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| FishTails |
2004 WVBF Junior State Qualifier
Sunday May 16, 2004
Sutton Lake, Bee Run Ramp
Warm temperatures and overcast skies set the stage for the 2nd West Virginia B.A.S.S. Federation Junior State Qualifier.
Twenty-Eight youths from all over the state competed for three slots in two age categories of 11-14 and 15-17 to
represent West Virginia, July 9, 2004, on Lake Champlain in Vermont. The field was comprised of 14 boats with two
youths and an adult boat captain in each boat. As blast-off began at 7:00 a.m., the youths were off to their "hot
spots" to catch their 5 fish limit with a minimum length of 10 inches As the hours passed, the youths dawned
raingear with a few rain showers that passed throughout the day. Check-in was 3:00 p.m. and as the boats made their
way back, at idle speed to the Bee Run dock, there were several different expressions on the youth's faces. Unlike
last year's Junior State Championship that had a 12 inch limit, you could hear the conversations of who had limits
and who were just short of a limit. Weigh-in time was full of stories of catching dozens of short fish and "the
big one that got away".
After the final bag was weighed and totals tallied, 1st place went to Adam Nelson, 13, of Central Jr. Bassmasters
with a total of five fish weighing 4 pounds 2 ounces. Adam also captured the lunker title of the tournament with
a 1 pound 9 ounce largemouth. 2nd place went to Roadhouse Junior Bassmasters's Wil Dieffenbauch, 15, with five
fish weighing 3 pounds 9 ounces. Third place went to Codie Nettles, 15, of Hawks Nest Jr. Bassmasters with five
fish weighing 3 pounds 9 ounces. Codie will be competing in July at the Junior Bassmaster World Championship in
Charlotte, NC, which is held in conjunction with the BASSMasters Classic. 4th place went to Robert Glover, 12,
of Roadhouse Jr. Bassmasters with 5 fish weighing 3 pounds 7 ounces. 5th place to Justin Bailey, 15, of R.D. Bailey
Jr. Bassmasters with 5 fish weighing 3 pounds 4 ounces. Rounding out the final spot in 6th place is Matt Lambert,
14, of Central Jr. Bassmasters with 5 fish weighing 3 pounds 2 ounces.
A big thanks goes out to Steve Jackson of Hawks Nest Bassmasters, Randy Toler of R.D. Bailey, Pete Evanovich of
Roadhouse, and Sarge Travis of Central WV Bassmasters for taking the time to form their junior clubs. Also, a big
thanks to the parents of the youths for giving their child the opportunity to fish competitively which in turn
help teach the youths the importance of our natural resources that they will soon be taking care of as we do today.
This is the right direction we want to guide the younger generation and to pass on what we have been taught over
the years to preserve the future of outdoor activities that they too can pass on to their children.
For more information on forming a youth club or any questions about youth activities please contact Dion Bright
at dbright@clarksburg.com, or call 304-592-0494.
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| 2004 WV Jr State Team. |
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| Adam Nelson State Jr Champion and Lunker Award 2004. |
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| Central Jr Bassmasters. |
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| Hawksnest Jr Bassmasters. |
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| John Burdette weighing in fish for Will Deiffenbauch. |
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| RD Bailey Jr Bassmasters. |
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| Roadhouse Jr Bassmasters. |
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| Savannah Slemp assisting with fish care. |
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