dealer.  Our goal is to visit all surviving Toyota dealers in 2009 to make them aware of the Federation nation and the bonus bucks program.  . 

The Alliance Program
Mercury-Triton-Motorguide-Lowrance-Optima Batteries
This program continues to offer the most benefit to members of the Federation Nation through promotions that benefit most members Lowrance has provided significant new direction for us in 2009 and it will make this an enjoyable year.    There are other programs but they are very selective in who and how the benefit the federation.  Skeeter boat owners are still eligible for Skeeter bonuses if they sign up for them and I am certain that Champion boats will continue to support their owners.  

Longhorn, smokeless tobacco, a Virginia company will be offering bonuses for photos of our events featuring their banner and any product that shows their brand from a marketing perspective.  This is similar to the program promoted by Lowrance.  


Moving forward into 2009
•    Conservation: In 2009, restoration of fish habitat at Smith Mountain Lake is being facilitated through region 5 in cooperation with the Smith Mountain Lake State Park staff.  Mike Bryant and Chris Puckett have been hard at work building cinderblock trees.  These trees will be planted soon.  If any other regions or youth clubs have projects in progress we need to give them the proper credit. 
We are also applying for a grant to develop more habitat restoration projects at fisheries with declining bass populations.  The outcome will not be determined until February 2009.
•    Youth:  Our junior angler program continues to grow on its own now that we have strong leadership with Paul Thomson and his entire team.  We anticipate that this will continue.  Due to the economic climate, youth will have two qualifiers per region to decrease expense to parents and still allow competition for the team.  Youth will continue to play a greater role in the Mid Atlantic and the team captain will also have a greater role with the youth.  It should be an interesting year. 
•    CastingKids® This program is where it all begins!  Hook a kid at this level and you have him for life.  We are truly blessed to have Bert Seymour to lead the program for us.  We need a sponsor and targets for everyone this year.  If we all work together we can put our own signature on this program and give it the importance that it deserves. 
•    Community Service: The Children’s Miracle Network continues to be our largest fund raising event for the year and will continue again in 2009. This is led by Steve Woodroof of region 2.   Even though times are tight we do need to show our good side and other regions need to come forward to help in their regions as well.  All of the money that is raised stays in hospitals in the region in which they are fished. 
•    Our state team: We have a boat to sell before we can get too excited about 2009.  However, we do need to all be aware that the team comes with a price and we all need to help support it.  In addition, in order for the federation to function, it has to have a budget that covers expenses.  Most of you know that with few exceptions the president’s travel to BASS sponsored events  has been paid by the president and not the federation.  The only exception has been the room at the national events and state tournaments where expenses are shared.  While this practice will continue, should someone else step into this position, the funding needs to be available.  In 2009, I have asked other board members to attend some of the events for two reasons.  First, everyone needs an opportunity to experience the bigger picture and second, it is time for me to mentor a successor. 

The final reason is that for three years the members of this federation have been able to enjoy the benefits of strong leadership and building without having to do anything but pay dues and participate in events.  You need to know that the majority of the entire board of directors have donated all and I mean all of their travel expenses to make this a successful organization.  The youth program has received additional support from the Joseph Thomson Foundation and we are really grateful for the help.  In addition, we have received a five hundred dollar donation to start a scholarship fund from the Laurel Park Foundation.  We need to be able to match this money.  We are looking for ideas on how to make us a stronger, financially solid, federation.  A little help wouldn’t hurt either.  May we all have a BASS filled new year.