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| FishTails: Apr.
2000 |
Casting Kids
The tension was tight among more than 50 youngsters who crowded the Braxton County Middle School. Some
nervously tossed jigs with their Zebco 33's. Others sat idly and watched, waiting for their name to be called to
step to the green carpet. Each hoped that their brown jig would sail true to the 50-point bullseye three times
and earn them a trip to the B.A.S.S. Federation National Championship in Knoxville, Tennessee. For this group it
was the equivalent of the State Tournament, the finals of the Casting Kids competition.
Casting Kids Director Sarge Travis told the crowd of more than 100-spectators that scores wouldn't be announced
so as not to put any undue pressure on those waiting on deck. However, as kids will do-he didn't need to announce
it, kids always keep a mental score. The tone for the 11-to-14 age group was established early when the very first
competitor nailed a score of 130. Before half the field had stepped to the line, two more youngsters had equaled
the 130-mark and the possibility of a "cast-off" looked very real.
Enter Wil Dieffenbauch of Hundred. Although it was Wil's first competition in the older age bracket he was no stranger
to the rules and technique. Wil was West Virginia's representative in the 7-to-10 age group the last two year's
in both Shreveport and Knoxville. The seniority of his competitors didn't seem to bother him as he quickly rattled
off top scores in the flip, pitch, and casting category to earn a perfect 150.
"I've been handling this competition for eight or ten years." Said Travis, "It's the first time
I can ever remember anybody scoring a 150."
The score would not be matched and Dieffenbauch was set to make his third straight trip to the regional.
"I practice a lot." Says the Wetzel County 11-year-old; "My dad and my grandma are always helping
me try to make it into the target every time."
With Wil's departure from the younger age group it was time for a new rod-work phenom to emerge. Enter a bouncing
young lady with a Casting Kids T-shirt autographed by the pros and a small ponytail protruding out the back of
a B.A.S.S. cap. Her name is Terissa Sias of Weston. Terissa is no stranger to the Casting Kids competitions either,
but in recent years has stood in the shadow of her older brother. Gary Sias has been to the national's before.
Terissa proceeded to put on a casting clinic of her own-slipping only slightly in the casting leg of the competition
to post a score of 140 and win the 7-to-10 age group.
"I practice about every other day." Said the petite Terissa through an ear-to-ear grin. "I hope
to fish tournaments when I get old enough."
To date the big bass have eluded her. Terissa says her biggest catch is a 16-inch catfish. However, her sights
are beyond fishing since she plans to be a nurse.
"I'm really excited and a little bit nervous." She comments about the regional championships.
While Wil and Terissa owned the spotlight-the kids owned the show. Each was a winner in their local Casting Kids
competition. Each is sanctioned by B.A.S.S. and conducted by local clubs in nearly every nook and cranny of West
Virginia. Perhaps Travis put the whole competition into perspective as he urged those in the crowd to take their
kids fishing.
"It only takes one nibble on the end of that line for a kid to be hooked on fishing for life. It also only
takes one nibble on crack cocaine for a kid to be hooked on drugs for life. A judge once told me he's never had
to sentence a kid brought up in a fishing family. Take your kids fishing." |
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