Continue reading »]]> Registration Opens March 1

Ponca City, Okla. – Feb. 17, 2012  High School anglers near and far will unite in Russellville, Arkansas and Lake Dardanelle State Park, July 15-21, 2012 for the pinnacle event of high school bass fishing, the 2012 High School Fishing World Finals. Registration opens online at highschoolfishing.org on March 1.

Last year, over 600 attendees made up of high school anglers, family members and sponsors enjoyed the opening ceremonies to kick off a week-long family vacation with tens of thousands of dollars in scholarship prizes on the line.

“Russellville is extremely excited to host this tournament for the third year, and looking forward to another group of young people that love to fish,” Russellville Tourism Director, Christie Graham, stated.  “Russellville hosts many tournaments each year, but enjoys getting to invest in young people’s lives that have a passion for the outdoor world of fishing. We are excited to see what growth this year will bring.”

High school teams are made up of any two high school anglers who have graduated the 8^th grade but have not yet started college and who have a 2.0 GPA.  All anglers must be Student Angler Federation members or join at the time of registration for only $25 a year. SAF membership comes with a full list of benefits, including no entry fees to any SAF event all year.  Any high school team meeting these requirements may register and attend, even if they are home schooled. Teams bring their own boats and their own coaches/boat captains.  Teams are required to have an adult coach/boat captain in their boat with them at all times. The coach who provides the boat must be a resident of the team’s home state/province or country, an immediate family member, or in very limited situations, a volunteer boat captain/coach may be provided by TBF*. (when/where available and only with advance arraignment) Anglers are not allowed to “hire” or “choose” a local coach and the tournament waters are off-limits, when designated, to all anglers and coaches so everyone starts fishing at the same time no matter where they live.

Events are scheduled all week starting with the first official practice day Sunday, July 15.  Tuesday evening is the coaches/boat captain’s appreciation jackpot on a neighboring body of water for the coaches to get their fishing “fix” as well!  Wednesday, July 18 is the official registration and opening ceremonies. Thursday, July 19 will bring the first official tournament day, with weigh-ins at Lake Dardanelle State Park, as teams from across North America will start their journey to become champions.  All weigh-ins will be taped for television and be streamed live on the internet.  All high school anglers will compete for the first two days.  Then, the field will be cut on Saturday. The final day of competition not only will see the top teams go head to head with complete run of the lake, but also the rest of the field will be invited to fish a one of a kind consolation round event. There is no entry fee and the complete payout structure is in the form of prizes and scholarships! The 2012 High School Fishing World Championship team will each walk away with the grand prize of a four year, $5,000 per year, renewable scholarship to Bethel University in McKenzie Tenn., in addition to other prizes and some serious hardware!

“The High School Fishing World Finals is the largest tournament of its kind; it’s a low cost, family fun vacation with a full week of activities,” TBF National Youth Director, Mark Gintert, said.  “We’re excited to return to Russellville and Lake Dardanelle State Park, which provide a perfect setting for this event.  It’s centrally located right off I-40, a great fishery, and the cooperation we receive from our local partners is tremendous,” Gintert added.

“This event is more than just a tournament, it’s a great way to promote education through fishing,” TBF President, Robert Cartlidge, stated. “Our Student Anglers are required to have a 2.0 GPA and take a free test on angler ethics, boater safety and invasive species to participate.  This highlights the importance of education and being good stewards of our waterways, habits TBF want to instill in the future of our sport,” Cartlidge continued. “Our Student Angler Federation is growing in record numbers with teams forming all across the country, and this event offers everyone a chance to fish in a world class event in a fun, family atmosphere.”

The Bass Federation Inc., (TBF) is the oldest and largest grassroots fishing organization in America. TBF is owned by those it serves and is dedicated to the sport of fishing. TBF annually conducts over 20,000 fishing, youth, and conservation events and has provided the foundation for the bass fishing industry for over 40 years.

For more information about The Bass Federation, visit bassfederation.com or call 580-765-9031.

For full details and more information about the Student Angler Federation and this year’s High School World Finals, visit highschoolfishing.org or call 580-765-9031.

Continue reading »]]> Ponca City, Okla. (Feb 1, 2012) — The Bass Federation announced today the formation of an entirely new, groundbreaking, TEAM tournament trail covering all of North America, TBF’s Dream Team Tournament Rallies. Dream Team Rallies are all about giving anglers what they want, fun and fishing, and they all culminate at the 2013 TBF Dream Team National Championship Rally!

TBF Dream Team Rallies are designed to fill a void not only in the federation, but also the fishing industry to give anglers exactly what they’ve been craving.  Fun events close to home without lots of hassle, paperwork or overhead, all of your choosing; fish with who you want, when you want, where you want.  Rally events will boast integrity and reasonable entry fees to win BIG prizes.  Events backed by the power of the federation and a large national prize pool with a real chance to advance directly to big time “dream” vacation events with big time “dream” payouts!

“Tens of thousands of loyal federation members, like-minded grassroots anglers, and bass club folks that just want to fish, are at the front of the pack fighting for clean water and their home lakes, taking kids fishing, and buying products to keep this sport going. They have no desire to fish state qualifiers or go “Pro,”” TBF President, Robert Cartlidge, stated. “They are our backbone, driving our industry forward. There has never been a “one size fits all” program for them until now.  A TBF Dream Team Rally is tailored for what members want, adding great value to their membership,” Cartlidge continued.  “Traditionally, the focus has been on state teams, divisional championships, and advancing to the biggest events in professional fishing, like the BFL All-American and the Forrest Wood Cup. These are great benefits and still a very big part of what we do. They are dream opportunities in and of themselves. But, there are a lot of very good anglers out there with roots, ties and jobs preventing lots of travel who want to fish and have fun. So, we built a program custom tailored to these anglers with very little work for the club, little travel and low costs to advance, but very BIG rewards.”

A TBF Dream Team Rally is designed for the grassroots anglers, state federations and clubs of any kind; regular adult clubs, Tuesday night jack potters, over 55 clubs, Guys/Gals clubs, and college clubs, you name it.  As long as one team member is over 18 and both are TBF members or joins TBF at registration, the team is eligible.  No one is allowed to compete alone, two person teams only.  Any TBF State Federation or TBF club can sign up online at bassfederation.com starting Monday, Feb. 13, to host their own TBF Dream Team Rally event anytime in 2012.  Host and fish as many as you wish. Your tournament official and event participants will register with TBF online at bassfederation.com.  Both TBF and your club will promote the event.  TBF will sanction the event; provide insurance, handle all registrations, entry fees, paperwork, and issue prize checks and trophies for distribution at YOUR event! TBF will randomly draw events each month and assign polygraph tests unannounced at local events.

There is one set of TBF Dream Team Rally rules, a standard prize structure and advancement formula governing all sanctioned events. Everything is built and based on blocks of 25 teams. You must have 25 teams at your event to advance a team to the TBF Dream Team National Championship Rally; one (1) team advances for every 25th team registered. Three places are paid at the ramp for each 25 teams entered and each event has two big fish awards. TBF Dream Team Rally entry fees nationwide are only $200 per team for active TBF members.  Anglers who aren’t active members will join online at the time of registration. Qualified winning teams advance WITH travel, boat gas, and hotel stipends, plus their prize checks, directly to the 2013 TBF Dream Team National Championship Rally where the payout and prizes are BIG and DEEP into the field. That’s right, in addition to their prize check every advancing team is eligible for stipends to help cover their travel, boat gas and hotel to anywhere in the US the TBF Dream Team National Championship Rally is held! A “paid” fishing vacation to America’s top bass lakes!

Everyone pays the same amount to the pot, TBF handles all of the back-end details and overhead.  YOUR state or club not only gets to define the type of team event but also will earn a $5 stipend from each entry fee to help raise funds for your group. If the team from YOUR event advances to the Dream Team National Championship Rally and wins, your club wins a $1,000 bonus!  So, get your event scheduled.  YOU choose the date, pick the lake, pick your partners and start fishing!

TBF’s Dream Team National Championship Rally will rotate to and from the very best smallmouth and largemouth fisheries in the nation. Popular places you’ve always wanted to fish; lakes a 10lb largemouth, 5lb smallmouth or 5lb spotted bass are a real possibility. The TBF National DREAM TEAM will take home a DREAM RIG!  A fully-rigged Ranger Boat, with Evinrude outboard and Lowrance HDS electronics!  There will be “Dream” prizes awarded at the Championship Rally such as Cabela’s shopping sprees, Lowrance HDS 10’s with Structure Scans, and of course CASH and much more!

TBF’s Dream Team Rally is an extensive program with much more to offer; mostly it’s about fishing and fun.  For full details go to bassfederation.com, and click the Dream Team link.

About The Bass Federation, Inc.

The Bass Federation Inc., (TBF) is owned by those we serve and dedicated to the sport of fishing. TBF is the largest and oldest, organized grassroots fishing organization. TBF affiliated state federations and their member clubs conduct more than 20,000 fishing, youth and conservation events at the local level each year and have provided a foundation for the entire bass fishing industry for more than 40 years.  Visit bassfederation.com, www.highschoolfishing.org

TOURNAMENT DIRECTORS-REGISTER A TOURNAMENT

ENTER A DREAM TEAM TOURNAMENT

FAQs - FACT SHEET | DREAM TEAM RULES

Continue reading »]]> Offer Free Online Courses to All Federation Members

(Ponca City, OK) Jan. 10, 2012 – The Bass Federation, the nation’s oldest and largest organized grassroots fishing youth and conservation organization, announced it has partnered with Faculty of Fishing. The partnership will offer the most complete and comprehensive online fishing education program the fishing world ever has seen. The Advantage Anglers program package, a $ 19.99 retail value, consists of 11 basic courses designed for the new or recreational angler, which will be offered FREE OF CHARGE to all federation members under the TBF umbrella. This includes TBF adult and junior anglers, the Association of College anglers, (ACA), the Walleye Federation, (TWF), and TBF’s widely popular Student Angler Federation, (SAF), and all SAF high school fishing club members. At a value worth more than annual national membership costs, all FREE OF CHARGE! Another reason it “pays” to belong to TBF.

Members can now access the advanced technology of training anglers from the beginner, through the most seasoned tournament angler, utilizing the most advanced audio and visual techniques available to help anglers understand and retain knowledge.

“The Federation always strives to be at the forefront of fishing, youth and conservation,” stated TBF President/CEO, Robert Cartlidge. “This exclusive partnership with Faculty of Fishing allows us to expand our commitment to help educate anglers of all ages, and provide more value to their membership. The courses contain detailed training on the latest products and techniques, species-specific material, and lure-specific techniques through a very interactive program. Best of all, a member can use the program at their own pace in the comfort of their own home.”

The training starts with the Advantage Angler program, which encompasses the first 11 courses. Members can progress to the Pro Angler series with a discount making the upgrade series only $39.95. The Pro Angler, Species-Specific courses and the Specialty courses will challenge and enlighten even the most seasoned veterans with in-depth electronics and species-specific techniques presented by some of the top professionals in the business. The Pro Angler series covers topics like interpreting sonar including structure/side scan, establishing patterns, and weather and fish behavior, just to name a few. The first 500 members who sign up for The Pro Angler package will receive free Berkley baits and line packages. Those who complete the Pro Angler Course will be eligible for a Graduation Gift. Up to three members may also qualify for a chance to have a “Day on the Water” with Pro Angler, Michael Murphy. Members must sign up and complete the program by Dec. 31, 2012.

Active TBF members can start their Faculty of Fishing account by using their federation member number to log into the Member’s Only Online Store, on bassfederation.com, high schoolfishing.org or walleyefederation.com. Register for the free Advantage angler courses and then automatically receive the 25% discount on all additional courses through a members-only store account.

To show their support of youth fishing, Faculty of Fishing, will donate a portion of the proceeds to support Federation Youth and Conservation events across the country.

For more information go to bassfederation.com, highschoolfishing.org or walleyefederation.com

About The Bass Federation, Inc.
The Bass Federation Inc., (TBF) is owned by those we serve and dedicated to the sport of fishing. TBF is the largest and oldest, organized grassroots fishing organization. TBF affiliated state federations and their member clubs conduct more than 20,000 fishing, youth and conservation events at the local level each year and have provided a foundation for the entire bass fishing industry for more than 40 years. Visit bassfederation.com, highschoolfishing.org walleyefederation.com

Continue reading »]]> 2012 FEDERATION CONVENTION

March 10th, 2012

Great Food, Entertainment & Awesome Raffle Prizes

             Banquet is open to the Public, so bring your family & friends

There is a limited number of Attendees

Best Western Resort Hotel & Conference Center

2701 South CX – Portage – Phone: (608) 742 -2200

Beautiful Indoor Pool area with Whirlpool and Fitness Center

 For Discounted Rooms of $71.09 (Code WIBASS) they must by Booked by March 1^st

 CONVENTION REGISTRATION FORM

Please print this and send to the President by March 1, 2012

Continue reading »]]> New Efforts to Ban Lead in Fishing Tackle Demonstrate the Need for a Legislative Solution

Last November, 43,000 anglers like you helped to defeat an attempt to ban lead in fishing tackle nationwide when the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) denied a petition to ban lead in fishing tackle under the Toxic Substances Control Act. Despite the EPA’s ruling, this issue is not yet fully resolved. The petitioners have filed a law suit against the EPA’s decision and submitted a similar new petition to the agency that could still result in a ban on lead fishing tackle nationwide.

KeepAmericaFishing™ is once again asking anglers to oppose this unjustified petition and to rally behind legislation that will put an end to these unwarranted attacks on recreational fishing once and for all.

The Hunting, Fishing and Recreational Shooting Sports Protection Act (S. 838/H.R. 1558) will prevent a federal ban on lead in recreational fishing tackle and help to ensure that any future regulations on fishing tackle are established based on scientific fact instead of unjustified petitions.

With anti-fishing organizations trying to stop fishing using whatever means they can, the Hunting, Fishing and Recreational Shooting Sports Protection Act is necessary to protect traditional fishing tackle, as well as ammunition, from unjustified bans that will harm the economy and reduce participation in traditional outdoor sports

Take Action Now!

To prevent the EPA from accepting this unwarranted petition and to assure passage of this important legislation, it’s critical that you send a loud and clear message to the EPA and your Members of Congress requesting their support of this effort.

For more information on why such a ban is unwarranted, visit the KeepAmericaFishing lead fishing tackle issue page.

Click here to send a message today!

Continue reading »]]>  

Wisconsin Hosting Northern Division Sept 5-7 at LaCrosse

Ponca City, Okla. – Jan. 5, 2012 The Bass Federation (TBF), the national leader in NO cost or low cost tournament fees, announced today the dates and locations of seven events in the 2012 TBF “No Entry Fee” Divisional Championship Series.  The Divisional Championship Series grew to seven divisions in 2010 due to the growth of TBF and the restructure of the current TBF Western division into the Northwest and Southwest divisions.  This will continue for 2012 and cut drive time in half for our western anglers!

A TBF member only has to fish locally within their state at TBF federation qualifying tournaments to qualify for their home state team. “On a national average a TBF member pays less than $200 total per year in state entry fees that includes their full TBF and FLW Outdoors membership,” TBF President, Robert Cartlidge, stated.  “If they earn a spot on their state team, everything past the state level is a no entry fee event. TBF is the industry leader in no cost and low cost tournament fishing opportunities and we are proud of that fact.”

Starting at the TBF Divisional Championship Series, anglers complete with no entry fees for cash payouts.  Two anglers from every state progress to the TBF Federation National Championship, where cash and prizes total over $200,000.  From there, 14 TBF anglers move on to FLW Outdoor’s Wal-Mart BFL All-American.  The top two anglers from the TBF Federation National Championship also earn a berth in the Forrest Wood Cup, all for no tournament entry fee.  The TBF National Champion earns the “LIVING THE DREAM” prize package, which includes a cash prize, fully paid entry fees into the FLW tour, travel funds and use of a wrapped Ranger Boat and Chevrolet truck for the year!

What does this mean to the average angler?  There is no better cost effective place to fish than with TBF and FLW outdoors. For a national average of less than $200 a year in TOTAL entry fees and membership, you can join TBF, fish close to home, and qualify to fish all the biggest events in fishing! TBF members just like YOU do it every year!

It’s easy to get started and you do not have to own a boat.  Simply contact your local state federation through the TBF website at www.bassfederation.com or give us a call at 580.765.9031 to get your club started with TBF and FLW Outdoors or to find a TBF club near you.

2012 TBF Divisional Championship Series Dates & Locations

May 9-11, TBF Northwest Division Championship, CJ Strike Reservoir, Mountain Home ID.

May 16-18, TBF Southwest Division Championship, Navajo Lake, Ignacio, CO.

June 6-8, TBF Southern Division Championship, Lake Okeechobee, Okeechobee, FL.

June 13-15, TBF Central Division Championship, Red River, Shreveport/Bossier City, LA.

Sept., 5-7, TBF Northern Division Championship, Mississippi River, Lacrosse, WI.

Sept., 12-14, TBF Eastern Division Championship, Lake Champlain, Colchester, VT.

Sept., 19-21, TBF Mid-Atlantic Division Championship, Potomac River, Marbury, MD.

The TBF Divisional Championship series will continue in 2013 with events slated to be hosted in, Washington, Arizona, Texas, Tennessee, Ohio, Rhode Island, and New Jersey.

The Bass Federation Inc. (TBF) is owned by those we serve and dedicated to the sport of fishing. TBF is the largest and oldest, organized grassroots fishing organization there is. TBF affiliated state federations and their member clubs conduct more than 20,000 fishing, youth and conservation events at the local level each year and have provided a foundation for the entire bass fishing industry for more than 40 years.  Visit bassfederation.com

Continue reading »]]> Sportfishing community calls for the dismissal of unwarranted petition for a national ban on lead fishing tackle

Alexandria, VA – December 6, 2011 – On November 16, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was yet again petitioned by the Center for Biological Diversity and two other anti-fishing groups, requesting that the agency regulate the manufacture and sale of lead fishing tackle of certain sizes and uses under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). If approved, such regulation could result in a de facto ban of lead sinkers, jigs and other popular types of fishing equipment.

This comes on the heels of a similar petition that the EPA dismissed in November 2010. The original petition also sought to ban lead hunting and shooting ammunition, which is exempted from regulation under TSCA. In dismissing the original petition, the EPA indicated that the “petitioners have not demonstrated that the requested rule is necessary to protect against an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment, as required by the TSCA.”

“The sportfishing community is once again asking the EPA to rule on the side of scientific fish and wildlife population management and dismiss this unwarranted petition,” said American Sportfishing Association (ASA) Vice President Gordon Robertson. “Such regulations will have a significant, negative impact on recreational anglers and the sportfishing industry, yet the petitioners lack credible science to back such a far-reaching request. They claim lead is threatening loons across the nation, but several studies, including one by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have shown that loon populations are either stable or increasing throughout most of their range.”

“Despite the EPA’s clear ruling, the petitioners continue to attempt to push the ban,” said Robertson. “This further demonstrates the need for a legislative solution to this growing threat to recreational fishing. In response, the co-chairs of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus have introduced the Hunting, Fishing and Recreational Shooting Sports Protection Act, which would prevent an overreaching ban of lead fishing tackle. With anti-fishing organizations trying to over-regulate fishing using whatever means they can, legislation is needed to protect traditional fishing tackle and ammunition from unjustified bans that will harm the economy and reduce participation in outdoor activities.”

“Last year more than 43,000 anglers sent their objections to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson through KeepAmericaFishing™,” said Robertson. “ASA encourages members of the sportfishing industry and the angling public to contact the EPA in opposition to the petition and to urge their Members of Congress to support the Hunting, Fishing and Recreational Shooting Sports Protection Act. ASA will soon provide suggested comments on www.KeepAmericaFishing.org. The sportfishing industry applauds the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus for its leadership and for so powerfully addressing an issue that urgently needs a dose of common sense.”

Two of the three petitioners are currently engaged in a lawsuit against the EPA’s dismissal of the original petition to ban lead fishing tackle. “The petitioners are taking advantage of our federal government, ignoring the decision that the EPA made just a year ago and working around the ongoing litigation that they filed shortly after that decision,” said Robertson. “This is a gaming of the system and ASA urges the EPA to deny the most recent petition and asks all anglers to voice their support for the Hunting, Fishing and Recreational Shooting Sports Protection Act.”

The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) is the sportfishing industry’s trade association, committed to looking out for the interests of the entire sportfishing community. We give the industry a unified voice speaking out when emerging laws and policies could significantly affect sportfishing business or sportfishing itself. We invest in long-term ventures to ensure the industry will remain strong and prosperous as well as safeguard and promote the enduring economic and conservation values of sportfishing in America. ASA also gives America’s 60 million anglers a voice in policy decisions that affect their ability to sustainably fish on our nation’s waterways through KeepAmericaFishing™, our angler advocacy campaign. America’s anglers generate over $45 billion in retail sales with a $125 billion impact on the nation’s economy creating employment for over one million people.

Continue reading »]]> View Flyer

Don’t get caught in foul weather this season without Phace protection. The howling wind, driving rain and bitter cold you have been dreading for years is now a thing of the past.

CLUB ANGLERS NEED PROTECTION!

Save Phace has invented the world’s first Sport Utility Mask which is designed to eliminate all of the pain to the Phace associated with boat travel. It is light weight, stores easily and looks very cool!

AND WE ARE OFFERING A FANTASTIC DEAL TO CLUBS ACROSS AMERICA AND CANADA!

With a prepaid order of five masks, Save Phace is offering a 20% discount and we are going to throw in a free mask of our choice. We ask that the free mask be used as a raffle prize or for charity fundraising.

THAT’S RIGHT FREE!

Give us a call today! Finally you can use your club as leverage for a better deal.

Your discounted cost for the JUST ILL series is $47.99 (solid colors) and

$55.99 for the graphic SIMPLY SICK series. Shipping in most cases is about $15.00 for the whole order.

Offer ends 12/31/2011 so give us a call today with any questions you may have. Retailers are encouraged to get involved too so have yours call us.

SAVE PHACE INC

WWW.SAVEPHACE.COM

SHERMAN TEXAS

866-783-3223 EXT 4

FAX 888-828-8873

Continue reading »]]>

Wisconsin state champions Nicholas Peterson (left) and Kyler Chelminiak won the FLW High School Fishing Central Regional Championship on Kinkaid Lake with a total catch of 9 pounds, 9 ounces. (Photo by Gary Mortenson, FLW)

Chelminiak, Peterson out-duel field to grab first place on Kinkaid Lake

08.Oct.2011

CARBONDALE, IL – Wisconsin State Champions Kyler Chelminiak of Whitnall High School and Nicholas Peterson of Lakeland  High School won the High School Central Regional tournament held on Kinkaid Lake Saturday. The High School team recorded three bass weighing 9 pounds, 9 ounces to beat the Indiana state championship team by 5 pounds, 12 ounces.

Chelminiak said the team used Mann’s Flippin’ Craw to catch their fish Saturday.

“I used one bait and one rod, actually it was a flipping rod, to catch all my fish,” Chelminiak said. “It was slow all day long. We only got one bite every two hours.”

“We were flipping in heavy milfoil all day,” Peterson added. “We were just lucky to get the big bites that we got.”

Winning teams from each of five regional championships advance to the 2012 High School Fishing National Championship for a chance to win a $10,000 scholarship ($5,000 to each team member).

TBF along with FLW Outdoors held the high school tournament in conjunction with the FLW College Fishing Central Regional.

The top-five team finalists at the FLW High School Fishing Central Regional Championship on Kinkaid Lake acknowledge the crowd. (Photo by Gary Mortenson, FLW)

Rounding out the top five team finalists:

2nd: Indiana’s Tipton High, Andy Hinkle and Keegan Gray, one bass, 3-13

3rd: Minnesota’s Northfield and Edina High Schools, James Stein and Nick Montilino, one bass, 2-9

4th: Michigan’s Hastings High School, Daniel and Clayton Sprague, one bass, 2-7

5th: Missouri’s Glendale High, Andrew Guilliams and Brian Pahl, one bass, 2-6

Continue reading »]]> Wisconsin anglers now have the freedom to do something bass anglers in the rest of the country have been doing in tournaments for years: replace a bass in the live well with a larger one. The country’s last statewide bass culling ban was lifted in late May, after Gov. Scott Walker signed into law a bill that repealed the ban.

The Wisconsin Bass Federation, along with other tournament promoters and tournament anglers has been trying to overturn the culling law for more than 20 years. Wisconsin Bass Federation member Aaron David contacted friend and President Mike Simonds to consult on this topic. Mike felt Aaron’s passion on this issue and said do what you need to and the Federation would back your efforts.

“I testified three times to the Committee on Natural Resources about lifting this ban five or six years ago, but it never went anywhere,” recalls David. “The DNR just wouldn’t budge on this issue.”

He got the break he needed last year when his father John, called state Rep. Joel Kleefisch to talk about chronic wasting disease, a fatal disease affecting Wisconsin’s deer herd. When Aaron discovered who his father was talking to, he asked if he could have a few minutes on the phone with Kleefisch himself.

“He was all for lifting the ban after I explained what was going on and why it was an outdated idea that needed to be changed,” David says. “Kleefisch asked me to lead the effort to repeal the culling ban, so I just got to work.”

David enlisted the help of other WBF members, including President, Mike Simonds, Conservation Director Stephen Hjort and member Dan Brovarney, to lean on state lawmakers to pass the bill. The Bass Federation President Robert Cartlidge also testified in front of the Committee on Natural Resources.

“There was a lot of begging,” David recalls jokingly. “We did put a lot of pressure on state lawmakers, and Kleefisch also helped us by talking to fellow representatives. I made countless calls to state representatives and laid out the case for lifting the culling ban.”

David, who also serves on the Dodge County, Wis., Board of Supervisors, says the new rule that allows culling tournaments will be an economic boost to local communities.

“As a member of our county board of supervisors, I’m always thinking about ways to bring money to our community, so it seemed obvious that this ban should have been lifted a long time ago,” he says. “The state was losing out on a lot of money. That was an argument that really got through to many of the state representatives.”

Already, the potential economic impact is evident. FLW’s EverStart Series tournament director Ron Lappin attended the signing ceremony and immediately announced plans to hold a tournament in Wisconsin next year.

Despite his dedication, David refuses to take more than a small amount of credit.

“I’m just a member who happened to know a guy in the right place at the right time,” he says. “Anybody else would have done the same thing had he been given the opportunity.”