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| FishTails |
President's Message
By John Burdette, President, West Virginia BASS Federation
December, 2002
Well, another year in the life of the WVBF and its members is in the books. And what an awesome year we had considering
all the accomplishments and successes of the Federation.
We raised over $9,000 with the outdoor shows, a record 56 boat turnout for the Youth Tournament, Buddy Trail had
a record year, Governor's Youth Challenge was another great success, sent a Jr. team to Delaware, had 362 anglers
fish the State Qualifiers, awarded National Federation Member of the Year, WV Sportsman of the Year and WV Conservation
Organization of the Year just to name a few of our accomplishments. In deed 2002 was undoubtedly the greatest year
in the history of the WVBF. Such a year was only possible because of you that volunteered, participated and supported
the WVBF. I thank all of you for your efforts and am very proud and honored to be a part of such a terrific organization.
The Second Annual Federation Banquet will be held at the Days Inn in Flatwoods on February 28, 2003. As last year,
attendance will be by RSVP only. The banquet will start at 7pm and should be over by 9:30pm. You must have your
banquet fee paid by February 18, 2003 in order to attend the banquet. I have to give a final count to the Days
Inn so they can properly plan the meal and seating arrangements. There is a banquet registration form in this newsletter
on page __. I will also have registration forms at the February 2, 2003 federation meeting. Last year's banquet
was a huge success and I'm sure this year's will be as well. There will be a Federation meeting and CastingKids
state final the next day March 1 at the Braxton County Middle School in Flatwoods. So plan on staying over at the
Days Inn after the banquet and attend the meeting and CastingKids state final the next day.
The WVBF Outdoor Show is scheduled for February 14-16, 2003 at the Nathan Goff Armory in Clarksburg. We have partnered
with the Harrison County Schools Hooked on Fishing Not Drugs show that has been held at the Meadow Brook Mall near
Bridgeport for years. They will be joining the WVBF at the Nathan Goff Armory and the event will be called the
West Virginia Bass Federation and Harrison County Schools Outdoor Expo. Harrison County Schools will provide all
the promotion for the event along with their Hooked on Fishing Not Drugs program, youth essay contests, musical
groups, and some of the manpower for the event. WBOY TV, Harry Green Chevrolet, United Hospital Center and County
Club Chrysler will be the major sponsors of the event. Partnering with the Harrison Schools will pretty much guarantee
a large attendance for the show. If anyone is interested in helping with the show please contact me as soon as
possible.
The 2003 Buddy Trail schedule has been set and included in this newsletter as well as posted on the "Calendar
of Events" on our website. As you can see five of the six tournaments are in the central to southern part
of the state. In recent years most of the tournaments had been scheduled in the central to northern part of the
state because that is where the turnout was best. The Buddy Trail had a record year in 2002 and hopefully this
will continue with the 2003 season. For those of you in the north not to worry we will be scheduling tournaments
back in the Moundsville and New Martinsville areas on the Ohio River and the Monongahela River as well. We will
try to move the tournaments around a little more so as not to totally exclude the northern or southern parts of
the state. Other than tournament locations the only other change to the Buddy Trail is that the 2003 champions
will receive free entries into the 2004 tournaments. We will be taking a look at the daily creel limit for the
Buddy Trail at the February meeting. There has been some consideration of going from an eight fish limit to a limit
of six. Let the board members know what your feelings are on this matter before the February meeting.
I wish all of you and your families the Happiest and Safest of Holidays!!! Until next time-good fishing and God
bless.
-John |
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